Government Affairs

Welcome and Thank you for visiting the Government and Veterans' Affairs page of our website. Members of the Rolling Thunder® Inc. National Government and Veterans' Affairs Committee are committed to working with members of Congress, Veterans and other organizations to discuss and work on legislation that directly and indirectly affects our POW/MIA's and Veterans.

For more information about the committee and Government and Veterans' Affairs, please feel free to contact

Berney Jarosz, Chairman at 732-484-8120 or rtngva@gmail.com

Again, Thank you for visiting our site as well as for your support!

Berney Jarosz

Rolling Thunder® Inc. National
Government and Veterans' Affairs

"America's POW/MIA's will never die until they are forgotten."

Rolling Thunder National – April 10, 2022 Monthly - Meeting Government Affairs Report

The COVID Coach app was created for everyone, including Veterans and Servicemembers, to support self-care and overall mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Click here to get the app:

https://mobile.va.gov/app/covid-coach

COVID Coach is available in English and Spanish. To switch the language, go to the Menu > Personalize, and then select the language using the picker at the bottom of the screen.

Need help with this mobile app? Send email to MobileMentalHealth@va.gov.

117th Congress

Veteran Bills Being Supported By Rolling Thunder®, Inc.

1) S.657 - A bill to modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era, and for other purposes.

04/28/2021 - Committee on Veterans” Affairs. Hearing held.

2) HR 333 - The Disabled Veteran's tax termination act.

03/08/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

Action by: Committee on Veterans Affairs

3) H.R.2281 - To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the United States Army Dust Off crews of the Vietnam War, collectively, in recognition of their extraordinary heroism and life-saving actions in Vietnam.

03/29/2021 Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Action by: House of Representatives.

4) S.1198 - A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and expand the Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

07/28/2021 Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

5) S 89 and HR 746 Ensuring Survivor Benefits during Covid-19 Act of 2021.

07/21/2021 Passed Senate 07/26/2021 House : Held at the desk.

6) HR 1476 - PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act - This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program to make grants to eligible entities for peer-to-peer mental health programs for veterans.

04/27/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on health.

Action by: Committee on Veterans” Affairs

7) HR 1656 - TREAT PTSD Act - This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to furnish stellate ganglion block to certain veterans or members of the Armed Forces (including reserve components) diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Blocking the stellate ganglion (a group of nerves at the base of the neck) by injecting a local anesthetic is a treatment that may alleviate PTSD symptoms.

03/08/2021 Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

8) HR 1022 - PAWS Act of 2021 - This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a grant program for the purpose of pairing service dogs with eligible veterans. Organizations that receive grants must provide veterinary health insurance coverage, hardware, and travel expenses for each service dog and veteran participating in the program.

03/22/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health

Action by: Committee on Veterans” Affairs

9) HR 1448 - Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act - This bill implements a program and a policy related to service dog therapy for veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as an element of a complementary and integrative health program. Eligible veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have been recommended for participation by a qualified mental health care provider or clinical team. H.R. 1448 Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act was signed into law By President Joe Biden August 25, 2021.

08/25/2021 Became Public Law No : 117-37

10) HR 1123 - Veteran Suicide Prevention Act - This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to complete a review of the deaths of all covered veterans who died by suicide during the five-year period preceding the enactment of this bill. Covered veterans are those who received VA hospital care or medical services during the five-year period preceding the death of the veteran.

03/22/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Action by: Committee on Veterans” Affairs

11) HR 5297 National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum Act - The POW/MIA Memorial and Museum is a civic landmark and cultural institution being built as of the date of the enactment of this Act in Jacksonville, Florida, to honor, connect, inspire, and educate all people about the 142,000 members of the Armed Forces who have been captured as prisoners of war since World War II and the approximately 82,000 members of the Armed Forces who are currently missing in action or unaccounted for since World War II.

12. S.4082 and H.R. 7637- A bill to prohibit the use by the Department of Veterans Affairs of funds to provide emergency assistance at the southern border of the United States resulting from the repeal of certain public health orders, and for other purposes. Introduced in Senate (04/26/2022) Click Here (S.4082) & (H.R.7637)