Veterans Programs Extension Act of 2006

Bill: 109-hr-6342
Sponsor: Rep. Buyer, Steve [R-IN-4]
Introduced: 2006-12-05 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Biological warfare
Cemeteries and funerals
Chemical warfare
Chronically ill
Clinics
Clothing
Commemorations
Communication in medicine
Congressional reporting requirements
Continuum of care
Cost of living adjustments
Data banks
Disabled
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Families
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to health facilities
Government Operations and Politics
Grants-in-aid
Health
Health information systems
Health surveys
Higher education
Homeless
Housing and Community Development
Indiana
Labor and Employment
Leases
Married people
Maryland
Massachusetts
Medical centers
Medical education
Medical records
Medical research
Mental health services
Mental illness
Michigan
Military dependents
Military research
Multiple sclerosis
Nervous system diseases
Neurology
Nevada
Ohio
Parkinson's disease
Peer review organizations (Medicine)
Recruiting and enlistment
Rehabilitation of the disabled
Research centers
Science, Technology, Communications
Secondary education
Social Welfare
Student employment
Survivors' benefits
Texas
Veterans' benefits
Veterans' disability compensation
Veterans' education
Veterans' employment
Veterans' hospitals
Veterans' medical care
Vocational and technical education
Vocational guidance
Women
Women veterans

Summary:
action_date: 2006-12-05
text: 
Veterans Programs Extension Act of 2006 - Extends for specified periods certain expiring programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including: (1) health care for veteran participants in Department of Defense (DOD) chemical and biological warfare testing; (2) certain assistance for homeless veterans and seriously mentally ill veterans; and (3) the educational assistance allowance for work-study.
 
Expands eligibility under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program to include the spouse or child of a member who: (1) is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care; (2) has a total permanent disability incurred in the line of duty; and (3) is likely to be discharged or released due to such disability.
 
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate specified VA health care facilities as: (1) centers of Parkinson's disease research, education, and clinical activities; and (2) multiple sclerosis centers of excellence.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified major medical facility leases in FY2006 and FY2007.
 
Codifies recently enacted VA cost-of-living adjustments in veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

action_date: 2006-12-21
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Veterans Programs Extension Act of 2006 - (Sec. 2) Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to extend through 2007: (1) the authority for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care for veteran participants in Department of Defense (DOD) chemical and biological warfare testing; (2) VA treatment and rehabilitation for seriously mentally ill homeless veterans; (3) additional VA services for homeless and seriously mentally ill veterans; (4) the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans; and (5) VA authority for the purchase of grave markers to be placed at the graves of veterans in private cemeteries.
 
Extends through: (1) FY2007 a grant and per diem assistance program for homeless veterans; and (2) June 30, 2007, an educational assistance allowance program for veterans pursuing work-study.
 
(Sec. 3) Expands eligibility under the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program to include the spouse or child of a member of the Armed Forces who: (1) is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care; (2) has a total permanent disability incurred in the line of duty; and (3) is likely to be discharged or released due to such disability.
 
(Sec. 4) Provides a deadline of six months after the enactment of this Act for biennial reports by the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Defense on educational assistance programs provided to members and veterans. Makes such reporting requirement permanent (currently ends on January 1, 2005).
 
(Sec. 5) Extends through 2008 (currently, 2004) required biennial reports from the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.
 
(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to designate at least six VA health-care facilities as centers of Parkinson's disease research, education, and clinical activities. Requires appropriate geographic distribution of such facilities. Requires the VA's Under Secretary for Health to establish a panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals submitted for participation as such a center. Authorizes appropriations.
 
Directs the Secretary to designate at least two VA health-care facilities as multiple sclerosis centers of excellence. Requires the Under Secretary for Health to establish a panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals submitted for participation as such a center. Authorizes appropriations.
 
(Sec. 7) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified major medical facility leases in FY2006 and FY2007. Authorizes appropriations.
 
(Sec. 9) Codifies recently enacted VA cost-of-living adjustments in veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-12-21
text: Became Public Law No: 109-444.
action_date: 2006-12-21
text: Became Public Law No: 109-444.
action_date: 2006-12-21
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2006-12-21
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2006-12-20
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2006-12-20
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2006-12-07
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2006-12-07
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11536)
action_date: 2006-12-07
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S11536)
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. (text: CR 12/7/2006 H8823-8826)
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6342.
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR 12/7/2006 H8823-8829)
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Mr. Brown (SC) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2006-12-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2006-12-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-12-05
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 109-444