The 2022 Omnibus Package passed on March 10 includes three veterans bills as well as funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs through Sept. 30.
UPDATE: President Joe Biden has announced that he signed the Bipartisan Government Funding Bill into law on March 15.
Late March 10, the Senate passed a new $1.5 trillion spending bill that will fund the U.S. Government through Sept. 30. The bill has been sent to President Joe Biden’s desk.
Included in the comprehensive package is $125 billion of continued funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs along with three separate bills that were previously advanced by the House Veterans’ Affairs committee.
First, a bill first introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif., will increase funding for the Veteran Employment through Technology Education Courses, or VET TEC, program. Through this program, veterans who qualify for GI Bill entitlements can use their benefits to attend high-demand training for technology-related skills in addition to a traditional secondary education program.
Next, the Burial Equity for Guards and Reserves Act sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., will allow National Guard and reservists to be buried at any cemetery managed by the VA.
And finally, the VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE Act sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., will allow VA medical centers in high-cost areas to offer more competitive salaries to registered nurses, advance practice nurses, and physician assistants to better retain staff and spur hiring.
The 2022 Omnibus package does not include legislation pertaining to toxic exposure; although, two bills in the Senate are currently awaiting debate: the Honoring Our PACT Act and Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act.
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.