Senate passes bundle of veterans benefits

[unhappycamper]

Senate passes bundle of veterans benefits
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Sep 19, 2008 12:40:44 EDT

After months of delay, the Senate passed an omnibus veterans’ benefits bill Tuesday night that includes bigger benefits for veterans and their families, expanded home loans and a variety of other programs.

The bill, S 3023, had passed the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee in June but lingered in limbo because of disputes over dozens of details. With congressional leaders aiming to end this legislative session of Congress as early as next week, passage of the Senate bill was essential for any hope of passing a compromise bill in conjunction with the House this year.

The Senate passed the bill by voice vote and with no debate.

Sens. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, chairman of the veterans’ committee, and Richard Burr of North Carolina, the committee’s ranking Republican, said the bill passed by the Senate includes a host of compromises.

Akaka said one key provision would order VA to simplify what it tells veterans when it denies benefits claims or asks for more information.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/09/military_senatepasses_veteransbill_091708w/%2e