Butterfield Introduces Bill to Provide Immediate Medical Leave for New VA Employees with Service-Connected Disabilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) has introduced H.R. 5323, the Medical Leave for Veterans Act.  The bill seeks to ensure that newly-hired returning veterans with service-connected disabilities who are full-time Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees are able to receive the medical care they need without having to take unpaid leave. 

Under current law, full-time Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees accrue a total of 104 hours, or 13 days, of annual sick leave.  While unused annual sick leave may be carried over from year to year, first-year full-time VA employees start their careers in the federal workforce with a zero sick leave balance.  This lack of initial leave for full-time VA workers in their first year on the job is particularly onerous for those who are also disabled veterans. 

“I am pleased to introduce this important bill with Representatives Jones, Lynch, and Price that will enable disabled veterans working for the VA to receive the care they need and have earned,” Congressman G. K. Butterfield said.  “Too often disabled veterans must take unpaid leave during their first year of public service to attend medical appointments or physical therapy due to service-connected disability.  This bill will benefit veterans working at VA facilities in Durham, Elizabeth City, Goldsboro, Greenville, and throughout North Carolina.  I urge my colleagues to pass this bill to enable employees of the VA who are veterans to access the care they need without sacrificing their livelihoods.”   

Specifically, Butterfield’s bill would:

• Provide first-year VA employees with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or greater with 104 hours of “Medical Leave for Veterans” for the purposes of undergoing medical treatment for their disability.
• Require the Secretary of the VA to implement a system for certification for such leave.
• Limit any unused “Medical Leave for Veterans” from being carried over to the following year.
• Provide medical leave to all first-year VA veteran employees with service-related disability, including non-combat related injuries.  It also covers employees as defined in chapters 73 or 74 of title 38, U.S.C., and includes physicians, dentists, registered nurses, optometrists, physician assistants, and podiatrists. 

If passed, the Veterans Medical Leave Act would take effect one year after enactment, and require the VA to issue regulations within six months of enactment.

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Walter Jones (NC-03), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and David Price (NC-04), and compliments H.R. 5229 which impacts title 5 federal employees, but not title 38 VA employees, with service-connected disabilities. 

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Butterfield: Wilson County Early Voting Plan will Disenfranchise Voters

For Release: Immediate                                                                                                                             Contact: Kim Atterbury

July 11, 2014                                                                                                                                                         Office: 202.225.3101

Butterfield: Wilson County Early Voting Plan will Disenfranchise Voters

Wilson, NC - Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) sent a letter to the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) asking they approve an early voting plan that does not restrict voters' access to the polls.  Yesterday, the Wilson County Board of Elections approved an early voting plan that excludes Sunday voting and does not provide for any early voting sites outside of the City of Wilson.  This misguided decision was made at a public meeting where residents were denied the right to comment prior to the

 Board voting. 

Butterfield wrote, "I am extremely concerned about the latest actions taken by the Board because they will ultimately disenfranchise voters and stifle electoral participation. 

Public support for Sunday voting was clearly demonstrated at yesterday's Board meeting where two dozen residents attempted to voice support but Board Chairman Robert Brown did not let them speak prior to the vote.  Residents of Wilson County were rightfully outraged with their inability to offer public comment during Thursday's meeting. 

Restricting voter access amounts to voter suppression, not voter protection."  Because the vote of the Wilson County Board of Elections was not unanimous, the ultimate fate of the plan will be decided by the North Carolina Board of Elections. 

Butterfield's letter to the North Carolina State Board of Elections follows.

July 11, 2014

Mr. Joshua B. Howard

Chairman

North Carolina State Board of Elections

441 North Harrington Street

Raleigh, North Carolina 27603

Dear Chairman Howard:

I write regarding the public meeting held by the Wilson County Board of Elections (Board) on Thursday, July 10, 2014.  I am extremely concerned about the latest actions taken by the Board because they will ultimately disenfranchise voters and stifle electoral participation. 

The Board, with a 2 - 1 vote, approved the plan establishing hours and locations for early voting for the November 2014 general election.  The plan passed by the Board would add another polling place inside the Wilson city limits bringing the total number of polling places inside the city limits to three with none located in the county.  Forty percent of the population of Wilson County lives outside the city limits which will surely be an impediment to their desire to participate in early voting.  The plan also excluded Sunday voting.  This action will further limit voter participation, particularly among African Americans and senior citizens.  I believe this move is the result of recent actions by the General Assembly to make it more difficult to vote. 

Wilson County has a history of Sunday voting including as recently as the 2012 general election and is widely supported by Wilson County residents.  Public support for Sunday voting was clearly demonstrated at yesterday's Board meeting where two dozen residents attempted to voice support but Board Chairman Robert Brown did not let them speak prior to the vote.  Residents of Wilson County were rightfully outraged with their inability to offer public comment during Thursday's meeting. 

I understand that because the Board's vote was not unanimous, the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) is compelled to render a decision on the plan.  I have been informed that Board member Chip Futrell, who was the dissenting vote to yesterday's plan, will request to speak at the NCSBE meeting on this issue and present an alternative plan for Wilson County.  I respectfully request you permit him to formally address the NCSBE so that the residents of Wilson County will have every opportunity to voice their opinion and have the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote for their candidates of choice. 

Restricting voter access amounts to voter suppression, not voter protection.  I ask that you not participate in this obvious plan to limit voter participation in Wilson County.  I request that you enact a fair plan for early voting that will make voting accessible for all citizens.

Thank you very much.

                                                                                Very truly yours,

                                                                                G. K. Butterfield

                                                                                Member of Congress

cc:           Ms. Rhonda K. Amoroso

                Mr. Joshua D. Malcolm

                Mr. Paul J. Foley

                Ms. Maja Knicker

                Ms. Kim Westbrook Strach

                Mr. Robert D. Brown

                Mr. Joel Killion

                Mr. Chip Futrell

                Ms. Rena' Morris

                Ms. Tasha Bell

http://Butterfield.House.Gov

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Reps. Guthrie, Butterfield and Young introduce bipartisan bill to increase access to medical care

03/11/14

WASHINGTON, DC -- In a bipartisan effort, Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Todd Young (R-IN) today introduced legislation (H.R. 4190) that will allow Medicare reimbursement for certain pharmacist services in medically underserved communities.

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Butterfield to talk to Constituents about the Sequestration Impact

For Release:  Immediate

Date:  March 22, 2013

Contact: Jeremy House

Office: (202) 225.3101               

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Butterfield to Inform Constituents of Sequestration’s Impact, Next Week

WASHINGTON, DC — Next week, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will speak with multiple groups to discuss the impact of sequestration on the First Congressional District and applaud environmental preservation efforts in the state. 

On Monday, Butterfield will travel to Kinston to speak to the students and staff of Sampson Alternative School.  While there he will discuss sequestration and the effects it will have on education.  Later in the day, Congressman Butterfield will tour AAR Cargo Systems Corp and meet with its management on how the sequester will impact their business.  AAR Cargo Systems designs and manufactures in-craft cargo loading systems for commercial, military, and humanitarian relief operations.

On Tuesday, Butterfield will participate in a town hall meeting hosted by the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC).  During the town hall, Edgecombe and Nash counties residents will have the chance to ask Congressman Butterfield questions on federal budget cuts, efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and the impact on Medicaid following Governor McCrory’s decision to not expand the safety net program, among other issues.

On Wednesday, Butterfield will announce a $425,000 grant to The Roanoke Center to support sustainable forestry initiatives.  The grant will provide opportunities for farmers to learn sustainable practices of cultivating timber underbrush for sale without having to remove trees.  The award will benefit 30 farmers throughout Bertie, Gates, Halifax, Hertford and Northampton counties.

The Congressman’s full public schedule follows.

WHAT: Butterfield to Engage District Constituents on Sequestration’s Impact, Next Week

WHEN & WHERE:

Monday, March 25

10:00-11:00 a.m.:              Sequestration’s Impact on Education

                                                Sampson Alternative School

                                                2529 Cedar Dell Lane

Kinston, NC 28504

2:00-3:00 p.m.:                  AAR Cargo Systems Tour & Discussion on Sequestration

                                                500 Gateway Drive

                                                Goldsboro, NC 27534

Tuesday, March 26

10:00-11:00 a.m.:              Eagle Home Medical Meeting on Sequestration

                                                411 W. Chapel Hill Street, Suite 905

                                                Durham, NC 27701

2:00-3:00 p.m.:                  Global Scholars Academy Tour & Discussion on Sequestration

                                                311 Dowd Street

                                                Durham, NC 27701

6:00-8:00 p.m.:                  Town Hall Meeting on Sequestration, Healthcare, & Voting Rights

                                                Opportunities Industrialization Center, Medical Center

111 S. Fairview Road

                                                Rocky Mount, NC 27801

Wednesday, March 27

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.:   U.S. Endowment Grant Announcement

                                                Roanoke Electric Cooperative

                                                518 NC Hwy 561 West

                                                Aulander, NC 27805

Thursday, March 28

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.:   Community Relations and Industry Council Meeting on Sequestration

                                                Kittrell Job Corps Center

Underground Café

1096 US Hwy 1 South

                                                Kittrell, NC 27544

http://Butterfield.House.Gov

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