HOUSE COMMITTEE, VA CLASH OVER REQUESTS FOR DATA

By Kevin Freking

Associated Press

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/house-committee-va-clash-over-requests-data

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan group of lawmakers is going public with its frustration over the Veterans Affairs Department's failure to comply with nearly 100 requests for information.

 

The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which oversees veterans' program, says it will use its website to highlight the inquiries it says the VA has failed to answer. The panel says its "Trials in Transparency" page will keep a running record of pending requests for information.

 

The committee said it has 95 such requests. Examples include a July 2012 request for data on the department's hiring of mental health workers and a September 2012 inquiry about conference spending.

 

The frustration extends to Democrats on the committee as well as Republicans.

 

The VA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

 

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Curt Cashour

House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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HVAC To Track VA Information Requests

 

Press Release
For Immediate Release July 9, 2013	Media Contact: Curt Cashour (202) 225-3527
HVAC Webpage To Track Backlog of VA Info Requests   WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Chairman Jeff Miller and Ranking Member Mike Michaud launched Trials in Transparency, a new web component of Veterans.House.Gov designed to highlight one of the committee's top oversight challenges: getting timely information from Department of Veterans Affairs officials. View the page here.   Trials in Transparency will keep a running record of outstanding information requests made to VA by both Democrat and Republican members of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.   VA is currently sitting on nearly 100 requests for information made by the Committee, some dating back more than a year. The leisurely pace with which VA is returning requests – and in some cases not returning them –  is a major impediment to the basic oversight responsibilities of the Committee.   VA's unanswered questions have created mounting frustration for Committee members, and prompted Chairman Miller to take the unprecedented step of writing weekly letters to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki listing the number of outstanding information requests and asking for "accurate information in satisfaction of these requests."   "VA owes it to America's veterans and America's taxpayers to engage in an honest conversation about its past mistakes, the future challenges it faces and its capabilities for overcoming those challenges. Giving Congress timely access to the information it requests is an important part of that conversation. When the department drags its feet in providing information requested by Congress, it inhibits our ability to ensure America's veterans are receiving the care and benefits they have earned. Our veterans deserve a VA that sets the standard for openness, honesty and transparency. When the department fails to do so, they must answer for that failure. – Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs   "Congress is committed to working with VA in an open and transparent manner. Our partnership, however, is contingent upon the department's timely response to our requests for information – something that rarely occurs. I hope VA leadership will work to reverse this trend of unresponsiveness. Ultimately, all parties involved are working toward the same goal: providing the highest standard of care possible for our veterans. A completely open, honest and transparent conversation between VA and Congress is vital to that mission." – Rep. Mike Michaud, Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs   Notable Outstanding Info Requests: ·         July 10, 2012: Request for data on VA mental health hiring practices ·         September 20, 2012: Request for info on VA conference spending practices ·         January 2013: Request for all VA documents and emails from 2007- present regarding legionella bacteria or Legionnaires' disease within the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System ·         February 19, 2013: Request for a list of performance standards VA providers are required to meet when providing mental health care ·         June 13, 2013: Request for clarification regarding the breach of VA's computer network   Quick Facts as of July 8, 2013: Number of Outstanding Requests: 95 Three Oldest Outstanding Requests: June 5, 2012; July 10, 2012; and July 23, 2012 Requests Pending since 2012: 12

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Allen Gunner Kent Retires

Dear Sean, My tenure at the VFW is coming to a close. They say all good things must come to an end, and serving as Adjutant General of this fine organization has certainly been one of the best parts of my life. But I'm not out yet. And I've always believed in leading by example. That's why I'm taking two very important actions before I step down … ONE: I'm becoming a monthly donor. Our Partners in Patriotism program ensures we have funds at the ready to help every veteran who turns to us. That's a charge I can get behind. TWO: I want you to join me, Sean. There's no better send-off I can imagine than having you sign up with me as a monthly donor.   Monthly contributors sustain the VFW programs that do the hard work for our country's veterans … help them fight for VA benefits claims … get assistance to feed and shelter their families … and carry their voices to the Hill to battle for legislation that protects veterans of every generation. It would mean so much to me if you would join me today. Thank you. FOR VETERANS, Allen "Gunner" Kent Adjutant General The Veterans of Foreign Wars

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DAV Magazine May/Jun 2013 -- Commentary

Reaching Out To Women Veterans

DAV Magazine May/Jun 2013 -- Commentary
http://magazine.dav.org/



Sean P Eagan

Veterans Advocate

ACWV Inc.






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Jobs Report June (Veterans)

Good Afternoon Colleagues,

 

Today is the first Friday of the month ... meaning the monthly Bureau of Labor Statistics data has been released.  As you can see from the table below, the National unemployment rate remained the same at 7.6% and the overall Veteran unemployment rate declined from 6.6% in May to 6.3%.  Attached is our monthly 'cheat sheet' for your information/use.    

 

 

Cohort (% of total)	Rate	Change
National	7.6%	-
All Veterans (100%)	6.3%	-0.3%
Male	6.1%	-0.6%
Female	7.6%	1.6%
Post-9/11 Veterans (23%)	7.2%	-0.1%
Male	6.8%	-1.0%
Female	8.9%	4.0%
18-24 Veterans* (5%)	20.5%	3.5%
Male	25.3%	3.0%
Female**	9.0%	-
25-34 Veterans (11%)	5.6%	-1.2%
Male	4.8%	-2.7%
Female	9.2%	6.6%
35-44 Veterans (16%)	5.4%	-0.9%
Male	4.7%	-0.2%
Female	8.3%	-3.4%
45-54 Veterans (26%)	6.3%	-0.1%
Male	6.1%	-0.8%
Female	7.4%	4.0%
55+ Veterans (42%)	6.3%	-0.3%
Male	6.4%	-0.3%
Female	5.4%	0.7%

 

 

The quarterly BLS data was also released today, and because the BLS data is not seasonally adjusted, it is often best to compare data to prior years during the same time period, so below you will find a comparison of the 2nd quarter data going back each year to 2010.

 

 

Quarter	All	Post-9/11	18-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55+
2Q-2010	8.3%	11.7%	18.1%	12.4%	7.9%	8.2%	6.9%
2Q-2011	8.3%	12.1%	28.2%	12.6%	8.4%	7.1%	6.9%
2Q-2012	7.4%	10.4%	21.9%	10.2%	6.2%	7.0%	6.8%
2Q-2013	6.4%	7.4%	18.5%	6.7%	5.9%	5.9%	6.3%

 

 

V/R

 

Curtis L. Coy
Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity
Veterans Benefits Administration

 

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VFW Resolution : Resolution No #1 RELEASE OF 1st Lt. MICHAEL BEHENNA

To all the thousands of Michael supporters,


On July 4th we celebrated the many freedoms that all of us enjoy because of the sacrifices of millions of brave men and women in uniform since the founding of our nation.  Of course July 4th was not a day of freedom for Michael or the other Leavenworth 10 who remain in a military prison at Fort Leavenworth.  For them it was a painful reminder that the freedom they fought for on our behalf is no longer theirs to enjoy.
The end of the legal struggle after the Supreme Court denied Michael's petition for certiorari just causes us to turn up the heat in the political battle to convince those in power that there is no acceptable reason to keep Michael incarcerated.  In that light, James Wainscoat, a decorated veteran and strong supporter of Michael, has stepped up and helped his South Dakota State Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) chapter to pass a Resolution that calls for Michael to be freed. This Resolution will be put before the National VFW Conference which begins July 20th in Louisville, KY.  Although this was a huge step forward, this Resolution has no chance of gaining the support of the National VFW Conference unless many more VFW Chapters rally their delegates to support the Resolution.  To this end we absolutely need your help NOW!!!
We ask each of you to contact your local VFW officers or State VFW delegates to voice their approval for this Resolution without delay.  It is important that the National VFW committee handling resolutions know that the plea for Michael's freedom be heard by the full convention and voted on – not killed in committee.  Mr. Wainscoat said he felt that the VFW, which is the only veteran's group recognized by a Congressional Mandate, has such a powerful voice with Congress and the Administration that a resolution by them could turn the tide in Michael's favor.  Thus it is imperative that we have the support of as many States VFW Chapters as soon as possible.
The veterans of this country have always been committed to never leaving any of their troops behind. Through the powerful influence of the VFW, whose members have bravely fought for the freedoms we too often take for granted, we will hopefully find a way to bring at least one more Soldier home. Thank you for this important first political step towards Michael's release.  Please feel free to pass this on to your military connections.
Bless you for your continued support of our son,
Scott & Vicki Behenna
www.defendmichael.com

Here is the Resolution:
Resolution No #1
RELEASE OF 1st Lt. MICHAEL BEHENNA
      Whereas, 1st Lt. Behenna was charged at an Article 32 hearing of Premeditated Murder of a known, capture or kill Al Qaeda operative Ali Mansur while in custody during a field interrogation; and
      Whereas, 1st Lt. Behenna was ordered to return known Al Qaeda operative Ali Mansur to the Operational area (AO) and release him in accordance with the "Catch & Release" program of suspects, not having enough evidence to continue to hold them in custody for prosecution; and
       Whereas, 1st Lt. Behenna took the known Al Qaeda operative back to the AO in handcuffs. Once inside the AO, he removed the handcuffs, stripped the suspect, and began to question the known Al Qaeda operative at gunpoint (in order to maintain control) as to his knowledge of the recent IED attack that had cost 1st Lt. Behenna the lives of two of his men, and two more seriously wounded; and
      Whereas, according to 1st Lt. Behenna, Al Mansur lunged at the lieutenant; whereupon the lieutenant fired two control shots, killing the known Al Qaeda operative Ali Mansur; and
      Whereas, the Army claimed 1st Lt. Behenna lost his right to self-defense as a result of pointing a firearm at the suspect for control, having removed the handcuffs from the suspect. Also in question was whether the suspect was executed in a sitting position or was attempting to disarm the Lieutenant, and cause bodily harm to 1st Lt. Behenna and others; and
      Whereas, the dispute and credibility factor surrounded the fact of whether the known Al Qaeda operative was in a defenseless sitting position or in an aggressive attack mode? The dispute came down to the unwavering statement of 1st Lt. Behenna, and that of the Iraqi interpreter who because of the darkness and distance from the culvert could not provide a definitive statement as to what happened at the moment of the shooting; and
      Whereas, the prosecution sent home their expert forensic witness whose testimony would have proven to be exculpatory evidence of self-defense on the part of 1st Lt. Behenna; and
      Whereas, lacking the exculpatory evidence of the prosecutions forensic expert on blood splatters and bullet trajectory; 1st Lt. Behenna was denied a fair trial, up to and including the request for a writ of Certiorari from the Supreme Court; the final attempt at his Constitutional right to Due Process; now therefore
     BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States that we support 1st Lt. Behenna and because he was convicted under such questionable circumstances of an alleged crime in a fast-moving and fluid combat zone against a member of the most feared enemy in the world, and has spent over four years in solitary confinement at Leavenworth Military Prison; we desire that 1st Lt. Behenna be released from prison immediately to attempt to pick up the pieces of his life.
Submitted by Department of South Dakota
To the National VFW Committee on NATIONAL SECURITY & FOREIGN AFFAIRS The intent of this resolution is: To obtain the release of 1st Lt. Behenna, in order for him to establish his new life after his military career was terminated.
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