February 2008

Bayh Legislation to Improve Care for Wounded Soldiers Becomes Law

Last month, the President signed into law legislation authored by Senator Evan Bayh aimed at fixing problems exposed by the tragic death of Indiana National Guardsman Sgt. Gerald Cassidy in September while in the Army's care at Fort Knox, Ky. Specifically, the new law requires the military to establish procedures to ensure wounded soldiers are sent to the most appropriate facility for the care that they need and to set maximum waiting times for wounded soldiers seeking treatment. The tragic circumstances surrounding Sgt. Cassidy's death—and the ongoing challenges of our nation's military health care system—are explored in-depth in an investigative report by Time Magazine out today.

[ read more | read the full story in Time ]

Bayh Seeks to Expand Access to
G.I. Benefits to Military Families

Senator Bayh cosponsored legislation to give military families greater access to the benefits of the Montgomery G.I. Bill by allowing service members to transfer unused educational funds to their spouses and children.

[ read more ]

Proposal to Offer Loan Interest Relief
for Service Members Passes House

The House of Representatives passed legislation originally proposed by Senator Bayh to stop interest from accruing on student loans held by active duty service members. While active duty soldiers, including members of the National Guard, are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and abroad, the interest on their student loans is piling up, costing them up to $1,500 over 15 months.

[ read more ]

Economic Stimulus Package to Provide Help to Working Families

President Bush signed into law this week an economic stimulus package intended to spur economic growth and offer help to low- and middle-income families struggling financially. The package includes tax cuts for businesses and tax rebates to individuals and families. Many taxpayers will receive stimulus payments automatically from the IRS starting in May if they file their 2007 income tax returns on time. Many low-income individuals, seniors, and veterans will receive benefits as well.

"Across this country, families and seniors are facing rising costs for energy, for health care, and are feeling the dreams of home ownership and a college education slip away," Senator Bayh said. "This economic stimulus package represents the agreement between Democrats and Republicans that targeted tax relief for those who need it most is the best way we can get this economy moving again."

[ read more ]

Bayh Calls for Transparency in Foreign
Government Investment in U.S. Companies

Senator Bayh told members of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission that the United States needs to do more to protect itself from possible national security implications of foreign government investment in key U.S. business sectors. In addition, Senator Bayh wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal calling for reasonable regulation of foreign government investment in the United States.

[ read more | watch video | read Bayh's op-ed ]

Indiana Receives $13 Million to Help
Hoosiers Facing Rising Heating Costs

The Department of Health and Human Services is releasing more than $13 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help Hoosier families struggling with rising heating costs during the cold winter months. Senator Bayh has consistently fought to secure federal funding for Hoosiers who require assistance to meet their energy needs. He sent a letter to President Bush in September requesting that he release the funds.

[ read more ]

Bayh, Senate Colleagues Call on Bush
to Strengthen Peace Efforts in Sudan

Senator Bayh joined 16 of his Senate colleagues calling on President Bush to strengthen U.S. efforts for peace in Darfur, Sudan, and the surrounding region.

"While the United States has taken some action to encourage peace in Darfur, we believe several steps need to be taken to strengthen American leadership in the region," the senators wrote, asking the President to develop a clear strategy for addressing the situation in Darfur.

[ read more | read the letter ]

Bayh Nominates Indiana Students for U.S. Service Academies

Senator Bayh has announced the names of 29 Indiana high school students he has nominated for admission to the four United States Service Academies.

[ read more ]

Bayh Urges Steps to Ensure Counting of Overseas Military Ballots

A troubling recent study of the 2006 election showed that only one third of voters who cast ballots from overseas, including military personnel, had their votes counted. Senator Bayh is urging the Elections Assistance Commission to distribute funding to help states guarantee that voters casting ballots overseas are not disenfranchised in the future.

[ read more ]

Bayh Secures $3.8 Million to Improve Battle Tank

Senator Bayh announced that the U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a $3.8 million contract to Indianapolis-based Allison Transmission to improve the performance of the M1 Abrams tank, a key combat vehicle used by American service members fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan .

[ read more ]

Bayh Secures Funding for Community Learning Center
and Medical Clinic in South Bend

Senator Bayh and Congressman Joe Donnelly announced that two key appropriations requests were funded in a bill that recently became law. The Notre Dame Robinson Enterprises Community Learning Center will receive $282,000 to develop and support a comprehensive training, entrepreneurship, and business promotion initiative. And the Madison Center in South Bend, a clinic for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, will receive $146,000 to upgrade its facilities and equipment.

[ read more ]

Bayh in the News

»Time for sovereign wealth rules
Wall Street Journal Op-ed by Senator Bayh

»Senators urge limits on foreign funds
Associated Press