|
|
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. -END-
Year: [2008] , 2007 , 2006 , 2005 , 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999 , 1900
April 2008
- Senators Call for Action to Improve Veterans' Mental Health Care [April 30, 2008]
- Members of Congress, Hundreds of Iraq & Afghanistan War Veterans Call for Swift Passage of Webb GI Bill [April 29, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Bill to Continue Oversight for Troops Returning From Combat Into Next Administration [April 29, 2008]
- Senate Restores VA Benefits to Filipino World War II Veterans [April 28, 2008]
- Senate Passes Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 [April 24, 2008]
- Akaka Pushes VA, Defense Secretaries on Transition of Servicemembers and Accurate Data to Prevent Suicides [April 23, 2008]
- VETERANS BENEFITS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2007 [April 23, 2008]
- Akaka Calls for Resignation of VA Mental Health Officer Katz Over Alleged Coverup of Veterans' Suicides [April 22, 2008]
- Following Months of Obstruction, Senate Votes 94-0 to Debate the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 [April 22, 2008]
- Chairman Urges Consideration of Comprehensive Veterans' Bill [April 21, 2008]
- Reid: Democrats Fighting to Give Veterans the Long-Overdue Benefits They Deserve [April 21, 2008]
- Senate Democrats Fight to Ensure Filipino World War II Veterans Receive Long Overdue VA Benefits [April 21, 2008]
- Hawaii Senators Push for Federal Funding for Re-training, Job Placement of Laid-off Aloha Airlines Workers [April 16, 2008]
- Inouye, Akaka Hail Army Decision to Permanently Base Stryker Unit in Hawaii [April 15, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Veterans' Rehabilitation Legislation [April 15, 2008]
- Akaka Questions Gates, Mullen on Iraq, Afghanistan [April 11, 2008]
- Akaka's Plain Language and Public Service Recognition Bills Advance to the Full Senate [April 10, 2008]
- Following Revisions, Akaka to Cosponsor Webb GI Bill [April 10, 2008]
- Veterans' Housing Package Passes Senate [April 10, 2008]
- Akaka Chairs Hearing on Strengthening VA's Hiring Health Care Providers [April 9, 2008]
- Akaka Questions Gen. Petraeus on Iraq [April 8, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Veterans Compensation Equity Act [April 7, 2008]
- Akaka to Question Petraeus & Crocker on Iraq [April 7, 2008]
- Akaka Introduces Bill Requiring VA-Community Partnerships to Reach Rural, Minority and Underserved Veterans [April 7, 2008]
- Veterans and Military Organizations Call for Stronger VA Budget [April 4, 2008]
- Purple Heart Veterans Give Akaka Leadership Award [April 3, 2008]
- Sens. Voinovich, Akaka Work to Depoliticize the DHS Chief Human Capital Officer [April 3, 2008]
- Akaka Submits Veterans' Medical Facility Construction Bill [April 2, 2008]
- April is Financial Literacy Month [April 2, 2008]
- Chairmen Introduce Legislation to Honor Public Servants [April 2, 2008]
- Akaka & Sanders meet with Veterans Affairs Secretary Peake [April 1, 2008]
|
|