VFW Washington Weekly, May 2, 2008

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VFW WASHINGTON WEEKLY
May 2, 2008

In This Issue
1. GI Bill Call to Action
2. House VA Committee Moves Bills
3. Paid Up Survivor Benefit Plan

1. GI Bill Call to Action: The VFW needs you to urge your senators to
support S. 22, and your representatives to support H.R. 5740, so that the
VFW goal of creating a new GI Bill for the 21st century becomes a reality.
The VFW Washington Office joined other veterans and the leadership of the
House and Senate at a press conference Tuesday to urge the passage of S.
22/H.R. 5740, the "Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act." As of
this morning, 57 senators are supporting S. 22, which was introduced by Jim
Webb (D-VA), and has strong bipartisan support from fellow senators such as
Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and John Warner (R-VA). Its companion bill in the House,
H.R. 5740, has 266 representatives signed on in support. Introduced by Harry
Mitchell (D-AZ), it, also has strong bipartisan support from fellow
congressmen such as Bill Young (R-FL) and Chris Smith (R-NJ). America's
newest Greatest Generation needs your help to bring educational benefits
back in line with current day tuitions. Use this link to contact your
members: http://capwiz. com/vfw/dbq/ officials/ .

2. House VA Committee Moves Bills: The House Veterans Affairs Committee
cleared several VFW-supported bills, which now move to the House floor for
debate. Some of the key bills include:
HR 3889 requires VA to conduct a 20-year study of veterans participating in
VA vocational rehabilitation programs, starting in 2011.
HR 4884 increases from 90 to 100 percent the amount of a veteran's home loan
guarantee.
HR 4889 moves educational benefits for the National Guard and Reserves under
the authority of the VA, instead of DOD.
HR 3681 authorizes VA to purchase advertising in national media outlets for
increased outreach on VA benefits.
HR 3819 supports VFW resolution #649 to require VA to pay for all emergency
services a veteran receives at a non-VA facility until the veteran can be
transferred to a VA facility.
HR 5729 supports VFW Resolution #640 to provide the full range of healthcare
to children born with spina bifida born to certain Vietnam veterans.
HR 5826, the annual COLA bill, will increase the rates of compensation, DIC
and clothing to the amount payable under Social Security for 2008.
For a complete listing of bills passed, visit the House VA Committee website
at: http://veterans. house.gov/
For more on any of the bill's provisions, type the bill number in the search
box at: http://thomas. loc.gov/

3. Paid Up Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP): The Defense Finance and Accounting
Service is reviewing all military retiree accounts affected by the new
"Paid-Up SBP" law. Under the law, retirees who are at least 70 years old and
who have paid at least 360 months of premiums on
Oct. 1 will have their monthly premiums terminated. The change will be
reflected in the November 2008 pay statement. If a retiree does not meet the
eligibility criteria on Oct. 1, the premiums will op when the retiree has
met both criteria -- reached age 70 and paid SBP premiums for 360 months.
Eligible retirees will be notified by DFAS via mail regarding the status of
their account and premiums.