Ocean County American Legion Legislative Notes 4/26/24 Update
FEDERAL
GRASSROOTS ACTION UPDATES
This week, we are asking Legionnaires to contact their elected representatives to fight back against predatory Claims Sharks! The American Legion wants the return of criminal penalties enforced against these non-accredited violators Go to the Action Center to quickly email a letter of support to your member of Congress. Have you had a recent meeting or phone call with your member of Congress? Report your contact today! Click here to register your Congressional contact and demonstrate the power of The American Legion advocacy in action. The American Legion’s legislative agenda for the 2nd Session of the 118th Congress. To review our priorities, you can check out our Advocacy Toolkit.
DEMOCRATS HELP ADVANCE FOREIGN AID BILLS
The House Rules Committee late Thursday night advanced a package of foreign aid bills — but only with help from Democrats who, in a rare move, supported the procedural vote amid opposition from a trio of hard-line Republicans. The panel voted 9-3 to adopt the rule, which governs debate for the legislation, with Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) opposing the effort. The successful vote allows the full House to vote on the rule and open debate on three foreign aid bills — sending assistance to Israel, Ukraine and allies in the Indo-Pacific — plus a fourth that includes other national security priorities, such as a TikTok ban.
FY25 Budget Request for the VA
On April 11th, the House Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing to consider the Administration’s FY25 budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As usual, that request included FY26 advanced funding numbers, as well. Secretary Denis McDonough was the witness. For FY25, the VA’s total request is $369.3 billion. This includes both mandatory and discretionary funding, as well as collections and the Recurring Expenses Transformational Fund (RETF). This is a $32.9 billion, or 9.8%, increase above the previous year. The discretionary request is $134 billion, with $4.4 billion from medical care collections and $307 million from the RETF. That is an $8.9 billion, or 6.2%, decrease. The mandatory request is $235.3 billion, with $24.5 billion from the Toxic Exposures Fund (TEF). This represents an increase of $41.8 billion, or 21.6%, above FY24. The decrease in discretionary spending comes from the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) caps. Regardless, the VA says this amount will fully fund care and benefits for all 9.1 million enrolled Veterans. The FY26 advanced medical care funding request includes $131.4 billion in discretionary funding and $22.8 billion in mandatory TEF funding. The rest of the FY26 advanced funding request is $222.2 billion to fund Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) program.
Active Bills Since Last Report
H.R.3935 — 118th Congress (2023-2024) Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation ActSponsor:Graves, Sam [Rep.-R-MO-6] (Introduced 06/09/2023) Cosponsors: (3) Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Reports:H. Rept. 118-138, H. Rept. 118-147Committee Print:H.Prt. 118-11Latest Action: Senate - 04/23/2024 Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S2943)
H.Res.1160 — 118th Congress (2023-2024) Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8034) making emergency supplemental appropriations to respond to the situation in Israel and for related expenses for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8035) making emergency supplemental appropriations to respond to the situation in Ukraine and for related expenses for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8036) making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the Indo-Pacific region and for related expenses for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8038) to authorize the President to impose certain sanctions with respect to Russia and Iran, and for other purposes; and providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 815, with an amendment. Sponsor:Burgess, Michael C. [Rep.-R-TX-26] (Introduced 04/19/2024) Cosponsors: (0) Committees: House – Rules Committee Report:H. Rept. 118-466Latest Action: House - 04/19/2024 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
For details of the Federal Bills go to: Congress.gov
NEW JERSEY
Active Bills Since Last Report
The following NJ Bills have been introduced. A3143 Removing requirement of service during specified dates or in specified locations, thereby broadening eligibility for certain veterans' benefits. A4298 Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DCA for NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce for veteran economic development and outreach and skills development. A4348/S1908 Authorizes "100 percent Disabled Veteran" license plates for qualified veterans; entitles holders to handicapped parking privileges. A4351/S1341 Requires EDA to provide loans through small business loan program at lower interest rates, with more flexible repayment terms if issued to small businesses owned or controlled by certain veterans, and prohibit certain fees. A3180/S3167 Requires Veterans' Memorial Homes to develop and maintain emergency preparedness and response plans. A4187/S3168 Requires DMVA establish veterans memorial home emergency hotline. A4179/S3169 Increases regulation of State veterans' memorial homes. A3175/S3188 Makes supplemental appropriation of $500,000 to DMVA for New Jersey SOS Veterans Stakeholders Group. A4180/S3167 Requires Veterans' Memorial Homes to develop and maintain emergency preparedness and response plans. A4181 Requires establishment of minimum staff-to-resident ratios in veterans' memorial homes. A4183 Establishes program for recruitment, training, and retention of health care professionals in veterans memorial homes; appropriates $370,000. A4184 Establishes program within veterans' memorial homes to provide support to families of residents. A4185 Establishes counseling program for eligible family members of active-duty military members and disabled veterans. A4186 Creates Veterans' Memorial Homes Oversight Board. A4187/S3168 Requires DMVA establish veterans memorial home emergency hotline. A3169/S3084 Allows property tax rebate for disabled veterans. A2714/S3030 Establishes "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program." A699/S3031 Removes principal place of business requirement of "Set-Aside Act for Disabled Veterans' Businesses SR88 Urges Congress to expand Veterans Affairs education benefits to include veterans who received general discharge under honorable conditions. A4106 Requires DMVA establish Disabled Veterans Transportation Task Force. A4108 Requires DOLWD to apply smart labor force data to direct veterans to in-demand fields. A4156/S1859 Requires clinic connected with dental school at public institution of higher education to give priority to 100 percent disabled veterans. ACR129/SCR90 Proposes constitutional amendment to permit Legislature to extend eligibility to receive veterans' property tax deduction to surviving spouse of nonresident veteran in certain circumstances.