HAPPY NEW YEAR
LEGISLATION THAT AFFECT VETERANS
The Deborah Sampson Act (1/5/2021)
The Act aims to make invisible women veterans visible and to create equitable access to healthcare, housing, legal services, and other resources and benefits. The summary of the bill can be found at: https://shulkinblog.com
Deborah Sampson was a Massachusetts woman who disguised herself as a man in order to serve in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. She is one of a small number of women with a documented record of military combat experience in that war. She served 17 months in the army under the name “Robert Shirtleiff” of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, was wounded in 1782, and was honorably discharged at West Point, New York, in 1783.
National Defense Authorization Act (1/1/2021)
Homeless Veterans Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (1/5/2021)
This bill addresses the administration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits for homeless veterans during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Details can be accessed at: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7105?q=%7B"search"%3A%5B"hr7105"%5D%7D&s=2&r=1
S.2950 - Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2020 is on the calendar to amend title 38, United States Code, to concede exposure to airborne hazards and toxins from burn pits under certain circumstances, and for other purposes. DETAILS
NEW BENEFITS
Starting Oct 2, 2020 veterans from World War II, the Korean and Vietnam War eras whose injuries or illnesses occurred on or before May 7, 1975, are eligible for VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), marking a significant victory for disabled veterans and their caregivers who have waited decades for these support services. Visit www.caregiver.va.gov to find eligibility criteria and application information.
ACTION ALERT
Tell your members, Senators, Representative to support Buddy Check Week!
KEEP CURRENT
117TH US CONGRESS
Representative Greg Walden ended his 22 years in Congress last November. He was easy to contact and followed up on legislative concerns of our members. in 2019 Representative Walden and the Consule General for the Republic of South Korea came to Warm Springs to honor local Korean War Veterans for their distinguished service and sacxrifice.
Walden is replaced by Cliff Bentz, who took his oath of office January 5, 2021. Cliff Bentz is a third generation Oregonian, rancher, businessman, attorney, and a former state legislator. The district includes all or part of 20 counties across northern, eastern, central, and southern Oregon. Committee selection have not been announced yet.
For confidentiality, this survey is on paper and will not be available electronically.
Please mail completed survey to:
ALA Survey
PO Box 1296
Warm Springs, OR 97761
