DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Addresses

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, E2279 [13DE]

Amendments

Armed Forces: facilitate use of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for education leading to employment in high technology industry (S. 1088), S12734, S12746 [7DE]

Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 2620), S8543, S8544, S8552, S8601, S8614, S8615 [1AU], S8630, S8635, S8643, S8647, S8653, S8776, S8818, S8825 [2AU], H4542, H4543 [24JY], H4635, H4636, H4637 [25JY], H4682, H4687, H4689, H4690, H4691, H4696, H4698, H4700, H4702, H4703, H4705, H4708, H4710, H4725, H4726 [26JY], H4727, H4730, H4743, H4751, H4752, H4780 [27JY], H4816, H4821, H4823, H4825, H4827, H4828, H4829, H4832, H4834, H4838, H4840, H4842, H4844, H4845, H4847, H4851, H4852 [30JY]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), consideration (H. Res. 210), H4658 [26JY]

Federal aid programs: make various improvements to veterans benefits programs (H.R. 2540), S11871, S11959 [15NO], H9121 [11DE]

Homeless: improve programs for veterans (H.R. 2716), S12571 [6DE], H9112 [11DE]

Veterans: improve educational assistance programs, expand transition assistance and outreach programs, increase burial benefits, and provide family coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (H.R. 801), S5760 [25MY], H2687 [24MY]

———increase educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (H.R. 1291), S12739 [7DE], S13227 [13DE]

Appointments

Conferees: H.R. 2620, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies appropriations, S8676 [2AU], H5857 [20SE]

Articles and editorials

Durham VA Nurses Serving Those Who Served, S6513 [20JN]

Succumbing to Alzheimer's—In the Hands of the VA, a Declining Father Got Genuine Care, S3914 [25AP]

They Must Be Remembered, H9226 [11DE]

VA Medical System To Get Harvard Innovation Award—Reporting, Handling of Health Care Errors To Be Cited, S13295 [14DE]

VA System Quietly Becoming Model for Health Care, S7801 [17JY]

Bills and resolutions

American Field Service: treat certain service in the ambulance corps as active duty (see S. 1767), S12447 [5DE]

AMVETS: amend charter (see H.R. 3214), H7717 [1NO]

Appropriations: making emergency supplemental appropriations (see H.R. 1981), H2709 [24MY]

Armed Forces: enhance the Montgomery GI Bill (see S. 1517), S10388 [9OC]

Benefits: extend payment of certain benefits through the date of the beneficiary's death (see H.R. 2223), H3258 [19JN]

———improve outreach programs to more fully inform veterans of available benefits (see S. 612), S2894 [26MR]

———repeal the offset from surviving spouse annuities under the military Survivor Benefit Plan for amounts paid as dependency and indemnity compensation (see H.R. 3183), H7529 [30OC]

———revise effective date for certain awards of dependency and indemnity compensation to survivors of Vietnam era veterans (see H.R. 545), H253 [8FE]

Bronx, NY: authorize Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical center renovation project (see H.R. 2607), H4539 [24JY]

Canandaigua, NY: convey certain property at the VA Medical Center to the Canandaigua City School District (see H.R. 842), H622 [1MR]

Cemeteries and funerals: allow State placement of supplemental guide signs for veterans cemeteries on Federal-aid highways (see S. 1724), S12001 [16NO] (see H.R. 2521), H4111 [17JY]

———furnish headstones or markers for the marked graves of certain individuals (see S. 662), S3152 [29MR] (see H.R. 1351), H1408 [3AP]

Claims: improve the processing of claims for veterans compensation and pensions (see S. 1656), S11611 [8NO]

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: improve administration (see S. 1063), S6448 [19JN]

———temporarily expand membership to facilitate staggered terms for judges and terminate the Notice of Disagreement as jurisdictional requirement for review (see S. 1089), S6664 [22JN]

Denver, CO: transfer the Denver Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center to Aurora, CO (see S. 1411), S9197 [6SE]

Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies: making appropriations (see S. 1216), S8014 [20JY] (see H.R. 2620), H4633 [25JY]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), consideration (see H. Res. 210), H4723 [26JY]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), consideration of conference report (see H. Res. 279), H7908 [7NO]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), same-day consideration (see H. Res. 209), H4651 [26JY]

Disabled: enhance provision of specialized treatment and rehabilitation for disabled veterans (see S. 1598), S11286 [31OC]

———make service dogs available to disabled veterans and make various other improvements in health care benefits (see H.R. 2792), H5336 [2AU]

———modify authority to provide dog-guides to blind veterans and authorize provision of service dogs to hearing-impaired veterans and veterans with spinal cord injuries (see S. 1160), S7426 [10JY]

———revise effective date for award of disability compensation for persons disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation (see H.R. 290), H110 [30JA]

Diseases: authorize projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease (see H. Res. 29), H221 [7FE]

Federal aid programs: improve outreach program to more fully inform veterans of available benefits (see H.R. 511), H222 [7FE]

———improve outreach programs to more fully inform veterans of available benefits (see S. 405), S1616 [27FE]

———make various improvements to veterans benefits programs (see H.R. 2540), H4215 [18JY]

Flag—U.S.: provide U.S. flags for placement on grave sites of Medal of Honor recipients (see H. Con. Res. 284), H9077 [6DE]

Florida: establish a new veterans benefits office (see H.R. 1450), H1484 (see H.R. 1450), H1494 [4AP]

Fred W. Matz Dept. of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Menominee, MI: designate (see H.R. 763), H442 [27FE]

Health: add amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to diseases presumed to be service connected when incurred by Persian Gulf Conflict veterans (see H.R. 3461), H10054 [12DE]

———allow the sworn affidavit of a veteran who served in combat during the Korean War or an earlier conflict to be accepted as proof of service connection for certain diseases and injuries (see H.R. 843), H623 [1MR]

———clarify compensation standards for Persian Gulf Conflict veterans suffering from certain undiagnosed illnesses (see S. 409), S1699 [28FE] (see H.R. 612), H393 [14FE]

———enhance authority to recruit and retain nurses, establish an additional basis for determining inability of veterans to defray expenses of medical care, and enhance certain health care programs (see H.R. 3447), H9239 [11DE]

———enhance the assurance of efficiency, quality, and patient satisfaction in the furnishing of health care to veterans (see S. 456), S1817 [5MR]

———establish Dept. of Defense and Dept. of Veterans Affairs demonstration project on the integrated management of health care resources (see H.R. 2667), H4779 [27JY]

———establish emergency medical preparedness centers (see H.R. 3253), H7958 [8NO]

———establish presumption of service connection for certain diseases and disabilities of veterans who were exposed to carbon tetrachloride (see H.R. 514), H223 [7FE]

———establish presumption of service connection for cold weather injuries received during military operations (see H.R. 764), H442 [27FE]

———extend health care eligibility for Persian Gulf Conflict veterans suffering from certain undiagnosed illnesses (see S. 1576), S11105 [25OC]

———improve allocation of health care resources to different geographic regions in the U.S. (see H.R. 2633, 2634), H4633 [25JY]

———improve presumptive compensation benefits for Persian Gulf Conflict veterans suffering from certain undiagnosed illnesses (see H.R. 1406), H1482 (see H.R. 1406), H1492 [4AP]

———provide benefits to children of Vietnam-era veterans for diseases associated with parental exposure to a herbicide agent (see H.R. 1541), H1554 [24AP]

Health care facilities: authorize construction projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, and updating VA patient care facilities (see H.R. 811), H621 [1MR]

———authorize construction projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, and updating VA patient care facilities (H.R. 811) (see S. 1280), S8464 [31JY]

———limit amount of time veterans must wait to get a doctor's appointment at veterans clinics (see H.R. 435), H219 [7FE]

Health care professionals: recognize for purposes of employing physicians, board certifications from the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (see S. Res. 61), S2662 [21MR] (see H. Res. 75), H623 [1MR]

———revise certain provisions relative to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration (see S. 62), S99 [22JA]

Homeless: conduct Stand Down event outreach programs and establish a pilot program that will provide for an annual Stand Down event in each State (see H.R. 3271), H7959 [8NO]

———improve programs for veterans (see S. 739), S3706 [6AP] (see H.R. 936), H825 [8MR] (see H.R. 2716), H5332 [2AU]

Housing: establish uniformity in fees charged qualifying members of the Selected Reserve and active duty veterans for guaranteed home loans (see H.R. 2095), H2996 [7JN]

Income: enhance outreach programs to more fully inform surviving spouses and dependents of available benefits and provide dedicated staff to assist in obtaining those benefits (see H.R. 336), H163 [31JA]

Insurance: eligibility of retired members of the Armed Forces for priority health care on the same basis as former POWs (see H.R. 2711), H5125 [1AU]

John P. McGuirk Dept. of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, New London, CT: designate (see H.R. 3418), H8948 [5DE]

Medicare: coverage for qualified World War II Filipino veterans (see H.R. 594), H323 [13FE]

———reimbursement for services provided to eligible veterans by certain Dept. of Veterans Affairs facilities (see H.R. 1911), H2334 [17MY]

National cemeteries: establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Albuquerque, NM, area (see S. 1207), S7955 [19JY] (see H.R. 2092), H2956 [6JN]

———establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Colorado Springs, CO, area (see S. 996), S5967 [7JN] (see H.R. 1991), H2710 [24MY]

———establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Jacksonville, FL, metropolitan area (see H.R. 1205), H1114 [22MR]

———establish a national cemetery for veterans in the San Diego, CA, area (see H.R. 441), H220 [7FE]

———establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Valley Forge National Historic Park (see S. 618), S2894 [26MR] (see H.R. 1237), H1188 [27MR]

National Veterans Awareness Week: designate (see S. Res. 143), S8464 [31JY]

Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program: extend (see H.R. 1929), H2387 [21MY]

———make permanent (see S. 228), S914 [31JA]

Nurses: enhance authority to recruit and retain qualified nurses for the Veterans Health Administration (see S. 1188), S7805 [17JY] (see H.R. 3017), H6260 [3OC]

Oscar G. Johnson Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility, Iron Mountain, MI: designate (see H.R. 550), H254 [8FE]

Pence, Donald C.: relief (see S. 63), S99 [22JA]

Pensions: ensure that senior citizen veterans shall be eligible for pension benefits without regard to disability (see H.R. 3087), H6700 [11OC]

———revise computation of retirement annuities for part-time employees (see H.R. 2182), H3201 [14JN]

Pharmaceuticals: dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners (see H.R. 1136), H1012 [20MR] (see H.R. 1717), H1923 [3MY]

———standardize copayment exemption levels for outpatient medications (see S. 1408), S9197 [6SE]

———suspend authority to increase copayment for medication furnished on an outpatient basis for treatment of service-connected disabilities (see H.R. 2671), H4779 [27JY] (see H.R. 2820), H5337 [2AU]

SSA: seek assistance in providing outreach to veterans, their dependants, and their survivors (see S. Res. 152), S8911 [3AU]

Taxation: allow taxpayers to designate income tax refunds for use in medical research conducted through the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (see H.R. 1673), H1859 [2MY]

Telephones: provide grants for toll-free telephone number to provide information and assistance to veterans (see H.R. 1435), H1484 (see H.R. 1435), H1493 [4AP] (see H.R. 1746), H2021 [8MY]

Terrorism: establish a partnership between the Depts. of Veterans Affairs and Defense to develop education and training programs on medical responses to consequences of terrorist attacks (see H.R. 3254), H7958 [8NO]

———strengthen the preparedness of health care providers within the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and community hospitals to respond to bioterrorism (see S. 1561), S10794 [17OC]

Texas: establish a new medical facility for veterans in south Texas (see H.R. 234), H64 [6JA]

Tobacco products: payment of benefits for smoking-related illnesses caused by nicotine dependence developed during service (see H.R. 879), H648 [6MR]

Veterans: change effective date for paid-up coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan (see H.R. 699), H397 [14FE]

———computation of retirement pay credit for military reservists who are retained in active service (see H.R. 462), H220 [7FE]

———computation of retirement pay for certain merchant mariners who served during or immediately after World War II or the Korean War (see H.R. 2302), H3518 [25JN]

———continuation of dependency and indemnity compensation for the surviving spouse of a veteran if such spouse remarries after a certain age (see H.R. 1108), H1011 [20MR]

———develop educational programs on veterans' contributions to the country (see S. Res. 143), S8464 [31JY]

———ensure quality health care (see S. Res. 179), S11719 [13NO]

———establish an additional basis for determining the inability of veterans to defray expenses of necessary medical care based on the cost-of-living of the area in which the veteran resides (see S. 1221), S8064 [23JY]

———exempt prescription drugs and medical supplies dispensed by Dept. of Veterans Affairs pharmacies from interest and administrative cost charges (see H.R. 890), H649 [6MR]

———expand list of diseases presumed to be service connected with respect to radiation-exposed veterans (see H.R. 134), H60 [6JA]

———expand list of diseases presumed to be service connected with respect to radiation-exposed veterans and circumstances deemed to have been radiation-risk activities (see H.R. 1957), H2678 [23MY]

———extend eligibility of former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans housing loans (see S. 781), S3994 [26AP] (see H.R. 2247), H3356 [20JN]

———improve benefits for former POWs (see H.R. 3430), H9077 [6DE]

———improve benefits for World War II Filipino veterans (see S. 1042), S6318 [14JN]

———improve educational assistance programs, expand transition assistance and outreach programs, increase burial benefits, and provide family coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (see H.R. 801), H507 [28FE]

———increase burial benefits for veterans and provide for inflation adjustment (see S. 912), S5118 [17MY]

———increase burial benefits paid for plot allowances and pay States for plot allowances for veterans eligible for burial in a national cemetery who are buried in cemeteries of such States (see S. 1013), S6127 [12JN] (see H.R. 2123), H3066 [12JN]

———increase educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (see S. 1114), S6991 [27JN] (see H.R. 1291), H1343 [29MR]

———increase educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (H.R. 1291), concur with Senate amendment with an amendment (see H. Res. 310), H9239 [11DE]

———increase pension rates for surviving spouses of veterans of a period of war (see S. 1648), S11549 [7NO]

———increase rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans (see S. 1090), S6664 [22JN] (see H.R. 2361), H3802 [28JN]

———increase rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans and modify home loan programs (see S. 1488), S10154 [3OC]

———increase the Medal of Honor Roll special pension and provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment (see S. 1113), S6991 [27JN]

———increase the minimum Survivor Benefit Plan basic annuity for certain surviving spouses (see S. 145), S456 [23JA] (see S. 305), S1270 [13FE] (see S. 1506), S10287 [4OC] (see H.R. 548), H253 [8FE]

———make motor vehicle reimbursement rates for veterans comparable to reimbursement rates for Federal employees (see H.R. 551), H254 [8FE]

———modify and extend authorities on the presumption of service-connection for herbicide-related disabilities of Vietnam-era veterans (see S. 1091), S6664 [22JN]

———motor vehicle reimbursement rates for veterans traveling to VA health care facilities (see S. 984), S5830 [5JN]

———permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with service-connected disability benefits (see S. 170), S527 [24JA] (see H.R. 65), H26 [3JA] (see H.R. 303), H202 [6FE] (see H.R. 609), H393 [14FE]

———presumption of service connection for hepatitis C in certain veterans (see S. 457), S1817 [5MR]

———provide benefits to merchant mariners who served during a period of war (see H.R. 2442), H3861 [10JY]

———repeal computation system that reduces annuity for surviving spouses at age 62 relative to Social Security offset (see H.R. 1232), H1188 [27MR]

———repeal manifestation period for a presumption of service-connection for respiratory cancers occurring in Vietnam veterans (see H.R. 1587), H1604 [25AP]

———restore promised educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill to Vietnam-era veterans (see S. 1095), S6862 [25JN]

———revise the rules under the Survivor Benefit Plan for the termination of an annuity paid to a surviving spouse upon remarriage (see H.R. 1813), H2141 [10MY]

———verify military service of certain Philippine nationals during World War II to determine benefits eligibility (see H. Res. 229), H5338 [2AU]

Vietnam Veterans Memorial: study eligibility requirements for inclusion of veterans' names and alternative means to honor ineligible veterans (see H.R. 3443), H9238 [11DE]

World War II: provide that service in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps constituted active military service for veteran classification (see H.R. 1724), H1924 [3MY]

Conference reports

Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and Sundry Independent Agencies Appropriations (H.R. 2620), H7787-H7834 [6NO]

Explanations

Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act (H.R. 3447): Committee on Veterans Affairs (House) and Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate), E2404-E2408 [20DE]

Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act (H.R. 1291): House Amendment to Senate Amendments (H. Res. 310), H9136-H9143 [11DE]

Letters

Homeless Veterans Assistance Act: Armando C. Albarran, DAV, S3724 [6AP]

———Joseph L. Fox, Sr., Paralyzed Veterans of America (organization), S3725 [6AP]

———Representative Christopher H. Smith, Committee on Veterans Affairs (House), H6820 [16OC]

———Representative Oxley, Committee on Financial Services (House), H6820 [16OC]

———Robert E. Wallace, VFW, S3724 [6AP]

Senate consideration of certain veterans health and housing legislation: several veterans organizations, S11317 [1NO]

Veterans' Benefits Act: Anthony J. Principi, Sec. of Veterans Affairs, S10157 [3OC]

Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act: Robert E. Wallace, VFW, S12677 [7DE]

Veterans Burial Benefits Improvement Act: several veterans organizations, S5124 [17MY]

Veterans claims adjudication funding through reductions in Dept. of HUD Community Development Fund projects funding: Thomas A. Schatz, Citizens Against Government Waste (organization), S8663 [2AU]

Veterans health care funding: Armando C. Albarran, DAV, S5503 [23MY]

———David E. Woodbury, AMVETS, S5504 [23MY]

———Joel Niemeyer, Paralyzed Veterans of America (organization), S3497 [5AP]

———Joseph L. Fox, Sr., Paralyzed Veterans of America (organization), S5504 [23MY]

———Robert E. Wallace, VFW, S3497 [5AP], S5503 [23MY]

———several veterans' organizations, S3496 [5AP]

Veterans Opportunities Act: Alex J. Harrington, Non Commissioned Officers Association, H1134 [27MR]

———Jayson L. Spiegel, Reserve Officers Association, H1135 [27MR]

———John A. Shaud, Air Force Association, H1134 [27MR]

———Michael A. Nelson, Retired Officers Association, H1134 [27MR]

———Michael P. Cline, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the U.S., H1135 [27MR]

———Rachel A. Clinkscale, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., H1134 [27MR]

———Representative Crenshaw, H1133 [27MR]

———Representatives Jo Ann Davis, Cantor, Schrock, and Putnam, H1134 [27MR]

———Richard C. Alexander, National Guard Association of the U.S., H1134 [27MR]

———Robert C. Evans, National Order of Battlefield Commissions, H1135 [27MR]

Lists

Medical services not covered under Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA (CHAMPVA), S6908 [26JN]

Pending veterans claims cases by State, S8663 [2AU]

Motions

Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 2620), S8549 [1AU], S8665, S8676 [2AU], H4714 [26JY], H4859 [30JY]

Press releases

Pork Alert—CAGW's Pork Patrol Takes a Closer Look at Fiscal 2002 VA/HUD Pork: Citizens Against Government Waste (organization), S8663 [2AU]

VA Initiates Pain Management Program: Dept. of Veterans Affairs, S1390 [14FE]

VA Sponsors New Program for End-of-Life Care, S3915 [25AP]

Remarks in House

Appropriations: making emergency supplemental appropriations (H.R. 1981), E923 [24MY]

Aspen, CO: tribute to National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, E510 [3AP]

Belleville, IL: anniversary of Scott VFW Post 4183, E260 [1MR]

Benefits: revise effective date for certain awards of dependency and indemnity compensation to survivors of Vietnam era veterans (H.R. 545), E146 [8FE]

Buy American Act: compliance, H4846 [30JY]

Cameron, MO: tribute to Cameron Veterans' Home, E1088 [13JN]

Claims: address backlog of veterans compensation, pension, and education claims, E923 [24MY]

———benefit claims processing funding through reductions in NSF funding, H4691-H4693, H4694 [26JY]

Committee on Appropriations (House): appropriations allocation revisions to conference report on H.R. 2620, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies appropriations, H8401 [27NO]

———appropriations allocation revisions to H.R. 2620, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies appropriations, H4719 [26JY]

Corpus Christi, TX: Naval Air Station hospital veterans health care demonstration project, H4672 [26JY]

Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 2620), H4661-H4718 [26JY], H4727-H4761 [27JY], H4815-H4861 [30JY], H5857 [20SE], E1477, E1478 [31JY], E1485, E1487, E1488, E1492 [1AU], E1510 [2AU], E1549 [3AU]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), conference report, H7922-H7941 [8NO], E2051 [9NO], E2056 [13NO], E2093 [15NO], E2110 [16NO], E2258 [12DE]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), consideration (H. Res. 210), H4652-H4661 [26JY]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), consideration of conference report (H. Res. 279), H7919-H7922 [8NO]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), motion to recommit, H4859, H4860 [30JY]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), same-day consideration (H. Res. 209), H4651 [26JY]

———veterans health care, public housing, homeless shelters, EPA enforcement, and Corp. for National and Community Service funding through reductions in tax cut, H4654-H4659, H4670, H4682-H4686 [26JY]

Disabled: make service dogs available to disabled veterans and make various other improvements in health care benefits (H.R. 2792), H7143-H7147 [23OC], E1532 [3AU]

———revise effective date for award of disability compensation for persons disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation (H.R. 290), E60 [30JA]

Diseases: authorize projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease, H4696 [26JY]

———authorize projects to facilitate the treatment of veterans with Alzheimer's disease (H. Res. 29), E112 [6FE]

Federal aid programs: improve outreach program to more fully inform veterans of available benefits, H9148 [11DE]

———improve outreach program to more fully inform veterans of available benefits (H.R. 511), H1280 [28MR]

———make various improvements to veterans benefits programs (H.R. 2540), H4870, H4896-H4906 [31JY], H9121-H9124 [11DE], E2269 [13DE]

Flag—U.S.: provide U.S. flags for placement on grave sites of Medal of Honor recipients (H. Con. Res. 284), H9055 [6DE]

Funding, H4674, H4703, H4704 [26JY]

Grand Junction, CO: Grand Junction VA Medical Center recipient of President's Quality Award, E1470 [30JY]

Health: clarify compensation standards for Persian Gulf Conflict veterans suffering from certain undiagnosed illnesses, H4902-H4905 [31JY], H9143-H9148 [11DE]

———enhance authority to recruit and retain nurses, establish an additional basis for determining inability of veterans to defray expenses of medical care, and enhance certain health care programs (H.R. 3447), H9217-H9225 [11DE], E2267 [12DE], E2312, E2317 [14DE], E2404 [20DE]

———establish Dept. of Defense and Dept. of Veterans Affairs demonstration project on the integrated management of health care resources (H.R. 2667), E1457 [27JY]

———establish emergency medical preparedness centers (H.R. 3253), E2043 [8NO], E2059 [13NO]

———improve allocation of health care resources to different geographic regions in the U.S. (H.R. 2633), E1435 [25JY]

———medical and prosthetic research funding through reductions in NASA Human Space Flight funding, H4690, H4691 [26JY]

Health care facilities: authorize construction projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, and updating VA patient care facilities (H.R. 811), H1137-H1143 [27MR], H1263 [28MR], H2690 [24MY], H4694 [26JY], E263 [1MR]

———limit amount of time veterans must wait to get a doctor's appointment at veterans clinics (H.R. 435), E114 [6FE]

———veterans access to health care, H1705 [1MY]

Homeless: improve programs for veterans (H.R. 936), E314 [8MR]

———improve programs for veterans (H.R. 2716), H6814-H6823, H6874 [16OC], H9112-H9121 [11DE], E1519 [3AU], E2269, E2283 [13DE]

Housing: establish uniformity in fees charged qualifying members of the Selected Reserve and active duty veterans for guaranteed home loans (H.R. 2095), E1053 [7JN]

Los Angeles, CA: VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center funding, H4844 [30JY]

Medicare: coverage for qualified World War II Filipino veterans (H.R. 594), E169 [13FE]

Mental health: veterans mental health treatment programs funding, H7937 [8NO]

National cemeteries: establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Jacksonville, FL, metropolitan area (H.R. 1205), E422 [22MR]

National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week: observance, E171 [13FE]

Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program: extend, H4905 [31JY], H9147 [11DE]

Office of Inspector General: funding through reductions in health care funding, H4689, H4690 [26JY]

Pensions: ensure that senior citizen veterans shall be eligible for pension benefits without regard to disability (H.R. 3087), E1859 [12OC]

Pharmaceuticals: dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners, H4702, H4703 [26JY]

———dispense medications to veterans for prescriptions written by private practitioners (H.R. 1717), E714 [3MY]

———suspend authority to increase copayment for medication furnished on an outpatient basis for treatment of service-connected disabilities (H.R. 2820), H8848, H8890 [5DE], H10951 [20DE]

Philippines: anniversary of Executive order calling the Commonwealth Army into U.S. military service, E1462 [27JY]

Portland, OR: Veterans Administration Medical Center funding, H7938 [8NO]

State Extended Care Facilities Construction Grant Program: funding, H4659 [26JY]

Telephones: provide grants for toll-free telephone number to provide information and assistance to veterans, H4903, H4904 [31JY]

Terrorism: establish a partnership between the Depts. of Veterans Affairs and Defense to develop education and training programs on medical responses to consequences of terrorist attacks (H.R. 3254), H7950 [8NO]

Veterans: exempt prescription drugs and medical supplies dispensed by Dept. of Veterans Affairs pharmacies from interest and administrative cost charges (H.R. 890), E290 [6MR]

———expand list of diseases presumed to be service connected with respect to radiation-exposed veterans (H.R. 134), E58 [30JA]

———expand the Survivor Benefit Plan to include dependents of nonretirement-eligible service members who die while on active duty, H7096, H7097 [17OC]

———health care and housing programs funding, H2961 [7JN]

———health care funding, H1211, H1224 [28MR], H2032, H2037, H2038 [9MY], H4374 [20JY], H4687 [26JY], H4859, H4860 [30JY]

———improve benefits, E2055, E2056 [13NO]

———improve benefits for World War II Filipino veterans, H4674, H4679, H4687, H4700-H4702 [26JY], E1462 [27JY]

———improve educational assistance programs, expand transition assistance and outreach programs, increase burial benefits, and provide family coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (H.R. 801), H1126-H1137 [27MR], H1263, H1280 [28MR], H2687-H2692 [24MY], H2894 [6JN], E246 [28FE], E261 [1MR], E974 [25MY]

———increase educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (H.R. 1291), H3211, H3212-H3220 [19JN], E1190 [25JN], E2269 [13DE], E2299 [14DE], E2365 [20DE]

———increase educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (H.R. 1291), concur with Senate amendment with an amendment (H. Res. 310), H9128-H9149 [11DE]

———permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with service-connected disability benefits, H5781 [20SE], H6014 [25SE], H10078 [13DE]

———permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with service-connected disability benefits (H.R. 303), H1280 [28MR]

———permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with service-connected disability benefits (H.R. 609), E181 [14FE]

———prohibit funding to implement proposal forcing military retirees to choose between VA and TRICARE health care plans, H4699 [26JY]

———provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment, H4905 [31JY]

———repeal computation system that reduces annuity for surviving spouses at age 62 relative to Social Security offset (H.R. 1232), H1832 [2MY]

———repeal manifestation period for a presumption of service-connection for respiratory cancers occurring in Vietnam veterans, H9143 [11DE], E2365 [20DE]

———revise rules applicable to net worth limitation relative to pension eligibility, E261 [1MR]

Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation System: funding, H4842-H4844 [30JY], E1485 [1AU]

Vietnam Veterans Memorial: study eligibility requirements for inclusion of veterans' names and alternative means to honor ineligible veterans (H.R. 3443), H9225 [11DE]

West Palm Beach, FL: history of Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, E917 [23MY]

Remarks in Senate

Aberdeen, SD: tribute to Aberdeen Community Based Outpatient Clinic, S3337 [3AP]

American Field Service: treat certain service in the ambulance corps as active duty (S. 1767), S12449 [5DE]

Armed Forces: enhance the Montgomery GI Bill (S. 1517), S10392 [9OC]

———facilitate use of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for education leading to employment in high technology industry (S. 1088), S12677, S12746-S12752 [7DE]

———facilitate use of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for education leading to employment in high technology industry (S. 1088), unanimous-consent request, S12394-S12396 [5DE]

Benefits: improve outreach programs to more fully inform veterans of available benefits (S. 612), S2898 [26MR]

Catanese, Jessica: Dept. of Veterans Affairs Hands and Heart Award recipient, S11657 [9NO]

Cemeteries and funerals: furnish headstones or markers for the marked graves of certain individuals (S. 662), S3171 [29MR]

Civilian Health and Medical Program: funding, S3050 [28MR]

———retain eligibility for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries, S5574-S5576 [24MY]

Claims: improve the processing of claims for veterans compensation and pensions (S. 1656), S11613 [8NO]

———veterans claims adjudication funding through reductions in Dept. of HUD Community Development Fund projects funding, S8656-S8663 [2AU]

Congress: legislative priorities, S11315, S11320 [1NO]

Cooperative Studies Program Clinical Research Pharmacy Coordinating Council Center: Dept. of Veterans' Affairs Robert W. Carey Quality Award recipient, S9390 [13SE]

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: temporarily expand membership to facilitate staggered terms for judges and terminate the Notice of Disagreement as jurisdictional requirement for review (S. 1089), S6667 [22JN]

Denver, CO: transfer the Denver Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center to Aurora, CO (S. 1411), S9201 [6SE]

Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 2620), S8537-S8549, S8551-S8562 [1AU], S8629-S8676 [2AU], S8896, S8903 [3AU]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), conference report, S11546 [7NO], S11594-S11603 [8NO], S11655 [9NO], S11716 [13NO]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), conference report—unanimous-consent agreement, S11594 [8NO]

———making appropriations (H.R. 2620), unanimous-consent agreement, S8660 [2AU]

———making appropriations (S. 1216), indefinitely postponed, S12216 [29NO]

———reduce appropriations for low-priority, unnecessary, and wasteful spending programs, S11596 [8NO]

Disabled: enhance provision of specialized treatment and rehabilitation for disabled veterans (S. 1598), S11287 [31OC]

———modify authority to provide dog-guides to blind veterans and authorize provision of service dogs to hearing-impaired veterans and veterans with spinal cord injuries (S. 1160), S7429 [10JY]

Federal aid programs: make various improvements to veterans benefits programs (H.R. 2540), S11871 [15NO], S13930 [20DE]

Health: add amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to diseases presumed to be service connected when incurred by Persian Gulf Conflict veterans, S13833 [20DE]

———clarify compensation standards for Persian Gulf Conflict veterans suffering from certain undiagnosed illnesses (S. 409), S1701 [28FE]

———enhance authority to recruit and retain nurses, establish an additional basis for determining inability of veterans to defray expenses of medical care, and enhance certain health care programs (H.R. 3447), S13930, S14075-S14080 [20DE]

———enhance the assurance of efficiency, quality, and patient satisfaction in the furnishing of health care to veterans (S. 456), S1826 [5MR]

———extend health care eligibility for Persian Gulf Conflict veterans suffering from certain undiagnosed illnesses (S. 1576), S11111 [25OC]

———provide benefits to children of Vietnam-era veterans for diseases associated with parental exposure to a herbicide agent, S8671, S8672 [2AU]

———tribute to efforts in pain management and end-of-life care, S1389 [14FE]

———tribute to health care programs, S7801 [17JY]

———tribute to pain management and end-of-life care programs, S3914 [25AP]

Health care facilities: authorize construction projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, and updating VA patient care facilities (H.R. 811) (S. 1280), S8478 [31JY]

Health care professionals: recognize for purposes of employing physicians, board certifications from the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (S. Res. 61), S2674 [21MR]

———revise certain provisions relative to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration (S. 62), S323 [22JA]

Homeless: improve programs for veterans (H.R. 2716), S12578 [6DE], S13930 [20DE]

———improve programs for veterans (H.R. 2716), unanimous-consent request, S12351, S12352 [4DE], S12396 [5DE]

———improve programs for veterans (S. 739), S3719 [6AP], S10903, S10904 [23OC], S11902, S11917-S11919 [15NO]

———improve programs for veterans (S. 739), unanimous-consent request, S11273 [31OC], S11317, S11318 [1NO], S11519 [7NO], S11594 [8NO]

National cemeteries: establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Albuquerque, NM, area (S. 1207), S7965 [19JY]

———establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Colorado Springs, CO, area (S. 996), S5976 [7JN]

———establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Valley Forge National Historic Park (S. 618), S2901 [26MR]

National Center for Patient Safety: Harvard University Institute for Government Innovation Innovations in American Government Award recipient, S13295 [14DE]

National Veterans Awareness Week: designate (S. Res. 143), S8483 [31JY], S9007 [3AU]

Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program: make permanent (S. 228), S921 [31JA]

North Chicago, IL: land transfer between the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and the Finch Medical School, S10041 [2OC]

Nurses: enhance authority to recruit and retain qualified nurses for the Veterans Health Administration (S. 1188), S7819 [17JY], S7875 [18JY], S13931 [20DE]

———shortage, S6512 [20JN]

Office of Government Ethics: tribute to the Office of General Counsel on receipt of the Outstanding Ethics Program Award, S13357 [17DE]

Passaic County, NJ: establish outpatient clinic for veterans, S8669 [2AU]

Pence, Donald C.: relief (S. 63), S323 [22JA]

Pharmaceuticals: standardize copayment exemption levels for outpatient medications (S. 1408), S9198 [6SE]

Presidential appointments: nominations considered and confirmed en bloc, S438 [23JA], S3769 [6AP], S5659 [24MY], S8533 [1AU], S8891 [3AU]

Principi, Anthony J.: confirmation as Sec. of Veterans Affairs, S523 [24JA]

———nomination to be Sec. of Veterans Affairs, S440, S441 [23JA]

SSA: seek assistance in providing outreach to veterans, their dependants, and their survivors (S. Res. 152), S8974 [3AU]

Terrorism: strengthen the preparedness of health care providers within the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and community hospitals to respond to bioterrorism (S. 1561), S10795 [17OC]

Veterans: develop educational programs on veterans' contributions to the country (S. Res. 143), S8483 [31JY], S9007 [3AU]

———ensure quality care at community-based outpatient clinics, S4233 [3MY]

———establish an additional basis for determining the inability of veterans to defray expenses of necessary medical care based on the cost-of-living of the area in which the veteran resides (S. 1221), S8067 [23JY]

———extend eligibility of former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans housing loans (S. 781), S3998 [26AP]

———health care funding, S2384 [15MR], S3495-S3498 [5AP], S3638, S3693 [6AP], S5503 [23MY], S8544-S8549 [1AU], S8669 [2AU]

———improve access to health care, S8009 [20JY]

———improve benefits for World War II Filipino veterans (S. 1042), S6322 [14JN]

———improve educational assistance programs, expand transition assistance and outreach programs, increase burial benefits, and provide family coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (H.R. 801), S5574-S5577 [24MY]

———increase burial benefits for veterans and provide for inflation adjustment (S. 912), S5124 [17MY]

———increase educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (H.R. 1291), S13227-S13243 [13DE], S13291 [14DE], S13930 [20DE]

———increase educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (H.R. 1291), insert S. 1088 language in lieu, S12752 [7DE]

———increase educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (H.R. 1291), unanimous-consent request, S12394, S12396 [5DE]

———increase educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (S. 1114), S6999 [27JN], S13930 [20DE]

———increase rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans and modify home loan programs (S. 1488), S10156 [3OC]

———increase the Medal of Honor Roll special pension and provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment (S. 1113), S6998 [27JN]

———increase the minimum Survivor Benefit Plan basic annuity for certain surviving spouses, S9551 [20SE]

———increase the minimum Survivor Benefit Plan basic annuity for certain surviving spouses (S. 145), S457 [23JA], S555 [24JA]

———increase the minimum Survivor Benefit Plan basic annuity for certain surviving spouses (S. 1506), S10304 [4OC]

———increase the minimum Survivor Benefit Plan basic annuity for certain surviving spouses (S. 305), S1321-S1324 [13FE]

———modify and extend authorities on the presumption of service-connection for herbicide-related disabilities of Vietnam-era veterans (S. 1091), S6668 [22JN], S6860 [25JN]

———motor vehicle reimbursement rates for veterans traveling to VA health care facilities (S. 984), S5836 [5JN]

———permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with service-connected disability benefits, S3695 [6AP], S10035, S10039 [2OC], S13131, S13132, S13134-S13137 [13DE]

———permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with service-connected disability benefits (S. 170), S541-S543 [24JA], S567 [25JA], S1257 [13FE], S2384 [15MR], S2471 [19MR], S3699 [6AP], S6004 [8JN]

———presumption of service connection for hepatitis C in certain veterans (S. 457), S1826 [5MR]

Reports

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in the Veterans Health Administration, Dept. of Veterans Affairs: Committee of Veterans Affairs (Senate) Democratic Staff, S4234 [3MY]

Reports filed

Consideration of Conference Report on H.R. 2620, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and Sundry Independent Agencies Appropriations: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 279) (H. Rept. 107-273), H7908 [7NO]

Consideration of H.R. 2620, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and Sundry Independent Agencies Appropriations: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 210) (H. Rept. 107-164), H4723 [26JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Enhancement Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate) (S. 1188) (S. Rept. 107-80), S10456 [10OC]

Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and Sundry Independent Agencies Appropriations: Committee of Conference (H.R. 2620) (H. Rept. 107-272), H7851 [6NO]

———Committee on Appropriations (House) (H.R. 2620) (H. Rept. 107-159), H4633 [25JY]

———Committee on Appropriations (Senate) (S. 1216) (S. Rept. 107-43), S8014 [20JY]

Disabled Veterans Service Dog and Health Care Improvement Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 2792) (H. Rept. 107-242), H6918 [16OC]

Educational Programs Development on Veterans' Contributions to the Country and National Veterans Awareness Week Designation: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. Res. 143), S8703 [2AU]

Homeless Veterans Assistance Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 2716) (H. Rept. 107-241), H6918 [16OC]

———Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate) (S. 739) (S. Rept. 107-82), S10640 [11OC]

Nomination of Claude M. Kicklighter To Be Assistant Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Policy and Planning: Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate), S8703 [2AU]

Nomination of Gordon H. Mansfield To Be Assistant Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Congressional Affairs: Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate), S8014 [20JY]

Nomination of Jacob Lozada To Be Assistant Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Human Resources and Administration: Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate), S5615 [24MY]

Nomination of John A. Gauss To Be Assistant Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Information and Technology: Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate), S8703 [2AU]

Nomination of Leo S. Mackay, Jr., To Be Deputy Sec. of Veterans Affairs: Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate), S5615 [24MY]

Nomination of Maureen P. Cragin To Be Assistant Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs: Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate), S5615 [24MY]

Nomination of Robert L. Higgins To Be Under Sec. of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs: Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate), S5615 [24MY]

Nomination of Tim S. McClain To Be Dept. of Veterans Affairs General Counsel: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Senate), S3705 [6AP]

Veterans Benefits Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 2540) (H. Rept. 107-156), H4539 [24JY]

Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act: Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senate) (S. 1090) (S. Rept. 107-87), S10692 [15OC]

Veterans Hospital Emergency Repair Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 801) (H. Rept. 107-27), H1121 [26MR]

Veterans Opportunities Act: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 801) (H. Rept. 107-27), H1121 [26MR]

Rulings of the Chair

Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 2620), H4686, H4702, H4703, H4704 [26JY], H4824, H4832, H4852 [30JY]

Statements

Filipino Veterans of World War II Day: President Bush, E1462 [27JY]

Homeless Veterans Assistance Act: National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, S3724 [6AP]

National Energy Policy: Several Organizations and Bush Administration Officials, S12085 [28NO]

Tribute to Joseph Thompson: Representative Christopher H. Smith, H9146 [11DE]

Summaries

Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act (H.R. 3447), S14077-S14080 [20DE], H9224 [11DE]

Homeless Veterans Assistance Act (H.R. 2716), S12578 [6DE], H9118 [11DE]

Homeless Veterans Assistance Act (S. 739), S11919 [15NO]

Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act (S. 1088): Rockefeller Substitute Amendment, S12752 [7DE]

Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act (H.R. 1291), S13235-S13243 [13DE]

Veterans Opportunities Act (H.R. 801), H1131 [27MR]

Tables

Committee on the Budget (Senate) scoring of conference report on H.R. 2620, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies appropriations, S11599 [8NO]

Committee on the Budget (Senate) scoring of H.R. 2620, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies appropriations, S8543 [1AU]

Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies appropriations (H.R. 2620), H4663-H4667 [26JY]

———conference report, H7924-H7929 [8NO]

VA benefits as percent of annual higher education costs, H3214 [19JN]

Texts of

H. Res. 209, same-day consideration of H.R. 2620, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies appropriations, H4651 [26JY]

H. Res. 210, consideration of H.R. 2620, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies appropriations, H4652 [26JY]

H. Res. 279, consideration of conference report on H.R. 2620, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies appropriations, H7919 [8NO]

H. Res. 310, concur with Senate amendment with an amendment to H.R. 1291, Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act, H9128-H9135 [11DE]

H.R. 801, Veterans Opportunities Act, H1126-H1130 [27MR]

H.R. 801, Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvement Act, H2687-H2690 [24MY]

H.R. 811, Veterans Hospital Emergency Repair Act, H1137 [27MR]

H.R. 1291, 21st Century Montgomery GI Bill Enhancement Act, H3212 [19JN]

H.R. 1291, Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act, S13227-S13234 [13DE]

H.R. 2540, Veterans Benefits Act, H4896-H4899 [31JY], H9121 [11DE]

H.R. 2620, Depts. of Veterans Affairs and HUD, and sundry independent agencies appropriations, S8980-S8993 [3AU]

H.R. 2716, Homeless Veterans Assistance Act, H6814-H6819 [16OC], H9112-H9117 [11DE]

H.R. 2792, Disabled Veterans Service Dog and Health Care Improvement Act, H7143-H7146 [23OC]

H.R. 3443, Fairness to All Vietnam Veterans Act, H9226 [11DE]

H.R. 3447, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act, H9217-H9223 [11DE]

S. 62, revise certain provisions relative to the appointment of professional psychologists in the Veterans Health Administration, S323 [22JA]

S. 63, relief of Donald C. Pence, S323 [22JA]

S. 170, Retired Pay Restoration Act, S542 [24JA]

S. 228, make permanent the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program, S921 [31JA]

S. 305, Military Retirees Survivor Benefits Protection Act, S1324 [13FE]

S. 612, National I Owe You Act, S2898 [26MR]

S. 618, establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Valley Forge National Historic Park, S2902 [26MR]

S. 662, furnish headstones or markers for the marked graves of certain veterans, S3172 [29MR]

S. 739, Homeless Veterans Assistance Act, S3720-S3724 [6AP], S11917-S11919 [15NO]

S. 781, extend eligibility of former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans housing loans, S3998 [26AP]

S. 912, Veterans Burial Benefits Improvement Act, S5124 [17MY]

S. 984, Veterans Road to Health Care Act, S5836 [5JN]

S. 1088, Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act, S12746-S12750 [7DE]

S. 1089, temporarily expand Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims membership to facilitate staggered terms for judges and terminate the Notice of Disagreement as jurisdictional requirement for review, S6668 [22JN]

S. 1091, modify and extend authorities on the presumption of service-connection for herbicide-related disabilities of Vietnam-era veterans, S6669 [22JN]

S. 1113, increase the Medal of Honor Roll special pension and provide an annual cost-of-living adjustment, S6999 [27JN]

S. 1114, increase educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, S7000 [27JN]

S. 1160, modify Dept. of Veterans Affairs authority to provide dog-guides to blind veterans and authorize provision of service dogs to hearing-impaired veterans and veterans with spinal cord injuries, S7430 [10JY]

S. 1188, Dept. of Veterans Affairs Nurse Recruitment and Retention Enhancement Act, S7820-S7822 [17JY]

S. 1207, establish a national cemetery for veterans in the Albuquerque, NM, area, S7966 [19JY]

S. 1221, establish an additional basis for determining the inability of veterans to defray expenses of necessary medical care based on the cost-of-living of the area in which the veteran resides, S8068 [23JY]

S. 1280, Veterans' Hospital Emergency Repair Act, S8478 [31JY]

S. 1408, Veterans' Copayment Adjustment Act, S9199 [6SE]

S. 1411, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center Transfer to Fitzsimons Act, S9202 [6SE]

S. 1488, Veterans' Benefits Act, S10156 [3OC]

S. 1506, increase the minimum veterans' Survivor Benefit Plan basic annuity for certain surviving spouses, S10304 [4OC]

S. Res. 61, Dept. of Veterans Affairs recognition for purposes of employing physicians, board certifications from the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc., S2674 [21MR]

S. Res. 143, educational programs development on veterans' contributions to the country and National Veterans Awareness Week designation, S8482 [31JY]

S. Res. 152, seek SSA assistance by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs in providing outreach to veterans, their dependants, and their survivors, S8973 [3AU]

S. Res. 179, ensure quality health care for veterans, S11726 [13NO]