7-15-16 VFW Reports: Flurry of Activity as Congress Leaves for Long Recess

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Flurry of Activity as Congress Leaves for Long Recess
RE: The Veterans of Foreign Wars www.friendsoffreedom@vfw.org

Flurry of Activity as Congress Leaves for Long Recess
This week, Congress advanced a number of veterans’ bills before leaving town for a seven-week break. Congress passed H.R. 5588, the Veterans’ Compensation COLA Act of 2016, which authorizes a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for veteran benefits tied to COLA increases for Social Security. The Social Security Administration typically announces COLA changes in October. Congress also passed S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, which aims to address the abuse of opioids throughout the country. S. 524 includes a number of provisions to curb the use of opioids to treat veterans with chronic pain and mental health conditions. It will also establish an Office of Patient Advocacy, which will oversee local medical facility patient advocates to ensure they fulfill their duties. Both bills await the president’s signature.

The Senate also passed S. 1555, the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015, which recognizes Filipino veterans for their support of the United States Armed Forces during World War II. However, the Senate failed to act on S. 2921, the Veterans First Act, which would expand caregiver benefits to veterans of all eras, increase accountability of VA employees, and make needed improvements to the Choice Program. The Veterans First Act, which the VFW supports, failed to pass due to a disagreement on how to offset the cost of the bill.