A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize certain individuals to sign claims filed with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on behalf of claimants, and for other purposes.

Mr. President, today I am introducing a bipartisan bill along with my colleague Senator Collins entitled the Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2010. This bill is designed to streamline the Federal Government's efforts to improve the health and efficiency of our schools, while creating much-needed jobs in the process.

I am pleased that Senators Burris, Merkley and Murray are also joining us as original cosponsors of this bill.

For the past year I have been travelling across Colorado as part of a work force tour to talk directly to Coloradans and hear their innovative policy ideas to create jobs. These ongoing efforts help me identify ways the Federal Government can help or is not as effective as it can be in supporting economic development and meeting our national energy goals. The Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2010 comes directly from visiting with Coloradans. This bill is just one of several job-creation proposals developed after I hosted an Energy Jobs Summit in February in Colorado.

There are numerous Federal programs and funds already available to schools to help them become more energy efficient. However, schools face a morass of programs and agency offices across the government and it is challenging for schools to take full advantage of them. This bipartisan bill will force the government to coordinate their efforts so that schools are less confused and they can better navigate the existing federal programs and financing options available to them. Put simply, it will streamline the Federal Government while still leaving decisions to the states, school boards and local officials to determine what is best for their schools.

I have had a longstanding interest in energy efficiency technologies. These technologies further our national goals of broad-based economic growth, environmental protection, national security, and economic competitiveness.

I have also been a long-time champion of energy efficiency in our schools, introducing and co-sponsoring many bills over the years in the House of Representatives that promoted the efficient use of energy by our schools.

I have seen these energy efficient buildings first hand when traveling in Colorado. It is good to see that there are schools in my state that are already incorporating this technology into their buildings. For example, the Cherry Creek School District in Greenwood Village, CO, has incorporated day lighting techniques and ice storage to cool the buildings during the day. Because of these innovative improvements, the school district has enjoyed significant cost savings. This is good news not just for Colorado students, but also for Colorado taxpayers.

In another example, Colorado's Poudre School District in Fort Collins, CO, actively promotes sustainable design guidelines, calling it their ``Ethic of Sustainability.'' This program includes an elementary school in Fort Collins that actually uses recycled blue jeans as insulation for the school buildings. This school has a ``Truth Wall,'' an exposed cross-section where kids can see the denim at work, look at pipes and electrical systems, and check school energy use.

I hope that in passing this bill we will see more examples of these successful and creative projects across the country--projects that will increase the efficiency of our schools and teach our students about the importance of saving energy.

Through effective use of existing Federal Government programs and financing options, schools can reduce costs and create jobs at the same time becoming more energy efficient. Though it is often overlooked, energy efficiency is a huge job creator. Not only does it create jobs through the purchase and installation of efficient materials, it frees up scarce school finances to retain teachers and important programs.

What excites me most about this bill is that it will create jobs for Americans in every neighborhood where schools improve their energy efficiency. Right now, creating jobs is priority one for all of us.

But additionally, this bill helps reduce barriers to schools wishing to incorporate innovative energy efficiency measures, and creates a simple, streamlined structure to allow schools

to more effectively use existing Federal funds and programs--at a low cost. These cutting edge actions--which we are all seeing across our states--are making government more efficient and saving taxpayer dollars, a goal we all share. I urge my colleagues--of both parties--to join me in supporting this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. President, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I introduce legislation today to correct an inequity which affects a small number of couples where both the husband and wife are wartime veterans and each meets the criteria for VA pension with additional aid and attendance benefits. Currently these couples receive annual benefits of $30,480. Under my bill, the annual amount would be increased by $825 to $31,305.

This measure would correct a mistake which occurred in 1998 with the enactment of Public Law 105-178. Section 8206 of that law increased the aid and attendance rates for veterans in receipt of VA pension who were in need of aid and attendance. Due to a drafting error, this increase was not provided to couples where both members were pension receipients in need of aid and attendence. This bill would correct that mistake by bringing the pension of a wartime veteran couple eligible for pension and aid and attendance into conformity with what their peers receive.

This is an appropriate result. Both members of such couples served our Nation with honor. In their time of need, they should not be short- changed by this mistake. Although only a small number of veterans qualify for this benefit, those who do so often pay large amounts of money to receive care in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, or at home. My bill would increase the amounts paid so that each member of the couple would have their service taken into account in determining the benefit level.

I urge our colleagues to support this bill so that all veterans who served during wartime and are eligible for VA pension receive the same benefit payments and no member of a wartime veteran couple is shortchanged.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I introduce legislation today that would give the Department of Veterans Affairs the same authority as the Social Security Administration with respect to claimants who are unable to complete applications for benefits without requiring assistance.

Occasionally, claimants for VA benefits are so disabled as to be incapable of understanding the information on the application form. VA lacks authority to authorize a court appointee or caregiver to sign an application form allowing the adjudication of the claim to proceed. Without a signed application, the claim cannot proceed.

The Social Security Administration has specific authority under the Social Security Act that permit an certain individuals, such as court appointed representatives, to sign a claim form on behalf of individuals unable to sign a claim form.

My bill would extend the same authority to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and would allow court appointed representatives and caregivers of applicants for VA benefits and services, including institutional representatives, to sign application forms. This bill does not alter the responsibility of VA to evaluate and appoint a fiduciary in cases where the beneficiary is determined to be incompetent to manage his or her benefits.

I urge our colleagues to support this bill so that unnecessary delays in the adjudication of these claims will be avoided.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I rise to introduce a bill, the SCAAP Reauthorization Act, on behalf of myself and Mr. Kyl, to assist with alleviating the costs of illegal immigration to State and local governments by reauthorizing the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, SCAAP, though 2015.

We are pleased to be joined today by Senators Schumer, Cornyn, Boxer, Hutchison, Bingaman, McCain, Durbin, and Crapo.

I believe that immigration policy and control of our borders is exclusively a Federal responsibility. Yet many undocumented criminal aliens are housed in our State prisons and our county jails at a cost that rises into the hundred of millions of dollars.

Understanding the expenses that States and localities bear, Congress enacted the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, (SCAAP), in 1994 as part of the Violent Crime Control Act. The program was designed to help reimburse States and localities for the costs of incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens. Under this program, States can be reimbursed for costs for housing undocumented aliens who are convicted of a felony or two or more misdemeanors in violation of State or

local law and incarcerated for at least 4 consecutive days.

Over the years, Senator Kyl and I have worked to increase Congressional funding of SCAAP. Last year, Congress appropriated 393 million dollars to SCAAP. While this is only a fraction of the costs that States and localities bear for housing undocumented criminal aliens, even this level of funding is critical.

In 2009, undocumented aliens comprised approximately 11 percent of the inmates in California's State prison system. This year, the State of California is expected to spend 970.3 million dollars from the general fund on the incarceration of undocumented criminal aliens. However, it is expected that California will only receive reimbursement for 10 percent of its total costs. The State of California and its counties simply cannot afford to take on these costs, which stretch already thin budgets.

When the Federal Government does not reimburse States and localities for the cost of incarcerating criminal aliens, it is at the expense of our local educators, social services, and law enforcement. Insufficient SCAAP funding forces localities to engage in the ``early release'' of prisoners with misdemeanors as a cost saving measure and make cuts to other necessary public safety services. American communities simply cannot afford to shoulder the weight of our immigration policies.

I believe this legislation will reaffirm the Federal government's commitment to working with States and localities to address their financial concerns.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I introduce legislation today that would give the Department of Veterans Affairs the same authority as the Social Security Administration with respect to claimants who are unable to complete applications for benefits without requiring assistance.

Occasionally, claimants for VA benefits are so disabled as to be incapable of understanding the information on the application form. VA lacks authority to authorize a court appointee or caregiver to sign an application form allowing the adjudication of the claim to proceed. Without a signed application, the claim cannot proceed.

The Social Security Administration has specific authority under the Social Security Act that permit an certain individuals, such as court appointed representatives, to sign a claim form on behalf of individuals unable to sign a claim form.

My bill would extend the same authority to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and would allow court appointed representatives and caregivers of applicants for VA benefits and services, including institutional representatives, to sign application forms. This bill does not alter the responsibility of VA to evaluate and appoint a fiduciary in cases where the beneficiary is determined to be incompetent to manage his or her benefits.

I urge our colleagues to support this bill so that unnecessary delays in the adjudication of these claims will be avoided.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.