[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     VETERANS BENEFITS AND ECONOMIC WELFARE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2010

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                               speech of

                           HON. JOHN J. HALL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Mr. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to 
speak this morning. I rise in support of several pieces of legislation 
before us this week that aim to improve the lives of our Nation's 
veterans.
  As Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability 
Assistance and Memorial Affairs, it was my honor and privilege to help 
move some of these bills forward. I also thank the sponsors of these 
bills for their commitment to our veterans.
  These bills make substantial improvements to the VA's job training 
programs, making veterans more attractive to small businesses to hire 
and train, and to ensure that veterans suffering from PTSD and other 
mental conditions are able to appeal their claims decisions if they 
miss an arbitrary deadline, set by a bureaucrat.
  I strongly support the provision in H.R. 6132 which will allow 
veterans receiving a pension from the VA to keep receiving their 
pension in the event they are awarded a settlement for loss or injury. 
This will correct an extremely unfair part of current law that includes 
these payments as income when determining a veteran's eligibility for a 
means-based pension.
  I am also glad that the House is addressing the issue of Retained 
Asset Accounts. We have heard a great deal about these accounts for 
recipients of Service Group Life Insurance Policies. H.R. 5993 will 
ensure that the families of veterans understand their rights and are 
fully informed of their options when their loved one passes.
  Thank you again Mr. Speaker, and thank you to Chairman Filner for his 
assistance in bringing these bills forward. I encourage all of my 
colleagues to vote in favor of these important bills.

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