[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   VETERANS' HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 22, 2006

  Mr. MICHAUD.  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for S. 
1235, the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2005.
  This legislation will improve the benefits provided to our veterans 
and their families.
  During war and equally importantly, after our soldiers come home and 
take off the uniform, we as a nation must support them fully. The 
Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2005 contains many provisions 
that will help us achieve this goal.
  I would like to point out one particular provision that is similar to 
a bill, H.R. 821, which I have introduced.
  Like H.R. 821, the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act will amend 
title 38 to extend the requirement for reports from the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs on the disposition of cases recommended to the 
Secretary for equitable relief due to administrative error. Extending 
this reporting requirement will assist the VA in its efforts to 
properly care for our veterans and their families.
  Adminstrative error should not prevent a veteran or their loved one 
from receiving the benefits they have fully earned.
  I would like to thank and congratulate Chairman Buyer and Ranking 
Member Evans as well as the other chairmen and ranking members from our 
committee who have worked so hard to move this important legislation 
forward.
  It is my hope that we will also be moving a health bill forward with 
the same bipartisan spirit our veterans have come to expect from our 
committee.
  I support this legislation and I urge all of my colleagues to do the 
same.

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