Senate Passes Three Burr Bills This Week

Press Release

This week, the Senate passed three pieces of legislation sponsored by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) including the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act, the VA Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act, and Kevin and Avonte's Law.

"We've had a very productive week in the Senate," said Senator Richard Burr. "Congress does come together to work on bipartisan legislation that makes a difference for American families. The passage of my bills to address unsolved civil right crimes, provide dental care for veterans, and give law enforcement the tools to help families with developmentally disabled children and others who may wander away from caregivers is proof that the Senate is working for the American people."

Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act

Before the passage of major civil rights legislation in the 1960s, hundreds of racially suspicious crimes were committed in this country, and many cases remain unsolved to this day. The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act calls on the Department of Justice and FBI to consult with advocacy organizations, universities, and other entities that have also been gathering evidence on cold cases from the 1960s and beyond. The bill also recognizes the potential for prosecutions at the state level, and seeks to facilitate the state and federal government collaboration toward this end.

VA Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act

The bipartisan VA Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2016 continues the current veteran dental insurance pilot program that was established by legislation authored by Senator Burr in 2010. This legislation expands eligibility for the program to all veterans who do not currently receive dental benefits from the VA. The House of Representatives also passed the bill this week. The VA Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act will now go to the President's desk to be signed into law.

Kevin and Avonte's Law

Cosponsored with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Kevin and Avonte's Law provides resources to help families locate loved ones with Alzheimer's disease, autism, or other related conditions that make them prone to wander--sometimes with tragic results. The bill reauthorizes the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program and authorizes funding to be used for the purchase of tracking technology that helps the families of a child with developmental disabilities recover their child in the event they become separated.

Source