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H.R. 797: Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act of 2007

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H.R. 797: Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act of 2007

110th Congress · introduced 2007-02-05 · Armed Forces and National Security · Latest: Became Public Law No: 110-157.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2007-02-05 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI-2] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 175 (2007): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR797 (2007-03-21), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 110-157. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act of 2007

Plain summary

Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act of 2007 - Title I: Low-Vision Benefits Matters - (Sec. 101) Modifies the standard for awarding disability compensation to veterans for loss of vision to require payment of compensation for impairment of vision due to a service-connected disability resulting in 20/200 (currently, 5/200) visual acuity or less. (Sec. 102) Modifies the above standard in the case of impairment of vision (currently, blindness) involving both eyes due to a service-connected disability in one eye and a non-service-connected disability in the other eye to require payment in the case of impairment resulting in a visual acuity of 20/200 or less or of a peripheral field of 20 degrees or less in each eye. Title II: Matters Relating to Burial and Memorial Affairs - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker for the grave of certain individuals buried in a private cemetery, to furnish a medallion or other device to signify the deceased's status as a veteran, to be attached to a headstone or marker furnished at private expense. (Sec. 202) Repeals, as of October 1, 2006, the time limit for a state's filing of a request for reimbursement for interment costs for veterans buried in cemeteries other than national cemeteries. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to a state for operating and maintaining a veterans' cemetery owned by such state. Limits to $5 million the amount of such grants awarded in a fiscal year. (Sec. 203) Makes permanent the authority of the Secretary to furnish government headstones or markers for the burial of veterans at private cemeteries. Title III: Other Matters - (Sec. 301) Requires the Secretary to provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services with information for comparison with the National Directory of New Hires for income verification purposes in order to determine eligibility for certain veteran benefits and services. Requires the Secretary to: (1) seek only the minimum information necessary to make such determination; (2) receive prior written consent of the individual before seeking, using, or disclosing any such information; (3) independently verify any information received prior to terminating, denying, or reducing a benefit or service; and (4) allow an opportunity for an individual to contest negative findings. Terminates such authority at the end of FY2011. (Sec. 302) Extends, through June 30, 2010, the Secretary's authority to provide an educational allowance to persons performing qualifying work-study activities.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act of 2007

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI-2] · 64 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 797, A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes, to provide for the use of National Directory of New Hires for income verification (2007-03-20); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 797, A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes, to provide for the use of National Directory of New Hires for income verification (2007-03-20); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 797, Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act of 2007 (2008-02-27); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 797, Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act of 2007 (2008-02-27)

Cosponsors on this site

John Boozman (R-AR), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Gwen Moore (D-WI) and 4 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI-2] reported raising $3.5 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Fiscal year
The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Most states use July 1 to June 30.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong110-hr797 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110