Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2007

HR 675--Disabled Veterans Adaptive Housing Improvement Act--Increases from: (1) $50,000 to $60,00 the maximum amount authorized to be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to certain disabled veterans for the construction of specially adapted housing; and (2) $10,000 to $12,000 the maximum amount authorized for specially adapted features in a home. Requires the VA Secretary to annually increase such amounts to reflect increases in the cost of residential home construction. HR 1315--Amend title 38, USC, to provide specially adaptive housing assistance to certain disabled members of the Armed Forces residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member--Authorizes the VA Secretary to provide specially adaptive housing assistance for disabled members of the Armed Forces residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member if such military member suffers from a disability which is permanent and total in nature and is the result of an injury incurred or disease contracted or aggravated in the line of duty in active military service. HR 1750--Amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend from 90 days to one year the period after release of a member of the Armed Forces from active duty during which the member is protected from mortgage foreclosure under that Act--Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 1940 to extend from 90 days to one year the period following release from active duty during which a member of the Armed Forces shall be protected from mortgage foreclosure. HR 2378--Services to Prevent Veterans Homelessness Act--Amend title 38, USC, to establish a financial assistance program to facilitate the provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing. HR 2385--21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act of 2007--Directs the VA Secretary to increase the maximum guaranty amount under the veterans' home loan program with respect to residences of a particular size in an area for which the median price for such size exceeds the normal guaranty maximum. Repeals the home loan guaranty fees charged to veterans. S 1096--Veterans' Housing Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007--Authorizes the VA Secretary, in the case of a member of the Armed Forces determined to have a total disability permanent in nature which was incurred or aggravated in the line of active duty, to furnish home improvements and structural alterations for the member for the disability while the member is hospitalized or receiving outpatient care, medical services, or treatment, if the Secretary determines that the member is likely to be discharged or released from the Armed Forces for such disability. Authorizes the provision of specially adapted housing assistance for: (1) disabled veterans whose disability is due to a severe burn injury; and (2) disabled members residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member. Makes veterans and members with a severe burn disability eligible for automobile and automotive adaptive equipment assistance. S 2625--The Fairness in Housing for Disabled Veterans Act Letter--Exclude the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability payments as a source of income when applying for housing assistance through federal programs.

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

HR 675--Disabled Veterans Adaptive Housing Improvement Act--Increases from: (1) $50,000 to $60,000 the maximum amount authorized to be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to certain disabled veterans for the construction of specially adapted housing; and (2) $10,000 to $12,000 the maximum amount authorized for specially adapted features in a home. Requires the VA Secretary to annually increase such amounts to reflect increases in the cost of residential home construction. HR 1315--Amend title 38, USC, to provide specially adaptive housing assistance to certain disabled members of the Armed Forces residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member--Authorizes the VA Secretary to provide specially adaptive housing assistance for disabled members of the Armed Forces residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member if such military member suffers from a disability which is permanent and total in nature and is rhe result of an injury incurred or disease contracted or aggravated in the line of duty in active military service. HR 1750--Amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend from 90 days to one year the period after release of a member of the Armed Forces from active duty during which the member is protected from mortgage foreclosure under that Act--Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 1940 to extend from 90 days to one year the period following release from active duty during which a member of the Armed Forces shall be protected from mortgage foreclosure. HR 2378--Services to Prevent Veterans Homelessness Act--Amend title 38, USC, to establish a financial assistance program to facilitate the provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing. HR 2385--21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act of 2007--Directs the VA Secretary to increase the maximum guaranty amount under the veterans' home loan program with respect to residences of a particular size in an area for which the median price for such size exceeds the normal guaranty maximum. Repeals the home loan guaranty fees charged to veterans. S 1096--Veterans' Housing Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007--Authorizes the VA Secretary, in the case of a member of the Armed Forces determined to have a total disability permanent in nature which was incurred or aggravated in the line of active duty, to furnish home improvements and structural alterations for the member for the disability while the member is hospitalized or receiving outpatient care, medical services, or treatment, if the Secretary determines that the member is likely to be discharged or released from the Armed Forces for such disability. Authorize the provision of specially adapted housing assistance for: (1) disabled veterans whose disability is due to a severe burn injury; and (2) disabled members residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member. Makes veterans and members with severe burn disability eligible for automobile and automotive adaptive equipment assistance. Testimony to the House on VA Health on Grant Per Diem Program--Veterans Affairs Health Grant Per Diem Program--To assist the nation's homeless veterans and to prevent future homelessness.

HR 749; HR 976; HR 1315; HR 1552; HR 1783; HR 2055; HR 2056; HR 2123; HR 2567; HR 3162; HR 3269; S 646; S 1070; S 1108; S 1628; S 1678; S 2499; Medicare Hospice Benefit Payments; Medicare Hospice Contracts and Conditions of Participation for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Medicare & Medicaid Skilled Nursing Facilities Conditions of Participation, Survey, Certification, and Enforcement

Client expense: $233,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

H.R. 1137, a bill to provide a special pension for Medal of Honor recipients H.R. 1284/S. 423, the "Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act" H.R. 1315, a bill providing specially adapted housing assistance to members of the Armed Services H.R. 3047, the "Veterans Claims Processing Innovation Act of 2007"

Client expense: $153,011 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Department of Veterans Affaris appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 2623, HR 2612, HR 2514, HR 2239, HR 2190, HR 2026, HR 1944, HR 1927, HR 1589, HR 1538, HR 1477, HR 1472, HR 1470, HR 1426, HR 1382, HR 1354, HR 1318, HR 1315, HR 1284, HR 1265, HR 1214, HR 1197, HR 1137, HR 995, HR 976, HR 963, HR 797, HR 728, HR 704, HR 676, HR 675, HR 652, HR 649, HR 634, HR 612, HR 402, HR 358, HR 343, HR 303, HR 243,

Client expense: $400,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Veterans Employment & Training Service

Veterans Housing, including: HR 1750/HR 1315 - Servicemembers Civil Relief Act amendments HR 2475 - Veteran Home Equity Conversation Mortgage Act.

Client expense: $710,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), SENATE

Veterans Housing, including: HR 1750/HR 1315 - Servicemembers Civil Relief Act amendments HR 2475 - Veteran Home Equity Conversation Mortgage Act.

Client expense: $710,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), SENATE

HR 1632--Improving Veterans' Reemployment Act of 2007--Requires the Secretary of Labor to include, in a currently-required annual report to Congress concerning the enforcement of veterans' reemployment rights: (1) the number of cases reviewed by the Secretary of Defense under the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve of the Department of Defense, and (2) the number of cases which are disability-related. Directs the Secretary to : (1) ensure that the information required to be submitted is categorized in a uniform way, and (2) also submit all reported information to the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the Attorney General, and the Office of Special Counsel. HR 2259--To ensure that members of the National Guard and Reserves are able to fully participate in the benefits delivery at discharge program administered jointly by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide information and assistance on available benefits and other transition assistance to members of the Armed Forces who a separating from the Armed Forces.--To ensure that members of the National Guard and Reserves are able to fully participate in the benefits delivery at discharge program administered jointly by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide information and assistance on available benefits and other transition assistance to members of the Armed Forces who are separating from the Armed Forces. HR 3043; S 1710--Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008--FY 2007 funding for the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment and Training (ASVET). S 1215--To amend title 38, USC, to extend and improve certain authorities of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes--Sets $19 million as the maximum amount (currently a progressively increasing amount) per fiscal year for reimbursement to states and local agencies administering veterans' education benefits.; Extends through FY 2007 a pilot program of on-job-training for veterans' claims adjudicators.; Authorizes the VA Secretary to waive, for public interest purposes on a case-by-case basis, the residency requirement for a Director for Veterans' Employment and Training.; Includes veterans of the Global War on Terror within an ongoing veterans' unemployment study.; Amends the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 to extend through 2009 an increase in benefits for veterans pursuing apprenticeships or on-job-training. DOL-VETS Appropriations--FY 2008 DOL-VETS Appropriations--The American Legion recommends $352,000,000 to DOL-VETS for FY 2008. H. CON. RES 5--Hire A Veteran Week (LETTER)--Recognize the importance of assisting in the transition process of the men and women who have served or who currently serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. HR 1750; HR 1824; HR 1598; HR 1315; HR 513; HR 2259; HR 1632; HR 112; HR2579--Credit, education and transition--Protective credit measures, accelerated education payments, transition assistance program, reemployment reports, stipends for education courses leading to doctoral degrees, and State Approving Agency funding.

HR 112--G.I. Advanced Education in Science and Technology Act--Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly stipend to each individual who is entitled to veterans' basic educational assistance and is pursuing full-time a doctoral degree in the sciences of engineering, mathematics, other technology disciplines. Allows such payment in addition to any other authorized Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance. Make such payment $1,200 a month (adjusted for inflation for fiscal years after 2005) for up to 60 months. HR 1102--Total Force Educational Assistance Enhancement and Integration Act of 2007--To amend title 38, USC, to recodify as part of that title certain educational assistance programs for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, to improve such programs. HR 1824--To amend title 38, USC, to expand the scope of programs of education for which accelerated payments of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill may be used--Permits accelerated payments of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to an individual enrolled in an approved program of education that leads to employment as an operator of a commercial motor vehicle. Excludes benefits payable under the Montgomery GI Bill from consideration as income for purposes of determining eligibility for education grants or loans under any other provision of Federal law. S 526--Veterans Employment and Training Act of 2007--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to expand the scope of programs of education for which accelerated payments of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill may be used. S 644--Total Force Educational Assistance Enhancement and Integration Act of 2007--To amend title 38, USC, to recodify as part of that title certain educational assistance programs. S 723--Montgomery GI Bill Enhancement Act of 2007--A bill to provide certain enhancement to the Montgomery GI Bill Program for certain individuals who serve as members of the Armed Forces after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. S 1261--Montgomery GI Bill for Life Act of 2007--Provides that, if an individual eligible for educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill is enrolled in an educational institution and the period of such individual's entitlement (ten years after discharge of release from active duty) would expire during a quarter or semester of enrollment, that period shall be extended to the end of that quarter or semester. Allows such an extension until the earlier of the end of the course or 12 weeks, in the case of an educational institution not regularly operated on a quarter or semester basis., Repeals the: (1) 14 -year (after first becoming entitled) limit on the use of educational assistance by members of the Selected Reserve; and (2) ten year limit on the use educational assistance by members of the Ready Reserve who are separated due to disability after supporting contingency and certain other operations. The Montgomery GI Bill for life aims to repeal all time limits to use the MGIB. S 1409--21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act of 2007--A bill to provide and enhance education, housing, and entrepreneur assistance for veterans who serve in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001. S 1719--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to provide additional educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to veterans pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to provide additional educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to veterans pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math. HR 1102; S 644--Total Force GI Bill--Creation of a Total Force GI Bill. Allow veterans eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill to use the benefits for longer periods of time, enhance the benefits for reserve and national guard members. To amend title 38, USC, to expand the scope of programs of education for which accelerated payments of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill may be used. Encourage sponsorship of Total Force GI Bill. State Approving Agencies Funding--FY 08 Funding for State Approving Agencies--Maintains the current level of funding for State Approving Agencies to approve courses for eligibility for MGIB payments. S 1215--Numerous Bills--To amend title 38, USC, to extend and improve certain authorities of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Accelerated Payments, modification to create an unemployment study on Global War on Terrorism era veterans. S 22--Post 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2007--Creation of education benefit for service members who serve at least 2 aggregate years on Active Duty. Veterans' Education and Vocational Benefits--Draft Legislation "Veterans' Education and Vocational Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007--Expansion of eligible MGIB programs for accelerated payments program and expansion of vocational benefits to dependents. HR 1750; HR 1824; HR 1598; HR 1315; HR 513; HR 2259; HR 1632; HR 112; HR 2579--Credit, Education and Transition--Protective credit measures, accelerated education payments, transition assistance program, reemployment reports, stipends for education courses leading to doctoral degrees, and State Approving Agency funding.

HR 675--Disabled Veterans Adaptive Housing Improvement Act--Increases from: (1) $50,000 to $60,000 the maximum amount authorized to be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to certain disabled veterans for the construction of specially adapted housing; and (2) $10,000 to $12,000 the maximum amount authorized for specially adapted features in a home. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to annually increase such amounts to reflect increases in the cost of residential home construction. HR 1315--To amend title 38, USC, to provide specially adaptive housing assistance to certain disabled members of the Armed Forces residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member--Authorizes the VA Secretary to provide specially adaptive housing assistance for disabled members of the Armed Forces residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member if such military member suffers from a disability which is permanent and total in nature and is the result of an injury incurred or disease contracted or aggravated in the line of duty in active military service. HR 1750--To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend from 90 days to one year the period after release of a member of the Armed Forces from active duty during which the member is protected from mortgage foreclosure under that Act--Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 1940 to extend from 90 days to one year the period following release from active duty during which a member of the Armed Forces shall be protected from mortgage foreclosure. HR 2378--Services to Prevent Veterans Homelessness Act--To amend title 38, USC, to establish a financial assistance program to facilitate the provision of supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing. Establish a financial assistance program to facilitate supportive service for very low-income veterans families to assist them in ending their chronic homeless state and to prevent chronic homelessness. HR 2699--Homeless Veterans Service Centers, Homeless Veterans Program--Per diem payments to homeless veterans service centers; homeless veterans programs. HR 1750; HR 1824; HR 1598; HR 1315; HR 513; HR 2259; HR 1632; HR 112; HR 2579--Credit, Education and Transition--Protective credit measures, accelerated education payments, transition assistance program, reemployment reports, stipends for education courses leading to doctoral degrees, and State Approving Agency funding. S 1326--Comprehensive Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2007--Full eligibility for VA Home loan guaranty program for Selected Reserve forces, no increase in and return of funding fees for home loan funding to the levels agreed before the 108th Congress HR 551--Home Ownership for America's Veterans Act of 2007 (LETTER)--Help hundreds of thousands of veterans to become eligible to purchase homes. S 1096--Veterans' Housing Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007--Authorizes the VA Secretary, in the case of a member of the Armed Forces determined to have a total disability permanent in nature which was incurred or aggravated in the line of active duty, to furnish home improvements and structural alterations for the member for the disability while the member is hospitalized or receiving outpatient care, medical services, or treatment, if the Secretary determines that the member is likely to be discharged or released from the Armed Forces for such disability., Authorizes the provision of specially adapted housing assistance for: (1) disabled veterans whose disability is due to a severe burn injury; and (2) disabled members residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member. Makes veterans and members with a severe burn disability eligible for automobile and automotive adaptive equipment assistance.

HR 749, HR 976, HR 1315, HR 1552, HR 1783, HR 2055, HR 2056, HR 2123, HR 2567, HR 3162, HR 3269, S 646, S1070, S 1108, S 1628, S 1678, Medicare Hospice Benefit Payments, Medicare Hospice Contracts and Conditions of Participation for Skilled Hursing Facilities

Client expense: $240,250 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

H.R. 339, the "Veterans Outpatient Care Access Act" H.R. 463/S. 1147, the "Honor Our Commitment to Veterans Act" H.R. 538, the "South Texas Veterans Access to Care Act" H.R. 1284/S. 423, the "Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act" H.R. 1315, a bill providing specially adapted housing assistance to members of the Armed Services H.R. 1354/S. 117, the "Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act" H.R. 1426, the "Richard Helm Veterans' Access to Local Health Care Options and Resources Act" H.R. 1448/S. 692, the "VA Hospital Quality Report Card Act" H.R. 1470, the "Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act" H.R. 1471, the "Better Access to Chiropractors to Keep Our Veterans Healthly Act" H.R. 1527, the "Rural Veterans Access to Care Act" H.R. 1925, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a separate Veterans Integrated Service Network for the Gulf Coast region H.R. 2005, the "Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act" H.R. 2172, the "Amputee Veterans Assistance Act" H.R. 2378/S 874, the "Services to Prevent Veteans Homelessness Act" H.R. 2623, a bill which would prohibit the VA from collecting co-payments from veterans receiving hospice care S. 225/H.R. 585, a bill to expand the number of individuals qualifing for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under SGLI S. 526, the "Veterans Employment and Training (VET) Act" S. 643/H.R. 2026, the "Disabled Veterans Insurance Act" S. 847, a bill that would eliminate the current seven-year window that allows a veteran to claim service connectedness for multiple sclerosis (MS) S. 1096, the "Veterans' Housing Benefits Enhancement Act" S. 1163, the "Blinded Veterans Paired Organ Act" S. 1261, the "Montgomery GI Bill for Life Act" S. 383, a bill to expand VA health care eligibility from two years to five years for veterans serving in a combat theater of operations S. 472, a bill that would authorize the funding necessary to construct a new major medical facility in the Denver, Colorado area S. 479, the "Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act" S. 815, the "Veterans Health Care Empowerment Act" S. 994/H.R. 1472, the "Disabled Veterans Fairness Act" S. 1233, the "Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Act" H.R. 23/S. 961, the "Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of WWII Act" H.R. 67, the "Veterans Outreach Improvement Act" H.R. 92, the "Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act" H.R. 315, the "Help Establish Access to Timely Health Care for You Vets Act"