Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule

President Bush had his normal briefings this morning. At 10.30 am he signs H.R. 3403, the New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House. At 10.55 am, the President will drop by the National Security Advisor’s meeting with the Defense Minister of Columbia. At 12.55 pm the President travels to the Pentagon to participate in U.S Department of Defense briefings. At 3.25 pm, President Bush participated in a photo opportunity with the 2008 Boys and Girls Nation delegates. Later this afternoon, the President also signs the Presidential Proclamation in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Armed Forces Integration. (more…)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is opening its eyes and ears to small businesses and new technology. Frederick Downs, Jr., chief prosthetics and clinical logistics officer in the VA Office of Prosthetics and Clinical Logistics, discussed the new VA developments at a House Small Business Committee hearing. (more…)

Senator John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) presidential campaign held a conference call on a new ad, “God’s Children,” that will air in Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada. The ad focuses Hispanic voters. Senator Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) said the ad is an effort of the McCain campaign to target the “tremendously” important Hispanic vote and the ever-growing Hispanic community. (more…)

 

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The House Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity met to discuss the Independent Living Program (ILP,) a rehabilitation program of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA.) Rep. John Hall (D-N.Y.) explained that the ILP’s goal is to help veterans maintain independent lives through learned skills despite physical and mental barriers. Hall said federal money is often underutilized which causes delays in services. Hall closed his statement by saying veterans deserve the best programs possible.

Bruce McCartney, a Vietnam veteran from Georgia, recounted his four year struggle with the ILP, saying that various actors like doctors and case officers were unable to give him adequate answers and that assistance took too long to obtain. After recalling his experience, he said he sees no benefit from the ILP. McCartney said Americans want to help their troops but that unnecessary bureaucracy in the Department of Veterans Affairs prevents ILPs from helping veterans.

John Lancaster, the executive director of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) said his organization helps many veterans acquire housing and employment, adding that the NCIL often serves as a voice for veterans’ advocacy. Lancaster said the NCIL is working to provide additional funding and services that would improve government programs while creating new ones.

At a hearing of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Congressman Bob Filner (D-Calif.) voices his support for a bill to increase funding to paralympic sports training. He describes the invaluable benefits that participation can give to disabled veterans. He says that the sports training improves the self-esteem and the sense of well-being of disabled veterans, an image that moves one to tears. (0:40)

 

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The Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Veterans Affairs Committee met to review several bills meant to improve veterans’ benefits upon return from duty. (more…)

Continuing Whistle blower Week in Washington, the No FEAR institute met this afternoon and heard remarks from Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) who congratulated whistle blowers and pushed for stronger legislation to protect them.

“The only crime that whistle blowers commit is in telling the truth,” said Grassley. Whistle blowers sacrifice their careers, livelihood and even their status in the community to bring those responsible to justice. Grassley calls for stronger legislation that will protect whistle blowers and their civil rights. It is in the constitution to have the freedom of speech and the right to petition your government, but the current policies are making that difficult and discouraged. (more…)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) expresses his concern about the cost of the war and spending on Iraq war veterans. (0:21)

 

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House Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) says that his plan for a new G.I. bill will address education tuition funding, home ownership, and support for small business loans for veterans when they return home from war. (0:41)

 

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Former Senator Max Cleland (D-Ga.) and House Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) held a conference call to address plans to end the war in Iraq and ideas to ensure veterans receive health care, higher education, and job training when they return to the U.S.
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