The President has released his 2015 budget request for VA. The request calls for a 3 percent increase over 2014 in overall discretionary and mandatory spending. Specifically, the President is asking for $163.9 billion for VA ($68.4 billion for [...]
On Thursday, February 27, VetsFirst testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity regarding the effectiveness of VA's Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) program. At the hearing, VetsFirst's Heather Ansley testified about our concern with VR&E's ability [...]
This week, the Senate failed to move forward in its consideration of the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act (S.1982). This legislation includes numerous provisions that if passed would improve the benefits and services [...]
The Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014 (S.1982) is headed to the Senate Floor. VetsFirst believes this legislation goes a long way toward fulfilling many of the current and future needs of [...]
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to strengthen veterans education benefits by passing the G.I. Bill Tuition Fairness Act (H.R. 357). VetsFirst supports this legislation which would provide in-state tuition rates for veterans seeking to attend public colleges [...]
I was genuinely surprised when I read a news item on the Internet last September about the high percentage of American troops who have received spinal injuries in Iraq or Afghanistan. This WebMD HealthDay Reporter story indicated that one [...]
VetsFirst supports the recent launch of an education complaint system that will allow veterans the opportunity to hold post-secondary schools accountable. Veterans receive many benefits after their military service through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including education benefits. [...]
VetsFirst believes that veterans must have access to high-quality Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits. Fiscal fights in Congress were a recurring scene in 2013. By the end of the year, concerns over our nation’s debt [...]
Last year passed without significant congressional action on any major veterans' issues. In 2014, that may change. Fiscal fights in Congress were a recurring scene in 2013. By the end of the year, concerns over our nation’s debt extended to [...]
Congress passed a $1.2 trillion omnibus appropriations bill last week which will fund the government through the beginning of October 2014. The budget provides additional funding in some areas of veterans’ services; however, it also contains funding shortfalls. In general, leading [...]