Congressman Bishop Fights for Veterans
Recent Legislative Accomplishments
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HEALTH CARE
Fought for Veterans, Health Care - Cosponsored the Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act of 2005 (H.R. 515) to provide assured adequate level of funding for veterans health care. Improved Access to Military Health Care -Cosponsored the Honor Our Commitment to Veterans Act (H.R. 3312) to assure health care benefits to any eligible veteran who applies. The legislation terminates an administrative freeze on the enrollment of veterans in the lowest priority enrollment category. Supported Veterans with Stress Disorder - Cosponsored H.R. 1588 to extend the eligibility for readjustment counseling services for Vietnam-era veterans. Cosponsored the Veterans Medication Accessibility Act - Cosponsored the Veterans Medication Accessibility Act (H.R. 693) to provide prescribed drugs and medications to veterans. EDUCATION Fought for Educational Benefits of Veterans - Cosponsored the New GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 2248). This legislation provides enhanced educational benefits to members of the armed forces who, after Sept. 30, 2005, enlisted, reenlisted, or were discharged for service-related disability or to reduce troop levels. OTHER VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES
Fought for Military Retiree Benefits - Cosponsored the Keep Our Promise to American,s Military Retirees Act (H.R. 602) to provide Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage to qualifying former military members, their spouses, dependents and family members. Fought to Employ Veterans and Their Dependents - Fought for the Veterans, Employment and Respect Act (H.R. 1352). This legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a work opportunity tax credit for hiring veterans of military service and dependents of deceased members of the armed forces who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Supported Families of Veterans - Cosponsored the State Veterans Cemetery Fairness Act of 2005 (H.R. 531) increasing the burial allowance for veterans who die in a Department of Veterans Affairs facility or a facility providing Department-contracted care. Supported Surviving Spouses of Veterans - Cosponsored the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act (H.R. 808) to repeal the offset from surviving spouse annuities under the military Survivor Benefit Plan for amounts paid as dependency and indemnity compensation. Fought to Improve Veterans, Burial Benefits - Cosponsored the Veterans Burial Benefits Improvement Act of 2005 (H.R. 805). This legislation increases the burial and funeral expenses for deceased veterans. Supported Efficient Veteran Claim Process - Cosponsored the Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Backlog Reduction Act of 2005 (H.R. 616) to reduce the backlog of claims pending with the department. Supported Veteran Outreach Programs - Cosponsored the Veterans Outreach Act of 2005 (H.R. 2306) amending the United States Code to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs outreach programs for veterans and family members. Honored Veterans of the Merchant Marines - Supported H.R. 23 directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a $1,000 monthly benefit to certain honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marines who served between Dec. 7, 1941 and Dec. 31, 1946. The legislation also includes former members of the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service. Supported Military Retiree Benefits - Cosponsored H.R. 783 to reduce from 60 to 55 the minimum age at which retirees of non-regular military service are eligible for retirement pay. |
