Veterans Bills Pass the House: Last week, the House unanimously passed three veterans bills: H.R. 6168, Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020, S.3414, Major Medical Facility Authorization Act of 2020, and S. 3084, to modify the limitation on pay for certain high-level employees and officers of VA. The VFW is grateful that veteran issues are not pushed to the back burner during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are encouraged to see our supporters in the House working in a bipartisan way to benefit veterans.
National Guard COVID-19 Pandemic Deployment Extended: The Trump administration is extending the federal deployment of over 40,000 National Guard troops aiding COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts, reversing plans for an earlier cutoff following bipartisan backlash and pressure from top defense officials. The federal government will now keep funding Guard troops through mid-August. The administration was previously planning to terminate the deployment on June 24—one day before thousands of Guard members would have qualified for key retirement and education benefits.
Red Cross Partner Amazon Giving $5 Gift Cards for Blood Donation: The American Red Cross partner Amazon, is providing $5 Amazon gift cards for anyone who donated blood, platelets, or AB Elite plasma from June 1 to 30, 2020. The Red Cross strongly urges healthy, eligible individuals who are feeling well to give blood or platelets to help maintain a sufficient blood supply for those battling COVID-19, other infections, and trauma victims. Please make an appointment to donate blood now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1 800 RED CROSS (1 800 733-2767)
VA Expands Digital Capabilities of Veterans Memorial: The VA National Cemetery Administration has enhanced and expanded capabilities on the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) website to allow for family, friends, and visitors to leave “Tributes” or comments on a veteran’s memorial page. The VLM website is the Nation’s first digital platform dedicated entirely to the preservation of the memory of the 3.7 million veterans interred in VA national cemeteries. “Online memorialization becomes more prominent these days, allowing people to remotely honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” said VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves. “The increases capabilities of VLM are In place at a critical time to ensure “No Veteran Ever Dies” by telling their stories to a large audience through an enhanced digital platform. In addition, VLM allows people to express their appreciation and gratitude for the dedicated service of our national heroes.
VFW Testifies at DAMA Subcommittee Virtual Forum: Last Wednesday, VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Matthew Doyle testified at a virtual forum hosted by the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. The purpose of the forum was to discuss compensation and pension examinations and other issues facing veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the forum, Doyle stated “Numerous veterans have lost access to employer-sponsored health care during the crisis due to layoffs. Veteran unemployment is currently near 12 percent and rising. For this reason, the VFW recommends that VA temporarily expedite or ‘flash’ the adjudication of disability claims for veterans who are not yet eligible for VA health care and who have lost access to their private health care during the crisis.” The VFW thanks Chairwoman Elaine Lauria (D-VA) and Ranking Member Mike Bost (R-IL) for hosting the virtual forum, and for their efforts to protect veterans’ disability benefits.
Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs’ Chairman Pens Letter to Veterans: Last week, Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) wrote a letter to America’s veterans thanking them for their courage, commitment, and sacrifice. He also calls on veterans to share their stories, continue serving those around you, and reach out to fellow veterans during this unprecedented time to check-in. The VFW appreciates the chairman’s commitment and looks forward to working with him to fulfill our promise to take care of our service members, veterans, and their families.
HVAC Chairman Concerned for the safety of VA employees: House Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA), along with the subcommittee chairs sent a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie regarding telework policies and paid sick leave. Concerns over employees’ safety and health came after several VA employees expressed they were unfairly denied paid sick leave while they quarantined and recovered from the virus. The letter also outlined a request for information on Policies and implementation for both telework and paid leave.
