To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include on the Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a list of organizations that provide scholarships to veterans and their survivors.

HR 228--Direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a scholarship program for students seeking a degree or certificate in the areas of visual impairment and orientation and mobility--Directs the VA Secretary to establish and carry out a scholarship program of financial assistance for individuals who: (1) are accepted for , or currently enrolled in, a program of study leading to a degree or certificate in visual impairment or orientation and mobility, or both, and (2) enter into an agreement to serve, after program completion, as a full-time VA employee for three years within the first six years after program completion. Sets maximum assistance amounts of $15,000 per academic year and $45,000 total. Requires pro rate repayment for failure to satisfy education or service requirements, while allowing the Secretary to waive or suspend such repayment whenever noncompliance is due to circumstances beyond the control of the participant, or when waiver or suspension is in the best interests of the United States. HR 950--Amend chapter 33 of title 38, USC to increase educational assistance for certain veterans pursuing a program of education offered through distance learning--Authorizes the use of veterans' educational assistance for the pursuit of an approved program of education offered through distance learning. HR 1037--Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2009--Directs the VA Secretary to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of expanding the scope of qualifying veterans' work-study activities, including positions available on site at educational institutions. HR 1098--Veterans' Worker Retraining Act of 2009--Increases the amount of educational assistance payments made by the VA Secretary to individuals pursuing an apprenticeship or on-job-training under: (1) the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program, (2) the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans educational assistance program; (3) the Survivors and Dependents educational assistance program; and (4) the Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program. HR 1172--Direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include on the Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a list of organizations that provide scholarships to veterans and their survivors and, for each such organization, a link to their Internet website. HR 1821--Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2009--Extends the period of eligibility for training and rehabilitation through the VA for veterans with service-connected disabilities until the end of the 15 (under current law, 12) year period after the veteran's discharge from active-duty service. Allows a service-disabled veteran a subsistence allowance for six (under current law, two) months of full-time employment training following completion of a vocational rehabilitation program. Allows such a veteran who has unused VA educational assistance entitlement to use such assistance pursue a program of education as part of a vocational rehabilitation program, as long as the VA Secretary approves the educational, professional, or vocational objective chosen by the veteran. Directs the Secretary to provide reimbursement for child care to a veteran who is participating in a vocational rehabilitation program and is the sole caretaker of a child. Requires the Secretary to include a annual budget materials submitted to Congress information on veterans receiving vocational rehabilitation assistance who: (1) became employed, and (2) achieved independence in daily living. HR 1879--National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2009--Provides employment and reemployment rights for certain individuals ordered to full-time National Guard duty. HR 2614--Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Reauthorization Act of 2009--Amend title 38, USC, to reauthorize the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education. HR 2928--Amend title 38, USC, to provide for an apprenticeship and on-job training program under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program.--Amends requirements for the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program to entitle an eligible veteran of the Armed Forces (including eligible dependents) pursuing a full-time educational program of apprenticeship or other on-job training to a monthly benefit payment equal to: (1) 85% of the national average cost of tuition at an institution of higher education for each of the first six months of the program; (2) 65% of such amount for each of the second six months of the program; and (3) 45% of such amount for each of the months following the first 12 months of the program. Reduces the payment an individual receives in any month in which the individual fails to complete 120 hours of training under the program of education. HR 3554--National Guard Education Equality Act--Amend title 38, USC, to provide for the inclusion of certain active duty service in the reserve components as qualifying service for purposes of Post-9//11 Educational Assistance Program, and for other purposes. HR 3561--Amend title 38, USC, to increase the amount of educational assistance provided to certain veterans for flight training--Amend title 38, USC, to increase the amount of educational assistance provided to certain veterans for flight training. HR 3577--Education Assistance to Realign New Eligibilities for Dependents (EARNED) Act of 2009--Amend title 38, USC, to provided authority for certain members of the Armed Forces who have served 20 years on active duty to transfer entitlement to Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to their dependents. S 847--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to provide that utilization of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance shall not be subject to the 48-month limitation on the aggregate amount of assistance utilizable under multiple veterans and related educational assistance programs--Exempts survivors' and dependents' educational assistance from the 48-month time limit on the use of assistance under various veterans' and related educational assistance programs. Revives any entitlement reduced by the 48-month limit. The Evolution of State Approving Agencies--Examine the SAAs needs to continue to approve programs of study at established institutions and approving programs of study at community colleges or trade schools--Review the current role that the State Approving Agencies(SAAs) are playing in approving and supervising programs of study. HR 3467 LETTER--Veterans Education Enhancement and Fairness Act of 2009--Ensure that veterans do not receive a lesser benefit when they are pursuing their education credit by distance learning. National Guard Education Equality Act LETTER--National Guard Education Equality Act--Extend benefits to title 32 Active Guard Reserve (AGR) service members under there Post-9/11 GI Bill. HR 3221 LETTER--Amendment to HR 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009--Permit students to transfer education credits between institutions of higher learning (IHLs) that receive Federal grants while serving in the military. HR 294, 1169, 1182, 2416, 2696, 2874, 2928, 3223, 3554, 3561, 3577 and draft legislation--Legislation of various bills--Provide for an increase in the amount of the reporting fees payable to educational institutions that enroll veterans receiving educational assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Client expense: $6,600 · 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 228--To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a scholarship program for students seeking a degree or certificate in the areas of visual impairment and orientation and mobility--Directs the VA Secretary to establish and carry out a scholarship program of financial assistance for individuals who: (1) are accepted for, or currently enrolled in, a program of study leading to a degree or certificated in visual impairment or orientation and mobility, or both; and (2) enter into an agreement to serve, after program completion, as a full-time VA employee for three years within the first six years after program completion. Sets maximum assistance amounts of $15,000 per academic year and $45,000 total. Requires pro rate repayment for failure to satisfy education or service requirements, while allowing the Secretary to waive or suspend such repayment whenever noncompliance is due to circumstances beyond the control of the participant, or when waiver or suspension is in the best interests of the United States. HR 950--Amend chapter 33 of title 38 USC, to increase educational assistance for certain veterans pursuing a program of education offered through distance learning--Authorizes the use of veterans' educational assistance for the pursuit of an approved program of education offered through distance learning. HR 1037--Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2009--Directs the VA Secretary to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of expanding the scope of qualifying veterans' work-study activities, including positions available on site at educational institutions. HR 1098--Veterans' Worker Retraining Act of 2009--Increases the amount of educational assistance payments made by the VA Secretary to individuals pursuing an apprenticeship or on-job training under: (1) the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program; (2) the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans educational assistance program; (3) the Survivors and Dependents educational assistance program; and (4) the Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program. HR 1172--Direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include on the Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs a list of organizations that provide scholarships to veterans and their survivors and, for each such organization, a link to their Internet website. HR 1821--Equity for injured Veterans Act of 2009--Extends the period of eligibility for training and rehabilitation through the VA for veterans with service-connected disabilities until the end of the 15 (under current law, 12) year period after the veteran's discharge from active-duty service. Allows a service-disabled veteran a subsistence allowance for six (under current law, two) months of full-time employment training following completion of a vocational rehabilitation program. Allow such a veteran who has unused VA educational assistance entitlement to use such assistance to pursue a program of education as part of a vocational rehabilitation program, as long as the VA Secretary approves the educational, professional or vocational objective chosen by the veteran. Directs the Secretary to provide reimbursement for child care to a veteran who participating in a vocational rehabilitation program and is the sole caretaker of a child. Requires the Secretary to include in annual budget materials submitted to Congress information on veterans receiving vocational rehabilitation assistance who: (1) became employed; and (2) achieved independence in daily living. HR 1879--National Guard Employment Protection Act of 2009--Provides employment and reemployment rights for certain individuals ordered to full-time National Guard duty. S 847--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to provide that utilization of survivors' and dependents' educational assistance shall not be subject to the 48-month limitation on the aggregate amount of assistance utilizable under multiple veterans and related educational assistance programs.--Exempts survivors' and dependents' educational assistance from the 48-month time limit on the use of assistance under various veterans' and related educational assistance programs. Revives any entitlement reduced by the 48-month limit. Higher Education Act of 1965--Amend Section 484B of Higher Education Act of 1965 LETTER--To forgive certain loans for service members who withdraw from an institution of higher education as a result of service in the uniform services.

Client expense: $6,600 · 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)

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

Client expense: $66,447 · Firm income: Not reported

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