Veteran-Owned Small Business Promotion Act of 2009

H.R. 84, the "Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act" H.R. 294, a bill to guarantee loans to veteran owned small businesses H.R. 761, a bill to clarify eligibility for burial in a national cemetery H.R. 949, to improve collective bargaining rights and procedures H.R. 1017, the "Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act" H.R. 1036, the "Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 1075, the "RECOVER Act (Restoring Essential Care for Our Veterans for Effective Recovery)" H.R. 1335/S. 821, a bill to eliminate co-payments for catastropically disabled veterans H.R. 1169, a bill to increase the specially adapted housing and automobile assistance grants H.R. 1293, the "Disabled Veterans Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009" H.R. 2379, the "Veterans Group Life Insurance Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 2461, the "Veterans Small Business Verification Act" H.R. 2504, to provide for an increase in the annual amount authorized the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out homeless veterans programs from $150 million to $200 million H.R. 2559, the "Help Our Homeless Veterans Act" H.R. 2614, the "Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Reauthorization Act of 2009" H.R. 2696, the "Servicemembers' Right Protection Act" H.R. 2698, the "Veterans and Survivors Behavioral Health Awareness Act" H.R. 2699, the "Armed Forces Behavioral Health Awareness Act" H.R. 2713, the "Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act" H.R. 2735, a bill to make improvements to the comprehensive programs for homeless veterans H.R. 2770, a bill to modernize and clarify the laws governing VA Nonprofit Research Corporations H.R. 2774, the "Families of Veterans Financial Security Act of 2009" H.R. 2874, the "Helping Active Duty Deployed Act of 2009" H.R. 2879/S. 658, the Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 3073, a bill to establish a grant program to assist veterans at risk of becoming homeless H.R. 3219, the "Veterans' Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 3407, the "Severly Injured Veterans Benefits Improvement Act" H.R. 3441, a bill to provide for automatic enrollment of veterans returning from combat zones into the VA health care system H.R. 3485, the "Veterans Pension Protection Act" H.R. 3544, the "National Cemeteries Expansion Act of 2009" H.R. 3926, the "Armed Forces Breast Cancer Research Act" H.R. 4006, the "Rural, American Indian Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 4241, to allow for increased flexibility in payments for State veterans homes Discussion draft legislation concerning various homeless veterans issues Discussion draft legislation to reform and expand the VA Supportive Housing Program carried out by HUD Discussion of the impact on veteran owned businesses by the Center for Veterans Enterprise Discussion draft legislation to improve VA continuing professional education Discussion draft legislation to waive certain requirements relating to VA mental health counselors Discussion draft legislation to make improvement to VA performance pay and collective bargaining rights S. 977, the "Prisoner of War Benefit Act of 2009" S. 1118, a bill to increase the rates of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation S. 1394, the "Veterans Entitlement to Service Act of 2009" S. 1444, the "Combat PTSD Act" S. 1467, the Lance Corporal Josel Lopez Fairness for Servicemembers' Harmed by Vaccines Act of 2009" S. 1518, the "Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2009" S. 1752, a bill to provide compensation for veterans with Parkinson's disease S. 1753, a bill to increase the amount of Temporary Residence Assistance available S. 1963, the "Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009"

Client expense: $131,076 · 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 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

IRS Regulation of tax preparers, SBA Reauthorization, SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program, Department of Transportation program for small contractor mentoring, Customs Bonds, powers of attorney for federal surety bonds, surety bond requirements for suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (HR 3200, HR 1970, HR 3663, S956 and S975), HR 3771 and HR 294, small business capital access.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Customs & Border Protection

HR 294: Veteran-Owned Small Business Promotion Act of 2009 -- Would amend title 38, USC, to provide for the reauthorization of the Department of Veterans Affairs small business loan program HR 1169: Will amend title 38, USC to increase the amount of assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing and automobiles and adapted equipment HR 1293: Disabled Veterans 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 218: 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 HR 2559: Help Our Homeless Veterans Act -- Directs the VA Secretary to carry out a national media campaign directed at homeless veterans and veterans at risk for becoming homeless HR 2696: Servicemembers' Rights Protection Act -- Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to add a new title authorizing the Attorney General to bring a civil action in US District Court to enforce provisions of the Act. Includes such civil relief restraining orders and injunctions, damages and penalties. Authorizes a private cause of action for such enforcement by a servicemember, dependent or other protected person under the Act. HR 2735: Would amend title 38, USC, to make certain improvements to the comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans HR 3073: Will amend title 38, USC, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a grant program to provide assistance to veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless HR 3949: Veterans' Small Business Assistance and Servicemembers Protection Act of 2009 -- Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to add a new title authorizing the Attorney General to bring a civil action in US district court to enforce provisions of the Act Includes under such civil relief restraining orders and injunctions, damages, and penalties. Authorizes a private cause of action for such enforcement by a service member, dependent, or other protected person under the Act S 842: Legislation to repeal the sunset of certain enhancements of protections of servicemembers relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures, amending title 38, USC, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay mortgage holders unpaid balances on housing loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes -- Would amend the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 to repeal the December 31, 2010 termination date on certain mortgage interest rates and foreclosure protections provided to servicemembeers. Authorizes the VA Secretary, regarding a veteran's 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 all rights and interests with respect to the loan. S 1547: Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009 -- Would amend title 38, USC, and the United States Housing Act of 1937 to enhance and expand the assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness, and for other purposes

H.R. 294, a bill to guarantee loans to veterans owned small businesses H.R. 761, a bill to clarify eligibility for burial in a national cemetery H.R. 1016/S. 423, the "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act: (Advance appropriations for VA Health Care) H.R. 1017, the "Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act." H.R. 1036, the "Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 1335/S. 821, a bill to eliminate co-payments for catastrophically disabled veterans H.R. 1169, a bill to increase the specially adapted housing and automobile assistance grants H.R. 2504, to provide for an increase in the annual amount authorized the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out homeless veterans programs from $150 million to $200 million. H.R. 2559, the "Help Our Homeless Veterans Act" H.R. 2735, a bill to make improvements to the comprehensive programs for homeless veterans H.R. 2879/S. 658, the "Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 2379, the "Veterans Group Life Insurance Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 2461, the "Veterans Small Business Verification Act" H.R. 2614, the "Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Reauthorization Act of 2009" H.R. 2696, the "Servicemembers' Rights Protection Act" H.R. 2713, the "Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act" H.R. 2774, the "Families of Veterans Financial Security Act of 2009" H.R. 2874, the "Helping Active Duty Deployed Act of 2009" H.R. 3073, a bill to establish a grant program to assist veterans at risk of becoming homeless H.R. 3219, the "Veterans' Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 3407, the Severely Injured Veterans Benefits Improvement Act" H.R. 3485, the "Veterans Pension Protection Act" H.R. 3441, a bill to provide for automatic enrollment of veterans returning from combat zones into the VA health care system H.R. 3544, the National Cemeteriest Expansion Act of 2009" Discussion Draft legislation concerning various homeless veterans issues Discussion Draft legislation to reform and expand the VA Supportive Housing Program carried out by HUD S. 977, the "Prisoner of War Benefit Act of 2009" S. 1118, a bill to increase rates of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation S. 1394, the "Veterans Entitlement to Service Act of 2009" S. 1444, the "Combat PTSD Act" S. 1467, the :Lance Corporal Josef Lopez Fairness for Servicemembers' Harmed by Vaccines Act of 2009" S. 1518, the "Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2009" S. 1752, a bill to provide compensation for veterans with Parkinson's disease S. 1753, a bill to increase the amount of Temporary Residence Assistance available S. 1963, the "Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009"

Preservation of Miller Act requirements for federal construction contracting environments; continued to advocate for deletion of Section 3 of HR 294, which would reduce bond amounts for small veteran-owned construction firms doing business with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs; provided comments on HR 2991 so that the bill sponsor will take into account prevailing practices of the surety industry.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Preservation of federal Miller Act requirements for federal construction contracting environments; advocated for deletion of Section 3 of H.R. 294, which would reduce bond amounts for veteran-owned construction firms doing business with the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs; advocated for introduction of legislation that would restructure the Bond Guarantee Program administrated by the U.S. Small Business Administration; Advocated for support of HR 2991, which would create a surety bond guarantee program administered by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation.

Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA)

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

HR 294--Veteran-Owned Small Business Promotion Act of 2009--Amend title 38, USC, to provide for the reauthorization of the Department of Veterans Affairs small business loan program. HR 1169--Amend title 38, USC, to increase the amount of assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing and automobiles and adapted equipment--Amend title 38, USC, to increase the amount of assistance provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disabled veterans for specially adapted housing and automobiles and adapted equipment. HR 1293--Disabled Veterans 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. HR 2696--Servicemembers' Rights Protection Act--Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief ct to add a new title authorizing the Attorney General to bring a civil action in U.S. district court to enforce provisions of the Act. Includes under such civil relief restraining orders and injunctions, damages, and penalties. Authorizes a private cause of action for such enforcement by a servicemember, dependent, or other protected person under the Act. 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. Authorizes 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.

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.

IRS regulation of tax preparers, HR 294 (bonding for small veteran owned businesses), HR 3771 (small business assistance), surety bonds for DMEPOS (HR 3200, HR 1970, HR 3663, S 956, S 975), bond requirements in highway reauthorization legislation, Department of Transportation bond premium reimbursement program, SBA Bond Guarantee Program, surety bond for H2A agricultural workers, Customs bonds, administration and processing of DMEPOS bonds

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Preservation of federal Miller Act requirements for federal construction contracting environments; advocated for deletion of Section 3 of H.R. 294, which would reduce bond amounts for veteran-owned construction firms doing business with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs; advocated for introduction of legislation that would restructure the Bond Guarantee Program administered by the US Small Business Administration; advocated for support of HR 2991, which would create a bond guarantee program administered by the US Dept. of Transportation; and supported S 292 and HR 275, which would repeal an existing (but not effective) 3% tax witholding on goods and services from government contractors that would adversely impact the cash flow of these contractors and their ability to secure bonding.

Client expense: $20,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA)

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

H.R. 294, a bill to guarantee loans to veteran owned small businesses H.R. 761, a bill to clarify eligibilty for burial in a national cemetery H.R. 1016/S. 423, the "Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act" (Advance appropriations for VA Health Care) H.R. 1335/S. 821, a bill to eliminate co-payments for catastrophically disabled veterans H.R. 2879/S. 658, the "Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 1017, the "Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act" H.R. 1036, the "Veterans Physical Therapy Services Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 1169, a bill to increase the specially adapted housing and automobile assistance grants H.R. 1182, the "Military Spouses Residency Relief Act" H.R. 2243, the Surviving Spouses" Benefit Improvement Act of 2009" H.R. 2379, the "Veterans Group Life Insurance Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 2416 H.R. 2461, the " Veterans Small Business Verification Act" H.R. 2504 H.R. 2559, the "Help Our Homeless Veterans Act" H.R. 2614, the "Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Reauthorization Act of 2009" H.R. 2696, the "Servicemembers' Rights Protection Act" H.R. 2713, the "Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act" H.R. 2735 H.R. 2774, the "Families of Veterans Financial Security Act of 2009" H.R. 2874, the "Helping Active Duty Depolyed Act of 2009" H.R. 2928 H.R. 2968 H.R. 3073 H.R. 3219, the "Veterans' Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act of 2009" H.R. 3223 H.R. 3407, the "Severly Injured Veterans Benefits Improvement Act" H.R. 3441 H.R. 3485, the "Veterans Pension Protection Act" H.R. 3544, the "National Cemeteries Expansion Act of 2009" H.R. 3554 H.R. 3561 H.R. 3577, the "Educational Assistance to Realign New Eligibilities for Dependents Act" Discussion Draft legislation concerning various homeless veterans issues S. 1495, the "Service Dogs for Veterans Act of 2009"

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

HR 1 (The Asset Recovery & Reinvestment Act) (Section 508 and surety bond waivers), HR 1107 (Sections 1908 and 6305 Miller Act thressholds and assignment of claims), HR 294 (bonding on contracts with veteran owned businesses), DOT Bonding assistance program, SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program, capital access programs, regulations concerning surety bond for suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment, prosthitics, orthotics and supplies (42 CFR Part 424), Miller Act requirements, bonding for small contractors Insurance requirements for Basel II, development of loss payee rider for servicers of Ginnie Mae mortgages

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve System, Ginnie Mae, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Navy, Dept of, Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Discussed the need to include in H.R. 1 reforms needed to revitalize the Small Business Administration's Bond Guarantee Program. These reforms would amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase the SBA Bond guarantee from $2 million to $5 million and would provide discretion to the administrator on matters relating to liability denials. Discussed the importance of observing and adhering to Miller Act bond requirements in federal construction projects. Discussed how actions by federal agencies to bundle separate contracts into larger contracts affects surety bonding capacity and small contractor participation and discussed the need for specific inclusion of "construction" in the statutory rules on contract bundling as was addressed in H.R. 1873 in the prior Congress. Advocated the introduction of specific legislation to create new mentorship and grant assistance programs for minority, women-owned and veteran-owned construction firms to better prepare them to qualify for financial and surety bond credit. Related that such legislation could be patterned after H.R. 7087 in the prior Congress. Discussed concerns with and opposition to the surety bonding provisions in H.R. 294, which would prohibit requiring veteran-owned small construction businesses performing contracts for the Department of Veterans Affiars to furnish performance and payment bonds that exceed 50% or more of the contract price. Discussed the importance of observing Miller Act bond requirements for military housing projects even if privitized.

Client expense: $10,000 · 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