Legislative Initiatives
The DAV is achieving more with our initiatives than ever before, and we are very proud of the progress we continue to make. Below are some of the most recent bills we are working on to help veterans. To stay informed and take action to support federal legislation and policies affecting veterans, their families and survivors, please join DAV CAN (Commander’s Action Network) by clicking on the link below. As a DAV CAN member, you will get regular updates on important laws and regulations moving through Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Join other DAV members and supporters in advocating for better health care and benefits for veterans, particularly those injured and made ill during their service.
Click here to join the Commanders Action Network and have a voice to support legislation
H.R. 1799, the EMPLOY VETS Act
Please join DAV in our support of H.R. 1799, the Ensure Military Personnel Learn Opportunities Yielding Vocations that Employ Transitioning Servicemembers Act, or the EMPLOY VETS Act.
About 250,000 service members transition to civilian life each year. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to help prepare for the move from military to civilian life.
The transition from military service to civilian life can be very difficult for many veterans who must overcome obstacles to successful employment. The EMPLOY VETS Act would expand the definition of eligible veterans for VA job counseling, training and placement services for veterans by adding those service members who are eligible for TAP.
H.R. 236, Designate a week as "Battle Buddy Check Week"
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made the prevention of suicide among veterans one of its highest priorities and developed data models to continually monitor, improve and tailor suicide prevention strategies and initiatives for veterans. Recently, VA simplified the Veterans Crisis Line number of 988, launched the S.A.V.E. Suicide prevention training video, and began offering emergency care and treatment at VA and non-VA facilities for veterans in acute suicidal crisis.
H.R. 236 would require the VA to designate one week per year as “Battle Buddy Check Week” for the purposes of organizing outreach events and educating veterans on how to conduct mental health wellness checks.
DAV strongly supports H.R. 236, legislation consistent with DAV Resolution No. 059, which calls for mental health program improvements and outreach to transitioning service members to reduce veteran suicides.
We call on DAV members and supporters to use the prepared email to contact their representatives and urge them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 236. Thank you for all you do for America's veterans and their families.
H.R. 333, the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act
On January 12, 2023, Rep. Sanford Bishop (Ga.) introduced H.R. 333, the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act.
This bill would permit retired members of the Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rated 40% and below to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation. The bill would also make permanent the eligibility for concurrent receipt for Chapter 61 disability retirees who retired with less than 20 years of service.
DAV supports H.R. 333, as it would end the unfair policy of requiring certain military retirees to forfeit some of their retired pay in order to receive equal amounts of disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs or, in the case of Chapter 61 retirees, having them choose between the two benefits. This legislation is in accordance with DAV Resolution No. 092 and would eliminate the bar to concurrent receipt of these benefits for all retirees.
Please use the prepared letter or draft your own to urge your representative to support and cosponsor H.R. 333. As always, we appreciate your support for DAV and thank you for participating in the Commander’s Action Network.