The Senate Rules and Administration Committee held a hearing on S.3308, the Veterans Voter Support Act. And the Committee on House Administration voted out of committee the companion bill, HR 6625.These events occurred a week after the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) reversed a ban on third party voter registration drives at its facilities. The legislation would allow nonpartisan voting registration on VA property. At the Senate hearing Rules Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and ranking member Robert Bennett (R-UT) said they intend to proceed with the bill. VA General Counsel Paul Hutter testified and said the VA could not offer its full support unless some changes were made. In Hutter's opening remarks, he said; "VA must be able to maintain a place of healing and rehabilitation for veterans seeking services in our hospitals, CBOCs, Vet Centers and offices. In order to provide such an environment, VA must have discretion to determine when and how outside organizations will access and utilize VA facilities and interact with VA patients." And given recent news, no wonder Congress wants to move forward with legislation despite the VA's announcement last week. The VA is continuing to block nonpartisan groups access to facilities to sign up voters. In San Francisco, Veterans for Peace has to now file an emergency motion with the court in order to gain access.