December 9, 2006
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9126

(Washington, DC) A comprehensive bill which will benefit millions of veterans was passed by the U.S. Senate around 3 a.m. Saturday morning ? the last day of the 109th Congress. It now goes to President Bush to be signed into law.

The legislation (S. 3421) was sponsored by U.S. Senator Larry Craig, the outgoing Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

"I am extremely pleased that we were able to finally get this done. There were some serious disagreements between members on a few issues, but everyone compromised a little. That's what it takes," said Craig (R-Idaho). "This legislation improves nearly every program that impacts veterans."

The new law will allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to proceed with major construction projects across the country, improve mental health care access, enhance telehealth outreach, increase assistance to address homelessness, and improve protections for veterans' personal information, and more.

The legislation will also require VA to establish an Office of Rural Health. In addition, veterans homes run by state governments will now be reimbursed by the federal government for the costs of care provided to those veterans with a 70 percent or higher service-connected disability. The changes will also veterans in those homes ? veterans with service-connected conditions rated at least 50 percent disabled ? will be able to obtain their medications from VA.

The bill will also enable VA will to create a pilot program that makes non-VA facilities ? such as private nursing homes or community hospitals ? eligible for state veterans' home per diem payments.

"This change will allow veterans to stay closer to home and loved ones. I think that's important," Craig said.

Among its many provisions, the bill adds $65 million to increase the number of clinicians treating post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and $2 million for additional blind rehabilitation specialists and increases the number of facilities where the specialists will be located. It also authorizes VA to designate six Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Centers of Excellence, and at least two Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence.

The bill also includes a provision sought by Sen. Craig which requires the removal of the remains of a double murderer ? Russell Wayne Wagner ? from Arlington National Cemetery. Wagner brutally murdered Daniel Davis, 84, and Wilda Davis, 80, in Maryland in 1994. Their son, Vernon Davis, is a veteran and he had sought help from Sen. Craig and Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski to have his parents' killer removed from that hallowed ground.

"I was appalled to discover that the law enacted in 1997 to deny capital offenders burial in national cemeteries did not apply to Wagner. While we moved swiftly to close the loophole that permitted Wagner's burial in the first place, the question remained: should his remains continue to be included among the scores of honored dead in Arlington? For me and Senator Mikulski, who joined me in this effort, the answer was ?no,'" Craig said.

The new law will also enable the spouse or child of a servicemember who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care to begin receiving financial help through VA for their education.  Sen. Craig crafted that portion of the legislation earlier this year after meeting with Army Sgt. Jeff Mittman (pictured right with Sen. Craig) who was blinded during an attack in Iraq.

"Our change will allow him to get the treatment he needs while his wife gets the education their family will need. This change will be a win-win for all. It's simply the right thing to do," Craig said.

The new law will also enable tribal organizations to obtain grants from VA to help them establish, expand, or improve veterans' cemeteries on trust lands.

The bill contains provisions that will provide VA with additional tools to help it contract with veteran and disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

Craig praised Representative Steve Buyer, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for playing a key role in passing the legislation.

"Chairman Buyer deserves praise for fighting for the things he felt strongly about, and for compromising where he could," Craig said. "I also commend Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), the Ranking Member of our committee and others for their hard work in making this legislation possible."

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