New Veterans' Benefits Package Passes the House

The Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010 (H.R. 3219) recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives. House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) announced in a press release, "H.R. 3219 is the result of numerous productive hearings and markups, meaningful oversight and bi-partisan compromise -- all to ensure that those who were willing to lay down their lives for our country and their families and survivors, receive meaningful, world-class, 21st Century benefits."

Introduced in the Senate by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010 will modernize and upgrade veterans benefits. "I commend my colleagues for supporting this bill to upgrade the benefits that veterans have earned through their honorable service," said Senator Akaka in a press release, "I look forward to President Obama signing this important measure into law."

Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010: What Does it Enhance?

The Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010 enhances benefits in several areas, including:

• Employment opportunities
• Preventing homeless veterans
• Compensation, pension, and other benefits
• Protecting servicemembers called to combat
• Honoring fallen servicemembers and their families
• Improving education benefits
• Providing funding in research for Gulf War veterans

Overview of Specific Veterans Benefits Changes

Some of the central updates include:

Expanding VA work-study program. The bill reauthorizes the VA work-study program and expands the type of work available to participating veterans. Veterans can complete their work study in state veteran agencies, congressional offices, as well as any position that works in a joint endeavor between an institution of higher learning and the VA.

Creating job opportunities in the energy sector. The bill creates job opportunities for veterans in the energy sector by reimbursing energy employers for providing on-the-job training to veterans. The bill will create a pilot program called the "Veterans Energy Related Employment Program" which awards competitive grants to three states.

New veterans compensation. The bill increases automobile allowances for disabled veterans by $7,900, from $11,000 to $18,000. The bill also increases the number of veterans eligible to receive independent assisted living services.

Strengthens education benefits. The bill also includes provisions to strengthen education benefits for veterans. Specifically, H.R. 3219 extends the life of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education. This committee offers recommendations (both short- and long-term) for ways to improve educational benefits for veterans.

Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick (D-NM) discussed the need for this committee, "The new GI Bill marks a great victory for our Veterans, but passing that legislation is just part of repaying the debt we owe them. The next step is ensuring that these benefits work for our Veterans, and this committee is a valuable tool in that effort."

The bill now heads to the White House for President Obama's consideration.

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