Three Walz provisions included in Defense Authorization Conference Report

Another press release from the Walz congressional office:

Three Walz provisions included in Defense Authorization Conference Report

(Washington DC) - Three provisions authored by Congressman Tim Walz, a retired Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major, are included in the FY2008 Defense Authorization Conference Report which is expected to pass the House of Representatives later today.

The provisions authored by Walz will help soldiers access their federal tuition assistance benefits, make it possible for VA and military health care facilities to share medical records electronically, and return more control of National Guard forces to the nation's governors.

"The Defense Authorization Act includes key provisions to restore our nation's military readiness, protect our veterans, crack down on waste, fraud and abuse and protect our troops," said Congressman Walz. "I'm pleased to see three key piece of legislation that I've sponsored included in the final version of this bill and I'm eager to see them signed into law."

"I've worked closely with my colleagues on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee to force the Departments of Defense andVeterans' Affairs to fully share electronic medical records." Walz said. "The Mayo Clinic has provided expert advice, drawing on its leadership in the field of electronic medical records, and I am pleased that this amendment will make it easier for VA and DOD to utilize and share electronic medical records."

A second provision sponsored by Walz and included in the bill requires the Defense Department to collect data on problems service members face when using the federal tuition assistance benefit. "I have heard several complaints from constituents who are unhappy with the federal tuition assistance program. This study would give us the hard data on how many servicemembers use the benefit and it will help us determine how we can ensure more soldiers have the opportunity to use the educational benefits they've earned."

Finally, Walz said a provision strongly supported by the National Governor's Association is included in the bill. The provision will repeal a 2006 law that makes it easier to federalize the National Guard for domestic law enforcement purposes during emergencies, even over governors' objections. Walz was the lead Democratic co-sponsor of this provision, along with Republican Tom Davis of Virginia.

Video of Walz's floor statement will be available later today on walz.house.gov.

Text of the statement Congressman Walz will deliver later today follows:

(Mr./Madame) Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1585, the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. Congress has a long history of coming together in a bipartisan way to pass the annual defense authorization bill. I hope this year is no different.

(Mr./Madame) Speaker, this important piece of legislation includes a number of provisions that are particularly important to me. It includes my amendment on federal tuition assistance, which authorizes a study that several of my constituents requested because of problems they experienced with the program. It includes an important provision that I worked on with my Democratic colleagues on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the VA Committee which will make it easier for VA and DOD to share medical records. Finally, it includes an important repeal of last year's changes to the Insurrection Act. I worked on this provision with Mr. Davis of Virginia and with many of the nation's Governors, who wanted to restore individual states' control over their own National Guard organizations.

These provisions are only part of the overall bill. It includes a needed military pay raise and expands care and research for TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries) to meet the needs of our returning Wounded Warriors. This legislation is packed with provisions that make good on this Congress' promise to make our service members and veterans a priority. These men and women have sacrificed so much on behalf of the United States, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill and provide our servicemembers and veterans the benefits and care they deserve.