Senate Overwhelmingly Approves Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act
Press Release
Senate Overwhelmingly Approves Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act
Legislation includes Cornyn's provisions to enhance benefits for veterans, wounded warriors, military families
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of the Armed Services Committee, joined Senate colleagues Thursday in overwhelmingly approving legislation to provide increased benefits for veterans and wounded warriors. The Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008, S. 1315, which passed by a vote of 96-1, includes provisions authored by Sen. Cornyn to improve benefits for veterans, wounded warriors and military families.
"This bill enhances and supplements important benefits that our veterans have earned and deserve," Sen. Cornyn said. "Provisions in the bill will improve the quality of life for veterans, wounded warriors and their families by enhancing life insurance coverage and housing grants and extending G.I. Bill benefits. We have a solemn obligation to take care of our veterans and wounded warriors, so I'm encouraged we passed this legislation to provide this much-needed assistance."
Also included in the Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008 are provisions by Sen. Cornyn to increase housing benefits for veterans. It makes family members eligible for housing grants if they are caring for a wounded warrior, ensures burn victims are eligible for housing grants, and increases housing grants for disabled active duty troops and veterans. The amendment was also added to the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008, which passed the Senate earlier this month.
Details on Sen. Cornyn's provisions to enhance housing benefits for our veterans:
* Cuts red tape by allowing disabled active duty military personnel to get housing benefits before they "officially" retire from active duty.
* Makes family members eligible for housing grants if they are caring for wounded warriors.
* Ensures that burn victims are eligible for housing grants.
* Increases the amounts of the housing grants for disabled active duty and veterans.
Among other provisions, the Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008:
* Establishes a new life insurance program providing up to $50,000 in level premium term life insurance coverage.
* Enhances veterans' mortgage life insurance coverage so that veterans who do not qualify for mortgage life insurance for reasons of certain disabilities will be entitled to such insurance in case of death.
* Extends existing G.I. Bill benefits for those participating in apprenticeship or on-the-job-training, which are otherwise due to sunset this year.
* Provides supplemental benefits for veterans for funeral and burial expenses and supplemental plot allowances.
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