Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 11/26/2001

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
Today, as America and our allies embark on another war to secure the blessings of liberty, we are once again reminded that freedom is not free. In order to prevail in the war on terrorism, just as we prevailed in wars against fascism, Nazism, and communism, American servicemen and women will be called upon to lead the way. And just as they have honorably answered the call in the past, today they are in the air, on the sea and on land, far from home fighting on our behalf.

America’s veterans have fulfilled their oaths to serve, now we must fulfill the sacred promises our government has made to them. Our nation must continue to care for those veterans who have been injured, whether physically or psychologically, from the horrors of combat. We must continue to provide the services and benefits we promised would be given to them after they finished their service. And for those who gave their lives to our nation, we must care for their surviving families.

As Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs committee, I have the honor of working everyday to see that the promises to our nation’s veterans are fulfilled. This year, Congress has made further strides towards doing just that, passing several bills to improve the delivery of services and benefits to our Nation’s 25 million veterans, although much remains to be completed.

The House passed, and the President signed into law, H.R. 801, the Veterans Survivors Benefits Improvements Act (P.L. 107-14, which created new life insurance and health care benefits for up to 2 million eligible spouses and children of veterans. Congress has also approved historic funding increases for the Department of Veterans Affairs – more than $1.6 billion over last year’s budget – to reduce waiting times for medical care and benefits processing.

Several other important bills I have sponsored on veterans health, education, compensation and homelessness have also been approved in the House and are awaiting final action in the Senate before we can send them to the President for his signature.

H.R. 1291, legislation I sponsored in increase Montgomery GI Bill educational payments by 70% passed the House in June and is awaiting approval in the Senate. This vital legislation will dramatically increase the maximum benefit for GI bill recipients, allowing them to meet the rising costs of higher education and training programs.

Another of my bills, H.R. 811, the Veterans Hospital Emergency Repairs Act, was approved by the House earlier this year and would authorize $550 million to repair, renovate and retrofit dilapidated and obsolete VA medical facilities. As the recent crises have made clear, the VA health care system is a national resource in times of emergency and war, and we must ensure that we adequately maintain this vital health care infrastructure. H.R. 811 is also awaiting further action in the Senate.

In July the House passed, H.R. 2540, the Veterans Benefits Act, which will increase disability compensation payments by $2.7 billion over the next five years. This essential legislation will also expand the benefits for Persian Gulf War veterans by adding several conditions and illnesses to the list of service-connected disabilities eligible for compensation payments.

The House has also passed H.R. 2716, which makes ending chronic homelessness among veterans a true national priority. There are estimated to be at least 200,000 veterans on the streets every night; this is a national disgrace. This legislation will authorize almost one billion dollars for new and expanded programs to house homeless veterans and prevent at-risk veterans from becoming homeless in the future.

In recent days, the House has also passed legislation, H.R. 3240, the Reservists Education Protection Act, to protect the education benefits for guardsmen and reservists who have been called back to active duty in the war on terrorism. This bill will ensure that those who have had their education interrupted by a return to active duty will not lose any of their Montgomery GI Bill educational benefits.

I have also introduced a measure, H.R. 3253, to give the VA health care system a greater role in responding to future terrorist attacks. It is clear to me that there needs to be a significant investment in teaching health professions about the effects of chemical, biological and nuclear agents. The centers established by H.R. 3253 would act as clearinghouses for new discoveries, and serve to disseminate the latest and most comprehensive information to public and private hospitals in order to improve the quality of care for patients who are exposes to these deadly elements. The skills and knowledge they produce would also help to protect health care workers, emergency personnel, active duty military personnel, police officers, and hopefully, all our citizens. I am working with a number of other Members of the House to ensure that this legislation is part of any bill considered by the House in response to the problems we now face.

As our nation stands united in our resolve to defeat the threats posed by international terrorism, we must also unite to honor the promises we have made to our veterans. It is thanks to the millions of men and women who answered the call throughout our Nation’s history that the United States of America continues to serve as a beacon of freedom and hope for all the world.

Christopher H. Smith, M.C.
Chairman
House Committee on Veterans Affairs

Dear Chairman Smith:
You and your fellow House Veterans Committee have done a yeoman’s job initiating and passing important veterans legislation. The Senate should get off the dime and immediately pass these essential veteran bills.

Your bill, H.R. 811, the Veterans Hospital Emergency Repairs Act, should be included in an emergency stimulus funding package.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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