Congressman Tim Walz’ Email Newsletter

"U.S. House"

05/24/2007

May 24, 2007

Dear Friends,

The past few weeks have seen a flurry of veterans' issues come before the Congress. Reports of substandard conditions at Walter Reed brought veterans' issues to the public's attention and started an important discussion about how Congress can improve care for our nation's veterans.

It is an honor to serve on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and have the opportunity to speak on behalf of southern Minnesotan veterans. Recently, I have worked with my colleagues on the Veterans' Affairs Committee to pass a number of important initiatives:

1.) I introduced the Walz Traumatic Brain Injury Centers Act. This legislation directs the Department of Veterans' Affairs to build up to five Traumatic Brain Injury Centers that would conduct research on treatment and clinical best practices for Traumatic Brain Injury. This bill was incorporated into a larger bill and passed out of the Veterans' Affairs Committee on May 15, 2007. Read more here.

2.) I introduced the Walz Amendment to the FY 2008 Defense Authorization bill that requires the Department of Defense to collect important information about the federal tuition assistance program. I introduced this legislation after hearing from service members who thought they were eligible to receive tuition benefits from their service in our Armed Forces, only to find that there was no funding available. This amendment will give Congress the data necessary to improve the program and provide more educational assistance to our service members and veterans. The amendment passed the House of Representatives on May 17, 2007. Find out more here.

3.) I co-sponsored H.R. 2005, the Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, which directs the Department of Veterans' Affairs to research ways to improve rural VA healthcare and to increase the gas reimbursement rate for veterans traveling long distances to VA clinics.

4.) I co-sponsored H.R. 67, the Veterans Outreach Improvement Act of 2007. This bill would provide grants to state and local governments to work with VA to reach out to veterans and fully explain VA benefits. Often veterans do not know the details of every benefit for which they are eligible-this bill would make sure they have a helping hand as they navigate the VA system.

5.) I co-sponsored H.R. 333, the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act. This bill would allow disabled veterans to fully receive disability benefits and retirement pay, eliminating the so-called Disabled Veterans Tax and enabling veterans to receive the benefits they have earned.

6.) I and several of my House colleagues sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans' Affairs Nicholson regarding the large bonuses he gave to high-ranking VA staff last year. The official who is responsible for VA's 600,000 disability claims backlog received a $33,000 bonus. That is simply an unacceptable use of taxpayer money and this letter asks Secretary Nicholson to explain these bonuses. Additionally, I have co-sponsored legislation with my colleague, Congressman John Hall, that would freeze VA bonuses for top officials this year until the VA's claims backlog is reduced. You can read the letter here.

It is an honor to serve in Congress and work to improve care and benefits for veterans across southern Minnesota. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact my office at the phone numbers and addresses listed above.

Sincerely,

Tim Walz