Department of Homeland Security May Get Its Own Funding Bill
Last month, House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mike McCaul (R-TX), along with the chairs of seven other House committees that share homeland jurisdiction, signed a memorandum of understanding which could improve chances for Congressional approval of the first-ever department-wide authorization bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In essence, the 10-point agreement directs the committees to prioritize funding of DHS components in their jurisdiction and work with the Homeland Security Committee to write the authorization bill for House consideration. Learn more.
Bill to Increase Funeral and Burial Benefits for Veterans Introduced in House
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) has introduced H.R. 1212, a bill to increase funeral and burial benefits for certain veterans. During the last session of Congress, Hunter introduced a similar bill (H.R. 1911), which received bipartisan support; however, its costs proved to be an impediment to passage. H.R. 1212 has been modified to address cost concerns. Learn more.