Boozman commemorates 80th Anniversary of Landmark GI Bill

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, is commemorating the 80th anniversary of the GI Bill with the introduction of a Senate resolution celebrating the impact of the policy on the lives of veterans and their families.  

“The GI Bill is a significant investment in our servicemembers. This landmark law has delivered benefits to veterans and their families for 80 years to help their transition to civilian life. It serves as an important aspect of honoring the commitment we made to the men and women who wear our nation’s uniform and I’m pleased to continue advocating for improvements to expand the education opportunities they have earned,” Boozman said.

Signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 22, 1944, the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, commonly referred to as the GI Bill, provided returning World War II veterans with a wide array of educational and housing benefits to ease their transition back to civilian life. This resolution specifically celebrates the transformative role the GI Bill has played, and highlights subsequent legislation, including the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, that has provided generations of American servicemembers with similar benefits.

During his time in Congress, Boozman has championed policies to strengthen benefits and services for veterans and their families. He authored provisions to expand non-traditional technology education programs and allow wounded members of the National Guard and Reserve to be eligible for the same GI Bill benefits as active duty members that were included in the Forever GI Bill signed into law in 2017. This legislation built on the post-9/11 GI Bill.  

In 2019, the Boozman-backed Forever GI Bill Housing Payment Fulfillment Act was signed into law to ensure veterans receive the Forever GI Bill housing benefits. 

He continues to support policies that ensure veterans receive the benefits they have earned.

The resolution was introduced by Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) along with Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS).

Full text of the resolution is available here.

House Passes First FY25 Bill, Robustly Funding Veterans’ Care and Military Construction

Washington, DC—June 5, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. This bill exceeds the Department of Defense’s military construction budget request, fully funds veterans’ care, and secures key defense priorities, including additional funding for Ebbing Air National Guard Base projects and robust investments in the Pacific region.

Image by Manny Becerra

Congressman Womack said, “This bill enhances our defense capabilities nationwide and in Fort Smith by securing $70 million for Ebbing Air National Guard Base Academic Training Center construction. Importantly, it displays our commitment to those who’ve dutifully served our country by investing in the quality of life for our military families and fully funding veterans’ care. I’m pleased it received the stamp of approval from the House. I look forward to working with our Senate counterparts to advance this legislation on the path to becoming law.”

Bill breakdown:

• Supports veterans by:

• Fully funding veterans’ health care programs.

• Fully funding veterans’ benefits and VA programs.

• Bolsters national security by:

• Providing robust funding for the Indo-Pacific region, fully funding projects in Guam, and increasing resources for INDOPACOM to improve the Department of Defense posture in the region.

• Maintaining the prohibitions on the closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the use of military construction funds to build facilities for detainees on U.S. soil.

• Focuses the Executive Branch on its core responsibilities by:

• Reaffirming the political limits outlined in the Hatch Act, particularly those of lobbying Congress and using official resources for political purposes.

• Prohibiting the use of funds to promote or advance critical race theory.

• Prohibiting the implementation, administration, or enforcement of the Biden Administration’s executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Supports American values and principles by:

• Prohibiting taxpayer dollars from being used for abortion, using Hyde Amendment language which includes exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother.

• Protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of veterans by preventing VA from sending information to the FBI about veterans without a judge’s consent.

• Prohibiting VA from processing medical care claims for illegal aliens.

A summary of the bill is available here.
Bill text is available here.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

This week, the Arkansas Legislative Council and the council subcommittees convened at the Capitol.

The council approved the permanent payment rules for Educational Freedom Accounts. Educational Freedom Accounts may be used by eligible families to cover private school tuition, fees, uniforms, and some other required expenses. First-time kindergarteners, students enrolled in “D” or “F” rated schools, students with a disability, current or former foster care students, students experiencing homelessness, or students whose parents are active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement or first responders will be eligible to use the accounts in the 2024-2025 school year. All public school students will be eligible in the 2025-2026 school year.

The council also approved an emergency rule from the Department of Finance and Administration that requires Arkansans to list their gender on their driver’s license.  The rule states the gender must match what is listed on the person’s birth certificate, passport, or identification document from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The ALC Game and Fish/State Police Subcommittee continued its study on possession and open-carry laws concerning firearms this week. The subcommittee will begin hearing recommendations regarding these laws at its next meeting on Monday, March 25. The meetings are open to the public. You can find the agenda and a link to sign up to comment atwww.arkleg.state.ar.us.

The latest revenue report presented to the council shows gross general revenues have decreased by $113 million or 2% below what was collected last year. Meanwhile, unemployment in the state remains steady at 3.7% in Arkansas for the third consecutive month.

As a reminder, the legislature will convene for a Fiscal Session on April 10. We will continue to update you on the latest developments from the Capitol.

Womack votes to continue progress on full-year funding; avoid government shutdown

Washington, DC—February 29, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7463, the Extension of Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2024.

Congressman Womack said, "We've punted our fundamental duty of funding the government five months past the due date. I'm incredibly disappointed—America deserves better. Another CR is regrettably necessary to responsibly avoid a harmful government shutdown and protect hardworking Americans, veterans, and our troops. Important projects in Arkansas' Third, including the FMS mission in Fort Smith, depend on our progress. This move will keep us on track to pass full-year appropriations this month."

The continuing resolution extends FY23 funding for the following appropriations bills through March 8, 2024:

• Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies

• Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies

• Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

The bill extends FY23 for the remaining eight bills through March 22, 2024

Womack has consistently advocated for solutions to fix the broken budget and appropriations process, which has failed the American people for too long. He co-chaired the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform and introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to modernize and streamline current processes. Some of the reforms he supported would have helped prevent a budget and appropriations deadline crisis like we see today. Additionally, he called for moving to a biennial budget, ensuring realistic deadlines for Congress to complete its budget and appropriations work, and requiring a joint Budget Committee hearing on the Fiscal State of the Nation.

UA Cossatot honors two local WWII veterans during basketball games in Lockesburg

Sterling Daniel and Sam Phillips were honored recently by UA Cossatot at Veteran’s Night basketball games. State Representative DeAnn Vaught and UA Cossatot Chancellor Steve Cole are pictured with Daniel and Phillips at midcourt between games and presented special proclamations from the Arkansas Legislature, thanking them for their service to America.

Cooperative Extension Service to host Arkansas Veterans' Small Business Summit

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

LITTLE ROCK — For veterans who own and operate small businesses, accessing available resources is critical to financial success and longevity. Arkansas veteran business owners will have an opportunity to learn about programs and services designed to help their businesses succeed at the Arkansas Veterans’ Small Business Summit, hosted by the Cooperative Extension Service’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center on Nov. 4.

VETERAN RESOURCES — The Cooperative Extension Service's Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center will host a free Veterans' Small Business Summit on Nov. 4. The in-person event will provide resources and networking opportunities for veteran small business owners, including information about upcoming contracting opportunities with federal agencies in Arkansas. (Division of Agriculture photo.) 

The free in-person event will start at 9 a.m. and end at 12 p.m. at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, located at 2301 S. University Ave. in Little Rock. Registration is available at https://bit.ly/veteran-business-summit.

Kimberly Magee, outreach coordinator for Arkansas PTAC, said the summit will provide “tailored resources” for veteran business owners in the state, including information about no-cost resources and upcoming contracting opportunities with federal agencies in Arkansas.

“It’s important to provide these resources because the public doesn’t generally know how to navigate through the government marketplace,” Magee said.

The summit is presented in partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Arkansas Division of Emergency Management – Arkansas Federal Surplus Property, Arkansas Small Business Technology Development Center, The Conductor, SCORE and the U.S. Small Business Administration – Arkansas District. Representatives from these organizations will be present at the summit to help connect attendees with the services they provide, including business counseling, low or no-cost training programs and training and networking opportunities.

Magee said the needs of veteran business owners are unique, and this summit is designed to connect them with resources available specifically to them.

“Veteran small businesses need a tailored pathway,” she said. “Veterans are already aware of government lingo and are therefore natural leaders in the government marketplace.”

In addition to networking with other business owners, the summit will include a small business resource panel, a presentation on veteran small business certifications and a presentation on government contracting opportunities.

“Veterans are our nation’s heroes, and it is our obligation to take care of them and help them succeed,” said Savanna George, extension program technician for the Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

For more information or for assistance with registering, contact the Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center at PTAC@uada.edu.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas touts new legislation for veterans

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas says recently passed legislation and additional measures under consideration will help veterans who over the past few decades have been exposed to toxic waste.

At a roundtable meeting with veterans on Thursday, the senator discussed the “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022.” It was approved with bipartisan support and signed into law last month by President Biden.

The bill aims to give health benefits to veterans exposed to toxic waste.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-08/sen-john-boozman-of-arkansas-touts-new-legislation-for-veterans

KUAR News

File photo of U.S. Senator John Boozman who spoke to a veterans group Thursday about legislation intended to help those exposed to toxic waste.

Fayetteville VA Urging All Veterans to Get COVID-19 Vaccine

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville is again reaching out to enrolled veterans and their families to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, to reduce the spread of the new aggressive Delta variant. Veterans are encouraged to call 1-800-691-8387 ext. 67979 or email Jean.Nelson2@va.gov.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/fayetteville-va-urging-all-veterans-get-covid-19-vaccine

VHSO Registered Nurse Jean Nelson (right), and pharmacist Meredith White are co-coordinating COVID-19 vaccinations.

COURTESY / VHSO

New VA Initiative Expands COVID-19 Vaccinations to All U.S. Veterans

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

Many millions more U.S. veterans, including those not presently enrolled in VA health benefits, will be able to access no-cost COVID-19 vaccinations administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, under the new Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize all Veterans and Every Spouse Act, or SAVE LIVES Act. Kelvin Parks, medical director of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, explains how the new law will work.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/new-va-initiative-expands-covid-19-vaccinations-all-us-veterans

American flags flutter in front of VHSO Medical Center in Fayetteville.

COURTESY / FACEBOOK/VHSO