109TH LEGISLATION
109th Congress Legislation
Bills Enacted into Law
The John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic Naming Bill Legislation to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Appleton, Wisconsin, the “John H. Bradley Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.” Passed the House on November 2, 2005 under suspension of the rules by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 407-0 (Roll No. 561). Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on November 4, 2005. Senate passed by Unanimous Consent on March 13, 2006. Signed by the President on March 23, 2006. Public Law 109-206. |
The Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005 (SGLI). Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program, and for other purposes. Passed the House on July 26, 2005, under suspension of the rules by a vote of 424-0. Passed Senate on September 27. 2005, with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. House agreed to Senate amendment under suspension of the rules on September 28, 2005, by voice vote. Signed by the President on September 30, 2005. Public Law 109-80. |
Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Legislation to increase, effective December 1, 2005, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans. Passed the Senate on November 16, 2005, by Unanimous Consent. Passed/agreed to in the House: On passage, passed without objection. Signed by the President on November 22, 2005. Public Law 109-111. |
Respect for Fallen Heroes Act Legislation to prohibit certain demonstrations at cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration and at Arlington National Cemetery, and for other purposes. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent on May 24, 2006. The House agreed to suspend the rules and agreed to the Senate amendment by voice vote on that same day. On May 29, 2006, the bill was signed by the President. Public Law 109-228. |
Veterans’ Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006 Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide adaptive housing assistance to disabled veterans residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member and to make direct housing loans to Native American veterans; make modifications to the Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment and Training within the Department of Labor; provide Life and Health Insurance coverage to certain veterans and their family members; and for other purposes. Passed the Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the title by Unanimous Consent on September 28, 2005. Passed the House on May 22, 2006 with an amendment, and an amendment to the title under suspension of the rules by 372 to 0 (Roll No. 177). Senate agreed to the House amendments on May 25, 2006. Bill presented to the President on June 7, 2006. On June 15, 2006, the bill was signed by the President. Public Law 109-233. |
The Jack C. Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Naming Bill Legislative to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is Muskogee, Oklahoma as the "Jack C. Montgomery Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center." Passed the House on on May 9, 2006 under suspension of the rules by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 407-0 (Roll No. 130). Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on May 10, 2006. On May 26, 2006, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs was discharged from consideration, and the bill passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent. On June 16, 2006, the President signed the bill into law. Public Law 109-231. Law 109-361. |
The Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006 To increase, as of December 1, 2006, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans. Passed the Senate on September 21, 2006. Passed the House by unanimous consent on September 30, 2006. Presented to the President on October 5, 2006, and signed by the President on October 16, 2006. |
Bills Passed by the House
Recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the Veterans Administration Recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the Veterans Administration on July 21, 1930. Passed the House on July 18, 2005 by under suspension of the rules by unanimous voice vote. |
Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Legislation to increase, as of December 1, 2005, the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans, and for other purposes. Passed the House on July 14, 2005 under suspension of the rules by unanimous voice vote. Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on July 14, 2005. See S. 1234 for further action. |
The Servicemembers’ Health Insurance Protection Act of 2005 Legislation to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to limit premium increases on reinstated health insurance on servicemembers who are released from active military service, and for other purposes. Passed the House on May 23, 2005 under suspension of the rules by unanimous voice vote (amended). Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on May 24, 2005. Provisions incorporated into S. 1235 (Sec. 105, 302, and 303). See S. 1235 for further action. |
Veterans Housing Improvement Act of
2005 Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide adaptive housing assistance to disabled veterans residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member and to make direct housing loans to Native American veterans, and for other purposes. Passed the House on November 10, 2005 under suspension of the rules by unanimous voice vote (amended). Includes provisions from H.R. 419, H.R. 1773, and H.R. 3279. Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on November 10, 2005. Provisions incorporated into S. 1235 (Sec. 101, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, 501, and 502). See S. 1235 for further action. |
The Department of Veterans
Affairs Information Technology Management Improvement Act of 2005 Legislation to improve the management of information technology within the Department of Veterans Affairs by providing for the Chief Information Officer of that Department to have authority over resources, budget, and personnel related to the support function of information technology, and for other purposes. Passed the House on November 2, 2005 under suspension of the rules by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 408-0 (Roll No. 560). Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on November 4, 2005. |
Veteran-Owned Small Business
Promotion Act of 2005 Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to require that 9 percent of procurement contracts entered into by the Department of Veterans Affairs be awarded to small business concerns owned by veterans, and for other purposes. Passed House on July 24, 2006 by unanimous voice vote. Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on July 25, 2006. |
Veterans Identity and Credit
Security Act of 2006 Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve information management within the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. |
A bill to encourage the designation
of "Hire a Veteran Week." Expressing support for the designation and goals of "Hire a Veteran Week" and encouraging the President to issue a proclamation supporting these goals. Passed the House under suspension of the rules by unanimous voice vote on July 24, 2006. On July 25, 2006, the bill was received by the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
Honoring the National Association of
State Veterans Homes Honoring the National Association of State Veterans Homes and the 119 State veterans homes providing long-term care to veterans that are represented by that association for their contributions to the health care of veterans and the health-care system of the Nation. Passed the House under suspension of the rules by unanimous voice vote on July 24, 2006. On July 25, 2006, the bill was received by the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
The Veterans Compensation
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006 To increase, as of December 1, 2006, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans. |
Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical Facility Authorization Act of 2006 A bill to authorize construction of VA Medical facilities. Passed House on September 13, 2006. Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on September 14, 2006. |
To amend title 38, United States
Code, to extend certain expiring provisions of law and to expand
eligibility for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance
program Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring provisions of law and to expand eligibility for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance program. Passed the House on November 14, 2006, under suspension of the rules by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 393-0 (Roll No. 520). Referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs on November 15, 2006. |
Veterans Programs Extension Act of
2006 Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to expand eligibility for the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance program, and for other purposes. Passed the House on December 6, 2006 under suspension of the rules by voice vote. |
A bill to designate the outpatient
clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs located in Farmington,
Missouri, as the "Robert Silvey Department of Veterans Affairs
Outpatient Clinic". Legislation to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs located in Farmington, Missouri, as the "Robert Silvey Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic." Passed the House on December 6, 2006 under suspension of the rules by voice vote, and cleared for the White House. |
Expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that Members of the House should actively engage with
employers and the American public at large to encourage the hiring of
members and former members of the Armed Forces who were wounded in
service and are facing a transition to civilian life. Legislation to express the sense of the House of Representatives that Members of the House should actively engage with employers and the American public at large to encourage the hiring of members and former members of the Armed Forces who were wounded in service and are facing a transition to civilian life. Jointly referred to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Committee on Veterans' Affairs waived consideration of the bill. Bill was passed by the House on December 5, 2006 under suspension of the rules by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required) 403-0 (Roll No. 524). |
Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and
Information Technology Act of 2006 Legislation to authorize major medical facility projects and major medical facility leases for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, and for other purposes. Passed the House, amended, under suspension of the rules by voice vote on December 8, 2006. |
Other Bills Considered by the Committee
Hire Veterans Act of 2004 Legislation to extend the operation of the President’s National Hire Veterans Committee, and for other purposes. Markup held by Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on July 27, 2005. Reported amended to the Full Committee for consideration. Provisions incorporated into H.R. 3665, Title II. |
Veterans Self-Employment Act of 2005 Legislation to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot project on the use of educational assistance under programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs to defray training costs associated with the purchase of certain franchise enterprises. Hearing held by Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on May 25, 2005. |
Department of Veterans Affairs
Work Study Act Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide additional work-study opportunities for eligible veterans, and for other purposes. Hearing held by Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on May 25, 2005. |
Technical Corrections to the
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 Legislation to make technical corrections to the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004. Incorporated into H.R. 2046, as amended (See H.R. 2046, above). |
The Native American Veteran
Home Loan Act Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to make permanent the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program, and for other purposes. Incorporated into H.R. 3665, as amended (see H.R. 3665, below). |
Parkinson’s Disease Research,
Education, and Clinical Centers Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the establishment of Parkinson’s Disease Research Education and Clinical Centers in the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Incorporated into H.R. 1220, as amended (See H.R. 1220, above). |
Veterans Medical Care Revenue
Enhancement Act of 2005 Legislation to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a demonstration project for the improvement of business practices of the Veterans Health Administration. Incorporated into H.R. 1220, as amended (See H.R. 1220, above). |
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
Reauthorization Act of 2005 Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for fiscal years 2007 through 2009. Markup held by Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on July 27, 2005. Reported to the Full Committee. On October 20, 2005, provisions incorporated into H.R. 3665. On May 22, 2006, provisions incorporated into S. 1235 (Sec. 203). See S. 1235 for further action. |
Veterans’ Compensation
Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006 Legislation to increase, as of December 1, 2006, the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans, and for other purposes. Hearing held by the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs on April 6, 2006. |
Veterans Memorial Marker Act of 2006 Legislation to extend and expand the application of the Department of Veterans Affairs benefit for Government markers for marked graves of veterans buried in private cemeteries and to provide Government markers or memorial headstones for deceased dependent children of veterans whose remains are unavailable for burial. Hearing held by Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs on April 6, 2006. On July 13, 2006, provisions were incorporated into H.R. 3082 (Title II, Section 202, and 203) during Full Committee Markup session. See H.R. 3082 for further action. |
The Veterans Certification and
Licensure Act of 2006 Legislation to establish within the Department of Labor the Veterans Advisory Committee on Certification, Credentialing, and Licensure to carry out a national program to: (1) facilitate the transition of members of the Armed Forces from active-duty service to employment in the private sector through credentialing; (2) collect and disseminate data on certification, licensing, and credentialing programs of the states and of the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs; and (3) advise the Secretary of Labor on certification, licensing, and credentialing issues related to converting the skills acquired by veterans while serving in the Armed Forces to skills relevant to civilian occupations. Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Markup held on May 10, 2006. Reported back to the full Committee with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. On July 13, 2006, provisions were incorporated into H.R. 3082 (Title III, Section 309) during Full Committee Markup session. See H.R. 3082 for further action. |
Belated Thank You to the Merchant
Mariners of World War II Act of 2005 To amend title 46, United States Code, and title II of the Social Security Act to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II. On April 6, 2006, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing. On May 23,
2006, the Subcommittee was discharged from further consideration of the
bill. |
Native American Veterans Cemetery
Act of 2005 To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the eligibility of Indian tribal organizations for grants for the establishment of veterans cemeteries on trust lands. On April 6, 2006, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing. On June 8, 2006, the Subcommittee considered this legislation during a markup session and reported the bill favorably to the Full Committee. On July 13, 2006, provisions from this legislation were incorporated into H.R. 3082 (Title II, Section 201) during the Full Committee markup session. |
Wounded Warrior Servicemembers Group Disability
Insurance Act of 2005 To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a group disability insurance benefit for members of the Armed Forces who incur certain severe disabilities. On June 16, 2005, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing on this bill. |
To amend title 38, United
States Code, to authorize the placement in a national cemetery of
memorial markers for the purpose of commemorating Servicemembers or
other persons whose remains are interred in an American Battle Monuments
Commission cemetery. To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the placement in a national cemetery of memorial markers for the purpose of commemorating Servicemembers or other persons whose remains are interred in an American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery. On April 6, 2006, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing. |
Dr. James Allen Disabled Veterans
Equity Act To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes. On April 6, 2006, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing. |
Disabled Veterans Adaptive Housing
Improvement Act To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of assistance available to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing and to provide for annual increases in such amount. On April 27, 2006, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a legislative hearing. |