A: In fulfilling America's promise to our nation's Veterans, the Congress and the President have passed the following legislation:
H.R. 1291 - VETERANS EDUCATION AND BENEFITS EXPANSION ACT OF 2001
Authorizes more than $3.1 billion over five years to expand and increase educational, housing, burial and disability benefits Signed by President Bush on December 27, 2001 (P.L. 107 - 103)
ยท Boosts the MGIB college education benefit amount by a record 46% over 2 years, increasing the total college benefit for qualified Veterans from $24,192 to $35,460
H.R. 2716 - HOMELESS VETERANS COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2001
Authorizes $1 billion to aid homeless Veterans and prevent Veterans from becoming homeless Signed by President Bush on December 21, 2001 (P.L. 107 - 95)
- Authorizes 2,000 additional section 8 HUD low-income housing vouchers for homeless Veterans
- Authorizes 10 new domiciliaries for homeless Veterans programs
- Authorizes $285 million for the Homeless Grant and Per Diem Program
- Authorizes $250 million for the Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
- Requires VA to provide technical assistance to nonprofit community-based organizations seeking federal funding for homeless programs
- Requires the VA to provide mental health programs wherever primary care is provided
- Earmarks $10 million for medical care for homeless Veterans with special needs, including older Veterans, women and substance abusers
H.R. 2540 - VETERANS' COMPENSATION RATE AMENDMENTS OF 2001
Boosts compensation payments for disabled Veterans by $2.5 billion over the next five years Signed by President Bush on December 21, 2001 (P.L. 107 - 94)
H.R. 3447 - DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2001 Increases health programs for Veterans by $1.4 billion Signed by President on January 23, 2002 (P.L. 107 - 135)
H.R. 801 - VETERANS' SURVIVOR BENEFITS IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2001 Adds $100 million in new health care benefits for surviving spouses of Veterans, and extends life insurance coverage to spouses and children of servicemembers Signed by President Bush on June 5, 2001 (P.L. 107 - 14)
H.R. 811 - VETERANS HOSPITAL EMERGENCY REPAIR ACT
Authorizes $550 million over two years to repair, renovate, retrofit and rebuild dilapidated VA health care and research facilities Passed by the House on March 27, 2001, still pending in the Senate
H.R. 3423 - REFORMING BURIAL RULES AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Reforms Army regulations governing eligibility for in-ground burials of Guardsmen and Reservists at Arlington National Cemetery Passed by the House on December 20, 2001, still pending in the Senate
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