Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Markup meeting minutes




Subject to a notice sent to all Members, the Committee met in the President’s Room, off the Senate Floor, on June 29, 2011 at 11:21 a.m. The following member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee were present:  Mr. Tester, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Scott Brown, Mr. Moran, Ranking Member Burr, and Chairman Murray.
Madame Chairman:  Seeing that we now have a quorum, let’s move to the six agenda items. Before we begin, I want to comment that we are using technology to be a truly paperless committee.  Instead of creating a bunch of paper, we estimate that just this markup has saved $500 in paper and ink costs alone.  I also want every Member of this Committee to know that we have CBO Estimates for every agenda item, and views from stakeholders and the administration. Moreover, all mandatory spending is fully offset or assumed in the baseline, and all new discretionary programs are paid for.
The Committee’s practice is to report pending legislation en bloc, subject to amendments, and technical and conforming changes.  With the Ranking Member’s concurrence we will do this for items 1,3,4,5, and 6. We’ll then vote on S. 572.   Senator Burr, do you have the motion?
Mr. Burr:  Madame Chairman, in accordance with the Committee’s longstanding practice to vote on agenda items as soon as a quorum of eight is present, I move that the Committee order favorably reported to the Senate the five legislative items on today’s agenda, Items 1,3,4,5, and 6.  I further move that the reporting or approval of each of these items be subject to any amendments or motions subsequently adopted.  Finally I move that the Committee staff be directed to prepare the Committee Reports on these items and make necessary clerical, technical, and conforming changes necessary to conform with the budget act.
Madame Chairman:   Is there a second?  [A chorus of seconds were heard.]
The motion has been made and seconded.  Is there any discussion on the motion before we act?
Seeing none, the vote is on the motion that the Committee approve the five agenda items, en bloc.
All those in favor, say ‘aye.’  [A chorus of Ayes was heard]
All those opposed, say ‘no.’  [No Nays were heard]
The ‘ayes’ have it.  The motion is agreed to and the five agenda items are ordered reported to the Senate.  
Moving now to agenda item #2 – S. 572, is there any discussion on this bill before I call the vote?   Seeing none, the Clerk will call the roll.
Mr. Akaka – Aye
Mr. Tester – Aye
Mr. Burr – Nay
Mr. Isakson -- Nay
Mr. Wicker – Nay by proxy  (voted by Mr. Burr)
Mr. Johanns – Nay by proxy (voted by Mr. Burr)
Mr. Scott Brown – Nay
Mr. Moran – Nay
Mr. Boozman – Nay
Madame Chairman – Aye
The following proxy’s were voted by the Chairman: 
Mr. Rockefeller--  Aye by Proxy
Mr. Sanders -- Aye by Proxy
Mr Sherrod Brown – Aye by Proxy
Mr. Begich – Aye by Proxy
Mr. Webb – Aye by Proxy
.
Clerk:  They Ayes are 8, the Nays are 7, the measure prevails.
Chairman:  Thank you all, we are adjourned.
11:26 a.m.

Chart on Roll Call of Agenda Item II, S. 572.

Ayes
Senator
Nays
X by proxy
Mr. Rockefeller


X
Mr. Akaka


X by proxy
Mr. Sanders


X by proxy
Mr. Brown


X by proxy
Mr. Webb


X
Mr. Tester


X  proxy
Mr. Begich



Mr. Burr

X

Mr. Isakson

X

Mr. Wicker

X by proxy

Mr. Johanns

X by proxy

Mr. Brown

X

Mr. Moran

X

Mr. Boozman

X
X
Madame Chairman


8
TALLY
7
Back to Hearing

Table of Contents
Transcript



NOTICE

Click on the link on Veterans Affairs Markup hearing  that was posted today. It will show that our bill S 396 was not placed on the agenda for a markup.  What does this mean to us?  It means that our bill in the Senate will not be discussed at all at today's meeting.
According to Dave Hanke, Assistant to Senator John Cornyn on Military and Veterans Affairs, this does not mean that the bill is dead.  It means that right now the Committee does not want to deal with it.  It was more or less expected but it was necessary that it at least was discussed at the June 8 hearing on bills before the Committee.  He urges veterans to continue with the letter writing campaign.  He also suggests of trying to bring Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Lt. Gen. Eric Shinseki to the valley.  This is a tall order, but you never know if set our mind to it.
We have been told in the past that our bills were just filed and placed on a committee to gather dust.  The only reason for filing was to appease the veterans.  Well this Session the bills are moving.  So we must say, "Never say Never".
If any one has any suggestions please feel free to let us know.  You can call me at 226.9176.

Committee on Veterans Affairs: Hearings

Committee on Veterans Affairs: Hearings

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Hearing on Senate Markup

Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison send a letter to the Veterans Affairs  requesting that S 396 be placed up for discussion at their June 29th markup session.  If S 396 gets markup, then it will be send to the Full House for a vote.  RGV Valley Vets have been writing to Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair and to Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) ranking member. According to Cornyn's staff the letter was hand delivered.

 Hidalgo County Judge has also send a similar letter in support of S 396.  Judge Garcia's office has informed us that his email was send via fax with confirmation of receipt.

Also, some veterans have been emailing Senator Murray's Chief of Staff, Mike Spahn, to inform the Senator of S 396.  This was done fairly recently because slow mail would not get there before the meeting's agenda.  Emails were also sent to Jennifer McCarthy, clerk at the Vet/Aff Comm.

The committee has announced its schedule but an agenda was not listed in announcement.  It will he held at the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m.  If you have a chance tune it via their web page.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Veterans meet with Senator Cornyn' Staff

Harlingen, TX
Senator John Cornyn's Regional Office
June 21, 2011

Valley veterans met with Dave Hanke, Military and Veterans Affairs asssitant to Senator John Cornyn, Lt. Maxwell Keith, assistant to Hanke and Ana Maria Garcia, regional coordinator for Senator John Cornyn via satellite phone confernce.  The issues discussed were SB 396 which is pending before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. The bill was discussed at the Committee on June 8th and is scheduled to be discussed again on June 29th.  Hanke provided information to the veterans as to where to direct their letter writing campaign.  Also, he mentioned that he needed up to date fact and figures from the local VA on the services of veterans.
There was a good question and anwere discussion and veterans were glad that Hanke provided truthful and sound answers to their questions.  He told them that we still had a fight on our hands and that the VA was not necessarily on our side. We needed to conquer that belief and change their mind as to the need of a VA hospital for south Texass.

HB 2055 as it relates to the ammendment of Congressman Cuellar's HB 1318 was also discussed,  But Hanke stated that Cuellar or his staff would be the ones to ask.  He commanded Cuellar for his actions and movement of his bill.

 Pablo Flores, Rey Molano, Leo Hinojosa, Treto Garza, Adelarido Cantu, Joe Ibarra, Pedro Juarez, Antonio Carmona, Tony Arenas, Rey Oropez, Mike Escobedo.
 Pablo Flores, Adelaido Cantu, Joe ibarra, Antonio Carmona, Mike Escobedo, Rey Oropez, Rey Molano, Manuel Pena, Hortencia Pena Maria Carmona, Treto
Treto Garza, Ruben Cantu, Adelaido Cantu, Pedro Juarez, Georgios Moros, Antonio Cantu, Tony Arenas Rey Oropez and Mike Escobedo

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Senate Bill 396 Full Service Medical Center for South Texas

"Our service members should never have to come home from fighting a war only to fight to get the benefits and care that they deserve," said Senator Patty Murray when she was named to the Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.  She is considered one of the best friends that veterans have in Washington D.C.  She is about making sure that the Veterans Affairs meets its mandate of caring for our Veterans.

It seems like these words were meant and apply to the thousands of veterans of South Texas.  You could say it describes the multitude of problems faced by our servicemen and women encounter when they returned from War.  A prime example is the quest for a Veterans hospital for south Texas that started with WW II veterans. Since then and up until now veteran have been advocating for a full service Veterans Affairs Full Medical Service Center for the area's 110,000 veterans.  The nearest VA hospital is 250 miles away. 

Veterans in south Texas have been ignored by the VA, especially those that participated in the war theaters of Vietnam and Korea.  If any of our veterans have been abandoned it is those that fought in these two skirmishers.  And, south Texas is the home of many veterans of WW II, Korea, and Vietnam.  Older veterans that are now more than ever having problems obtaining their benefits from  the Veterans Affairs.  Many of these veterans resigned themselves from applying for benefits out of frustration of the many tactics used by VA to discouraged the very veterans that they are suppose to serve.  "The deny, deny until they die"  attitude of the VA applies here to the T.  Veterans are dying at an alarming rate, many will never enjoy those benefits.  President Lincoln is probably turning in his grave.

Senator Patty Murray, your constituents have a great representative for the state of Washington.  And as Chair of the Vet/Aff Comm. we hope that the rest of America enjoys your dedication to the veterans.  Please help us with SB 396.  It is our bill for our Senator allowed us to participate in the wording of the contents of the bill.  Simple and to the point.

To our veterans in south Texas, let us hope that Chairwoman remembers these very words when she hears of Senate Bill 396.  SB 396 is the furthest that south Texas veterans have advanced in their fight for a VA hospital.  Veterans have been fighting for a VA hospital since our servicemen returned from World War II.  Other war veterans followed suit.  And are still at it.

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel.  Chairwoman Murray is a great position to help veterans of south Texas by allowing SB 396 to be placed on her agenda for discussion and a vote.  It would be great if Senator John Cornyn would be allowed to testify on behalf of his bill.

Bill Text - 112th Congress (2011-2012) - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

Bill Text - 112th Congress (2011-2012) - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Committee on Veterans Affairs: Hearings

Committee on Veterans Affairs: Hearings

senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing

Subject: Your Email to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To: "tretogarza@yahoo.com" <tretogarza@yahoo.com>
Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 3:24 PM

Dear Mr. Garza:

Thank you for contacting the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The agenda for the Committee's June 29th mark up has not yet been decided.  

You may be interested to know that S. 396, the proposed "Meeting the Inpatient Health Care Needs of Far South Texas Veterans Act of 2011," is among the many bills that the Committee will hear testimony on tomorrow, June 8th.  You may watch that hearing through the Committee's website at www.veterans.senate.gov

Sincerely,

Jennifer McCarthy
Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Open Letter to Texas Democratic Congressional members on redistricting

Open Letter to Congress members of Texas Democratic Congressional Representatives Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Gene Green (TX-29), Lloyd Doggett (TX-25), Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18), Silvestre Reyes (TX-16), Charlie Gonzalez (TX-20), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), and Al Green (TX-09).
 
You showed concern in a letter about the lack of Hispanics being considered in the new redistricting map. Well, Congress members, how do you think that we veterans of south Texas feel when we are annually denied a VA hospital to the large numbers of veterans in south Texas.  Is it because we are pre-dominantly Hispanic?  Do we need 50%+ hispanic members in Congress in order for us to get a VA hospital.
 
Veterans have been told by some of you and other members of Congress not to play the race card because it will turn off many members.  Well, their "on" light has never been turned on.  So what do we do to turn them on?
 
Just about everyone in south Texas feels that a VA hospital for our veterans is long overdue and is definitely needed.  So, why are veterans denied one.  Even in solemn memorial services this past Memorial Day, speakers ventured into the delicate issue; reminding those attending that a VA hospital is needed for those veterans that did make it back. It is common talk about town, and yet, the voices of the ex-servicemen and women, our veterans are ignored north of the imaginary line between Corpus Christi and Laredo.  Even when our winter Texan comrades return, we are still pre-dominately Hispanic.
 
Would some of you show your concern and co-sponsor either HB 837 or 1318? Would some of you approach your colleagues at the House Veterans Affairs Committee and ask them to bring these bills before their agenda and vote on them?And remember that veterans down here in south Texas served proudly in the United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Coast Guard as Americans.  Some gave some, others gave all for the same Colors and Freedoms that many Americans enjoy.
 
It is time for south Texas to have a VA hospital or in the words of Congressman Cuellar, a Full Service Medical Center.
 
Thank you,
 
Arturo Treto Garza-USMC
Jose A. Ibarra-U.S. Army Retired
Antonio Tony Arenas U.S. Air Force
Ruben Cordova-U.S. Navy
 
 
 

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Memorial Day event May 31, 2011-Harlingen

 Part of audience waiting for speakers to take podium.
 The Honor Guard presents Colors while the rest of the Color Guard presented colors and played taps outside of building. American Legion Post 205 of Harlingen Color and Honor Guard did the Honors.
 Some of those attending the evetn at Trinity Funeral Home.

Silent Memorial Day March-Brownsville photos







Veterans met with Kevin Kane, Military & Veterans Assistant to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison via tele-conference set up by Julian Alvarez, Hutchison's local coordinator.  Meeting was held at the Senator's Harlingen office on Wednesay June 1, 2011.  Present were Ruben Cantu, Jimmy Krummel, Joe Ibarra, Adelaido Cantu, Treto Garza, Pete Prax Garza (DAV 121 Commander), Antonio Carmona, and Pablo Flores.  The meeting centered around what needs to be done to move SB 396 in Congress.  SB 396 calls for the expansion of the present VA Surgical Center in Harlingen to a Full Service Medical Center.




 L-R Julian Alvarez, Ruben Cantu, Jimmy Krummel, Joe Ibarra, and Adelaido Cantu.P
Pablo Flores (standing) listens to the voice of Kevin Kane on speaker phone regarding the Veterans Hospital issue.