Staff at Marquardt Law Firm, P.C. is following the proposed legislation to make it more difficult for Veterans and their spouses to qualify for benefits.

Update on S. 3270: January 2, 2012:

The bill in question remains in Committee in Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and a Committee report has not been promulgated.  There have been few, if any, substantive changes to the legislation since June.  The S.3270 has garnered some new Cosponsors since June 6th:  Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV), Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Sen. James Risch (R-ID), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), and Sen. Herbert “Herb” Cole (D-WI).  On June 27, 2012, hearings were held related to the legislation, but a report on the Committee of Veterans’ Affairs findings is yet to be promulgated.

Companion House Bill: H. 6171: 

H.6171, a House resolution titled “Protecting Veterans Pension Act.”  This resolution seeks to amend 38 U.S.C. §1522 in order to discontinue or deny pension benefits to veterans who are otherwise eligible under 38 USC §§1521 &1513.  The House version tracks the same language as S.3270 and contains identical provisions.  The Bill was introduced by Rep. Thomas Rooney (FL-16) on July 24, 2012; it is cosponsored by Rep. Ron Barber (AZ-8), Gus Bilirakis (FL-9), and Kurt Schrader (OR-5).   On July 27, 2012, H.6171 was referred to the subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.  There has been no committee hearings held, nor has a committee report been promulgated.