JACQUE SIMON

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423/HR 1016, bills to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals and to improve the provision of health care to veterans. HR 919, bill to amend Title 38 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362/HR 949, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362/HR 949 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house. S801/HR 2342, bill to provide support services to family caregivers of severely injured or disabled veterans.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise the EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. HR 12, Fair Pay Restoration Act; and HR 11, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act - provisions relating to discriminatory pay practices and compensatory decisions.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise the EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. HR 12, Fair Pay Restoration Act; and HR 11, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act - provisions relating to discriminatory pay practices and compensatory decisions.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423/HR 1016, bills to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals and to improve the provision of health care to veterans. HR 919, bill to amend Title 38 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362/HR 949, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362/HR 949 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house. S801/HR 2342, bill to provide support services to family caregivers of severely injured or disabled veterans.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423, bill to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. S 246/HR 568, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 1377, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423, bill to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. S 246/HR 568, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 1377, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626/S 354 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722/S 707, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1881 - Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act, provision to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 1507/S 372, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, provisions to reform protection from retaliation for disclosure of fraud, waste, and abuse. HR 1409/S 560, Employee Free Choice Act, establishment of a pro-worker system for employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization thus assuring workers the right to bargain for better working conditions, wages, and benefits.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626/S 354 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722/S 707, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1881 - Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act, provision to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 1507/S 372, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, provisions to reform protection from retaliation for disclosure of fraud, waste, and abuse. HR 1409/S 560, Employee Free Choice Act, establishment of a pro-worker system for employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization thus assuring workers the right to bargain for better working conditions, wages, and benefits.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1, Whistleblower Amendment to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 1881 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care).

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626/S 354 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722/S 707, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1881 - Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act, provision to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 1507/S 372, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, provisions to reform protection from retaliation for disclosure of fraud, waste, and abuse. HR 1409/S 560, Employee Free Choice Act, establishment of a pro-worker system for employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization thus assuring workers the right to bargain for better working conditions, wages, and benefits.

FY 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - provisions on contracting out A-76, and Budget Reconciliation with particular attention to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. HR 1804, Federal Retirement Reform Act, provision providing credit for time in-service for DC Court Service and Offenders Supervision Agency employees prior to transfer of agency to federal government.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1, Whistleblower Amendment to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 1881 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care).

FY 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation and Human Resources Line of Business. Bill to be introduced later this year - "Clean Up" Act - Correction of Longstanding Errors in Agencies Unsustainable Procurements - provisions to revive the civil service, save taxpayer dollars, restore good government, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in contracting out. HR 1881 - provisions on pay and personnel management requirements for Transportation Security Administration employees.

FY 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation and Human Resources Line of Business. HR 2736/S 924 - "Clean Up" Act - Correction of Longstanding Errors in Agencies Unsustainable Procurements - provisions to revive the civil service, save taxpayer dollars, restore good government, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in contracting out. HR 1881 - provisions on pay and personnel management requirements for Transportation Security Administration employees.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626/S 354 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722/S 707, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1881 - Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act, provision to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 1507/S 372, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, provisions to reform protection from retaliation for disclosure of fraud, waste, and abuse. HR 1409/S 560, Employee Free Choice Act, establishment of a pro-worker system for employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization thus assuring workers the right to bargain for better working conditions, wages, and benefits.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423/HR 1016, bills to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals and to improve the provision of health care to veterans. HR 919, bill to amend Title 38 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362/HR 949, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362/HR 949 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house. S801/HR 2342, bill to provide support services to family caregivers of severely injured or disabled veterans.

HR 626, Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008 - provisions providing executive and legislative branch federal employees an opportunity as parents to bond with newborn infants, newly adopted children, or fostered children by providing them with 4 weeks of paid parental leave. HR 2517/S1102, Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009, to provide same gender domestic partners of federal employees the same benefits available to spouses of married federal employees.

FY 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation and Human Resources Line of Business. HR 2736/S 924 - "Clean Up" Act - Correction of Longstanding Errors in Agencies Unsustainable Procurements - provisions to revive the civil service, save taxpayer dollars, restore good government, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in contracting out. HR 1881 - provisions on pay and personnel management requirements for Transportation Security Administration employees.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423, bill to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. S 246/HR 568, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 1377, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1, Whistleblower Amendment to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 1881 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care).

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626/S 354 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722/S 707, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1881 - Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act, provision to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 1507/S 372, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, provisions to reform protection from retaliation for disclosure of fraud, waste, and abuse. HR 1409/S 560, Employee Free Choice Act, establishment of a pro-worker system for employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization thus assuring workers the right to bargain for better working conditions, wages, and benefits.

HR 626, Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008 - provisions providing executive and legislative branch federal employees an opportunity as parents to bond with newborn infants, newly adopted children, or fostered children by providing them with 4 weeks of paid parental leave. HR 2517/S1102, Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009, to provide same gender domestic partners of federal employees the same benefits available to spouses of married federal employees.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423/HR 1016, bills to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals and to improve the provision of health care to veterans. HR 919, bill to amend Title 38 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362/HR 949, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362/HR 949 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house. S801/HR 2342, bill to provide support services to family caregivers of severely injured or disabled veterans.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1, Whistleblower Amendment to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 1881 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care).

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626/S 354 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722/S 707, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1881 - Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act, provision to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 1507/S 372, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, provisions to reform protection from retaliation for disclosure of fraud, waste, and abuse. HR 1409/S 560, Employee Free Choice Act, establishment of a pro-worker system for employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization thus assuring workers the right to bargain for better working conditions, wages, and benefits.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423/HR 1016, bills to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals and to improve the provision of health care to veterans. HR 919, bill to amend Title 38 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362/HR 949, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362/HR 949 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house. S801/HR 2342, bill to provide support services to family caregivers of severely injured or disabled veterans.

HR 626, Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008 - provisions providing executive and legislative branch federal employees an opportunity as parents to bond with newborn infants, newly adopted children, or fostered children by providing them with 4 weeks of paid parental leave. HR 2517/S1102, Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009, to provide same gender domestic partners of federal employees the same benefits available to spouses of married federal employees.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423, bill to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. S 246/HR 568, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 1377, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423/HR 1016, bills to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals and to improve the provision of health care to veterans. HR 919, bill to amend Title 38 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362/HR 949, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362/HR 949 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house. S801/HR 2342, bill to provide support services to family caregivers of severely injured or disabled veterans.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423, bill to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. S 246/HR 568, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 1377, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626/S 354 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722/S 707, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1881 - Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act, provision to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 1507/S 372, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, provisions to reform protection from retaliation for disclosure of fraud, waste, and abuse. HR 1409/S 560, Employee Free Choice Act, establishment of a pro-worker system for employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization thus assuring workers the right to bargain for better working conditions, wages, and benefits.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423, bill to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. S 246/HR 568, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 1377, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423/HR 1016, bills to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals and to improve the provision of health care to veterans. HR 919, bill to amend Title 38 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362/HR 949, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362/HR 949 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house. S801/HR 2342, bill to provide support services to family caregivers of severely injured or disabled veterans.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626/S 354 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722/S 707, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1881 - Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act, provision to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 1507/S 372, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, provisions to reform protection from retaliation for disclosure of fraud, waste, and abuse. HR 1409/S 560, Employee Free Choice Act, establishment of a pro-worker system for employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization thus assuring workers the right to bargain for better working conditions, wages, and benefits.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423, bill to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. S 246/HR 568, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 1377, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423/HR 1016, bills to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals and to improve the provision of health care to veterans. HR 919, bill to amend Title 38 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362/HR 949, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362/HR 949 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house. S801/HR 2342, bill to provide support services to family caregivers of severely injured or disabled veterans.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626/S 354 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722/S 707, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1881 - Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act, provision to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 1507/S 372, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, provisions to reform protection from retaliation for disclosure of fraud, waste, and abuse. HR 1409/S 560, Employee Free Choice Act, establishment of a pro-worker system for employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization thus assuring workers the right to bargain for better working conditions, wages, and benefits.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423/HR 1016, bills to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals and to improve the provision of health care to veterans. HR 919, bill to amend Title 38 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362/HR 949, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362/HR 949 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house. S801/HR 2342, bill to provide support services to family caregivers of severely injured or disabled veterans.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423, bill to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. S 246/HR 568, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 1377, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house.

FY 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2010 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 626/S 354 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. HR 1722/S 707, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 1881 - Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act, provision to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 949 - provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 1507/S 372, Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, provisions to reform protection from retaliation for disclosure of fraud, waste, and abuse. HR 1409/S 560, Employee Free Choice Act, establishment of a pro-worker system for employees to form, join, or assist a labor organization thus assuring workers the right to bargain for better working conditions, wages, and benefits.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423/HR 1016, bills to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals and to improve the provision of health care to veterans. HR 919, bill to amend Title 38 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362/HR 949, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362/HR 949 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house. S801/HR 2342, bill to provide support services to family caregivers of severely injured or disabled veterans.

FY 2010 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation and Human Resources Line of Business. HR 2736/S 924 - "Clean Up" Act - Correction of Longstanding Errors in Agencies Unsustainable Procurements - provisions to revive the civil service, save taxpayer dollars, restore good government, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in contracting out. HR 1881 - provisions on pay and personnel management requirements for Transportation Security Administration employees.

HR 626, Federal Employee Paid parental Leave Act of 2008 - provisions providing executive and legislative branch federal employees an opportunity as parents to bond with newborn infants, newly adopted children, or fostered children by providing them with 4 weeks of paid parental leave.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423, bill to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. S 246/HR 568, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 1377, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house.

H.Con.Res. 85/S.Con.Res. 13, FY 2010 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. S 423/HR 1016, bills to authorize advance appropriations for VA health care - provisions to reform the VA health care funding process and enhance Congress' ability to better predict and oversee health care spending. S 252, bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals and to improve the provision of health care to veterans. HR 919, bill to amend Title 38 to enhance the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health care professionals. S 597, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to identify and address needs of women veterans and their families through research, training and certification programs, and participation on VA advisory committees. S 362/HR 949, to amend Section 7422 of Title 38, which provides medical professionals with collective rights, including the right to resolve disputes with management over matters affecting working conditions through grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. S 362/HR 949 would give VA registered nurses, psychiatrists, doctors, and dentists the same bargaining rights as their counterparts in military hospitals and prison facilities. HR 1302 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 658 - provisions to improve access to health care for rural veterans. Recommending an increase in the mileage rate and greater oversight of contract care program (such as Project HERO, VA's contract health care program already underway) to include collection of data comparing amount of travel required for visits to contract care facilities to amount of travel required to receive care at nearest VA facility; and its resulting impact on VA's capacity to provide services in-house. S801/HR 2342, bill to provide support services to family caregivers of severely injured or disabled veterans.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70 FY 2009 Budget Resolution - provisions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with particular attention to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Senate Budget Resolution - Medicaid cuts amendment that would adversely affect health care and result in the cost of uncompensated health care being shifted to employer-sponsored health care plans. H.Con.Res. 312 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health care programs. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill/HR 2642 -- amendment #2, provision to provide an additional $178 million in funding shortfall in Salaries and Expenses Account. FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS Personnel Plan - provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. FY 2009 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2009 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs, specifically, the A-76 Forest Service Studies in 2008. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. FY 2009 Financial Services Appropriations - provision to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers. FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; provision preventing use of CIS funds for A-76 competition for BoP/FPI work; and HR 2638, provision of $5,390,615,000 for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" as it relates to prison inmate overcrowding; correctional personnel understaffing; and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the need to improve safety and security at BoP institutions, specifically, the murder of Correctional Officer Jose Rivera. FY 2009 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2009 Defense Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and provisions on prohibiting funds from being used to implement Section 827 of the Defense Authorization Act of 2008. FY 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations - provisions banning A-76 public -private competition at the Army Corps of Engineers.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions making comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. HR 1527, Project HERO, involving the VA initiative on contract health care.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70 FY 2009 Budget Resolution - to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with particular attention to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimu wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Senate Budget Resolution - Medicaid cuts amendment that would adversely affect health care and result in the cost of uncompensated health care being shifted to employer-sponsored health care plans. H.Con.Res. 312 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health care programs. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery - amendment to provide additional funding for DVA health care. FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations - funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Federal Emergency Management Agency . DHS Personnel Plan, also called the Human Capital Operational Plan, in particular the provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. FY 2009 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2009 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - contracting out of federal employee jobs, specifically, the A-76 Forest Service Studies in 2008. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - contracting out, cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Heath, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. FY 2009 Financial Services Appropriations - provision to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers. FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; provision preventing use of CIS funds for A-76 competition for BoP/FPI work; and additional funding for BoP staffing shortages in BOP "Salaries and Expenses" account and "Buildings and Facilities" account. FY 2009 Agriculture Appropriations - contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2009 Defense Appropriations - contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations - provisions banning A-76 public -private competition at the Army Corps of Engineers.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70 FY 2009 Budget Resolution - provisions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with particular attention to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Senate Budget Resolution - Medicaid cuts amendment that would adversely affect health care and result in the cost of uncompensated health care being shifted to employer-sponsored health care plans. H.Con.Res. 312 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health care programs. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill/HR 2642 -- amendment #2, provision to provide an additional $178 million in funding shortfall in Salaries and Expenses Account. FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS Personnel Plan - provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. FY 2009 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2009 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs, specifically, the A-76 Forest Service Studies in 2008. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. FY 2009 Financial Services Appropriations - provision to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers. FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; provision preventing use of CIS funds for A-76 competition for BoP/FPI work; and HR 2638, provision of $5,390,615,000 for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" as it relates to prison inmate overcrowding; correctional personnel understaffing; and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the need to improve safety and security at BoP institutions, specifically, the recent murder of Correctional Officer Jose Rivera. FY 2009 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2009 Defense Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and provisions on prohibiting funds from being used to implement Section 827 of the Defense Authorization Act of 2008. FY 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations - provisions banning A-76 public -private competition at the Army Corps of Engineers.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. HR 1527, Project HERO, involving the VA initiative on contract health care.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70 FY 2009 Budget Resolution - provisions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with particular attention to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Testimony: June 12, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "S 3013, Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2008" - Statement for the Record. June 26, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia on "in Search of Equity: An Examination of Locality Pay" S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Senate Budget Resolution - Medicaid cuts amendment that would adversely affect health care and result in the cost of uncompensated health care being shifted to employer-sponsored health care plans. H.Con.Res. 312 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health care programs. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill/HR 2642 -- amendment #2, provision to provide an additional $178 million in funding shortfall in Salaries and Expenses Account. Testimony: April 2, 2008, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on FY 2009 Funding for the Bureau of Prisons May 6, 2008, House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, on Federal Prison Industries--Examining the Effects of Section 827 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS Personnel Plan - provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. FY 2009 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2009 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs, specifically, the A-76 Forest Service Studies in 2008. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. Testimony: April 23, 2008, House Committee on Ways and Means on "Clearing the Disability Backlog -- Giving the Social Security Administration the Resources it Needs to Provide the Benefits Workers Have Earned" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Finance on "More Work, Less Resources: Social Security Field Offices Struggle to Deliver Service to the Public FY 2009 Financial Services Appropriations - provision to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers. FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; provision preventing use of CIS funds for A-76 competition for BoP/FPI work; and additional funding for BoP staffing shortages in BOP "Salaries and Expenses" account and "Buildings and Facilities" account. FY 2009 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2009 Defense Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and provisions on prohibiting funds from being used to implement Section 827 of the Defense Authorization Act of 2008. FY 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations - provisions banning A-76 public -private competition at the Army Corps of Engineers.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70 FY 2009 Budget Resolution - provisions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with particular attention to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Testimony: June 12, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "S 3013, Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2008" - Statement for the Record. June 26, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia on "in Search of Equity: An Examination of Locality Pay" S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Senate Budget Resolution - Medicaid cuts amendment that would adversely affect health care and result in the cost of uncompensated health care being shifted to employer-sponsored health care plans. H.Con.Res. 312 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health care programs. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill/HR 2642 -- amendment #2, provision to provide an additional $178 million in funding shortfall in Salaries and Expenses Account. Testimony: April 2, 2008, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on FY 2009 Funding for the Bureau of Prisons May 6, 2008, House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, on Federal Prison Industries--Examining the Effects of Section 827 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS Personnel Plan - provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. FY 2009 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2009 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs, specifically, the A-76 Forest Service Studies in 2008. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. Testimony: April 23, 2008, House Committee on Ways and Means on "Clearing the Disability Backlog -- Giving the Social Security Administration the Resources it Needs to Provide the Benefits Workers Have Earned" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Finance on "More Work, Less Resources: Social Security Field Offices Struggle to Deliver Service to the Public FY 2009 Financial Services Appropriations - provision to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers. FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; provision preventing use of CIS funds for A-76 competition for BoP/FPI work; and additional funding for BoP staffing shortages in BOP "Salaries and Expenses" account and "Buildings and Facilities" account. FY 2009 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2009 Defense Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and provisions on prohibiting funds from being used to implement Section 827 of the Defense Authorization Act of 2008. FY 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations - provisions banning A-76 public -private competition at the Army Corps of Engineers.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. Testimony on February 14 on Examining the Backlog and the VA's Claims Processing System, focusing on lack of proper training, skills certifications, and staffing shortages that resulted in a backlog of 650,000 benefits claims. HR 2790, to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 2162, to meet current need for VA mental health care through VA in-house care and limited use of community mental health centers outside the VA. We opposed S 38 that would use more non-VA mental health care providers. HR 4089/S 2824, to restore collective bargaining rights of Title 39 VA health care professionals.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70 FY 2009 Budget Resolution - provisions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with particular attention to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Testimony: June 12, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "S 3013, Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2008" - Statement for the Record. June 26, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia on "in Search of Equity: An Examination of Locality Pay" S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Senate Budget Resolution - Medicaid cuts amendment that would adversely affect health care and result in the cost of uncompensated health care being shifted to employer-sponsored health care plans. H.Con.Res. 312 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health care programs. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill/HR 2642 -- amendment #2, provision to provide an additional $178 million in funding shortfall in Salaries and Expenses Account. Testimony: April 2, 2008, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on FY 2009 Funding for the Bureau of Prisons May 6, 2008, House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, on Federal Prison Industries--Examining the Effects of Section 827 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS Personnel Plan - provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. FY 2009 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2009 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs, specifically, the A-76 Forest Service Studies in 2008. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. Testimony: April 23, 2008, House Committee on Ways and Means on "Clearing the Disability Backlog -- Giving the Social Security Administration the Resources it Needs to Provide the Benefits Workers Have Earned" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Finance on "More Work, Less Resources: Social Security Field Offices Struggle to Deliver Service to the Public FY 2009 Financial Services Appropriations - provision to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers. FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; provision preventing use of CIS funds for A-76 competition for BoP/FPI work; and additional funding for BoP staffing shortages in BOP "Salaries and Expenses" account and "Buildings and Facilities" account. FY 2009 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2009 Defense Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and provisions on prohibiting funds from being used to implement Section 827 of the Defense Authorization Act of 2008. FY 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations - provisions banning A-76 public -private competition at the Army Corps of Engineers.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions making comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. HR 1527, Project HERO, involving the VA initiative on contract health care.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. HR 1527, Project HERO, involving the VA initiative on contract health care.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions making comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. HR 1527, Project HERO, involving the VA initiative on contract health care.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. HR 1527, Project HERO, involving the VA initiative on contract health care.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions making comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. HR 1527, Project HERO, involving the VA initiative on contract health care.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. HR 1527, Project HERO, involving the VA initiative on contract health care.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. HR 1527, Project HERO, involving the VA initiative on contract health care.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions making comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. HR 1527, Project HERO, involving the VA initiative on contract health care.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. Testimony on February 14 on Examining the Backlog and the VA's Claims Processing System, focusing on lack of proper training, skills certifications, and staffing shortages that resulted in a backlog of 650,000 benefits claims. HR 2790, to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. S 2162, to meet current need for VA mental health care through VA in-house care and limited use of community mental health centers outside the VA. We opposed S 38 that would use more non-VA mental health care providers. HR 4089/S 2824, to restore collective bargaining rights of Title 39 VA health care professionals.

H.Con.Res. 312/S.Con.Res. 70, FY 2009 Budget Resolution, in regard to increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget. FY 2008 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, Hurricane Recovery, and provisions for additional funding for Department of Veterans Affairs health care. HR 2790 - provision to establish a full-time Director of Physician Assistant Services with the Department of Veterans Affairs. HR 5892, Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act of 2008 - provisions to make comprehensive and significant improvement in VBA disability claims processing. S 2799, Women's Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008 - provisions to improve the quality and access to medical and mental health care for women. HR 4231 - proposal to pilot a voucher system for VA mental health services. S 2984, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to expand and enhance veterans' benefits. S 2969/HR 6153, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions to increase the capacity of the Department of Veterans Affairs to recruit and retain nurses and other critical health-care professionals. S 2889, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code - provisions to improve veterans' health care benefits. S 1881/HR 3195, a bill to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - provisions to restore the intent and protections of the Act. S 2639/HR 2514, a bill to amend Title 39, United States Code - provisions to assure an adequate level of funding for veterans' health care. HR 2123, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act - provisions to establish direct care of registered nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements in hospitals. S 2377/HR 4463, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions relating to improving the quality of care provided to veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities and the recruitment of highly qualified doctors to hard to fill positions in these facilities. HR 5888, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code - provisions for expansion of veteran eligibility for reimbursement by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for emergency treatment furnished in a non-Department facility. HR 6122, a bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on pain management as experienced by veterans who are enrolled for health care services provided by the VA. Testimony: April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resource Challenges with the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 5781/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 985/S 274, Whistleblower Reform Bill - provisions to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - provisions relating to adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections. HR 4089/HR 2824, provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 6339, Federal Employees Deserve to Volunteer on the Elections (FEDVOTE) Act of 2008 - provisions that allow federal employees to serve as non-partisan poll workers on election day; and their time off be counted as administrative leave with pay.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 5781/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 985/S 494, Whistleblower Reform Bill - provisos to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - provisions relating to adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections. HR 4089/HR 2824, provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistant and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). Testimony: April 2, 2008, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on "FY 2009 Funding for the Bureau of Prisons" April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" April 23, 2008, House Committee on Ways and Means on "Clearing the Disability Backlog--Giving the Social Security Administration the Resources it Needs to Provide the Benefits Workers Have Earned" April 29, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia on "Catching Up: Benefits That Will Help Recruit and Retain Federal Employees" May 2, 2008, Senate Committee on Finance on "More Work, Less Resources: Social Security Field Offices Struggle to Deliver Service to the Public" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "From Candidates to Change Makers: Recruiting and Hiring the Next Generation of Federal Employees" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resources Challenges within the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 5781/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 985/S 494, Whistleblower Reform Bill - provisos to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - provisions relating to adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections. HR 4089/HR 2824, provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistant and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). Testimony: April 2, 2008, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on "FY 2009 Funding for the Bureau of Prisons" April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" April 23, 2008, House Committee on Ways and Means on "Clearing the Disability Backlog--Giving the Social Security Administration the Resources it Needs to Provide the Benefits Workers Have Earned" April 29, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia on "Catching Up: Benefits That Will Help Recruit and Retain Federal Employees" May 2, 2008, Senate Committee on Finance on "More Work, Less Resources: Social Security Field Offices Struggle to Deliver Service to the Public" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "From Candidates to Change Makers: Recruiting and Hiring the Next Generation of Federal Employees" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resources Challenges within the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 5781/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 985/S 494, Whistleblower Reform Bill - provisos to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - provisions relating to adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections. HR 4089/HR 2824, provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistant and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). Testimony: April 2, 2008, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on "FY 2009 Funding for the Bureau of Prisons" April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" April 23, 2008, House Committee on Ways and Means on "Clearing the Disability Backlog--Giving the Social Security Administration the Resources it Needs to Provide the Benefits Workers Have Earned" April 29, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia on "Catching Up: Benefits That Will Help Recruit and Retain Federal Employees" May 2, 2008, Senate Committee on Finance on "More Work, Less Resources: Social Security Field Offices Struggle to Deliver Service to the Public" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "From Candidates to Change Makers: Recruiting and Hiring the Next Generation of Federal Employees" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resources Challenges within the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 5781/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 985/S 274, Whistleblower Reform Bill - provisons to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - provisions relating to adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections. HR 4089/HR 2824, provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistant and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 6339, Federal Employees Deserve to Volunteer on the Elections (FEDVOTE) Act of 2008 - provisons that allow federal employees to serve as non-partisan poll workers on election day; and their time off be counted as administrative leave with pay.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise the EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. S 1843, Fair Pay Restoration Act; and HR 283, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007- provisions relating to discriminatory pay practices and compensatory decisions.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise the EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. S 1843, Fair Pay Restoration Act; and HR 283, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007- provisions relating to discriminatory pay practices and compensatory decisions.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise the EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. S 1843, Fair Pay Restoration Act; and HR 283, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007- provisions relating to discriminatory pay practices and compensatory decisions.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise the EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. S 1843, Fair Pay Restoration Act; and HR 283, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act - provisions relating to discriminatory pay practices and compensatory decisions.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise the EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. S 1843, Fair Pay Restoration Act; and HR 283, Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007- provisions relating to discriminatory pay practices and compensatory decisions.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 5781/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 985/S 494, Whistleblower Reform Bill - provisos to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - provisions relating to adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections. HR 4089/HR 2824, provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistant and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). Testimony: April 2, 2008, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on "FY 2009 Funding for the Bureau of Prisons" April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" April 23, 2008, House Committee on Ways and Means on "Clearing the Disability Backlog--Giving the Social Security Administration the Resources it Needs to Provide the Benefits Workers Have Earned" April 29, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia on "Catching Up: Benefits That Will Help Recruit and Retain Federal Employees" May 2, 2008, Senate Committee on Finance on "More Work, Less Resources: Social Security Field Offices Struggle to Deliver Service to the Public" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "From Candidates to Change Makers: Recruiting and Hiring the Next Generation of Federal Employees" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resources Challenges within the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 5718/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. Testimony on March 6, 2008 on Investing in the Future of the Federal workforce: Paid Parental Leave Improves Recruitment and Retention. S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - efforts to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 985/S 494, Whistleblower Reform Bill - to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections. HR 4089, to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistant and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). Testimony on February 12, 20-0-8 on Federal Workforce on Pay for Performance Systems, focusing on DoD and TSA systems being highly subjective and unfair. Recommendations to require detailed data on how pay is distributed, including number of ratings awarded in each pay pool, and age, gender, and race distributions of employees.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 5781/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 985/S 274, Whistleblower Reform Bill - provisons to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - provisions relating to adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections. HR 4089/HR 2824, provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistant and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 6339, Federal Employees Deserve to Volunteer on the Elections (FEDVOTE) Act of 2008 - provisons that allow federal employees to serve as non-partisan poll workers on election day; and their time off be counted as administrative leave with pay.

FY 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the new pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation and Human Resources Line of Business. HR 3212 - provisions on pay and personnel management requirements for Transportation Security Administration employees. Testimony: April 29, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia on "Catching Up: Benefits That Will Help Recruit and Retain Federal Employees" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "From Candidates to Change Makers: Recruiting and Hiring the Next Generation of Federal Employees"

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 5781/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 985/S 494, Whistleblower Reform Bill - provisos to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - provisions relating to adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections. HR 4089/HR 2824, provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistant and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). Testimony: April 2, 2008, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on "FY 2009 Funding for the Bureau of Prisons" April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" April 23, 2008, House Committee on Ways and Means on "Clearing the Disability Backlog--Giving the Social Security Administration the Resources it Needs to Provide the Benefits Workers Have Earned" April 29, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia on "Catching Up: Benefits That Will Help Recruit and Retain Federal Employees" May 2, 2008, Senate Committee on Finance on "More Work, Less Resources: Social Security Field Offices Struggle to Deliver Service to the Public" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "From Candidates to Change Makers: Recruiting and Hiring the Next Generation of Federal Employees" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resources Challenges within the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

FY 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the new pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation and Human Resources Line of Business. HR 3212 - provisions on pay and personnel management requirements for Transportation Security Administration employees. Testimony: April 29, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia on "Catching Up: Benefits That Will Help Recruit and Retain Federal Employees" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "From Candidates to Change Makers: Recruiting and Hiring the Next Generation of Federal Employees"

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 5781/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 985/S 494, Whistleblower Reform Bill - provisos to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - provisions relating to adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections. HR 4089/HR 2824, provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistant and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). Testimony: April 2, 2008, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies on "FY 2009 Funding for the Bureau of Prisons" April 9, 2008, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs on "Making the VA the Workplace of Choice for Health Care Providers" April 23, 2008, House Committee on Ways and Means on "Clearing the Disability Backlog--Giving the Social Security Administration the Resources it Needs to Provide the Benefits Workers Have Earned" April 29, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia on "Catching Up: Benefits That Will Help Recruit and Retain Federal Employees" May 2, 2008, Senate Committee on Finance on "More Work, Less Resources: Social Security Field Offices Struggle to Deliver Service to the Public" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "From Candidates to Change Makers: Recruiting and Hiring the Next Generation of Federal Employees" May 21, 2008, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on "Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Legislation" May 22, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Human Resources Challenges within the Veterans Health Administration" June 5, 2008, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Health, on "Legislative Hearing"--Statement for the Record.

FY 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the new pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation and Human Resources Line of Business. HR 3212 - provisions on pay and personnel management requirements for Transportation Security Administration employees. Testimony: April 29, 2008, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia on "Catching Up: Benefits That Will Help Recruit and Retain Federal Employees" May 8, 2008, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on "From Candidates to Change Makers: Recruiting and Hiring the Next Generation of Federal Employees"

FY 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation and Human Resources Line of Business. HR 3212 - provisions on pay and personnel management requirements for Transportation Security Administration employees.

FY 2009 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any office of the EEOC or to make reductions in force part of any workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. FY 2009 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill - provisions on cuts in funds for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health, and increasing the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. HR 5781/HR 3799 - proposal to provide federal employees who are new parents or adoptive parents with eights weeks of full pay and benefits. S 1000/HR 4106, Telework Improvements Act - provisions to increase amount of telework for eligible employees to at least 20% of the hours worked for every two work week period. HR 985/S 274, Whistleblower Reform Bill - provisions to grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) whistleblower protections and prevent retaliation from their supervisors and the right to appeal decisions to the MSPB. HR 3212 - to grant TSOs true workplace rights and protections as other federal employees. HR 3551/S 2057, MSPB Reauthorization - provisions relating to adjudication of federal workers' rights and protections. HR 4089/HR 2824, provision to restore the rights of VA health care professionals to bargain and file grievances over workplace issues under Title 38 (RNs, physicians, physician assistants, and other VA employees on front lines of VA health care). HR 6339, Federal Employees Deserve to Volunteer on the Elections (FEDVOTE) Act of 2008 - provisions that allow federal employees to serve as non-partisan poll workers on election day; and their time off be counted as administrative leave with pay.

FY 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the new pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation and Human Resources Line of Business. HR 3212 - provisions on pay and personnel management requirements for Transportation Security Administration employees.