ISSUES/LEGISLATION: VETERANS

I believe we need to do more to live up to our obligations to veterans. All the training and weapons upgrades in the world will be rendered ineffective if military personnel and their families, military retirees, and veterans are not afforded a good "quality-of-life" opportunity.

I am committed to the quality health care that our veterans deserve and were promised, including accessibility and availability of services. As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that handles veterans' affairs, I am pleased that the Senate's Fiscal Year 2008 VA spending bill fully funded veterans' health care for the first time in 21 years. In addition, I worked hard to include an increase in mileage reimbursement for veterans traveling to receive medical care. Effective February 1, 2008, the rate was increased to 28.5 cents per mile, more than double the previous reimbursement of 11 cents. I will continue to work with my colleagues to make certain that all veterans' services are fully funded.

For the fiscal year 2009 spending bill, as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, I created the Rural Health Outreach and Delivery Initiative, a new program to address the unique needs of veterans in rural communities.

The Rural Health Outreach and Delivery Initiative is a $250 million plan aimed at reducing the gap in care that often exists for veterans residing in rural areas. The initiative will give the VA Secretary the latitude necessary to explore new ways of serving this population with the ability to fund new programs based on the unique needs of rural veterans, and will include our veterans covered under the Indian Health Service.

The program may include new ways of reaching veterans through additional mobile clinics; establishing new outpatient clinics; expanding fee-based care in areas not served by VA facilities; accelerating the deployment of telemedicine; and funding innovative pilot programs.

My funding bill provides $3.3 billion above the President's request for the VA in fiscal year 2009. This includes reversing the President's cut to the VA's construction account by including an additional $1.3 billion over the President's request for maintenance of VA facilities.

My 2009 appropriation for the VA will also increase the mileage reimbursement rate to 50.5 cents per mile to address rising gas prices. This brings the reimbursement rate into conformity with the General Services Administration's (GSA) rate for federal employees.

Under my chairmanship, I am committed to keeping our promises to our veterans and honoring them by ensuring they receive the care they deserve and require.


Below you will find legislation that I introduced in the 110th Congress for our military and our veterans:

S.2119 American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act--- On October 1, 2007, I introduced S.2119, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act of 2007. This bill authorizes the federal Treasury to mint a commemorative coin in 2010 honoring the millions of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who were disabled while serving our country. Surcharges from the sale of the coin will help cover the costs of building the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C., as well as cover the cost of minting the coin itself. I was pleased that my bill garnered the bipartisan support of 74 cosponsors and was passed unanimously by the Senate and approved by the House of Representatives. The President signed this bill into law on July 17, 2008.

S.2639 Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act---On February 14, 2008, I introduced S.2639, the Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act. This bill would change the way in which the VA health care system is funded by moving it from discretionary to mandatory spending. The bill would establish a base-line funding year (130% of the FY2006 VA health care budget) and then provide future funding based on the total number of veterans who participate in the VA health care system and the annual rise in cost of providing health care services (based on the consumer price index for hospital and related services). This legislation is supported by every major military and veterans' association, including the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.


I am proud to cosponsor several bills that will help our military and veterans:

S.22 Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007

S.326 Disabled Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2007

S.439 Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2007

S.479 Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act

S.604 Military Health Care Prevention Act

S.713 Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act of 2007

S.773 Allows military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and deduct TRICARE supplemental premiums

S.824 Extend authorization for the Vets Disabled for Life memorial

S.935 Repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the SBP

S.978 Medal of Honor to Woodrow W. Keeble

S.986 Combat-Related Special Compensation Act of 2007

S.1146 Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2007

S.1243 Reduces the age eligible to receive military retired pay for non-regular service from 60 to 55 years

S.1334 Furnishes government headstones and markers for graves of veterans at private cemeteries

S.1682 Servicemembers' Healthcare Benefits & Rehabilitation Enhancement Act of 2007

S.1817 Ensures proper administration of discharge of members of the Armed Forces for personality disorder

S.2145 American Indian Veteran Health Care Improvement Act

S.2550 Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act

S.1800 Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act

S.2575 GI Bill Assistance Transferability Act of 2008

S.38 Veterans' Mental Health Outreach & Access Act

Awards
I am proud of my commitment to issues important to enlisted personnel and military retirees. Below are awards I have been honored with for work on behalf of veterans.

- Honored by the Disabled Veterans LIFE Memorial Foundation for his continued dedication to disabled veterans, and his efforts to support building a memorial to honor disabled veterans in Washington, DC.

- Arthur T. Marix Congressional Leadership Award - This award was presented to Senator Johnson in recognition for his outstanding efforts on behalf of military retirees.

- L. Mendel Rivers Award for Legislative Action from the Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) - This award was presented to Senator Johnson for his commitment to defense issues, particularly to improving the well-being and quality of life of enlisted personnel.

- Disabled American Veterans National Commander's Award

- George "Buck" Gillespie BAVF Congressional Award from the Blind American Veterans Foundation

- Majorie S. Holt Distinguished Government Service Award presented by the Retired Enlisted Association

-National Guard Association's Charles Dick Medal of Merit - Senator Johnson was nominated for this award by the South Dakota National Guard Association in recognition of his demonstrated commitment to our nation's military over time.

South Dakota National Guard | Disabled American Veterans | American Veterans | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | South Dakota Department of Military and Veterans Affairs | Ellsworth Air Force Base | Veterans of Foreign Wars | American Legion | Paralyzed Veterans of American

Master Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble is a hero that has served our nation honorably and made South Dakota and all of America proud. Learn more about him and Tim's work to secure him the Medal of Honor.