Bill Calls for Change on Education Benefits for Disabled...

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CQ TODAY – VETERANS’ AFFAIRS Nov. 14, 2006 – 8:12 p.m.

Bill Calls for Change on Education Benefits for Disabled Servicemembers’ Families By Patrick Yoest, CQ Staff

The House passed a bill Tuesday that would accelerate access to educational benefits for families of men and women who have been permanently disabled during their military service.

The bill was considered under suspension of the rules, which limits debate, bars amendments and requires a two-thirds vote of those present and voting for passage; it passed by a 373-23 vote.

The legislation (HR 6314) would change current policy, which does not allow spouses and dependent children of those in the military to access the benefits until the servicemembers have been discharged. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides the benefits for up to 45 months.

The provision aims to help families in which spouses and children become the main source of income because of a servicemember’s permanent and total disability.

The Senate passed a similar provision as part of an omnibus veterans’ benefits bill (S 2694) on Aug. 3.

The House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs committees in past weeks have been negotiating on an omnibus package that could include an information technology overhaul at the VA, a Senate provision permitting veterans to hire an attorney to make appeals within the department’s claims process and a medical facilities bill.

But those talks have quieted recently. In remarks on the House floor, Steve Buyer, chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs panel, urged the Senate panel to iron out an agreement with his committee.

“I call upon the Senate leadership to finish our negotiations,” the Indiana Republican said. “Let’s complete our work. Let’s not forget our veterans and their families.”

The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee had no comment.

The House bill passed Tuesday also would extend a number of provisions set to expire at the end of the year, including a law that allows the VA to give government grave markers to former servicemembers buried at private cemeteries. Work-study positions at VA cemeteries, state veterans’ homes and state approving agencies also would be authorized through next year.

Programs for homeless veterans — including a grant program for community care providers as well as VA treatment and rehabilitation services for homeless veterans who are seriously mentally ill — also would be extended for a year.

Source: CQ Today Round-the-clock coverage of news from Capitol Hill. © 2006 Congressional Quarterly Inc. All Rights Reserved.