Veterans and Military Services Committee

The Veterans and Military Service Committee engages NACo and its members to develop and highlight county best practices and policies to promote innovative programs, services and benefits for our nation’s military, veterans and their families.

Veterans Affairs

Blog

Federal government announces decline in veteran homelessness, citing success of HUD-VASH program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced as part of its Annual Homeless Assessment Report that veteran homelessness decreased 5.4 percent in 2018 relative to 2017, completing a decline in veteran homelessness of almost 50 percent since 2010.
Veterans Affairs

Blog

President signs bill promoting Veterans Justice Outreach specialists

On September 17, President Trump signed into law the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018 (H.R. 2147), which passed the U.S. House via voice vote in June and was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate on August 22. The law requires the U.S.
Veterans Affairs

Blog

Congress passes bill to expand Veterans Justice Outreach Program and incentivize new veterans treatment courts

On August 22, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Veterans Treatment Court Improvement Act of 2018 (H.R. 2147). The bill, introduced by Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), would require the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire at least 50 Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Specialists.
Energy

Blog

U.S. Senate approves “minibus” spending package with broad bipartisan support

On June 25, the U.S. Senate approved an FY 2019 “minibus” appropriations package consisting of three appropriations bills, on an 86 to 5 vote.
Veterans Affairs

Blog

Congress passes VA Mission Act of 2018; President Trump expected to sign

On May 23, the U.S. Senate passed on a vote of 92-5 the VA Mission Act of 2018 (S. 2372), which would combine the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA’s) seven community care programs into one and extend the VA Choice Program for one year while the VA implements the new consolidated community care program.