Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin, Ranking Member Boozman, members of the Subcommittee, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) would like to thank you for the opportunity to express our views on the various bills that this Subcommittee will consider.  As the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, many of these veterans as well as veterans from the past seek help from the nation that they served. PVA appreciates the hard work and sincere effort that this Subcommittee applies to their work with new legislation for programs to help these veterans.

H.R. 114, the “Veterans Entrepreneurial Transition Business Benefit Act”

Paralyzed Veterans of America supports H.R. 114, the “Veterans Entrepreneurial Transition Business Benefit Act.”   This bill will allow a veteran who is eligible to receive financial educational assistance under the GI Bill for the 21st Century to use this financial assistance to establish and operate a business that the veteran will own and operate as their primary source of income.  Although funding for educational assistance is not equal to the funding required to buy or start a small business, this would be a great asset for the veteran that plans to pursue a career operating their own business.  Even with this small financial assistance from this VA program major requirements still exist for additional funding, knowledge of effective business procedures, and often a willingness to work seven days a week during the early years of a new business.  If a veteran chooses this path for employment in the civilian world, Congress should support their effort and allow the funds earned for college courses to be used to help secure the future of the veteran.

H.R. 3685

PVA supports H.R. 3685.    Having readily available information pertaining to employment opportunities on the Internet is essential for veterans seeking employment in the 21 Century. The internet may be the most valuable tool for veterans who are continuing their education or looking for employment.  A hyperlink with a dropdown menu Veterans Employment would present other important links such as VetSuccess, USA Jobs, and Job Central websites.  This should include as defined in the bill, any other appropriate employment Internet websites as determined by the Secretary and the Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service.   We often here of the difficulty veterans face when trying to navigate the vast array of information available to the unemployed veteran.  This addition will ease their search by placing these important links on the main page of the website of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

H.R. 4319, the “Specially Adapted Housing Assistance Enhancement Act of 2009”

 PVA strongly supports enhancing the existing programs that are intended to relieve some of the problems that a veteran faces when returning to civilian life after a severe injury and loss of mobility.  This bill will allow a veteran that qualifies for the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant to also use the Temporary Residence Adaption (TRA) grant without reducing the full benefit amount of the SAH grant.  In a recent GAO report (GAO-09-637R) it was discovered that eligible veterans were not using the Temporary Residence Adaptation grant because of the fact that it eroded the total amount that would be available when they decide to use the SAH grant for their permanent residence.   We know from recent hearings of this Subcommittee that the current total of the SAH grant is by itself inadequate to accommodate the home modifications needed for some disabled veterans.

 This legislation will help remove a significant disincentive to use the TRA grant.  PVA does have concerns with this change being a pilot for FY 2011. It should be made permanent.  In future years beyond 2012 some veterans will still require temporary grants to accommodate their living situations.  As written this legislation will create a real inequity between veterans using TRA grants.

This bill would also change the qualifying criteria to receive the grant. We support this change since it will benefit veterans that may be severely disabled, have mobility problems but not fit the current criteria.  

H.R.4635, the “Foreclosure Mandatory Mediation Act of 2010”

PVA supports H.R. 4635, the ”Foreclosure Mandatory Mediation Act of 2010.” This legislation would require lenders of home loans with federal guarantees or Federal insurance, including VA home loans, to agree to engage in actions including loan modification, pre-foreclosure sale, deed in lieu of foreclosure, and support for borrower housing counseling.  This mandatory mediation requirement will be helpful to the veteran and active duty service member, who has been delinquent on their home mortgage payments. Often this delinquency is the result of an overseas deployment or other military obligations that have created unforeseen economic problems for the borrower.   Offering this assistance to help with successful navigation of a home loan will be beneficial for those who have served this nation.

H.R. 4664

H.R. 4664, This legislation would amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for a one-year moratorium on the sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property owned by surviving spouses of servicemembers killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.  PVA supports this legislation that will provide the necessary time for a family to reevaluate their financial situation after the loss of a spouse who dies while serving in combat.

H.R. 4765

PVA supports H.R. 4765, legislation that would authorize individuals who are pursuing programs of rehabilitation, education, or training under laws administered by the VA to receive a work-study allowance for performing certain support activities provided through congressional offices.  Allowing a veteran to perform certain functions and observe the operations of a congressional office would be a valuable experience for the veteran and helpful for that member.  

H.R. 5360, the “Blinded Veterans Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2010”

PVA supports H.R. 5360, the “Blinded Veterans Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2010.”  This legislation will change the definition used by the VA to determine the eligibly for the Housing Grant. This legislative would not create a new standard for the VA, or lessen current standards used among vision professionals.  Using the new standard merely brings the VA in line with the industries standard to determine vision loss beyond the level of correction with lenses.

 The “Veteran-Friendly Business Act of 2010”

PVA supports the “Veteran-Friendly Business Act of 2010.”  As this program is designed and introduced by the VA we encourage them to seek the cooperation of the Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Service, Small Business Administration and the Chamber of Commerce.  Unemployment amount veterans is not a problem to be addressed by any one agency, but a national problem that needs the cooperation of all parties that can influence America’s businesses to hire veterans.  We support this effort that will help communicate the message to “Hire a Veteran.”

 Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin, Raking Member Boozman, that concludes my testimony, I will be available for questions.