Of the 6106 House and 3754 Senate pieces of legislation introduced in the 111th Congress to date, the
following are the Senate bills of interest to the non-active duty veteran community. Bill titles in green (if
any) are new additions to this summary, titles in orange have either passed either the House or Senate and
been passed to the other for consideration or been incorporated into another bill, and those highlighted in blue
have become public law. A good indication on the likelihood a bill of being forwarded to the House or Senate
for passage and subsequently being signed into law by the President is the number of cosponsors who have
signed onto the bill. An alternate way for it to become law is if it is added as an addendum to another bill
such as the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and survives the conference committee
assigned to iron out the difference between the House and Senate bills. At http://thomas.loc.gov you can
review a copy of each bill’s text, determine its current status, the committee it has been assigned to, who your
representative is and his/her phone number, mailing address, or email/website to communicate with a
message or letter of your own making, and if your legislator is a sponsor or cosponsor of it. To separately
determine what bills, amendments your representative has sponsored, cosponsored, or dropped sponsorship
on refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d111/sponlst.html. To review a numerical list of all bills introduced
refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/111search.html. The key to increasing cosponsorship is letting legislators
know of their constituent’s views on issues. Those bills that include a website in red are being pushed by
various veterans groups for passage and by clicking on that website you can forward a preformatted message
to your legislator requesting he/she support the bill.
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S.46 : Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2009 to amend title XVIII of the Social Security
Act to repeal the Medicare outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps.
Sponsor: Sen Ensign, John [NV] (introduced 1/6/2009) Cosponsors (32) Related Bill: H.R.43
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/alert/?alertid=14486941&type=CO
________________________________________
S.66 : Disabled Vet Space A. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit former members of the
Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated as total to travel on military aircraft in the same
manner and to the same extent as retired members of the Armed Forces are entitled to travel on such aircraft.
Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/6/2009)
Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
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S.67 : Disabled POW Commissary/Exchange Use. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize
certain disabled former prisoners of war to use Department of Defense commissary and exchange stores.
Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/6/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
________________________________________
S.68 : Filipino Service Certification. A bill to require the Secretary of the Army to determine the validity of
the claims of certain Filipinos that they performed military service on behalf of the United States during
World War II.
Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/6/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.94 : Long-Term Care Family Accessibility Act. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
provide for a nonrefundable tax credit for long-term care insurance premiums.
Sponsor: Sen Vitter, David [LA] (introduced 1/6/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
Major Action: 1/13/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.239 : Veterans Health Equity Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that
veterans in each of the 48 contiguous States are able to receive services in at least one full-service hospital of
the Veterans Health Administration in the State or receive comparable services provided by contract in the
State.
Sponsor: Sen Shaheen, Jeanne [NH] (introduced 1/14/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Companion Bill H.R.190
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.246 : Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
improve the quality of care provided to veterans in Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, to
encourage highly qualified doctors to serve in hard-to-fill positions in such medical facilities, and for other
purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 1/14/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 1/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.252 : Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical
health-care professionals, to improve the provision of health care veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/15/2009)
Cosponsors (11)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
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http://capwiz.com/dav/issues/alert/?alertid=14008476&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
________________________________________
S.263 : Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
improve the enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994,
and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.1474.
Sponsor: Sen Casey, Robert P., Jr. [PA] (introduced 1/15/2009)
Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
________________________________________
S.274 : Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act of 2009. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
provide an incentive to hire unemployed veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Baucus, Max [MT] (introduced 1/16/2009)
Cosponsors (1) Related Bill: H.R.4443
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/16/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
________________________________________
S.296 : Fair Tax Act of 2009. A bill to promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the
income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be
administered primarily by the States.
Sponsor: Sen Chambliss, Saxby [GA] (introduced 1/22/2009)
Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/22/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
________________________________________
S.307 : Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act of 2009. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security
Act to provide flexibility in the manner in which beds are counted for purposes of determining whether a
hospital may be designated as a critical access hospital under the Medicare program and to exempt from the
critical access hospital inpatient bed limitation the number of beds provided for certain veterans. Companion
Bill H.R.668
Sponsor: Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] (introduced 1/22/2009)
Cosponsors (15)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 1/22/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
________________________________________
S.315 : Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
improve the outreach activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Companion
Bill H.R.32
Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 1/26/2009)
Cosponsors (2) Related Bill H.R.2257
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
________________________________________
S.347 : Vet Hand Loss Traumatic Injury Protection. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to allow
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to distinguish between the severity of a qualifying loss of a dominant hand
and a qualifying loss of a non-dominant hand for purposes of traumatic injury protection under
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Ensign, John [NV] (introduced 1/29/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Page 4
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
________________________________________
S.402 : Keeping Our Promise to America’s Military Veterans Act. A bill to improve the lives of our Nation’s
veterans and their families and provide them with the opportunity to achieve the American dream.
Sponsor: Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] (introduced 2/10/2009)
Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/10/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.404 : Veterans’ Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
expand veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment
furnished in a non-Department facility, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.1377.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 2/10/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/10/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.407 : Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009. A bill to increase, effective as of
December 1, 2009, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of
dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other
purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 2/10/2009)
Cosponsors (17)
Related bill H.R.1513
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Senate Reports: 111-24
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 111-37 [GPO: Text, PDF]
________________________________________
S.423 : Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38,
United States Code, to authorize advance appropriations for certain medical care accounts of the Department
of Veterans Affairs by providing two-fiscal year budget authority, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 2/12/2009)
Cosponsors (56)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 8/6/2009 Senate floor actions. Status: Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 101.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12703276
________________________________________
S.491 : Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to
allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums.
Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 2/26/2009)
Cosponsors (48)
Companion Bill H.R.1203
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 2/26/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
________________________________________
S.498 : Vet Dental Insurance. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize dental insurance for
veterans and survivors and dependents of veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 2/26/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 2/26/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Page 5
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.514 : Veterans Rehabilitation and Training Improvements Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United
States Code, to enhance vocational rehabilitation benefits for veterans, and for other purposes. Companion
Bill H.R.297.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 3/3/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
________________________________________
S.535 : SBP DIC Offset Elimination. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal requirement for
reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan by veterans’ dependency and indemnity
compensation, and for other purposes. Companion Bill H.775.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, Bill [FL] (introduced 3/5/2009)
Cosponsors (58)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/5/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senator send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=14275496&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
________________________________________
S.543 : Veteran and Servicemember Family Caregiver Support Act of 2009. A bill to require a pilot program
on training, certification, and support for family caregivers of seriously disabled veterans and members of the
Armed Forces to provide caregiver services to such veterans and members, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 3/6/2009)
Cosponsors (14)
Companion Bill H.R.785.
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.546 : Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit certain
retired members of the uniformed services who have a service-connected disability to receive both disability
compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of
their years of military service of Combat-Related Special Compensation. Companion Bill H.R.811.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 3/9/2009)
Cosponsors (45)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/9/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=12904686&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
________________________________________
S.572 : Purple Heart Forever Stamp. A bill to provide for the issuance of a “forever stamp” to honor the
sacrifices of the brave men and women of the armed forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart.
Companion Bill H.R.1305.
Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 3/11/2009)
Cosponsors (17)
Committees: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009 Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government
Information, Federal Services, and International Security.
________________________________________
S.597 : Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States
Page 6
Code, to expand and improve health care services available to women veterans, especially those serving in
operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for
other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.1211
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 3/16/2009)
Cosponsors (20)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.606 : Veterans Corps Program. A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to
establish a Veterans Corps program.
Sponsor: Sen Warner, Mark R. [VA] (introduced 3/17/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
________________________________________
S.614 : WASP Gold Medal Award. A bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce
Service Pilots (“WASP”).
Sponsor: Sen Hutchison, Kay Bailey [TX] (introduced 3/17/2009)
Cosponsors (75)
Companion Bill
H.R.2014
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 111-40 [GPO: Text, PDF]
________________________________________
S.642 : Health Care for Members of the Armed Forces Exposed to Chemical Hazards Act of 2009. A bill to
require the Secretary of Defense to establish registries of members and former members of the Armed Forces
exposed in the line of duty to occupational and environmental health chemical hazards, to amend title 38,
United States Code, to provide health care to veterans exposed to such hazards, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Bayh, Evan [IN] (introduced 3/19/2009)
Cosponsors (7)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
________________________________________
S.644 : National Guard and Reserve Retired Pay Equity Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United States
Code, to include service after September 11, 2001, as service qualifying for the determination of a reduced
eligibility age for receipt of non-regular service retired pay.
Sponsor: Sen Chambliss, Saxby [GA] (introduced 3/19/2009)
Cosponsors (13) Companion Bill H.R.208
Related Bill S.831
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/ncoausa/issues/alert/?alertid=12995086&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id] or
http://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/bills/?bill=12960556
________________________________________
S.658 : Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code,
to improve health care for veterans who live in rural areas, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Tester, Jon [MT] (introduced 3/19/2009)
Cosponsors (10)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/19/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
Page 7
S.663 : Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38,
United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Merchant Mariner Equity
Compensation Fund to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant
marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, E. Benjamin [NE] (introduced 3/19/2009)
Cosponsors (51)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
________________________________________
S.669 : Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
clarify the conditions under which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent for
certain purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 3/23/2009)
Cosponsors (18)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/16/2009 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No.
78.
________________________________________
S.691 : Colorado National Cemetery for Veterans. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
establish a national cemetery for veterans in southern Colorado region, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Bennet, Michael F. [CO] (introduced 3/25/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
________________________________________
S.699 : South Texas Veterans’ Hospital. A bill to provide for the construction by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs of a full service hospital in Far South Texas.
Sponsor: Sen Cornyn, John [TX] (introduced 3/25/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.700 : Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009. A bill to amend title II of the Social
Security Act to phase out the 24-month waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for
Medicare benefits, to eliminate the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions, and for
other purposes. Companion Bill H.R.1708.
Sponsor: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] (introduced 3/25/2009)
Cosponsors (21)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
_______________________________________
S.728 : Veterans’ Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to enhance veterans’ insurance benefits, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 3/26/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/7/2009 Senate floor actions. Status: Returned to the Calendar. Calendar No. 155.
________________________________________
S.731 : TRICARE Coverage For “Gray Area” Reservists. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to
provide for continuity of TRICARE Standard coverage for certain members of the Retired Reserve.
Page 8
Companion Bill H.R.270
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, E. Benjamin [NE] (introduced 3/26/2009)
Cosponsors (23)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services. ‘
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://www.ngaus.org/content.asp?bid=1805&False&False
________________________________________
S.734 : Rural Veterans Health Care Access and Quality Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to improve the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain physicians in Health
Professional Shortage Areas and to improve the provision of health care to veterans in rural areas, and for
other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 3/30/2009)
Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/30/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.746 : Nebraska National Cemetery. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national
cemetery in the Sarpy County region to serve veterans in eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, and northwest
Missouri.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, E. Benjamin [NE] (introduced 3/31/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
________________________________________
S.760 : National World War I Memorial. A bill to designate the Liberty Memorial at the National World
War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the “National World War I Memorial”.
Sponsor: Sen McCaskill, Claire [MO] (introduced 4/1/2009)
Cosponsors (3)
Related Bill H.R.1849
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 12/3/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
________________________________________
S.768 : Bataan Gold Medal Initiative. A bill to grant the Congressional Gold Medal to the soldiers from the
United States who were prisoners of war at Bataan during World War II.
Sponsor: Sen Udall, Tom [NM] (introduced 4/1/2009)
Cosponsors (7)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/1/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
________________________________________
S.772 : Honor Act of 2009. A bill to enhance benefits for survivors of certain former members of the Armed
Forces with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury, to enhance availability and
access to mental health counseling for members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Bond, Christopher S. [MO] (introduced 4/1/2009)
Cosponsors (12)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/1/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.793 : Department of Veterans Affairs Vision Scholars Act of 2009. A bill to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to establish a scholarship program for students seeking a degree or certificate in the areas of
Page 9
visual impairment and orientation and mobility.
Sponsor: Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] (introduced 4/2/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.801 : Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to waive
charges for humanitarian care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to family members
accompanying veterans severely injured after September 11, 2001, as they receive medical care from the
Department and to provide assistance to family caregivers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 4/2/2009)
Cosponsors (27)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 9/25/2009 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No.
167.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13104956&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
________________________________________
S.820 : Veterans Mobility Enhancement Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
enhance the automobile assistance allowance for veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 4/2/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
________________________________________
S.821 : VA Copay Collection Prohibition. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs from collecting certain copayments from veterans who are catastrophically
disabled, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 4/2/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read the second time and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
________________________________________
S.831 : National Guard and Reserve Retired Pay Equity Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United States
Code, to include service after September 11, 2001, as service qualifying for the determination of a reduced
eligibility age for receipt of non-regular service retired pay.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 4/20/2009)
Cosponsors (34)
Related Bill S.644
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/20/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via www.ngaus.org/content.asp?bid=1805
________________________________________
S.832 : MOAA Federal Charter. A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to grant a Federal charter to
the Military Officers Association of America, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, Bill [FL] (introduced 4/20/2009)
Cosponsors (41)
Companion Bill H.R.2017
Related Bill S.1449
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 111-95 [GPO: Text, PDF]
________________________________________
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S.842 : VA Home Loan Payoff to Mortgagers. A bill to repeal the sunset of certain enhancements of
protections of servicemembers relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay mortgage holders unpaid balances on
housing loans guaranteed by Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 4/21/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/21/2009 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs. Hearings held.
________________________________________
S.847 : SBP Education Assistance Limitation Exclusion. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
provide that utilization of survivors’ and dependents’ educational assistance shall not be subject to the 48-
month limitation on the aggregate amount of assistance utilizable under multiple veterans and related
educational assistance programs.
Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 4/21/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
________________________________________
S.883 : Medal of Honor Coin. A bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition and
celebration of the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861, America’s highest award for valor in action
against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the
United States, to honor the American military men and women who have been recipients of the Medal of
Honor, and to promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents and how ordinary Americans,
through courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism, can challenge fate and change the course of
history.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 4/23/2009)
Cosponsors (85)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
________________________________________
S.902 : Veteran’s Treatment Courts. A bill to provide grants to establish veteran’s treatment courts.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 4/27/2009)
Cosponsors (4)
Related Bill H.R.2127
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 4/27/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
________________________________________
S. 944 – The Wounded Warrior Transition Assistance Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to
require the Secretaries of the military departments to give wounded members of the reserve components of
the Armed Forces the option of remaining on active duty during the transition process in order to continue to
receive military pay and allowances, to authorize members to reside at their permanent places of residence
during the process, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 4/30/2009)
Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/30/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13266571&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
——————————————————————————–
S.977 : Prisoner of War Benefits Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide
Page 11
improved benefits for veterans who are former prisoners of war, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 5/5/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.998 : Arthur Woolweaver, Jr., Social Security Act Improvements for the Terminally Ill Act. A bill to
amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the five-month waiting period in the disability insurance
program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] (introduced 5/7/2009)
Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 5/7/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
——————————————————————————–
S.1008 : Military Retired Pay Fairness Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to limit
requirements of separation pay, special separation benefits, and voluntary separation incentive from members
of the Armed Forces subsequently receiving retired or retainer pay.
Sponsor: Sen Shaheen, Jeanne [NH] (introduced 5/7/2009)
Cosponsors (7)
Companion bill H.R.2302
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/7/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13682656&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id] or
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13967481&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
——————————————————————————–
S.1015 : Enhanced Disability Compensation for Certain Disabled Veterans. A bill to amend title 38, United
States Code, to enhance disability compensation for certain disabled veterans with difficulties using
prostheses and disabled veterans in need of regular aid and attendance for residuals of traumatic brain injury,
and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 5/11/2009)
Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/11/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.1016 : Vet Disability Compensation Award upon Separation. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code,
to modify the commencement of the period of payment of original awards of compensation for veterans who
are retired or separated from the Uniformed services for disability.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 5/11/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/11/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.1042 : Illegal Garnishment Prevention Act. A bill to prohibit the use of funds to promote the direct deposit
of Veterans and Social Security benefits until adequate safeguards are established to prevent the attachment
and garnishment of such benefits.
Sponsor: Sen Kohl, Herb [WI] (introduced 5/14/2009)
Cosponsors (2)
Page 12
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 5/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
——————————————————————————–
S.1055 : Gold Medal Award for 100
th
Inf Bn & 442
nd
RCT. A bill to grant the congressional gold medal,
collectively, to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, United States Army, in
recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.
Sponsor: Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] (introduced 5/14/2009)
Cosponsors (71)
Related bill H.R.347
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.1106 : Selected Reserve Continuum of Care Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to require
the provision of medical and dental readiness services to certain members of the Selected Reserve and
Individual Ready Reserve based on medical need, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] (introduced 5/20/2009)
Cosponsors (7)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/20/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
——————————————————————————–
S.1109 : PRO-VETS Act of 2009. A bill to provide veterans with individualized notice about available
benefits, to streamline application processes or the benefits, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] (introduced 5/20/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1118 : DIC Compensation Rate Increase to 55%. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide
for an increase in the amount of monthly dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving
spouses by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] (introduced 5/21/2009)
Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1128 : Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act. A bill to authorize the award of a military service medal to
members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the
testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances.
Sponsor: Sen Roberts, Pat [KS] (introduced 5/21/2009)
Cosponsors (3)
Related bill H.R.2553
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
——————————————————————————–
S.1160 : Homes for Heroes Act of 2009. A bill to provide housing assistance for very low-income veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] (introduced 6/1/2009)
Cosponsors (14)
Page 13
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/1/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.1166 : Voluntary Support for Reservists and National Guard Members Act of 2009. A bill to amend the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate part or all of any income tax refund to support
reservists and National Guard members.
Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 6/3/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 6/3/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
——————————————————————————–
S.1168 : Nationally Significant Battlefields Protection. A bill to authorize the acquisition and protection of
nationally significant battlefields and associated sites of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 under
the American Battlefield Protection Program.
Sponsor: Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] (introduced 6/3/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Related Bill
H.R.1694
Committees: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Major Action: 7/15/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 111-92.
——————————————————————————–
S.1169 : Uniformed Services with Autism (USA) Heroes Act . A bill to amend title 10, United States Code,
to provide for the treatment of autism under TRICARE.
Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] (introduced 6/3/2009)
Cosponsors (7)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/3/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
——————————————————————————–
S.1204 : Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act of 2009. A bill to amend the Department of
Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 to require the provision of chiropractic
care and services to veterans at all Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 6/8/2009)
Cosponsors (9)
Related bill H.R.1017
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1237 : Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Act of 2009. A bill to amend
title 38, United States Code, to expand the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs to include
male homeless veterans with minor dependents and to establish a grant program for reintegration of homeless
women veterans and homeless veterans with children, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 6/11/2009)
Cosponsors (10)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2010 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No.
360.
Page 14
——————————————————————————–
S.1337 : Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2009. A bill to exempt children of certain Filipino
World War II veterans from the numerical limitations on immigrant visas.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 6/24/2009)
Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
——————————————————————————–
S.1347 : Carmelo Rodriguez Military Medical Accountability Act of 2009. A bill to amend chapter 171 of
title 28, United States Code, to allow members of the Armed Forces to sue the United States for damages for
certain injuries caused by improper medical care, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] (introduced 6/24/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 6/24/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=13791596&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]
——————————————————————————–
S.1394 : Veterans Entitlement to Service Act of 2009. A bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
acknowledge the receipt of medical, disability, and pension claims and other communications submitted by
claimants, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] (introduced 7/6/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1427 : Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital Quality Report Card Act of 2009. A bill to amend title
38, United States Code, to establish a Hospital Quality Report Card Initiative to report on health care quality
in Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] (introduced 7/9/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1429 : Servicemembers Mental Health Care Commission Act. A bill to establish a commission on
veterans and members of the Armed Forces with post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or
other mental health disorders, to enhance the capacity of mental health care providers to assist such veterans
and members, to ensure such veterans are not discriminated against, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] (introduced 7/9/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1449 : MOAA Federal Charter. A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to grant a Federal charter to
the Military Officers Association of America, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Nelson, Bill [FL] (introduced 7/14/2009) Cosponsors (None) Related Bill H.R.2017 & S.832
Page 15
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 7/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
——————————————————————————–
S.1450 : Deceased Servicemen Parental Nursing Home Care. A bill to enable State homes to furnish
nursing home care to parents any of whose children died while serving in the Armed Forces.
Sponsor: Sen Ensign, John [NV] (introduced 7/14/2009)
Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 7/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.1452 : COMBAT PTSD Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the meaning of
“combat with the enemy” for purposes of service-connection of disabilities.
Sponsor: Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] (introduced 7/14/2009)
Cosponsors (5)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 7/14/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.1467 : Lance Corporal Josef Lopez Fairness for Servicemembers Harmed by Vaccines Act of 2009. A
bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide coverage under Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life
Insurance for adverse reactions to vaccinations administered by the Department of Defense, and for other
purposes.
Sponsor: Sen McCaskill, Claire [MO] (introduced 7/16/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1495 : Service Dogs for Veterans Act of 2009. A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry
out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using service dogs for the treatment or
rehabilitation of veterans with physical or mental injuries or disabilities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Franken, Al [MN] (introduced 7/22/2009)
Cosponsors (7) Related Bill H.R.3266
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 7/22/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.1518 : Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans who were stationed at Camp
Lejeune, North Carolina, while the water was contaminated at Camp Lejeune.
Sponsor: Sen Burr, Richard [NC] (introduced 7/27/2009)
Cosponsors (15)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1520 : NAIV Charter. A bill to grant a Federal charter to the National American Indian Veterans,
Page 16
Incorporated.
Sponsor: Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] (introduced 7/27/2009)
Cosponsors (1) Related Bill H.R.3349
Committees: Senate Judiciary
Latest Major Action: 7/27/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
——————————————————————————–
S.1543 : Supporting Military Families Act of 2009. A bill to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of
1993 and title 5, United States Code, to provide leave for family members of members of regular components
of the Armed Forces, and leave to care for covered veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] (introduced 7/30/2009)
Cosponsors (4)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action: 7/30/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
——————————————————————————–
S.1547 : Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to enhance and expand the assistance provided by the
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to homeless
veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Reed, Jack [RI] (introduced 7/30/2009)
Cosponsors (19)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1556 : Veteran Voting Support Act of 2009. A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit
facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be designated as voter registration agencies, and for other
purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] (introduced 8/3/2009)
Cosponsors (6)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1558 : Travel Reimbursement for Inactive Duty Training Personnel (TRIP) Act of 2009. A bill to amend
title 37, United States Code, to provide travel and transportation allowances for members of the reserve
components for long distance and certain other travel to inactive duty training.
Sponsor: Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] (introduced 8/3/2009)
Cosponsors (8)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 8/3/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
——————————————————————————–
S.1668 : National Guard Education Equality Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide
for the inclusion of certain active duty service in the reserve components as qualifying service for purposes of
Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Bennet, Michael F. [CO] (introduced 9/14/2009)
Cosponsors (14)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Page 17
Affairs. Hearings held.
To support this bill and/or contact your Senators send a message via
http://capwiz.com/ngaus/mail/compose/?mailid=14779496&azip=92571
——————————————————————————–
S.1685 : Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act of 2009. A bill to provide an emergency benefit of $250 to
seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities in 2010 to compensate for the lack of a cost-of-living
adjustment for such year, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 9/17/2009)
Cosponsors (10) Related Bills: H.R.3597
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 9/17/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
——————————————————————————–
S.1695 : Congressional Gold Medal Award. A bill to authorize the award of a Congressional gold medal
to the Montford Point Marines of World War II.
Sponsor: Sen Burris, Roland [IL] (introduced 9/23/2009)
Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Major Action: 9/23/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.1717 : VA Facility Leases. A bill to authorize major medical facility leases for the Department of
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2010, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 9/25/2009)
Cosponsors (1) Related Bill S.1310
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 111-82
——————————————————————————–
S.1752 : Parkinson’s Disease VA Compensation. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide wartime disability compensation for certain veterans with
Parkinson’s disease.
Sponsor: Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 10/5/2009)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1753 : Disabled Veteran Caregiver Housing Assistance Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United
States Code, to increase assistance for disabled veterans who are temporarily residing in housing owned by a
family member, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 10/5/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1779 : Health Care for Veterans Exposed to Chemical Hazards Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38,
United States Code, to provide health care to veterans exposed in the line of duty to occupational and
environmental health chemical hazards, and for other purposes.
Page 18
Sponsor: Sen Bayh, Evan [IN] (introduced 10/14/2009)
Cosponsors (7)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/21/2009 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1780 : Honor America’s Guard-Reserve Retirees Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
deem certain service in the reserve components as active service for purposes of laws administered by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] (introduced 10/14/2009)
Cosponsors (9)
Related bill: H.R.3787
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/19/2010 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1798 : Automatic Reserve Component Enrollment Act of 2009. A bill to provide for the automatic
enrollment of demobilizing members of the National Guard and Reserve in health care and dental care
programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 10/19/2009)
Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/19/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.1932 : Post 9/11 Troops to Teachers Enhancement Act. A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 to allow members of the Armed Forces who served on active duty on or after
September 11, 2001, to be eligible to participate in the Troops-to-Teachers Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen McCain, John [AZ] (introduced 10/27/2009)
Cosponsors (9)
Committees: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Major Action:
——————————————————————————–
S.1939 : Vet Presumptive Exposure in Vietnam. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify
presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of
Vietnam, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] (introduced 10/27/2009)
Cosponsors (19)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/19/2010 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.1963 : Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United
States Code, to provide assistance to caregivers of veterans, to improve the provision of health care to
veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 10/28/2009)
Cosponsors (7)
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 111-163 [GPO: Text, PDF]
——————————————————————————–
S.2096 : Parent VA Burial Eligibility. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the
Page 19
eligibility of parents of certain deceased veterans for interment in national cemeteries.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 10/29/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 10/29/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.2743 : Cold War Service Medal Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for
the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who served honorably during the Cold
War, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] (introduced 11/5/2009)
Cosponsors (8)
Related bill: H.R.4051
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 11/5/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
——————————————————————————–
S.2759 : Benefit Rating Acceleration for Veteran Entitlements Act of 2009. A bill to amend title II and
XVI of the Social Security Act to provide for treatment of disability rated and certified as total by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs as disability for purposes of such titles.
Sponsor: Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] (introduced 11/10/2009)
Cosponsors (None) Related Bill: H.R.4054
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 11/10/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
——————————————————————————–
S.2760 : VA Homeless Vets Appropriations. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an
increase in the annual amount authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out
comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Udall, Tom [NM] (introduced 11/10/2009)
Cosponsors (14)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 11/10/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.2769 : Post-9/11 Veterans’ Job Training Act of 2009. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
provide for the use of entitlement under Post-9/11 Educational Assistance for the pursuit of apprenticeships
and on-job training, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Klobuchar, Amy [MN] (introduced 11/10/2009)
Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 11/10/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
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S.2770 : Veterans Business Center Act of 2009. A bill to amend the Small Business Act to establish a
Veterans Business Center program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] (introduced 11/10/2009)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Latest Major Action: 11/10/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
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S.3082 : VA Work Study Allowances. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize individuals
who are pursuing programs of rehabilitation, education, or training under laws administered by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs to receive work-study allowances for certain outreach services provided through
congressional offices, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] (introduced 3/5/2010)
Cosponsors (1)
Related bill: H.R.4765
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/5/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.3107 : Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2010. A bill to amend title 38 ,
United States Code, to provide for an increase, effective December 1, 2010, in the rates of compensation for
veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the
survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 3/11/2010)
Cosponsors (11) Related Bill: H.R.4667
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/19/2010 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
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S.3118 : Veterans Pensions Protection Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that
monetary benefits paid to veterans by States and municipalities shall be excluded from consideration as
income for purposes of pension benefits paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 3/16/2010) Cosponsors (None) Related Bill: H.R.3485
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.3162 : VA Minimum Essential Coverage. A bill to clarify the health care provided by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs that constitutes minimum essential coverage.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 3/24/2010)
Cosponsors (59) Related bills: H.R.5014
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/13/2010 Held at the desk.
——————————————————————————–
S.3171 : Veterans Training Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the approval of
certain programs of education for purposes of the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program.
Sponsor: Sen Lincoln, Blanche L. [AR] (introduced 3/25/2010) Cosponsors (10) Related bills: H.R. 3813
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.3192 : Fair Access to Veterans Benefits Act of 2010. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
provide for the tolling of the timing of review for appeals of final decisions of the Board of Veterans’
Appeals, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] (introduced 4/12/2010) Cosponsors (1)
Related bills: H.R.5045,
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H.R.5064
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 4/12/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.3201 : TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to
extend TRICARE coverage to certain dependents under the age of 26.
Sponsor: Sen Udall, Mark [CO] (introduced 4/14/2010) Cosponsors (31) Related bills: H.R.4923
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 4/14/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
——————————————————————————–
S.3234 : Veteran Employment Assistance Act of 2010. A bill to improve employment, training, and
placement services furnished to veterans, especially those serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 4/20/2010) Cosponsors (13) Related bills: H.R.5120
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/19/2010 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.3286 : VA Vet Claim Assistance Pilot Program. A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
carry out a pilot program on the award of grants to State and local government agencies and nonprofit
organizations to provide assistance to veterans with their submittal of claims to the Veterans Benefits
Administration, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] (introduced 4/29/2010)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/19/2010 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.3356 : CHAMPVA Children Maximum Age increase. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
increase the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under the CHAMPVA program, and for
other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 5/13/2010)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/13/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.3359 : Veterans’ Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act. A bill to amend title 38, United States
Code, to provide for annual cost-of-living adjustments to be made automatically by law each year in the rates
of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and
indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Thune, John [SD] (introduced 5/13/2010)
Cosponsors (3)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/13/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
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S.3367 : VA Pension Increase for Disabled Couples. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to
increase the rate of pension for disabled veterans who are married to one another and both of whom require
regular aid and attendance, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 5/13/2010)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 5/19/2010 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.3371 : TRICARE Mental Health Care Access Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to
improve access to mental health care counselors under the TRICARE program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen McCaskill, Claire [MO] (introduced 5/13/2010)
Cosponsors (8)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/13/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
——————————————————————————–
S.3378 : Examination of Exposures to Environmental Hazards During Military Service and Health
Care for Camp Lejeune and Atsugi Naval Air Facility Veterans and their Families Act of 2010. An
original bill to authorize health care for individuals exposed to environmental hazards at Camp Lejeune and
the Atsugi Naval Air Facility, to establish an advisory board to examine exposures to environmental hazards
during military service, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 5/17/2010)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Senate Reports: 111-189
Latest Major Action: 5/17/2010 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No.
377.
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S.3394 : Strengthening Entrepreneurship for America’s Veterans Act of 2010. A bill to establish the
veterans’ business center program, to improve the programs for veterans of the Small Business
Administration, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Landrieu, Mary L. [LA] (introduced 5/20/2010)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Latest Major Action: 5/20/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
——————————————————————————–
S.3398 : Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2010. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
to extend the work opportunity credit to certain recently discharged veterans.
Sponsor: Sen Baucus, Max [MT] (introduced 5/24/2010) Cosponsors (3) Related bills: H.R.5400
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 5/24/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
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S.3406 : Reserve Retirement Deployment Credit Correction Act. A bill to amend title 10, United States
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Code, to eliminate the per-fiscal year calculation of days of certain active duty or active service used to
reduce the minimum age at which a member of a reserve component of the uniformed services may retire for
non-regular service.
Sponsor: Sen Hagan, Kay [NC] (introduced 5/24/2010) Cosponsors (1) Related bills: H.R.4947
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 5/24/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
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S.3447 : Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010. A bill to amend title 38,
United States Code, to improve educational assistance for veterans who served in the Armed Forces after
September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 5/27/2010)
Cosponsors (2)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 7/21/2010 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Veterans’
Affairs. Hearings held.
——————————————————————————–
S.3454 : National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. An original bill to authorize
appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths
for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Levin, Carl [MI] (introduced 6/4/2010) Cosponsors (None) Related bills: H.R.5136, S.3455,
S.3456, S.3457
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Senate Reports: 111-201
Latest Major Action: 6/4/2010 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No.
414.
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S.3477 : Blue Star/Gold Star Flag Act of 2010. A bill to ensure that the right of an individual to display the
Service Flag on residential property not be abridged.
Sponsor: Sen Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 6/10/2010) Cosponsors (11) Related Bill: H.R.2546
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 6/10/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
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S.3499 : Fiduciary Benefits Oversight Act of 2010. A bill to require fiduciaries of individuals receiving
benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to authorize the Secretary to obtain
financial records with respect to such individuals for purposes of administering such laws, and for other
purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 6/16/2010)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 6/16/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
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S.3556 : Hire A Hero Act of 2010. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow the work
opportunity credit to small businesses which hire individuals who are members of the Ready Reserve or
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National Guard
Sponsor: Sen Brownback, Sam [KS] (introduced 6/30/2010)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 6/30/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
——————————————————————————–
S.3609 : VA Contract Physicians. A bill to extend the temporary authority for performance of medical
disability examinations by contract physicians for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 7/19/2010)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
——————————————————————————–
S.3615 : Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2011.
Sponsor: Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] (introduced 7/19/2010)
Cosponsors (None) Related bill: S.1407
Committees: Senate Appropriations
Senate Reports: 111-226
Latest Major Action: 7/19/2010 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No.
469.
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S.3678 : Sergeant Coleman Bean National Guard and Reserves Mental Health Act. A bill to improve
mental health services for members of the National Guard and Reserve deployed in connection with a
contingency operation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] (introduced 7/29/2010)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Armed Services
Latest Major Action: 7/29/2010 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Armed Services.
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[Source: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/LegislativeData.php?n=Browse 29 Aug 2010 ++]
