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Minneapolis (AP)

Sen. Al Franken introduces 1st bill in Congress

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Sen. Al Franken
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., the newest member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, awaits the start of the committee's confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor, Monday, July 13, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

New U.S. Sen. Al Franken has introduced his first bill.

Franken, a Minnesota Democrat, joined with Georgia Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson to introduce the Service Dogs for Veterans Act.

The bill would set up a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to pair service dogs with wounded veterans. Half of the veterans taking part in the pilot program would have mental health disabilities, including post-traumatic stress syndrome.

It's Franken's first bill since he took office two weeks ago after winning a protracted recount battle with Republican Norm Coleman.

Franken says increasing the number of service dogs could help reduce hospitalizations of veterans.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Sen. Al Franken
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., the newest member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, awaits the start of the committee's confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor, Monday, July 13, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite