Veterans Paralympic Act of 2013

The Veterans Paralympic Act of 2013 (H.R. 1402) is a bill that would help fund United States participation in the Paralympic Games. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs would be authorized $2 million a year to help pay for disabled veterans to train for the games. And additional $8 million would be authorized as a grant to U.S. Paralympics, Inc.[1] The bill was introduced into the United States House of Representatives during the 113th United States Congress.

Veterans Paralympic Act of 2013
Full titleTo amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing for the Paralympic Team and the authorization of appropriations for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance to United States Paralympics, Inc.
Introduced in113th United States Congress
Introduced onMarch 25, 2013
Sponsored byRep. Mike Coffman (R, CO-6)
Number of co-sponsors1
Effects and codifications
U.S.C. section(s) affected38 U.S.C. § 521A, 38 U.S.C. § 322
Legislative history

Background

Veteran Athlete Training Allowances is the official name for the monthly support granted to eligible veteran paralympic athletes under existing law, to be renewed by this bill.[2] Some of the requirements of the program are that "athletes must also have established training and competition plans and are responsible for turning in monthly and quarterly reports in order to continue receiving the monthly assistance allowance."[2] Athletes need to meet a certain level of skill in their sport in order receive funding; the level and how it is judged changes depending on the sport.[2]

Provisions of the bill

This summary is based largely on the summary provided by the Congressional Research Service, a public domain source.[1]

The Veterans Paralympic Act of 2013 would extend, until FY2018, the yearly: (1) $2 million appropriations authorization for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay a monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing for the Paralympic Team; and (2) $8 million appropriations authorization, with amounts appropriated remaining available without fiscal year limitation, for grants to U.S. Paralympics, Inc.[1]

Procedural history

The Veterans Paralympic Act of 2013 was introduced into the United States House of Representatives on March 25, 2013 by Rep. Mike Coffman (R, CO-6).[3] It was referred to the United States House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the United States House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. The Subcommittee held hearings about the bill on April 10, 2013, and held a Consideration and Mark-up Session on April 25, 2013. On April 25, 2013, the Subcommittee voted with a voice vote to forward the bill on to the full Committee.[3] On December 6, 2013, Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office announced that H.R. 1402 would be considered under a suspension of the rules during the week of December 9, 2013.[4][5]

Debate and discussion

One veteran, writing to thank Mike Coffman, argued that the program is important in helping "disabled veterans to stay active."[6] Coffman argues that "this program ensures that disabled veterans in local communities throughout the country continue to have opportunities for rehabilitation, stress relief and higher achievement through adaptive sports."[7]

See also

Notes/References
  1. "H.R. 1402 - Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  2. "Veteran Athlete Training Allowances". U.S. Paralympics. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  3. "H.R. 1402 - All Actions". United States Congress. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  4. "Leader's Weekly Schedule - Week of December 9, 2013" (PDF). House Majority Leader's Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  5. Kasperowicz, Pete (December 6, 2013). "Next week: Budget, farm bill, doc fix... maybe". The Hill. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  6. Haggard, Sean (2 April 2013). "Thanks for introduction of Veteran Paralympics Act". The Denver Post. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  7. Coffman, Mike (27 September 2013). "Coffman statement on The Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act". House Office of Mike Coffman. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.

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