2019-2020 Legislative Program: A few things ~ First, you will receive points for All-State only. One (1) point will be awarded each month a Post submits a legislative report or response letter with your monthly Community Activity report. ➤ Please send to both Comrade Director Bob Lutz via activity@vfwmi.org. and please send a copy of your legislative activity only via leg@vfwmi.org.
Second, please note, Attending other Veterans groups meetings counts as Legislative (and others).
See the All-State Guide via Activity Evaluation, which is also on this site under 'Programs.' See:
https://vfwmi.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=8877
VFW
Action Corp Weekly – 03 April 2020
COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments and Small Business Assistance: "Veterans are not alone
in facing economic hardship during the COVID-19 outbreak, and thankfully there
is relief coming. Veteran-run small businesses and VFW Posts will be eligible
for some economic relief for employees of these businesses through the Small
Business Administration. Additionally, veterans and survivors who do not file
taxes because they rely on VA benefits are eligible for the economic stimulus
checks due in a few weeks. However, there is uncertainty on whether such
individuals will need to submit information to the IRS before being able to
receive the stimulus checks.” See
also: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Security (CARES) Act (the "Act”), Became Public Law No: 116-136 on 27
March 2020.
Per IRS website: "Here is what you need
to know about your Economic Impact Payment. For most taxpayers, payments are
automatic, and no further action is needed. This includes taxpayers who filed
tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and most seniors and retirees.
Who
is eligible?
U.S. residents will receive the Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 for individual or head of household filers, and $2,400 for married filing jointly if they are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a work eligible Social Security number with adjusted gross income up to:
$75,000 for individuals
$112,500 for head of household filers and
$150,000 for married couples filing joint returns
Taxpayers will receive a reduced payment if their AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) is
between:
$75,000 and $99,000 if their filing status was single or married filing separately
112,500 and $136,500 for head of household
$150,000 and $198,000 if their filing status was married filing jointly
The amount of the reduced payment will be based upon the taxpayers specific adjusted gross income.
Eligible retirees and recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement, disability or veterans' benefits as well as taxpayers who do not make enough money to normally have to file a tax return will receive a payment. This also includes those who have no income, as well as those whose income comes entirely from certain benefit programs, such as Supplemental Security Income benefits.
Retirees who receive either Social Security retirement or Railroad Retirement benefits will also receive payments automatically. Retrieved on 09 April, 2020 via: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.
VA
to Rescind Decades-Long Claims Review Policy: "…VA announced, in a memorandum, that it will
rescind its policy of permitting accredited service officers to review claim
decisions within 48-hours prior to formal promulgation of ratings. VA stated
that this policy change is due to a lawsuit it faces from an attorney who was
denied access to the 48-hour review process. Unlike veteran service officers
(VSOs), attorneys are not permitted to review claims decisions within the
48-hours preceding promulgation. VA also stated that 48-hour review policy is
no longer necessary due to the efficient system of filing and appealing claims
made possible by the Appeals Modernization Act. During the 48-hour review
period, VSOs inspect claims for accuracy to ensure that all claims were
properly evaluated and are free from error prior to a veteran receiving notification
of a ratings decision. The VFW strongly opposes this policy change as this
decision will invariably cause harm to veterans who file claims for disability
benefits.” Please contact your federal representatives.
Senators
Seek Funding for Veterans Using FMP: "Last week, Senate offices sent a letter to
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie requesting that he use funds from
the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Emergency Response (CARES) Act to cover the costs of COVID-19 testing and
treatment for veterans eligible for the VA’s
Foreign Medical Program (FMP) with the assumption that COVID-19 could
aggravate all service-connected disabilities.” Please support this effort. Note: "VA relies on FMP to provide services
at the Manila Outpatient Clinic in the Philippines, as well as to the thousands
of Veterans who use the program throughout the world. In Fiscal Year 2019, more
than 5,000 Veterans utilized FMP in over 90 countries ranging from Afghanistan
to the United Kingdom.”
VFW Supported Federal Bills (February 2020). See for complete list: https://votervoice.net/VFW/bills
Please support:
The Retired Pay Restoration Act (HR 303; 2019): "Military retirees who have a service-connected disability rating below 50 percent have their retirement pay reduced, dollar for dollar, by the amount of disability compensation they receive. This demeaning tax, created by Congress to save money, forces those who have dedicated their careers to military service to make do without benefits they need to provide for their families.” Please contact your federal Representatives to support this bill.
Burn Pits
Accountability Act (2019): H.R. 663 and S. 191 ~ Would improve how DOD tracks, treats, and prevents the
harmful impact of burn pits in GWOT and Persian Gulf War veterans. Also
support: HR 4137 (2019).
Senate
Advances VFW-Supported Mental Health Bill: "[T]he Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
held a markup to discuss and advance the VFW-supported S.785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care
Improvement Act of 2019, which would improve VA mental health care programs and
services for veterans. The bill would also establish two grant programs, one to
enable non-government entities to provide supportive mental health care services
and another to expand telehealth programs such as Project ATLAS. The committee
also advanced legislation to improve health care for women veterans, expand
transportation grants for veterans who live in rural areas, expand veterans
preference for reserve component members, and confirm Judge Grant Jaquith to
the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The bills and Judge Jaquith’s
nomination now await consideration by the full Senate.
National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission Discusses GWOT Memorial: "…VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Matt Doyle attended a meeting to discuss the placement of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial. At the meeting, the National Capitol Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC) discussed VFW-supported H.R. 5046, the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act. This important legislation would authorize the GWOT Memorial to be placed within the Reserve, an area in Washington, D.C., that encompasses the National Mall and the Tidal Basin. Under the Commemorative Works Act, only Congress may authorize the placement of a memorial within the Reserve. The NCMAC considered whether the GWOT Memorial should be placed at any of the sites specified in the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act and the potential impact of placing additional monuments and memorials within the Reserve.” Please support this bill.
Helpful Links:
VFW Legislative Priorities (including VFW Priority Goals):
https://www.vfw.org/advocacy/national-legislative-service
VFW Action Corps Weekly: https://www.vfw.org/actioncorpsweekly
State
of Michigan Senators, Representatives, and Bills: www.michiganlegislature.org
House Clerk Phone: 517-373-0135
Secretary of the Senate Phone: 517-373-2400
Federal Bills: https://www.congress.gov//
U.S. Senators: www.senate.gov
U.S. Representatives: www.house.gov
Jennifer L. Smith, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Dept. of MI Legislative Director
420 W. Kilborn Street
Email: