Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009

lobbying on behalf od granting veterans status tp present non-veteran members of the Reserve components with 20 years or more of service (military retirees) HR3787, S1780; on behalf of amending USC title 38 to improve the efficeincy of processing VA claims HR5928; on behalf on increases flexibilty and increases in payments for State Veterans Homes HR4242; on behalf of increasing vocational, ehabilitation and employment assistance available at the VA; on behalf of imrovements and coverage of the Post 9/11 GI Bill S3447, S3171, HR3813 on behalf of setting the DIC payment amount to be 55% of the 100% VA disability payment level HR2243; on behalf of improvments for homeless veterans' programs HR1171;

Client expense: $100,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 5360, HR 5225, HR 5120, HR 4894, HR 4887, HR 4477, HR 4048, HR 3949, HR 3491, HR 3219, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2980, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2713, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1879, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1169, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H. RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H. Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 3447, S 3234, S 3148, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1237, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S. 546, S. 535, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S. Con. Res 60, S. Con. Res. 13.

Client expense: $190,000 · Firm income: Not reported

S. 1963 - Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 S. 407 & H.R. 4667 - Veteran's Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2010 H.R. 1171 - Homeless Veterans Reintergration Program Reauthorization Act H.R. 1377 - Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement S. 1366 & H.R. 147 - referred to the House Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

Client expense: $222,959 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: AMTRAK - Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Railroad Retirement Board, SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office

S. 1963 - Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 S. 407 & H.R. 4667 - Veteran's Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2010 H.R. 1171 - Homeless Veterans Reintergration Program Reauthorization Act H.R. 1377 - Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement S. 1366 & H.R. 147 - referred to the House Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

Client expense: $222,959 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: AMTRAK - Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Railroad Retirement Board, SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office

Lobbying on behalf of giving Veterans Status to non-veteran members of the Reserve components with 20 years or more of service (military retirees) HR3787, S1780; on behalf of amending USC title 38 to improve efficiency of processing VA claims HR5928; on behalf of increased flexibility in payments for State Veterans Homes HR4241; on behalf of including every child of a veteran when determining qualification for medical services HR4465; on behalf of increasing vocational, rehabilitation & employment assistance available at the VA, HR1821; on behalf of setting the DIC payment amount as 55% of the 100% VA Disability payment level, HR2243; on behalf of improvement of enforcment methods and provisions of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 S263; and enforcing USERRA provesions in the federal government HR1089; on behalf of improvements in programs to prevent homelessness among veterans, HR1171; on behalf of covering vocational and other technical education courses under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, S3447, S3171, HR3813

Client expense: $100,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 5360, HR 5225, HR 5120, HR 4894, HR 4887, HR 4477, HR 4048, HR 3949, HR 3491, HR 3219, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2980, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2713, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1879, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1169, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H. RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H. Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 3234, S 3148, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1237, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S. 546, S. 535, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S. Con. Res 60, S. Con. Res. 13.

Client expense: $240,000 · Firm income: Not reported

lobbying to assure that VA health care (including CHAMPVA and spina bifida coverage) be qualified as "minimum essential coverage" under HR HR3962; lobbying to improve the speed, accuracy and consistency of the VA's Claim Adjudication process; lobbying in support of increasing DIC payments HR2243; lobbying to require the VA to take into account veteran's number of minor children when determining financial need of medical services HR4465; lobbying in support of retention of DIC payments upon remarriage on or after the age of 55 HR809; lobbying to grant Veterans Status to non-veteran members of the Reserve components with 20 years or more of sservice HR3787, S1780; lobbying on behalf of increased flexibility in payments of State Veterans Homes HR4241; lobbying in favor of strenghtening the protections granted by USERRA and increased and effective enforcment S263, HR1089; lobbying to permit Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to cover vocational and other technical education S3171, HR3813; lobbying to increase vocational rehabilitation and employemnt assistance programs HR1821; lobbying to prevent homelessness among veterans HR1171

Client expense: $100,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 5360, HR 4894, HR 4887, HR 4477, HR 4048, HR 3949, HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2980, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2713, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1879, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1169, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 3148, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S. 546, S. 535, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13.

Client expense: $190,000 · Firm income: Not reported

lobbying in opposition of VA health care including CHAMPVA and spina bifida coverage being included or effected by general health care reform legislation (HR3590, HR3962); lobbying to improve the speed, accuracy and consistency of the VA claims adjudication system; lobbying in support of increasing DIC payments HR2243; lobbying in support of allowing retention of DIC upon remarriage on or after the age of 55 (HR809); lobbying in favor of granting Veterans status to non-veteran members of Reserve components with 20 or more years of service (HR3787,S1780); lobbying in favor of strengthening the protection and enforcement of USERRA S263, HR1089; lobbying to prevent homelessness among veterans HR1171 lobbying to permit Post 9/11 GI Bill to cover vocational and technical education S3171, HR3813; lobbying to enlarge vocational rehabilitation and employment asistance HR1821; lobbying in support of Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009 S1963

Client expense: $100,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

Improving survivor benefits for widows of deceased veterans and to restore and improve veterans benefits. S 3162, HR 4465, HR 1293, HR 3155, HR 2770, HR 293, HR 4054, HR 1211, HR 4568, HR 1171, HR 3813, HR 3155, S 1780, HR 4320, HR 3657, HR 3787, HR 3337, S 2769, S 263, S 1668, HR 3949, HR 1016, S 1963, HR 3813, S 1963, HR 3554, HR 1592, S 1780, HR 3787, HR 809, HR 4324,

Client expense: $483,459 · Firm income: Not reported

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 4894, HR 4887, HR 4477, HR 4048, HR 3949, HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 3148, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S 546, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $190,000 · Firm income: Not reported

lobbying on behalf of Advanced Funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs health care (HR1016, S423); lobbying in opposition of VA health care being included in general health care reform legislation (HR3590, HR3962); lobbying to improve speed,consistency and accuracy of VA's adjudication process; lobbying in favor of increasing DIC payments (HR2243); lobbying to permit DIC receipients to retain eligibility for DIC if they remarry at or after the age of 55 (HR809); lobbying in support of improvm favor of improvements in wounded warrior care and seemless transition; lobbying in more programs to prevent homelessness among veterans (HR1171); lobbying in favor of both the protections and the enforcement for the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployemnt Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) (S263, HR1089); lobbying in favor of enlargement and improvments of vocational rehabilitation and employemnt assistance programs for veterans at the VA (HR1821); lobbying in favor of sufficient funding in the Military Construction and VA Appropriations Act (HR3082, S1407); lobbying in support of granting veterans status to non-veteran members of the Reserve components with 20 or more years of service (HR3787, S1780)

Client expense: $100,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: 3949, HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2990, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 2180, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 1963, S 1939, S 1779, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $190,000 · Firm income: Not reported

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

Lobbying in favor of 2 years Advanced Appropriations for VA health care funding HR1016, S423; In favor of adequate and suffient funding for VA Health care; in favor of improving the deprtment of Veteran Affairs adjudication process in both speed and accuracy; In favor of increasing the DIC paynments HR 2243; In favor of allowing DIC receipients to retain eligiblity after reaching the age of 55 rather than the present 57; in favor of improvement of wounded warrior health care; In favor of improvements in both the protections and the enforcemnt mechanisms for the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) S263, HR1089; In favor of increasing the payments of the education benefits for survivors of members of the Uniformed Services who died on Active Duty or as a result of a service connectd disability (Chapter 35) to be the same as the present payments under the Montgomery GI Bill HR3507 In favor of increases in vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance in the VA HR1821; Improving services for Homeless vets and to prevent homelessness among veterans HR1171; In favor of suffiencet funding in Military Construction and VA Appropriations HR3082, S1407; In favor of granting veterans status to non- veteran members of the Reserve components who have served 20 or more years

Client expense: $100,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 3491, HR 3155, HR 3082, HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2738, HR 2734, HR 2583, HR 2573, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 2254, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 952, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 1407, S 1204, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 658, S 642, S 597, S 423, S 407, S 404, S 277, S 252, S 66, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $210,000 · 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 Affairs, Dept of (VA), Veterans Employment & Training Service

Lobbying to assure sufficient and adequate funding for VA health care; lobbying in support of 2 year advanced appropriations for VA health care funding HR1016, S423; improving the VA's adjudication in both speed and accuracy; in support of allowing DIC receipients to retain eligibility if they remarry after reaching the age of 55 HR809; in support of granting veterans status to present non-veteran military retirees (non-regular service without 30 day active duty call-up); to improve the both the increase the monthly amount of DIC statute and enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) S263 and improve its enforcement in federal agencies HR1089; increase vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance programs HR1821; improve homeless vet programs HR1171

Client expense: $100,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

HR 147--Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans--Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund and to allow individual taxpayers to designate on their tax returns $3.00 of income taxes ($5.00 in the case of joint returns) to be paid over to such Fund to provide assistance to homeless veterans. HR 1171--Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009--Reauthorizes, through FY 2014, the VA homeless veterans reintegration programs (job training, counseling, and placement services to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force). Directs the Labor Secretary to make grants to programs and facilities that provide dedicated services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. Requires grant funds to be used to provide job training, counseling, placement services, and child care services to expedite the reintegration of such veterans into the labor force. Directs the Secretary to: (1) monitor the expenditure of such funds; and (2) report biennially to Congress an evaluation of the grant program. Authorizes appropriations. HR 1293--Disabled Veteran's Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009--Increases from: (1) $4,100 to $6,800 the amount authorized to be paid by the VA for improvements and structural alterations for homes of veterans with service-connected disabilities of 50% or more, and (2) $1,200 to $2,000 the amount authorized for such purpose for veterans with service-connected disabilities of less than 50%, and certain other veterans. HR 2180--Amend title 38, USC, to waive housing loan fees for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities called to active service.--Prohibits the VA Secretary from collecting a housing loan fee from any veteran who, but for the receipt of active service pay, would be entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability. S 842--A bill to repeal the sunset of certain enhancements of protections of servicemembers relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures, to amend title 38, USC, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay mortgage holders unpaid balances on housing loans guaranteed by Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes--Amends the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 to repeal the December 31, 2010, termination date on certain mortgage interest rate and foreclosure protections provided to servicemembers. Authorized the VA Secretary, with respect to a veterans' housing loan guaranteed through the VA that is modified under federal bankruptcy laws, to pay the holder of the mortgage obligation its unpaid balance, but only upon the assignment and transfer to the Secretary of all rights and interests with respect to the loan. Internal Revenue Code of 1986--Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 LETTER--To extend first-time homebuyers credit for one-year for members of the Armed Services of the United States serving outside of the United States in 2009.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility, and for other purposes.(HR 1377), all provisions of bill relating to allowing veterans to get reimbursed for emergency care they receive at non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals. Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009 (HR 1513), all provisions of bill relating to increasing the rate of veterans' disability compensation, provide additional compensation for dependents and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, (HR 1171), all provisions of bill relating to reauthorize the Department of Veterans Affairs homeless veterans' reintegration programs for job training, counseling, and placement services to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act (HR 1211), all provisions relating to a new program to offer graduate medical education, training and certification to mental health professionals who provide counseling, care and services for veterans suffering from sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder and the creation of a pilot program to provide child care to veterans who are receiving mental health or other intensive care services at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.

Client expense: $65,698 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R. 147, the "Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund" H.R. 228, the "Visual Improvement and Orientation and Mobility Professionals Education Assistance Program" H.R. 297, the "Veterans Rehabilitation and Employment Subsistence Allowance Improve Act of 2009" H.R. 446, the "Wounded Veteran Job Security Act" H.R. 784, a bill to require the VA to provide quarterly reports on vacancies in the mental health profession H.R. 785/S. 597, the "Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act" H.R. 929, a bill to provide for job training skills relevant to the job market for qualified veterans H.R. 942, a bill to conduct a pilot project to allow veterans to use educational assistance to apply to training costs when purchasing a franchise H.R. 950, a bill to increase educational assistance for certain veterans H.R. 1016/S. 423, the "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act" (Advance appropriations for VA Health Care) H.R. 1037, a bill to establish a pilot program that will expand the current scope of the work-study program H.R. 1088, the "Veterans Employment Rights Realignment Act of 2009" H.R. 1098, the "Veterans' Worker Retaining Act of 2009" H.R. 1168, the "Veterans' Retraining Act of 2009" H.R. 1171, the "Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009" H.R. 1172, a bill that directs the VA to include on its internet website a list of organizations that provide scholarships to veterans and their surviors H.R. 1197, the "Medal of Honor Health Care Equity Act of 2009" H.R. 1302, a bill to establish the position of Director of Physician Assistant Services at VA H.R. 1335/S821, a bill to eliminate co-payments for catastropically disabled veterans H.R. 1546, the "Caring for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2009" H.R. 1821, the "Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2009" H.R. 1879, the "National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2009" H.R. 2180, a bill to waive housing loan fees for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities called to active service H.R. 2713, "Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act" H.R. 2379, the "Veterans Group Life Insurance Imporovements Act of 2009" H.R. 2734, the "Health Care for Family Caregivers Act of 2009" H.R. 2738, a bill to proved travel expenses for family caregivers accompanying veterans to medical treatment facilities H.R. 2774, the "Families of Veterans Financial Security Act of 2009" H.R. 2770, the "Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Act of 2009" H.R. 2879/S. 658, the "Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 2898, the "Wounded Warrior Caregiver Assistance Act" H.R. 2968, a bill to eliminate the required reduction in the amount of the accelerated death benefit payable to certain terminally-ill persons insured under SGLI an VGLI S. 226, a bill to desigante the Merril Lundman Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic S. 239, the "Veterans Health Equity Act of 2009" S. 246, the Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act" S. 252, the "Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009" S. 263, the Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009" S. 315, the Veterans Outreach Improve Act of 2009" S. 347 S. 362, a bill to improve collective bargaining rights and prcedures for VA employees S. 404, the "Veterans' Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2009" S. 407, the "Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2009" S. 475, the "Military Spouses Residency Relief Act" S. 498, a bill to authorize dental insurance for veterans and survivors and dependents S. 509, a bill to authorize a VA medical facility in Walla Walla Washington S. 514, the "Veterans Rehabilitation and Training Improvements Act of 2009" S. 543, the "Veteran and Servicemember Caregiver Support Act of 2009" S. 663, the "Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II" S. 669, the "Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act" S. 691, to establish a national cemetery in Southern Colorado S. 699, the "Far South Texas Veterans Medical Center Act of 2009" S. 728, the "Veterans' Insurance and Benefits Enhancement Act of 2009" S. 734, the "Rural Veterans Health Care Access and Quality Act of 2009" S. 746, to establish a national cemetery in Sarpy County, Nebraska S. 772, the "Honor Act of 2009" S. 793, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Vision Scholars Act of 2009" S. 801, the "Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009" S. 820, the "Veterans Mobility Enhancement Act of 2009" S. 842 S. 847

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 2898, HR 2879, HR 2770, HR 2734, HR 2583, HR 2419, HR 2389, HR 2342, HR 1818, HR 1546, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1302, HR 1293, HR 1211, HR 1204, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1088, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 658, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 944, S 847, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 728, S 642, S 597, S 423, S 404, S 277, S 252, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $220,000 · 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 Affairs, Dept of (VA), Veterans Employment & Training Service

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY GOALS FOR VETERANS -- January 28, 2009 -- before the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs--our views and concerns on this years legislative priority goals for veterans. #16. Specific lobbying issues. VAs BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 -- March 10, 2009 before the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs on behalf of the Independent Budget (IB): AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America, to produce a set of policy and budget recommendations that reflect what we believe would meet the needs of Americas veterans. The VFW is responsible for the construction portion of the Independent Budget. Contacts made on the following legislative initiatives: H.R. 32--McIntyrea bill that is directed towards improving access to outreach services and assistance programs of which veterans and their families deserve. H.R.147--a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans, and for other purposes. H.R.228 --Jackson-Leea bill which would direct the Secretary of Veteran Affairs to establish and carry out a scholarship program aimed at remedying the difficulty in recruiting new graduates of university programs specializing in blind rehabilitation. H.R.297--a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for an increase in the amount of subsistence allowance payable by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to veterans participating in vocational rehabilitation programs, and other purposes. H.R. 347--Schiffa bill which would award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Japanese-American 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their dedicated service to our nation during World War II. H.R. 394--Browna bill which would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the amount of the Medal of Honor special pension by up to $1,000. H.R.466--a bill to extend protection from discrimination and acts of reprisal against veterans to include not only those who suffer illnesses, injuries and disabilities incurred in or aggravated by service in the armed forces, but also to those receiving treatment for such service-connected health conditions. H.R. 666--SalazarThe Military Valor Roll of Honor Act. Legislation which will establish and maintain a database containing the names and citations of all members of the armed forces, members of the United States merchant marines, and civilians affiliated with the armed forces who have been awarded the Medal of Honor or any other medal authorized by Congress. H.R. 667--Salazar--legislation which would dramatically improve the delivery of health care for those veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury. H.R. 668--(and S. 307--Senators Crapo and Wyden)--the Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act, a beneficial bill that would exempt the number of beds veterans use at critical access hospitals (CAH) from counting toward the inpatient bed limitation. H.R. 746--Adler--the Safeguarding Americas Seniors and Veterans Act. Legislation which will guarantee veterans and seniors who are not currently working an important and beneficial tax credit of $500 which will help to reduce the strain of financial hardship faced by many veterans in the current economic climate who would not otherwise qualify for the proposed Making Work Pay tax credit. H.R. 784--a bill to require the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to report quarterly to Congress on vacancies in the mental health profession: such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional mental health counselors in the VA. H.R. 785--a bill to establish a pilot program from FY 2010 to 2013 to educate and engage in outreach to college and university mental health centers relating to the mental health of recently separated service members. H.R. 819--Holdena reintroduction of legislation which provides Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits to surviving spouses of former prisoners of war (POW), which also seeks to extend the receipt of DIC benefits to surviving spouses of former POWs who died on or before September 30, 1999 and will ease the financial strain left on survivors of POWs who do not currently qualify for DIC benefits. H.R.929--legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program of training to provide eligible veterans with skills relevant to the job market, and for other purposes. H.R.942--legislation to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot project on the use of educational assistance under programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs to defray training costs associated with the purchase of certain franchise enterprises H.R.950--legislation to amend chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, to increase educational assistance for certain veterans pursuing a program of education offered through distance learning. #16. Specific lobbying issues (contd.) H.R. 952--Hall--the Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater (COMBAT) Act, to grant a presumptive service connection to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and have actively served in a designated theater of combat. This will relieve the burden faced by many veterans who are forced to prove the events they faced while serving our Nation are the direct cause of their PTSD. H.R. 953--Heller--the Veterans Travel Tax Relief Act of 2009 which would provide for a deduction for travel expenses to VA medical centers in connection with examinations or treatments relating to service-connected disabilities. H.R.1088--legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a one-year period for the training of new disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives by National Veterans' Employment and Training Services Institute. H.R.1089--legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the enforcement through the Office of Special Counsel of the employment and unemployment rights of veterans and members of the Armed Forces employed by Federal executive agencies, and for other purposes. HR 1169--Boozman--legislation that would amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the amount of assistance provided by VA to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing, automobiles and equipment. H.R.1171--legislation which will amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize a Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Grant ProgramThis important bill and your amendment will improve VA assistance to the homeless so that it better suits the unique needs of women veterans and veterans with children. H.R. 1211--Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act--legislation that would improve benefits and services to female veterans, especially those who have served or are serving in OEF/OIF operations and Section 101, which would require VA to study barriers in providing comprehensive health care for women including: scope of services provided to women, effective outreach, mental health care and gender sensitivity of its health care providers. H.R. 1227--Halvorson--legislation which would waive the time limitations specified by law for the award of certain military decorations in order to allow the posthumous award of the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller for actions while a member of the Navy during World War II. H.R. 1474--Davis--the Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009, a bill which would strengthen the protections in current law to ensure that servicemembers and veterans employment and reemployment rights are effectively enforced under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). H.R. 1803--Nye-- the Veterans Business Center Act of 2009legislation which would greatly expand the Small Veteran Business Center program within the Small Business Administration to serve as an outlet and resource for veteran business owners. A Draft bill to close existing loopholes in law, allowing VA to cover unmet emergency room treatment for veterans in certain cases which would allow VA to pay for of emergency care for veterans enrolled in VHA under certain cases. It closes a loophole that sticks many veterans unfairly with a large hospital bill. Section 1725 of Title 38 authorizes VA to reimburse veterans for medical expenses related to emergency care at non-VA facilities if the veteran is enrolled and using the VA health care system. This bill allows VA to be a secondary payer in those situations, so the vet will not have to pay out of pocket. Additionally, it removes care accidents where insurance pays out for medical coverage from the list of things that would bar VA from paying for emergency care. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- S. 263-- Casey--the Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009, legislation which would strengthen the protections in current law to ensure that servicemembers' and veterans' employment and reemployment rights are effectively enforced under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). S. 274 --Baucus--legislation that would provide an employer incentive to hire unemployed veterans. S. 307--Senators Crapo and Wyden (and H.R. 668)--the Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act, a beneficial bill that would exempt the number of beds veterans use at critical access hospitals (CAH) from counting toward the inpatient bed limitation. S. 404--Akaka--the Veterans Emergency Care Fairness Act--important legislation which would close a loophole in the law that can cost veterans thousands of dollars out of veterans' own pocket when they seek emergency care at non-VA facilities. S. 572--Webb--the Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act, which would designate the Purple Heart stamp as a commemorative "forever" stamp and ensure that the first-class postage stamp never expires or decreases in value. #16. Specific lobbying issues. S. 597-- Murray-- the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act--legislation which would provide enhanced health care benefits to female veterans, especially those who are veterans of the current conflict era. S. 614-- Hutchisonlegislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Air Force Service Pilots for the honorable service they rendered their country during World War II.

HR 147--Amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans--Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund and to allow individual taxpayers to designate on their tax returns $3.00 of income taxes ($6.00 in the case of joint returns) to be paid over to such Fund to provider assistance to homeless veterans. HR 1171--Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009--Reauthorizes through FY 2014, the VA homeless veterans reintegration programs (job training, counseling, and placement services to expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force). Directs the Labor Secretary to make grants to programs and facilities that provide dedicated services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. Requires grant funds to be used to provide job training, counseling, placement services, and child care services to expedite the reintegration of such veterans into the labor force. Directs the Secretary to: (1) monitor the expenditure of such funds; and (2) report biennially to Congress an evaluation of the grant program. Authorizes appropriations. PL 111-8--Making omnibus appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes--Makes appropriations for the remainder of FY 2009 for the Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service, which includes programs for homeless veterans.

Client expense: $6,600 · Firm income: Not reported

H.R.147, the "Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund" H.R. 228, the "Visual Improvement and Orientation and Mobility Professionals Education Assistance Program" H.R.297, the "Veterans Rehabilitation and Employment Subsistence Allowance Improvement Act of 2009" H.R .446, the "Wounded Veterans Job Security Act" H.R.784, a bill to require the VA to provide quarterly reports on vacancies in the mental health profession H.R.785, the "Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act: H.R.929, a bill to provide for job traaining skills relevant to the job market for qualified veterans H.R.942, a bill to conduct a pilot project to allow veterans to use educational assistance to apply to training cost when purchasing a franchise H.R.950, a bill to increase educational assistance for certain veterans H.R.1088, the "Veterans Employment Rights Relaignment Act of 2009" H.R.1016/S.423, the "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act" (Advance appropriations for VA Health Care) H.R. 1171, the "Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009" H.R. 1335, a bill to eliminate co-payments for catastrophically disabled veterans

Client expense: $106,719 · Firm income: Not reported

Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations and its delivery of benefits and services to veterans, their dependents and survivors: HR 1818, HR 1388, HR 1377, HR 1335, HR 1211, HR 1203, HR 1197, HR 1171, HR 1017, HR 1016, HR 953, HR 816, HR 811, HR 775, HR 667, HR 612, HR 593, HR 466, HR 456, HR 341, HR 333, HR 303, HR 297, HR 296, HR 295, HR 294, HR 293, H.RES. 261, HR 177, HR 114, HR 108, H.Con. Res 85, HR 32, S 821, S 820, S 801, S 642, S 597, S 423, S 404, S 277, S 252, S.Con.Res. 13

Client expense: $210,000 · 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 Affairs, Dept of (VA), Veterans Employment & Training Service