Veterans Benefits Enhancement

Senate Passes Veterans Bill
Week of May 05, 2008

The Senate recently passed S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007, by a vote of 96 - 1. The act includes provisions to: (1) establish a new program of insurance for service-connected disabled veterans; (2) expand eligibility for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance; (3) increase the maximum amount of Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance that a service-connected disabled veteran may purchase; (4) provide individuals with severe burn injuries specially adapted housing benefits; and (5) extend the monthly educational assistance allowance for apprenticeship or other on-the-job training to two years. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.

How do you feel about this bill? Let your public officials know how you feel!

http://www.military.com/veterans-report/senate-passes-veterans-bill?ESRC=vr.nl

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Congressional Legislation

Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act

Bill # S.1315Original

Sponsor:Daniel Akaka (D-HI)

Cosponsor Total: 2 (last sponsor added 04/22/2008) 2 Democrats

About This Legislation:

5/7/2007--Introduced.

Disabled Veterans Insurance Improvement Act of 2007

Increases from $90,000 to $200,000 the maximum loan guarantee amount under the veterans' mortgage life insurance program. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to grant level-premium term life insurance to any veteran less than 65 years old who has a service-connected disability. Sets the maximum coverage amount at $50,000. Reduces the coverage amount by 80% once the veteran turns 70. Includes certain members of the Individual Ready Reserve under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program.

Detailed, up-to-date bill status information on S.1315.

http://capwiz.com/military/issues/bills/?bill=10569871

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Congressional Legislation Details

Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act Bill # S.1315

Status:

05/07/2007: Introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5657)

05/07/2007: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5658)

06/27/2007: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

08/29/2007: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Akaka under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/03/2007 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 110-148.

08/29/2007: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 336. 04/17/2008: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed presented in Senate.

04/22/2008: Cloture on the motion to proceed invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 94 - 0. Record Vote Number: 109.

04/22/2008: Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 04/23/2008: Measure laid before Senate by motion.

04/23/2008: S.

AMDT.4572 Amendment SA 4572 proposed by Senator Burr. To increase benefits for disabled U.S. veterans and provide a fair benefit to World War II Filipino veterans for their service to U.S.

04/23/2008: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.

04/24/2008: Considered by Senate.

04/24/2008: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 96 - 1. Record Vote Number: 112.

04/24/2008: S.AMDT.4572 Considered by Senate.

04/24/2008: S.AMDT.4576 Amendment SA 4576 proposed by Senator Akaka. Of a perfecting nature.

04/24/2008: The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent. 04/24/2008: S.AMDT.4576 Amendment SA 4576 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. 04/24/2008: S.AMDT.4572 Amendment SA 4572 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 41 - 56. Record Vote Number: 111.

04/24/2008: Message on Senate action sent to the House.

04/24/2008: Received in the House.

04/24/2008: Held at the desk. Committee/Subcommittee Activity: Veterans' Affairs: Referral,

In CommitteeAmendment(s):
S.AMDT.4559 S.AMDT.4560 S.AMDT.4561 S.AMDT.4562 S.AMDT.4563 S.AMDT.4564 S.AMDT.4565 S.AMDT.4566 S.AMDT.4567 S.AMDT.4568 S.AMDT.4569 S.AMDT.4570 S.AMDT.4571 S.AMDT.4572 S.AMDT.4574 S.AMDT.4576

Sponsor/Cosponsor(s) 2: Akaka, Daniel (D-HI) Salazar, Ken (D-CO) Summary:
5/7/2007--Introduced.

Disabled Veterans Insurance Improvement Act of 2007

Increases from $90,000 to $200,000 the maximum loan guarantee amount under the veterans' mortgage life insurance program. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to grant level-premium term life insurance to any veteran less than 65 years old who has a service-connected disability. Sets the maximum coverage amount at $50,000. Reduces the coverage amount by 80% once the veteran turns 70. Includes certain members of the Individual Ready Reserve under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program.

View bill text or latest amendments from Thomas.

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