1/24/2010
NCHV Legislative Priorities - Closing Out the First Session
As the first session of the 111th Congress comes to a close, several homeless veteran assistance bills are still moving forward. NCHV has testified in the Senate as recently as Nov. 10 and has continued to work with Congressional staffs throughout December in order to improve existing House bills.
With the second session less than a month away and no further hearings currently scheduled, this is an excellent time to consider bills with complementary provisions.
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)’s Zero Tolerance Act (S. 1547), in particular, shares many of the same provisions as four major House bills, which, if combined, could serve as a companion to the Senate bill. His bill now has 17 cosponsors, up from 12 just two months ago.
It is critical that, as our Congressional representatives return from winter recess, they are reminded of these initiatives. NCHV asks that all member organizations write to their senators urging them to cosponsor the Homes for Heroes Act of 2009 (S. 1160). You can quickly learn how to prepare your letter here, or call the NCHV Central Office at 202-546-1969 for advice and assistance.
Recap of Seven Major Bills
There are three major Senate bills pertaining to homeless veterans, each of which has been propelled, in part, by NCHV’s testimony:
S. 1160 - Homes for Heroes Act of 2009
Introduced by: Charles Schumer (D-NY)
S. 1237 - Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Act of 2009
Introduced by: Patty Murray (D-WA)
S. 1547 - Zero Tolerance for Veterans Homelessness Act of 2009
Introduced by: Jack Reed (D-RI)
There are four major House bills that are steadily accruing cosponsors and may be bundled into one homeless veteran assistance bill in the second session:
H.R. 2504 - "…to provide for an increase in the annual amount authorized… to carry out comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans”
Introduced by: Harry Teague (D-NM)
H.R. 2559 - Help Our Homeless Veterans Act
Introduced by: Phil Hare (D-IL)
H.R. 2735 - "… to make certain improvements to the comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans”
Introduced by: Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX)
H.R. 3906 – “… to authorize appropriations for the VA program to provide financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing”
Introduced by: Harry Teague (D-NM)