412 Russell Senate Bldg.Washington D.C. 20510 Democratic StaffPhone Number:(202) 224-9126 825A Hart Senate Bldg.Washington D.C. 20510 Republican StaffPhone Number:(202) 224-2074
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AKAKA INTRODUCES BILL TO CONTINUE OVERSIGHT FOR TROOPS RETURNING FROM COMBAT INTO NEXT ADMINISTRATION
Bill calls for three-year extension for VA/DoD Senior Oversight Committee
April 29, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, introduced a bill yesterday to ensure the continuation of the VA/DOD Senior Oversight Committee (SOC), the entity responsible for improving transition from military service to veteran status for severely wounded and injured servicemembers. The SOC was formed in the wake of last year's Walter Reed scandal and is scheduled to be terminated in January 2009. "The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan will outlast the current Administration. So too should the Defense and Veterans Affairs Departments combined efforts to assist servicemembers returning from war," said Akaka. "I am committed to sustaining this effort as long as our troops are in combat." The proposed Senior Oversight Committee Extension Act of 2008 would require a three-year extension of the SOC, ensuring that it would continue to oversee and assist in shaping VA and DOD oversight and transition activities. The Administration's current plan is to eliminate the SOC and shift its responsibilities to the existing VA/DOD Joint Executive Council (JEC). The JEC has neither full-time staff nor the senior-level involvement that exists in SOC (which is co-chaired by the VA and DOD Deputy Secretaries). Chairman Akaka has long advocated for the continuity of VA and DOD's SOC. Earlier this year, he called on the Departments to develop a succession plan for the upcoming change in Administration. Last week, he held his eleventh hearing on VA and DOD cooperation and collaboration, in which he pressed the Departments on the need for stronger oversight and improved transition for returning service men and women.
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April, 2008
Press Release published on: April 01, 2008AKAKA & SANDERS MEET WITH VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY PEAKE[April 01, 2008] Press Release published on: April 02, 2008AKAKA SUBMITS VETERANS’ MEDICAL FACILITY CONSTRUCTION BILL[April 02, 2008] Press Release published on: April 03, 2008PURPLE HEART VETERANS GIVE AKAKA LEADERSHIP AWARD[April 03, 2008] Press Release published on: April 04, 2008VETERANS AND MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS CALL FOR
STRONGER VA BUDGET [April 04, 2008] Press Release published on: April 04, 2008AKAKA INTRODUCES BILL REQUIRING VA-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO REACH RURAL, MINORITY, AND UNDERSERVED VETERANS[April 04, 2008] Press Release published on: April 07, 2008AKAKA INTRODUCES VETERANS COMPENSATION EQUITY BILL
[April 07, 2008] Press Release published on: April 09, 2008AKAKA CHAIRS HEARING ON STRENGTHENING VA’S HIRING
HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
[April 09, 2008] Press Release published on: April 10, 2008FOLLOWING REVISIONS, AKAKA TO COSPONSOR WEBB GI BILL[April 10, 2008] Press Release published on: April 10, 2008VETERANS’ HOUSING PACKAGE PASSES SENATE[April 10, 2008] Press Release published on: April 15, 2008AKAKA INTRODUCES VETERANS’ REHABILITATION LEGISLATION [April 15, 2008] Press Release published on: April 18, 2008CLOTURE FILED ON VETERANS BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007[April 18, 2008] Press Release published on: April 21, 2008AKAKA URGES CONSIDERATION OF COMPREHENSIVE VETERANS’ BILL[April 21, 2008] Press Release published on: April 22, 2008FOLLOWING MONTHS OF OBSTRUCTION, SENATE VOTES 94-0
TO DEBATE THE VETERANS BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007[April 22, 2008] Press Release published on: April 22, 2008AKAKA CALLS FOR RESIGNATION OF VA MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER KATZ OVER ALLEGED COVERUP OF VETERANS’ SUICIDES[April 22, 2008] Press Release published on: April 23, 2008AKAKA PUSHES VA, DEFENSE SECRETARIES ON TRANSITION OF SERVICEMEMBERS AND ACCURATE DATA TO PREVENT SUICIDES[April 23, 2008] Press Release published on: April 24, 2008SENATE PASSES VETERANS BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007[April 24, 2008] Press Release published on: April 29, 2008AKAKA INTRODUCES BILL TO CONTINUE OVERSIGHT FOR TROOPS RETURNING FROM COMBAT INTO NEXT ADMINISTRATION[April 29, 2008] Press Release published on: April 30, 2008SENATORS CALL FOR ACTION TO IMPROVE VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH CARE[April 30, 2008] Press Release published on: April 30, 2008MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, HUNDREDS OF
IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN WAR VETERANS CALL
FOR SWIFT PASSAGE OF WEBB GI BILL[April 30, 2008]
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