National Legislation supported by VFW 05-09-24
H.R.41 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)
Introduced in House (01/09/2023) By Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4
VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023 (65 Cosponsors, None of ours) in House Vets affairs Committee.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the scheduling for the appointment occurs during that telephone call.
H.R.303 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)
Introduced in House (01/11/2023) Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Retired Pay Restoration Act (6 Cosponsors, None of ours) in House Vets Affairs Committee
This bill allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability. Under current law, only individuals with service-connected disabilities rated at 50% or more receive both without offset.
Individuals who were retired or separated after at least 20 years of military service due to a service-connected disability shall be eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay.
*H.R.1282 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)
Introduced in House (03/01/2023) Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Major Richard Star Act (326 Cosponsors, Rep. Cicilline) Motion to place on House Consent Calendar, 5-31-23.
This bill provides that combat-disabled uniformed services retirees with fewer than 20 years of creditable service may concurrently receive, without reduction, veterans' disability compensation and retired pay or combat-related special compensation.
*S.344 --- 118th Congress (2023-2024)
Introduced in Senate (02/09/2023) Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT
Major Richard Star Act (73 Cosponsors, Sen. Whitehouse) in Senate Armed Services Committee.
This bill provides that combat-disabled uniformed services retirees with fewer than 20 years of creditable service may concurrently receive, without reduction, veterans' disability compensation and retired pay or combat-related special compensation.
H.R.333 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)
Introduced in House (01/12/2023) Rep. Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]
Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act (13 Cosponsors, None of ours) in Senate Vets Affairs Committee
This bill modifies provisions related to military retired pay. Specifically, the bill authorizes veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 50% to concurrently receive both retired pay and disability compensation. The bill also makes qualified disability retirees with less than 20 years of retirement-creditable service eligible for concurrent receipt, subject to specified reductions in retired pay.
#H.R.1139 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)
Introduced in House (02/21/2023) Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act (180 Cosponsors, Both of ours) in House Vets Affairs Committee
This bill imposes fines on individuals for soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine.
#S.740 --- 118th Congress (2023-2024)
Introduced in Senate (03/09/2023) Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act (41 Cosponsors, Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse) in Senate Vets Affairs Committee
This bill imposes fines on individuals for soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine.
John P. Gallo Sr. Chairman, Legislation Committee
