![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="1.15625in"}**Legislative
Bulletin...........................................May 23, 2007**

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.Res. 392 ---** Urging Americans and people of all nationalities to
> visit the American Cemeteries, Memorials and Markers

**H.R. 67 ---** Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007

> **H.R. 1660 ---** To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
> establish a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado
> region
>
> **H.R. 612 ---** Returning Service member VA Healthcare Insurance Act
> of 2007

**H.R. 1470** --- Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act

> **H.R. 2199** ---Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and
> Long-Term Support Act of 2007
>
> **H.R. 2239** --- Early Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and
> Employment Benefits Act

**H.Res. 392 --- Urging Americans and people of all nationalities to
visit the American Cemeteries, Memorials and Markers (Lamborn, R-CO)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.Res. 392 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 392 would express that the House of
Representatives "strongly urges Americans and people of all
nationalities to visit the American Cemeteries, Memorials and Markers
abroad, where the spirit of American generosity, sacrifice, and courage
are displayed and commemorated."

The resolution lists the following findings

-   "the United States has fought in wars outside of its borders to
    restore freedom and human dignity;

-   "the United States has spent its national treasure and shed its
    blood in fighting those wars;

-   "many of those who died on the battlefield were laid to rest exactly
    where they fell;

-   "those plots of ground are now known as American Cemeteries,
    Memorials and Markers, and they exist in 10 foreign countries on
    four continents;

-   "these cemeteries exist as the final resting place for American
    service members who fought valiantly in battles across the globe,
    including Ardennes and Flanders, Belgium; Manila, the Philippines;
    North Africa, Tunisia; Florence, Italy; and Normandy, France;

-   "each year millions of American and foreign citizens visit the
    American Cemeteries, Memorials and Markers;

-   "these overseas sites annually recognize Memorial Day with speeches,
    a reading of the Memorial Day Proclamation, wreath laying
    ceremonies, military bands and units, and the decoration of each
    grave site with the flag of the United States and that of the host
    country; and

-   "the splendid commemorative sites inspire patriotism, evoke
    gratitude, and teach history."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 392 was introduced on May 10,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which took no
further action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 67 --- Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007**

***(McIntyre, D-NC)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.R 67 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 67 would authorize **\$75 million** over
five years for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create grant
programs and coordinate federal, state, and local organizations for the
purpose of managing "outreach" initiatives for veterans. The Secretary
would be directed to make grants available to state agencies in order to
"carry out, coordinate, improve, or otherwise enhance outreach" to
veterans and their families. This would include enhancing "activities to
assist in the development and submittal of claims for veterans' and
veterans-related benefits."

H.R. 67 would allow the state to give grants to local governments that
provide veterans outreach services and state agencies that administer
outreach programs. Federal funds awarded to states through these grants
would not exceed 50 percent of the outreach programs total cost. In
cases where a local government does not have an existing outreach
program, the funds can be used to create new programs.

The bill defines "outreach" as "the act or process of taking steps in a
systematic manner to provide information, services, and benefits
counseling to veterans, and the survivors of veterans, who may be
eligible to receive benefits under the laws administered by the
Secretary to ensure that those individuals are fully informed about, and
assisted in applying for, any benefits and programs under such laws for
which they may be eligible."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 67 was introduced on January 1,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which referred
the bill to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs on March 2, 2007. On May 15, 2007, a mark-up was held and the
bill was reported, as amended, by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, would authorize
\$25 million in FY2008, and \$75 million over the FY2008-2012 period.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** Yes. The bill creates a new grant program for
the Secretary to fund local and state veterans' outreach programs.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A committee report citing
constitutional authority is not available. However, House Rule XIII,
Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a
statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the
Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution"
*\[emphasis added\]*.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 1660 --- To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish
a national cemetery for veterans in the southern Colorado region**

***(Salazar, D-CO)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.R 1660 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 1660 would authorize the Secretary of
Veteran Affairs to create a new cemetery in southern Colorado. The
legislation would allow the Secretary to accept gifts of land for the
cemetery site. Any such donation would be regarded as a gift to the
United States for tax purposes.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According to the Department of
Veterans Affairs, there are currently 124 national cemeteries located in
39 different states, including two already in Colorado. Following
Congressional approval, potential nation cemeteries must go through an
extensive process that includes potential site studies, final site
selection, land acquisition, developing master plans, contracting, and
construction. Many national cemeteries take up to a decade to complete
after Congressional approval.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 1660 was introduced on March
22, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which
referred the bill to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs one day later. A subcommittee mark-up was held on April
24, 2007, and H.R. 1660 was sent to the full committee, which held a
mark-up and reported the bill, as amended, by voice vote on May 15,
2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO estimates that implementing
H.R. 1660 would authorize \$11 million in FY 2008, and \$41 million over
five years, for the construction of the cemetery.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A committee report citing
constitutional authority is not available. However, House Rule XIII,
Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a
statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the
Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution"
*\[emphasis added\]*.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 612 --- Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of
2007 *(Filner, D-CA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.R 612 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 612 would amend current law to extend
from two to five years, the period of eligibility for service members
who served in a combat zone after 1998, to receive hospital care,
medical services, and nursing home care without providing evidence that
the injury is related to service in the Armed Forces.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According to CBO, under the VA
health care system, veterans are assigned a priority ranking based on
factors including their level of disability and income level.  Combat
zone veterans are automatically given a high priority for two years,
until the nature of their injury is determined.  At the end of this
two-year period, those veterans with injuries not related to military
service are given a lower priority.  However, this legislation would
extend the period from two to five years.  Thus, servicemembers with
non-military related injuries or illnesses would receive priority VA
healthcare for five years. 

In addition, according to CBO, "Since VA is not currently allowing
enrollment by veterans with incomes above a certain threshold and
without service-connected disabilities, this last effect would allow
some veterans to receive treatment from VA who otherwise might have been
denied access to the system."

According to the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
(NCCBH) this legislation is "intended to address post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions. Because these
conditions may not be evident immediately following a veteran's
discharge from service, extending the period of coverage will allow more
veterans to receive needed mental health treatment."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 612 was introduced on January
22, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which
referred the bill to the Subcommittee on Health on March 2, 2007. A
subcommittee mark-up was held on March 13, 2007, and H.R. 612 was sent
to the full committee, which held a mark-up and reported the bill, as
amended, by voice vote on May 15, 2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO estimates that implementing
H.R. 612 would authorize \$10 in FY 2008 and \$120 million over five
years.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A committee report citing
constitutional authority is not available. However, House Rule XIII,
Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a
statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the
Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution"
*\[emphasis added\]*.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 1470 --- Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act**

***(Filner, D-CA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.R 1470 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 1470 would amend current law to require
that an existing federal chiropractic treatment program provide its
services in at least 75 medical centers by December 313, 2009, and in
all medical centers by 20011

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According to CBO, the VA
currently employs 30 chiropractors and provides these services as 30 of
its 155 medical facilities.  Enacting H.R. 1470 would require the VA to
hire 45 additional chiropractors by 2009, and a total of 125 more by
2011.  CBO states that the average cost of hiring each chiropractor
would be about \$130,000 annually.

H.R. 5122, which was passed in the 110^th^ Congress, required the
Pentagon to conduct a study on the benefits and feasibility of providing
chiropractic care to every member of the armed forces. The Pentagon
study on the merits of full chiropractic implementation in the military
health care system will not be reported to Congress until 2008.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 1470 was introduced on March
12, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which
referred the bill to the Subcommittee on Health on March 16, 2007.
Hearing were held on April 24, and on May 10, 2007, a mark-up was held
and the bill was forwarded to the full committee. A full committee
mark-up was held on May 15, 20007, and the bill was reported by voice
vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: CBO estimates that implementing
H.R. 1470 would authorize \$4 million in FY 2008, and \$77 million over
five years.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A committee report citing
constitutional authority is not available. However, House Rule XIII,
Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a
statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the
Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution"
*\[emphasis added\]*.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.R. 2199 ---Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term
Support Act of 2007 *(Michaud, D-ME)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 2199 would establish several new
programs relating to the care of veterans who have experienced a
traumatic brain injury (TBI). According to the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, "TBI, also called acquired brain
injury or simply head injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage
to the brain." The specific provisions of the bill are as follows:

-   Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) **to create a new
    program** to screen veterans who are eligible for hospital care,
    medical services, and nursing home care through the VA, for symptoms
    of TBI.

-   Requires the VA **to create a new program** for long-term care for
    post-acute TBI rehabilitation that includes residential, community,
    and home-based components utilizing interdisciplinary treatment
    teams. The programs to be carried out at four "geographically
    dispersed" trauma network sites to be designated by the Secretary of
    the VA. Eligible veterans include those who served on active duty in
    combat operations during the Persian Gulf War, are diagnosed as
    suffering from moderate to severe TBI, and are unable to manage
    routine activities of daily living without supervision or
    assistance.

-   Requires the VA **to create a TBI transition office** at each trauma
    network site for the purposes of coordinating the provision of
    health-care and other services to veterans suffering from TBI and in
    need of such services not immediately offered by the VA. Provides
    the Secretary with the authority to arrange for the provision of
    health-care and other services through cooperative agreements with
    appropriate public or private entities that have established
    long-term neurobehavioral rehabilitation and recovery programs.

-   Requires the VA **to establish and maintain a registry** to be known
    as the "Traumatic Brain Injury Veterans' Health Registry," which
    would include a list of each individual who served as a member of
    the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi
    Freedom who exhibits symptoms associated with TBI and applies for
    services from the VA or files a claim for compensation on the basis
    of any disability that could be associated with TBI. The database
    would also include medical data relating to each individual.

-   Authorizes \$70 million over four years for the VA **to establish
    and operate centers** for TBI research, education, and clinical
    activities. The centers are to conduct research relative to TBI and
    on how TBI care provided by the VA can be improved. In addition, the
    centers would provide education and training of health-care
    professionals at the VA, as well as the development and
    implementation of innovative clinical activities and systems of care
    related to TBI. The Secretary could designate not more than five
    centers under this provision.

-   Requires the VA to establish in the Veterans Health Administration
    (VHA), a committee to be known as the "Committee on Care of Veterans
    with Traumatic Brain Injury," that would assess and carry out a
    continuing assessment of the capability of the VHA to treat veterans
    with TBI.

-   Requires the VA to **create a new pilot program** to provide
    readjustment counseling, related to mental health services, benefits
    outreach, and assistance with claims for benefits using mobile
    centers ("mobile Vet Centers"). Directs the Secretary to establish
    two mobile Vet Centers in five Veterans Integrated Service Networks.
    The pilot program would terminate after three years, and within 90
    days of termination, the VA would have to submit to Congress a
    report on the program. The bill authorizes \$7.5 million in FY 2008,
    and such sums as necessary for each subsequent year.

-   Requires the VA **to establish an advisory committee**, to be known
    as the "Advisory Committee on Rural Veterans," that would provide
    advice to the Secretary on administration of benefits by the VA for
    rural veterans.

**[Possible Conservative Concerns]{.underline}: Some conservatives may
be concerned that this bill would create four new programs, at the cost
of \$140 million over five years.**

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 2199 was introduced on May 8,
2007, and referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which
held a mark-up and reported the bill by voice vote, as amended, on May
15, 2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, H.R. 2199 would
authorize \$30 million in FY2008, and \$140 million over five years.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: Yes. The bill creates four new programs.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, 202.226.0718.

**H.R. 2239 --- Early Access to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
Benefits Act (Boozman, R-AR)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.R. 2239 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 2239 would amend current law to offer
vocational and rehabilitation benefits to any service member while they
are hospitalized, receiving outpatient care, determined to have a
permanent disability, or likely to be discharged from active duty
military service due to their injury.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs "current law does not allow VA to provide VR&E
benefits until the service member is discharged from active duty. This
restriction needlessly imposes significant waiting times for those
undergoing extended convalesce due to their injuries. Allowing these
severely injured service members to begin receiving the education and
training portion of VR&E benefits will better position them to
successfully enter the job market when discharged.

"The Committee agreed to an amendment in the nature of a substitute by
unanimous voice vote which would extend the provisions of this bill to
all veterans who would be eligible to for VR&E, even if they were not
totally disabled."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 2239 was introduced on May 9,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which held a
mark-up in May 15, 2007, and reported the bill by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, enacting H.R.
2239 would have no significant impact on direct spending or spending
subject to appropriation because the number of newly eligible service
members would be small.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A committee report citing
constitutional authority is not available. However, House Rule XIII,
Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a
statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the
Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution"
*\[emphasis added\]*.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**\###**