DISABLED see also Americans With Disabilities Act; Social Security

Amendments

Transportation Security Administration: provide expedited air passenger screening to severely injured or disabled Armed Forces members and veterans (H.R. 1344), S6245, S6257 [1AU], H5376 [2AU]

Appointments

Gallaudet University Board of Trustees, S408 [30JA]

Articles and editorials

Double Amputee Gets Another Chance of Starting Family, S3366 [13MY]

Obamacare Denies Hospital Choice for Blind Child With Rare Bone Disease (excerpt), H7339 [21NO]

2013 Government Shutdown Could Hit Millions of Vets, VA Chief Says, H6475 [10OC]

Vice Chairman Joins in Opening Wounded Warrior Retreat, E1354 [20SE]

Bills and resolutions

Air Force: require a demonstration program on the accession as officers of candidates with auditory impairments (see S. 1864), S9051 [19DE]

Americans With Disabilities Act: require a plaintiff to provide a defendant with an opportunity to voluntarily correct a violation prior to commencing civil action (see H.R. 777), H595 [15FE] (see H.R. 994), H1318 [6MR]

Animals: establish a grant program to encourage use of assistance dogs by certain members of the Armed Forces and veterans (see H.R. 2847), H5172 [30JY]

Armed Forces: exempt retired pay of certain disabled veterans from full working-age military retiree cost-of-living adjustment and prevent adverse impact of such adjustment on Survivor Benefit Plan annuities (see S. 1872, 1880), S9052 [19DE] (see H.R. 3789), H8125 [19DE] (see H.R. 3808), H8131 [23DE]

——— extend duration of Physical Disability Board of Review and expand authority of Board to review the separation of members on the basis of a mental condition not amounting to disability (see S. 628), S2026 [20MR]

——— extend duration of Physical Disability Board of Review and expand authority of such Board to review the separation of members on the basis of a mental condition not amounting to disability (see H.R. 975), H982 [5MR]

——— extend military commissary and exchange store privileges to members who are involuntarily separated with a service-connected disability and their dependents (see H.R. 1131), H1395 [13MR]

——— improve protections for servicemembers, surviving spouses, and disabled veterans against mortgage foreclosures (see H.R. 1842), H2483 [7MY]

——— include a behavioral health professional on any physical evaluation board that considers issues of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or other mental health condition (see H.R. 1236), H1567 [18MR]

——— pay monthly annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to a supplemental or special needs trust established for the benefit of a disabled dependent child of a participant (see S. 1076), S3844 [23MY] (see H.R. 2249), H3095 [4JN]

——— require an audiometric test before separation of each member (see H.R. 368), H279 [23JA]

Aviation: improve accessibility of entertainment programming provided by air carriers on passenger flights by making captioning and video description available for visually-displayed entertainment programming (see S. 556), S1785 [13MR]

Best Buddies International, Inc.: provide assistance to support expansion and development of mentoring programs (see S. 475), S1229 [6MR] (see H.R. 1008), H1319 [6MR]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run (see H. Con. Res. 44), H4213 [8JY]

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (House): authorize release of records on review of disability claims adjudications made in the SSA Huntington, WV, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (see S. Res. 315), S8602 [10DE]

Contracts: increase contracting goals for service-disabled veteran-owned small business and qualified HUBZone small businesses (see S. 259), S520 [7FE]

Dept. of Agriculture: allow veterans to file for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits under the status of disabled while their Dept. of Veterans Affairs disability claims are pending (see H.R. 2038), H2717 [16MY]

Dept. of Defense: award grants to fund research on orthotics and prosthetics (see S. 521), S1592 [11MR]

——— review the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (see H.R. 2076), H2838 [21MY]

Dept. of Education: award grants to States to establish universal prekindergarten programs and programs to support infants and toddlers (see S. 502), S1269 [7MR] (see H.R. 1368), H1823 [21MR]

——— establish a demonstration program to provide skills to classroom teachers and staff who work with children with autism spectrum disorders (see H.R. 1509), H1956 [11AP]

——— make grants to States to hire additional school-based mental health and student service providers (see H.R. 320), H176 [18JA]

——— protect students from inappropriate seclusion and physical restraint in schools (see H.R. 1893), H2533 [8MY]

——— support teacher and school professional training on awareness of student mental health conditions (see S. 648), S2146 [21MR]

Dept. of HHS: develop a national model disclosure form to assist consumers in purchasing long-term care insurance (see S. 1473), S6208 [1AU]

——— expand and enhance adult day programs for people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological diseases or conditions to improve respite services for caregivers (see H.R. 3221), H6052 [30SE]

——— extend funding for family-to-family health information centers to help families of children with disabilities or special health care needs make informed choices about health care (see S. 423), S1012 [28FE] (see H.R. 564), H412 [6FE]

——— provide research, training, and navigator services to youth and young adults on the verge of aging out of the secondary education system (see S. 1259), S5499 [27JN]

Dept. of Homeland Security: submit a report on security screening by the Transportation Security Administration of veterans and other passengers with amputations (see H.R. 2693), H4522 [16JY]

Dept. of HUD: establish a pilot program to make grants to nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate and modify homes of disabled and low-income veterans (see S. 1387), S6071 [30JY] (see H.R. 385), H280 [23JA] (see H.R. 3743), H8108 [12DE]

Dept. of Justice: revise certain accessibility regulations for the disabled relative to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities (see H.R. 203), H52 [4JA]

Dept. of Labor: phase out issuance of special wage certificates to entities providing employment to disabled individuals at rates of pay below the Federal minimum wage (see H.R. 831), H659 [26FE]

——— prepare disconnected youth for a competitive future by improving existing education, workforce, and support programs for high school dropouts (see S. 1117), S4021 [7JN]

——— prevent imposition of Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs rule on contractors hiring the disabled unless the Dept. of Labor is in compliance with such rule (see H.R. 759), H594 [15FE]

——— provide requirements for the Transition Assistance Program (see H.R. 631), H499 [13FE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize transport of individuals to and from health facilities in connection with rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, and care (see S. 455), S1127 [5MR]

——— award grants to establish, or expand upon, master’s degree or doctoral degree programs in orthotics and prosthetics (see S. 522), S1592 [11MR]

——— carry out a pilot program on dog training therapy (see H.R. 183), H51 [4JA]

——— carry out a pilot program to establish claims adjudication centers of excellence (see H.R. 2088), H2910 [22MY]

——— clarify qualifications of hearing aid specialists (see H.R. 3508), H7152 [15NO]

——— conduct an education program and peer support program for the education and training of family members and caregivers of veterans with mental health disorders (see S. 1583), S7574 [28OC]

——— educate staff and inform veterans about the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights (see H.R. 3408), H6952 [30OC]

——— enhance treatment of certain small business concerns for purposes of contracting goals and preferences (see S. 430), S1012 [28FE] (see H.R. 3098), H5546 [12SE]

——— establish a commission or task force to evaluate the backlog of disability claims (see H.R. 2189), H2954 [23MY]

——— establish a priority for processing claims for compensation for veterans who have attained a certain age, are terminally ill, or have a life-threatening illness (see H.R. 2382), H3652 [14JN]

——— establish a task force to assess retention and training of claims processors (see H.R. 2528), H4079 [26JN]

——— establish presumption of service connection for certain veterans with tinnitus or hearing loss (see H.R. 369), H279 [23JA]

——— extend authority to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations (see H.R. 1521), H1990 [12AP] (see H.R. 2079), H2838 [21MY]

——— extend eligibility for Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program to certain individuals with service-connected disabilities who transfer to the Reserves before military discharge (see H.R. 604), H431 [8FE]

——— furnish case management services and assisted living to children of Vietnam and certain Korean war veterans born with spina bifida or certain birth defects (see S. 832), S3029 [25AP]

——— implement mental health care and rehabilitation program for veterans with service-related post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, or related substance use disorder (see S. 819), S3028 [25AP]

——— improve assistance provided to women veterans, facilitate research on long-term reproductive health of veterans, and modify child care assistance for certain veterans (see S. 131), S284 [24JA] (see H.R. 958), H981 [5MR]

——— improve authority to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations (see S. 1751), S8361 [20NO] (see H.R. 2423), H3758 [18JN]

——— improve disability compensation evaluation procedures for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma (see S. 294), S707 [13FE] (see H.R. 671), H501 [13FE]

——— improve processing of claims for compensation (see S. 928), S3326 [9MY]

——— improve provision of guide dogs to veterans blinded by a service-connected injury (see H.R. 3647), H7507 [4DE]

——— make interim payments of disability compensation benefits for certain claims for such compensation prior to the adjudication of such claims (see H.R. 2086), H2910 [22MY]

——— make permanent authority to transport individuals to and from health facilities in connection with rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, and care (see H.R. 1702), H2297 [24AP]

——— permit certain Armed Forces members discharged or released due to service-connected disability to transfer Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program benefits (see H.R. 883), H813 [28FE]

——— prohibit medical exam requests of veterans who have submitted sufficient evidence provided by non-departmental medical professionals and improve efficiency of disability claims processing (see S. 935), S3371 [13MY] (see H.R. 1980), H2603 [14MY]

——— provide certain disabled veterans beneficiary travel program coverage for travel for certain special disabilities rehabilitation (see S. 633), S2146 [21MR] (see H.R. 1284), H1718 [20MR]

——— provide eligibility for beneficiary travel for veterans seeking treatment or care for military sexual trauma in specialized outpatient or residential program facilities (see H.R. 2974), H5344 [1AU]

——— provide monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing for the Paralympic Team and assistance to U.S. Paralympics, Inc. (see S. 695), S2564 [10AP] (see H.R. 1402), H1836 [25MR]

——— provide replacement automobiles for certain disabled veterans and Armed Forces members (see S. 1584), S7574 [28OC]

——— recognize tinnitus as a mandatory condition for research and treatment (see H.R. 1443), H1857 [9AP]

——— repeal limitation of number of veterans authorized to be enrolled in the Independent Living Program (see H.R. 3330), H6768 [23OC]

——— report on the provision of services to veterans with hearing loss and other auditory system injuries and measures that can be taken to address such injuries (see S. 1582), S7574 [28OC]

——— resolve backlog of disability claims (see H.R. 2138), H2952 [23MY]

——— update basis for establishing Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance program premium rates (see S. 1585), S7574 [28OC]

Depts. of Defense and Veterans Affairs: make eligibility criteria, disbursement policies, and tax treatment for certain caregiver compensation programs consistent (see H.R. 3443), H6954 [30OC]

Education: authorize grants for the transition of youths with significant disabilities to adulthood (see H.R. 509), H370 [5FE]

——— improve individualized education program and facilitate the transition of children with disabilities to adulthood (see H.R. 510), H370 [5FE]

——— provide assistance to States to develop and implement transition plans for developmentally disabled individuals who are transitioning from the secondary school system into adulthood (see H.R. 511), H370 [5FE]

Employment: clarify appropriate standards for Federal employment discrimination and retaliation claims (see S. 1391), S6071 [30JY] (see H.R. 2852), H5173 [30JY]

Executive departments: require transparency in meeting Federal goals for contracting with small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans (see S. 140), S284 [24JA]

Federal aid programs: prevent concurrent receipt of unemployment benefits and Social Security disability insurance (see S. 1099), S3986 [6JN] (see H.R. 1502), H1956 [11AP]

Federal employees: provide a short-term disability insurance program for disabilities that are not work-related (see H.R. 2698), H4523 [16JY]

——— provide that fathers of certain permanently disabled or deceased veterans shall be included with mothers of such veterans as preference eligibles for treatment in civil service (see H.R. 1832), H2436 [6MY]

Federal firefighters: establish presumptive disability benefits for certain diseases and disabilities (see H.R. 3718), H8107 [12DE]

Firefighters: provide Federal death and disability benefits for contractors who serve as firefighters of the Forest Service, Dept. of the Interior agencies, or any State or local entity (see S. 1628), S7728 [31OC]

Forest Service: accommodate individuals with mobility disabilities who need to use a power-driven mobility device for reasonable access to certain National Forest System lands (see H.R. 1989), H2653 [15MY]

Health: assist survivors of stroke and other debilitating health occurrences in returning to work (see H.R. 3351), H6827 [28OC]

——— assist survivors of stroke in returning to work (see S. 1026), S3761 [22MY]

——— expand and support strong home care workforce and make long-term services and supports affordable and accessible for seniors and individuals with disabilities (see S. Res. 128), S3091 [6MY] (see H. Res. 197), H2436 [6MY]

——— improve access to oral health care for vulnerable populations (see S. 1522), S6597 [18SE] (see H.R. 3120), H5654 [18SE]

——— reauthorize certain programs related to traumatic brain injury and trauma research (see H.R. 1098), H1357 [12MR]

Housing: require all newly constructed, federally assisted single-family houses and town houses meet minimum standards of visitability for the disabled (see H.R. 2352), H3590 [13JN]

Human rights: express that the U.S. should become an international human rights leader by ratifying and implementing certain core international conventions (see H. Res. 283), H4143 [27JN]

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act: authorizing appropriations (see S. 108), S214 [23JA]

——— limit penalties to a State that does not meet its maintenance of effort level of funding to a one-time penalty (see S. 1095), S3955 [4JN] (see H.R. 2246), H3094 [4JN]

Insurance: provide parity under group health plans and insurance coverage in the provision of benefits for prosthetics and custom orthotics and benefits for other medical and surgical services (see H.R. 3020), H5397 [2AU]

Los Angeles, CA: celebrate upcoming 2015 Special Olympics World Games (see H. Res. 317), H5050 [24JY]

Medicaid: extend rules regarding supplemental needs trusts for beneficiaries to trusts established by such beneficiaries (see S. 1672), S7927 [7NO] (see H.R. 2123), H2952 [23MY]

Medicare: delay implementation of round 2 of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Acquisition Program for competitive acquisition areas in Tennessee (see S. 1265), S5499 [27JN]

——— ensure more timely access to home health services for beneficiaries (see S. 1332), S5800 [18JY] (see H.R. 2504), H4078 [26JN]

——— establish a market pricing program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) (see H.R. 1717), H2298 [24AP]

——— modify designation of accreditation organizations for orthotics and prosthetics, apply accreditation and licensure requirements, and modify payment methodology for such devices (see H.R. 3112), H5588 [17SE]

——— provide comprehensive audiology services to beneficiaries (see H.R. 2330), H3355 [12JN]

——— provide coverage of hearing aids and related hearing services (see H.R. 3150), H5766 [19SE]

——— provide for demostration project to evaluate the fiscal impact of covering low vision devices as durable medical equipment (see H.R. 3749), H8108 [12DE]

Mosaic (organization): anniversary (see S. Res. 36), S773 [14FE]

Motion pictures: require captioning and video description at certain movie theaters (see S. 555), S1785 [13MR]

National Aphasia Awareness Month: designate (see S. Res. 168), S4406 [12JN]

National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day: designate (see S. Res. 89), S2146 [21MR]

National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week: designate (see S. Res. 208), S6126 [31JY] (see H. Res. 336), H5435 [9SE]

National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 106), S2897 [23AP]

National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month: designate (see S. Res. 211), S6127 [31JY]

National Stroke Awareness Month: designate (see H. Res. 123), H1568 [18MR]

NIH: expand, intensify, and coordinate programs and activities relative to Tourette syndrome (see S. 637), S2146 [21MR] (see H.R. 146), H32 [3JA]

——— improve, coordinate, and enhance rehabilitation research (see S. 1027), S3761 [22MY]

Olympic Games: discourage ambush marketing by entities that adversely effect the ability of Team USA to attract sponsorships (see S. Res. 289), S7927 [7NO]

Public buildings: recognize need to improve physical access to many U.S. postal facilities and other Federal agencies for all people and in particular disabled citizens (see S. Con. Res. 26), S8457 [21NO] (see H. Con. Res. 67), H7354 [21NO]

Public debt: prioritize obligations if the debt ceiling is reached by treating public debt payments, Social Security benefits, and Armed Forces allowances equally (see S. 46), S43 [22JA] (see S. 81), S213 [23JA] (see H.R. 149), H32 [3JA] (see H.R. 247), H85 [14JA]

Silver Star Service Banner Day: designate (see S. Res. 121), S3030 [25AP]

Small business: provide for a consolidated definition of a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans to improve the Federal contracting process for service-disabled veterans (see H.R. 2882), H5260 [31JY]

Social Security: eliminate waiting period for entitlement to disability benefits (see H.R. 2047), H2774 [17MY]

——— eliminate waiting period for entitlement to disability benefits and requirement for reconsideration between benefit entitlement decision and hearing (see H.R. 160), H50 [4JA]

——— guarantee right to receive certain benefits in full with an accurate annual cost-of-living adjustment (see H.R. 1275), H1717 [20MR]

——— improve old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program, provide cash relief for years when annual cost-of-living increases do not take effect, and provide benefit protection (see S. 308), S707 [13FE] (see H.R. 649), H500 [13FE]

——— provide for a phased-in payment of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits during the waiting period for individuals with a terminal illness (see S. 1311), S5755 [17JY]

——— provide that the waiting period for disability insurance benefits shall not apply to recovering servicemembers (see H.R. 1488), H1955 [11AP]

——— reform (see H.R. 1374), H1824 [21MR]

——— remove limitations on the amount of outside income which an individual may earn while receiving certain benefits (see H.R. 174), H51 [4JA] (see H.R. 387), H280 [23JA]

——— revise medical criteria for evaluating disability in a person with Huntington’s disease and waive Medicare waiting period for individuals disabled by Huntington’s disease (see S. 723), S2649 [15AP] (see H.R. 1015), H1319 [6MR]

——— treat permanent partnerships between individuals of the same gender as marriage for purposes of determining entitlement to Federal old-age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits (see H.R. 3050), H5398 [2AU]

Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act: reauthorize (see S. 475), S1229 [6MR] (see H.R. 1008), H1319 [6MR]

Sports: commend and support the U.S. delegation and the U.S. Deaf Sports Federation in their representation of the U.S. at the 2013 Summer Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria (see H. Res. 314), H4857 [22JY]

SSI: authorize extension to American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (see H.R. 364), H278 [23JA]

——— authorize extension to Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa (see H.R. 91), H30 [3JA]

——— update eligibility (see H.R. 1601), H2123 [17AP]

Taxation: allow a credit for veteran first-time homebuyers and for adaptive housing and mobility improvements for disabled veterans (see H.R. 3422), H6953 [30OC]

——— allow a tax credit for the purchase of hearing aids (see S. 1694), S8000 [13NO] (see H.R. 1317), H1821 [21MR]

——— allow veterans a deduction for certain travel expenses to Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical centers for examinations or treatments relating to service-connected disabilities (see S. 1255), S5498 [27JN]

——— establish ABLE accounts to pay for qualified disability expenses of family members with disabilities (see S. 313), S708 [13FE] (see H.R. 647), H500 [13FE]

——— exclude from gross income certain State foster care program payments made to the biological parents of disabled children (see H.R. 286), H170 [15JA]

——— exclude from income and employment taxes real property tax abatements for seniors and disabled individuals in exchange for services (see H.R. 1840), H2436 [6MY]

——— provide credit to individuals for legal expenses paid relative to establishing guardianship of a disabled individual (see H.R. 1597), H2123 [17AP]

——— recognize Indian tribal governments for purposes of determining under the adoption credit whether a child has special needs (see H.R. 2332), H3356 [12JN]

Transportation: ensure that all transportation system users can travel safely and conveniently on and across federally funded streets and highways (see H.R. 2468), H3988 [20JN]

Transportation Security Administration: facilitate air passenger screening of severely injured or disabled Armed Forces members and veterans (see S. 1403), S6126 [31JY]

——— provide expedited air passenger screening to severely injured or disabled Armed Forces members and veterans (see S. 1367), S5968 [25JY] (see H.R. 1344), H1822 [21MR]

U.S. Access Board: develop accessibility guidelines for electronic instructional materials and related information technologies in institutions of higher education (see H.R. 3505), H7151 [15NO]

Veterans: allow certain veterans with service-connected disabilities to travel on military aircraft (see S. 346), S772 [14FE] (see H.R. 164), H51 [4JA]

——— exclude certain pension payments from consideration as income relative to certain housing assistance (see S. 1707), S8049 [14NO] (see H.R. 825), H658 [26FE] (see H.R. 1742), H2350 [25AP]

——— expand eligibility for concurrent receipt of military retired pay or combat-related compensation with service-connected disability benefits and eliminate phase-in period for such benefits (see S. 234), S519 [7FE] (see H.R. 303), H170 [15JA] (see H.R. 333), H221 [22JA]

——— extend to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury eligibility to participate in the family caregiver services program (see S. 851), S3029 [25AP] (see H.R. 3383), H6951 [30OC]

——— extend work opportunity tax credit to certain veterans, improve coordination of job training services, and improve Federal contracting with small businesses owned by disabled veterans (see H.R. 2056), H2802 [20MY]

——— increase rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans (see S. 893), S3255 [8MY] (see H.R. 569, 570), H412 [6FE]

Vietnamese Conflict: provide assistance to individuals affected by exposure to Agent Orange (see H.R. 2519), H4078 [26JN]

Voting: modernize voter registration, promote access to voting for disabled individuals, and protect the right to vote (see S. 123), S214 [23JA] (see H.R. 12), H277 [23JA]

World Polio Day: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 270), S7536 [16OC]

Letters

Helping Heroes Fly Act: Barry A. Jesinoski, DAV, H2824 [21MY]

——— Bill Lawson, Paralyzed Veterans of America (organization), H2823 [21MY]

——— Charlie Abell, Wounded Warrior Project (organization), H2823 [21MY]

——— James E. Koutz, American Legion, H2823 [21MY]

Impact of Government shutdown on Dept. of Veterans Affairs: several veterans’ organizations, H6475 [10OC]

Protect benefits of disabled veterans by not enacting a chained consumer price index (CPI) to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for benefits: Barry A. Jesinoski, DAV, S2086 [21MR]

——— James E. Koutz, American Legion, S2085 [21MR]

——— several veterans organizations, S2085 [21MR]

Special Needs Trust Fairness Act: Henry Claypool, American Association of People With Disabilities, S7930 [7NO]

——— Katherine Beh Neas, Easter Seals, Inc., S7930 [7NO]

——— Peter G. Wacht and Howard S. Krooks, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc., S7930 [7NO]

Student Success Act: Barbara Trader, TASH (organization), H4704 [18JY]

——— Curt Decker, National Disability Rights Network, H4701 [18JY]

——— Deborah A. Ziegler, Council for Exceptional Children, H4702 [18JY]

——— James H. Wendorf, National Center for Learning Disabilities, H4703 [18JY]

——— Jess Butler, Autism National Committee, Inc., H4703 [18JY]

——— Katherine Beh Neas, Easter Seals, Inc., H4702 [18JY]

——— Laura Kaloi, Cindy Smith, and Katherine Beh Neas, Consortium for Citizens With Disabilities Education Task Force, H4699 [18JY]

——— Marty Ford, The Arc of the U.S. (organization), H4703 [18JY]

——— several Collaboration To Promote Self-Determination (organization) national partners, H4700 [18JY]

Poems

‘‘Ahead of the Pack,’’ Albert C. Caswell, E945 [20JN]

‘‘Battle, After the Fight,’’ Albert C. Caswell, S7873 [6NO]

‘‘Hero, Who Would Not Change a Thing,’’ Albert C. Caswell, E965 [25JN]

Remarks in House

AbilityOne Program: anniversary, H7637 [11DE], E1831, E1837 [11DE]

——— tribute, E658 [14MY], E919 [19JN], E1153 [30JY], E1718 [20NO]

Animals: establish a grant program to encourage use of assistance dogs by certain members of the Armed Forces and veterans (H.R. 2847), H5099 [30JY]

Armed Forces: extend duration of Physical Disability Board of Review and expand authority of such Board to review the separation of members on the basis of a mental condition not amounting to disability, H3605 [14JN]

——— improve protections for servicemembers, surviving spouses, and disabled veterans against mortgage foreclosures, H3560 [13JN], H6798, H6799 [28OC], E947 [20JN]

——— pay monthly annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to a supplemental or special needs trust established for the benefit of a disabled dependent child of a participant (H.R. 2249), E788 [4JN]

Association of Former Members of Congress: tribute to Congressional Golf Tournament, H2617, H2618 [15MY]

Bayaud Enterprises (nonprofit organization): tribute, E1191 [1AU]

Best Buddies International, Inc.: tribute to campaign to promote the use and acceptance of the term ‘‘intellectual disabilities’’ for persons with mental health challenges, H1316 [6MR]

Blind Center of Nevada: tribute, E1831 [11DE]

Bluemont, VA: opening of Boulder Crest Retreat for wounded warriors and families, E1354 [20SE]

Budget: allocation of funds, H6838 [29OC]

Cahill, Willy (Clipper): USA Judo (organization) Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, E1246 [2AU]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run (H. Con. Res. 44), H4836, H4837 [22JY]

Children’s Institute: anniversary, E449 [12AP]

Christmas in April USA (organization): anniversary of Christmas in April * Prince George’s County, MD, E1788 [4DE]

Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes: tribute, E1807 [5DE], E1822 [10DE]

Congress: goals of the 113th Congress, H64 [14JA]

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.: anniversary of Detroit, MI, Alumnae Chapter Delta Manor residential complex, E1755 [22NO]

Dept. of Agriculture: ensure no delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for veterans, children, senior citizens, the disabled, and pregnant women in case of a Government shutdown or default, H5719, H5720 [19SE]

——— Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program reform relative to veterans ability to qualify under certain asset and income requirements, H5706 [19SE]

Dept. of Defense: expedite hiring of certain health care professionals who care for Armed Forces members, H3570 [13JN]

Dept. of Education: award grants to States to establish universal prekindergarten programs and programs to support infants and toddlers (H.R. 1368), E355 [21MR]

——— educational opportunity outreach programs funding, H3009, H3010 [3JN]

——— ensure educational opportunities for children with disabilities, protect children from abusive seclusion and restraint practices, protect children from sexual predators, and protect athletes from concussions, H4812, H4813 [19JY]

——— make grants to States to hire additional school-based mental health and student service providers, H78 [14JA]

——— make grants to States to hire additional school-based mental health and student service providers (H.R. 320), H487 [13FE]

——— protect students from inappropriate seclusion and physical restraint in schools (H.R. 1893), H2538 [9MY], H2843 [22MY]

Dept. of HUD: fair housing programs funding, H5164 [30JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: eliminate backlog of benefit claims and delays in receipt of medical care, H2335 [25AP], H3053, H3054, H3086, H3087 [4JN], E816 [6JN]

——— establish a commission or task force to evaluate the backlog of disability claims (H.R. 2189), H6782–H6794 [28OC], E1591, E1596, E1597 [29OC]

——— extend authority to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations, H6791 [28OC]

——— extend authority to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations (H.R. 1521), H2148 [18AP]

——— extend veterans assistance programs, H7616, H7617 [10DE]

——— impact of Government shutdown, H6475 [10OC]

——— improve authority to enter into contracts with private physicians to conduct medical disability examinations, H6791 [28OC]

——— improve disability compensation evaluation procedures for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma (H.R. 671), H3029–H3032 [4JN]

——— improve processing of claims, H6914 [30OC]

——— make interim payments of disability compensation benefits for certain claims for such compensation prior to the adjudication of such claims, H6790, H6791 [28OC]

——— make interim payments of disability compensation benefits for certain claims for such compensation prior to the adjudication of such claims (H.R. 2086), H2851 [22MY]

——— post-traumatic stress disorder and brain trauma treatment funding, H3063, H3064 [4JN]

——— provide monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing for the Paralympic Team and assistance to U.S. Paralympics, Inc., H5890 [27SE]

——— provide monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing for the Paralympic Team and assistance to U.S. Paralympics, Inc. (H.R. 1402), H7614–H7619 [10DE]

——— reduce salary of senior officials if disability compensation claims are not reduced by a certain amount, H3074, H3075 [4JN]

——— repeal limitation of number of veterans authorized to be enrolled in the Independent Living Program (H.R. 3330), H7081 [14NO]

——— report to Congress a plan to eliminate backlog of benefit claims, H3023 [4JN]

——— resolve backlog of disability claims, H4180 [8JY]

Discrimination: clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice that is unlawful occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to the compensation decision or other practice, E394 [9AP]

Fair Pay Act: anniversary, E108 [6FE], E216 [28FE]

Farmer, Betsy: Space Coast Early Intervention Center Helping Hand Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, E1718 [20NO]

Federal aid programs: prevent concurrent receipt of unemployment benefits and Social Security disability insurance (H.R. 1502), H2034 [16AP], E432 [11AP]

Federal employees: provide a short-term disability insurance program for disabilities that are not work-related (H.R. 2698), E1063 [16JY]

Fisher House Foundation, Inc.: funding, H4908, H4909 [23JY]

Frankfort, KY: anniversary of Stewart Home School, E675 [16MY]

Health: expand and support strong home care workforce and make long-term services and supports affordable and accessible for seniors and individuals with disabilities, E677 [16MY]

——— tribute to neurosurgeons who worked to update the Guidelines for the Management of Acute Cervical Spine and Spinal Cord Injuries, E1394 [27SE]

Horizon Industries (organization): tribute, H8096 [12DE]

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: observance, E1784 [3DE]

Kalish, Ken: presentation of mortgage free, custom-built home in Grand Prairie, TX, by Dallas Builders Association and Operation Finally Home (organization), E1545 [22OC]

Lakeshore Foundation: tribute to National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Association Tournament, E849 [12JN]

Los Angeles, CA: celebrate upcoming 2015 Special Olympics World Games (H. Res. 317), E1127 [24JY]

Lundgren, Eloise: Bell County, TX, Judge and Commissioners’ Committee on People With Disabilities John Garth Person of the Year award recipient, E1367 [25SE]

Medicaid: extend rules regarding supplemental needs trusts for beneficiaries to trusts established by such beneficiaries (H.R. 2123), H5077 [25JY]

Medicare: establish a market pricing program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) (H.R. 1717), H2378 [26AP], H5439 [10SE]

——— provide for demostration project to evaluate the fiscal impact of covering low vision devices as durable medical equipment (H.R. 3749), E1862 [12DE]

Melbourne, FL: anniversary of Space Coast Early Intervention Center, E1718 [20NO]

Melwood (organization): anniversary, E1657 [14NO]

Members of Congress: encourage donation of frequent flyer miles to the Fisher House Foundation, Inc., Hero Miles Program, H7699 [12DE]

Miller, Tom: South Dakota Governor’s Award for Outstanding Citizen With a Disability recipient, E1201 [1AU]

Minnesota Special Olympics: anniversary, E918 [19JN]

Montana: tribute to Special Olympics World Winter Games participants, E237 [4MR]

My Possibilities (organization): anniversary, H5053 [25JY]

National Autism Awareness Month: observance, H2231 [23AP], H2312 [25AP], E576 [26AP]

National Better Hearing and Speech Month: support goals and ideals, E582 [30AP]

National Council on Independent Living: anniversary, H5077 [25JY]

National Family Caregivers Month: observance, E1695 [18NO]

National Industries for the Blind: anniversary, H7304 [20NO], H8096 [12DE], E1831 [11DE], E1863 [12DE]

National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month: observance, E1394 [27SE], E1405 [30SE]

Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Eye Bank (organization): anniversary, E1436 [4OC]

Opportunity Partners (nonprofit organization): anniversary, H2789 [20MY]

Paratransit, Inc.: anniversary, E1467 [9OC]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: impact of implementation on health care, coverage, costs, and accessibility, H7114 [15NO]

——— repeal Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program, H5371 [2AU]

Pennsylvania Special Olympics: tribute, H804 [28FE]

People Inc.: Amherst, NY, Chamber of Commerce Health and Health Services Award recipient, E1582 [28OC]

Prince William County, VA: tribute to Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center volunteers, E972 [26JN]

PRS, Inc.: anniversary, E1453 [8OC]

Samaritan’s Purse (organization): tribute to Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts, H7305 [20NO]

San Diego, CA: tribute to U.S. Tennis Association military tennis camp, E1055 [11JY]

Scranton, PA: tribute to St. Joseph’s Center, E977 [26JN]

Smith, Michael J.: Morgan’s Wonderland (theme park), San Antonio, TX, Walk of Fame honoree, E1369 [25SE]

Social Security: funding, H5786 [20SE]

——— provide that the waiting period for disability insurance benefits shall not apply to recovering servicemembers (H.R. 1488), H1932 [11AP]

——— reform, H2715 [16MY]

Sports: commend and support the U.S. delegation and the U.S. Deaf Sports Federation in their representation of the U.S. at the 2013 Summer Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria, E1061 [16JY]

——— commend and support the U.S. delegation and the U.S. Deaf Sports Federation in their representation of the U.S. at the 2013 Summer Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria (H. Res. 314), E1112 [22JY]

SSI: authorize extension to American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (H.R. 364), H183 [22JA]

Taxation: establish ABLE accounts to pay for qualified disability expenses of family members with disabilities (H.R. 647), H5077 [25JY]

Transportation Security Administration: provide expedited air passenger screening to severely injured or disabled Armed Forces members and veterans (H.R. 1344), H2819–H2825 [21MY], H7408 [3DE], E362 [21MR]

——— provide expedited air passenger screening to severely injured or disabled Armed Forces members and veterans (H.R. 1344), Senate amendment, H5376 [2AU]

U.S. Access Board: develop accessibility guidelines for electronic instructional materials and related information technologies in institutions of higher education (H.R. 3505), E1672 [15NO]

U.S. Power Soccer Association: tribute to U–18 USA Power Soccer Team, E1657 [14NO]

United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida: tribute to new campus, E683 [16MY]

Veterans: allow certain veterans with service-connected disabilities to travel on military aircraft, H3530 [13JN]

——— exclude certain pension payments from consideration as income relative to certain housing assistance (H.R. 1742), H6780–H6782 [28OC], E1591 [29OC]

——— extend to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury eligibility to participate in the family caregiver services program (H.R. 3383), H7013, H7014 [13NO]

Voting: modernize voter registration, promote access to voting for disabled individuals, and protect the right to vote (H.R. 12), E54 [23JA]

West, Spencer: anniversary of Mount Kilimanjaro ascent, E921 [19JN]

Remarks in Senate

AbilityOne Program: tribute, S7139 [2OC]

Americans With Disabilities Act: anniversary, S5956–S5958, S5963 [25JY]

Best Buddies International, Inc.: provide assistance to support expansion and development of mentoring programs (S. 475), S1230 [6MR]

Capitol Building and Grounds: authorizing use of Grounds for District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run (H. Con. Res. 44), S6082 [30JY]

CBO: use of chained consumer price index (CPI) to calculate the cost-of-living adjustments in benefits for Social Security, disabilities, and veterans, S2241, S2286, S2287 [22MR], S7415 [11OC]

Cincinnati, OH: tribute to Stepping Stones Center, S3368 [13MY]

Conservation of energy: allow disaster assistance recipients to upgrade damaged equipment and structures with energy-efficient products, S6430 [12SE]

Contracts: increase contracting goals for service-disabled veteran-owned small business and qualified HUBZone small businesses (S. 259), S525 [7FE]

Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities: ratify, S5603 [10JY], S5957 [25JY]

Dept. of Agriculture: provide homebound seniors and disabled persons access to grocery delivery through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, S3722 [22MY]

Dept. of Defense: award grants to fund research on orthotics and prosthetics (S. 521), S1596 [11MR]

Dept. of HUD: establish a pilot program to make grants to nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate and modify homes of disabled and low-income veterans (S. 1387), S6073 [30JY]

Dept. of Justice: improve Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, S8839 [16DE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: award grants to establish, or expand upon, master’s degree or doctoral degree programs in orthotics and prosthetics (S. 522), S1597 [11MR]

——— eliminate backlog of benefit claims and delays in receipt of medical care, S2838 [22AP]

——— impact of Government shutdown, S7314 [9OC]

——— improve assistance provided to women veterans, facilitate research on long-term reproductive health of veterans, and modify child care assistance for certain veterans (S. 131), S286 [24JA]

——— improve processing of claims for compensation (S. 928), S3337 [9MY]

——— protect benefits of disabled veterans by not enacting a chained consumer price index (CPI) to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for benefits, S2083 [21MR]

——— provide monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing for the Paralympic Team and assistance to U.S. Paralympics, Inc. (H.R. 1402), S8964 [18DE]

——— provide monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing for the Paralympic Team and assistance to U.S. Paralympics, Inc. (S. 695), S2566 [10AP]

Employment: clarify appropriate standards for Federal employment discrimination and retaliation claims (S. 1391), S6074–S6076 [30JY], S6103 [31JY]

Executive departments: require transparency in meeting Federal goals for contracting with small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans (S. 140), S1882 [18MR]

Government: prioritize obligations if the debt ceiling is reached by treating public debt payments, Social Security benefits, and Armed Forces allowances equally, S418–S420, S427 [31JA]

Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act: anniversary, S8839 [16DE]

Medicaid: extend rules regarding supplemental needs trusts for beneficiaries to trusts established by such beneficiaries (S. 1672), S7929 [7NO]

Medicare: ensure more timely access to home health services for beneficiaries (S. 1332), S5803 [18JY]

Mosaic (organization): anniversary (S. Res. 36), S790 [14FE]

Motion pictures: require captioning and video description at certain movie theaters (S. 555), S1791 [13MR]

National Aphasia Awareness Month: designate (S. Res. 168), S4432 [12JN]

National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day: designate (S. Res. 89), S2232 [21MR]

National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week: designate (S. Res. 208), S6138 [31JY]

National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day: support goals and ideals (S. Res. 106), S2904 [23AP]

National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month: designate (S. Res. 211), S6138 [31JY]

Panozzo, Mark: Northern Illinois Special Olympics Coach of the Year award recipient, S4574 [18JN]

Panozzo, Michele: Illinois and Northern Illinois Special Olympics Athlete of the Year award recipient, S4574 [18JN]

Public debt: prioritize obligations if the debt ceiling is reached by treating public debt payments, Social Security benefits, and Armed Forces allowances equally (S. 81), S226 [23JA], S299 [28JA]

Silver Star Service Banner Day: designate (S. Res. 121), S3060 [25AP]

Social Security: funding, S8626 [11DE]

——— history, S6489 [17SE]

Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act: reauthorize (S. 475), S1230 [6MR]

SSA: impact of Government shutdown, S7122 [2OC], S7162 [3OC]

Transportation Security Administration: provide expedited air passenger screening to severely injured or disabled Armed Forces members and veterans (H.R. 1344), S6257 [1AU]

Veterans: expand eligibility for concurrent receipt of military retired pay or combat-related compensation with service-connected disability benefits and eliminate phase-in period for such benefits (S. 234), S521 [7FE]

——— extend to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury eligibility to participate in the family caregiver services program (S. 851), S3042 [25AP], S8453 [21NO]

Reports filed

American Heroes COLA Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (House) (H.R. 570) (H. Rept. 113–62), H2773 [17MY]

Capitol Grounds Use for District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (House) (H. Con. Res. 44) (H. Rept. 113–163), H4856 [22JY]

Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 851) (S. Rept. 113–107), S6517 [17SE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Commission or Task Force Establishment To Evaluate the Backlog of Disability Claims: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (House) (H.R. 2189) (H. Rept. 113–236), H5921 [27SE]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation Evaluation Improvement for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Mental Health Conditions Related to Sexual Trauma: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (House) (H.R. 671) (H. Rept. 113–63), H2773 [17MY]

Tinnitus Research and Treatment Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (House) (H.R. 1443) (H. Rept. 113–247), H6673 [22OC]

Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 893) (S. Rept. 113–87), S6295 [9SE]

Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (Senate) (S. 131) (S. Rept. 113–106), S6517 [17SE]

Texts of

H. Con. Res. 44, Capitol Grounds use for District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run, H4837 [22JY]

H.R. 570, American Heroes COLA Act, H2815 [21MY]

H.R. 671, Dept. of Veterans Affairs’ disability compensation evaluation procedures for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma improvement, H3029 [4JN]

H.R. 1344, Helping Heroes Fly Act, H2819 [21MY], H5376 [2AU]

H.R. 1402, VA Expiring Authorities Extension Act, H7615 [10DE]

H.R. 1742, Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act, H6780 [28OC]

H.R. 2189, establish a commission or task force to evaluate the Dept. of Veterans Affairs backlog of disability claims, H6782–H6790 [28OC]

S. 234, Retired Pay Restoration Act, S521 [7FE]

S. 475, Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act reauthorization and Best Buddies International, Inc., assistance to support expansion and development of mentoring programs, S1230–S1232 [6MR]

S. 521, Wounded Warrior Research Enhancement Act, S1596 [11MR]

S. 522, Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act, S1597 [11MR]

S. 555, Captioning and Image Narration To Enhance Movie Accessibility (CINEMA) Act, S1792 [13MR]

S. 556, improve accessibility of entertainment programming provided by air carriers on passenger flights by making captioning and video description available for visually-displayed entertainment programming, S1792 [13MR]

S. 695, Veterans Paralympic Act, S2566 [10AP]

S. 851, Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act, S3042 [25AP]

S. 893, Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, S3259 [8MY], S7581 [28OC], H6971 [12NO]

S. 928, Claims Processing Improvement Act, S3338–S3341 [9MY]

S. 1391, Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act, S6076 [30JY]

S. 1694, Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act, S8006 [13NO]

S. 1864, require an Air Force demonstration program on the accession as officers of candidates with auditory impairments, S9062 [19DE]

S. Con. Res. 26, recognize need to improve physical access to many U.S. postal facilities and other Federal agencies for all people and in particular disabled citizens, S8466 [21NO]

S. Res. 36, Mosaic (organization) anniversary, S787 [14FE]

S. Res. 89, National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day, S2163 [21MR]

S. Res. 106, support goals and ideals of National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day, S2902 [23AP]

S. Res. 121, Silver Star Service Banner Day, S3048 [25AP]

S. Res. 128, expand and support strong home care workforce and make long-term services and supports affordable and accessible for seniors and individuals with disabilities, S3096 [6MY]

S. Res. 168, National Aphasia Awareness Month, S4409 [12JN]

S. Res. 208, National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, S6132 [31JY]

S. Res. 211, National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, S6133 [31JY]

S. Res. 270, support goals and ideals of World Polio Day, S7537 [16OC]

S. Res. 289, discourage ambush marketing by entities that adversely effect the ability of Olympic Team USA to attract sponsorships, S7930 [7NO]

S. Res. 315, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate) release of records on review of disability claims adjudications made in the SSA Huntington, WV, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, S8604 [10DE]