LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION NOTICE
FROM: James Gashel
DATE: October 6, 1997
RE: congratulations to all!
This is to advise you that the immediate concern over section 8 of
the Veterans Health Programs bill -- H. R. 2206 -- is over.
Congressman Stump of Arizona who chairs the Veterans Affairs
Committee has announced that he is having Section 8 removed from
the bill entirely.
He made this decision upon realizing that a restriction on the
blind vendor program would endanger passage of the bill on the
floor. This means that we were completely successful in having our
voices heard. Please follow up by expressing your appreciation to
each member of the House and each staff member who helped to
achieve this result.
As for news on a related matter, the United States Supreme Court
has declined to hear an appeal of a decision by the Court of
Appeals for the fourth circuit, which held that an arbitration
decision issued under the Randolph-Sheppard Act cannot require the
VA to abide by any particular remedy. This does not mean that the
Randolph-Sheppard Act does not apply to the VA, but the arbitration
power under the Act is limited.
While this decision is cause for concern, it should not overshaddow
the outstanding success we have had in removing section 8 from H.
R. 2206. So, congratulations and spread the word.
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