WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, held a hearing today on pending veterans' benefits legislation.  Legislation listed at today's hearing included proposals for veterans of all ages, from those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to veterans from prior wars.

Today the Committee reviewed dozens of pending bills.  Members and witnesses discussed proposals to improve the GI Bill education benefits, such as Senator Jim Webb's (D-VA) bipartisan S. 22, the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act.  Other topics included cost-of-living adjustments to compensation for veterans and their survivors, as well as adjudication reform for the veterans' disability benefits system.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues to move the best of these bills to the full Senate," said Akaka.

Today's hearing was the first of two legislative hearings the Committee will hold this month.  The Committee will hold a hearing on pending health care legislation on May 21, 2008.  The Committee plans to meet in June to consider which legislation to send to the full Senate.

Chairman Akaka's opening statement can be viewed here.

The full witness list is available here.

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