[House Report 114-879]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Union Calendar No. 690
114th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Report 114-879
REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES
of the
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
of the
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
during the
ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
pursuant to
Clause 1(d) Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
December 16, 2016.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
23-035 WASHINGTON : 2016
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
----------
House of Representatives,
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC, December 19, 2016.
Hon. Karen L. Haas,
Clerk of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Ms. Haas: In accordance with clause (d)1 of rule XI of
the Rules of the House of Representatives for the 114th
Congress, I submit herewith the report of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs setting forth its activities in reviewing and
studying the application, administration, and execution of
those laws, the subject matter of which is within the
jurisdiction of our committee.
Sincerely,
Jeff Miller,
Chairman.
Committee Staff
Jonathan A. Towers, Staff Director
Michael F. Brinck, Deputy Staff Director
Don Phillips, Staff Director (Minority Office)
David M. Tucker, Deputy Staff Director and Chief Counsel, Staff
Director, Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations (Minority Office)
(January 2015-August 2016)
Brandt Anderson, Research Assistant, Subcommittee on Health (January
2015-May 2015)
Kelsey Baron, Professional Staff Member, Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity
Kiley Bidelman, Staff Assistant (September 2015-Present)
Megan Bland, Executive Assistant (Minority Office) (June 2014-November
2015)
Carolyn Blaydes, Senior Legislative Assistant (Minority Office)
Tammy Bonzanto, Healthcare Investigator, Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations
(June 2015-Present)
Justin Brown, Democratic Staff Director, Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs (January 2015-September 2016)
Curt Cashour, Communications Director
Amy Centanni, Investigative Counsel, Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations
Jonathan A. Clark, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
Cecilia Daly, Professional Staff Member (April 2015-Present)
Hillary Dickinson, Research Assistant, Subcommittee on Health (August
2015-Present)
Andrea Donelson, Executive Assistant and New Media Manager (Minority
Office)
(November 2015-Present)
Bernadine N. Dotson, Financial Administrator and Printing Clerk
Jessica G. Eggimann, Chief Clerk, Office Manager, and Legislative
Coordinator
Lee Footer, Professional Staff Member (Minority Office)
Samantha E. Gonzalez, Professional Staff Member, Subcommittee on Health
Anderson Griffin, Communications Director (Minority Office, July 2016-
Present)
Eric E. Hannel, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations
Christine Hill, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Health
Jon Hodnette, Investigative Counsel, Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations
Christina Mandruecci, Staff Assistant (January 2015-August 2015)
William Mallison, Contract Investigator, Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations
(July 2015-Present)
Tim Mantegna, Digital Manager and Press Assistant (February 2015-
Present)
Carol S. Murray, Legislative Coordinator and Office Manager (Minority
Office)
Caroline Ponseti, Digital Manager and Press Assistant (February 2016-
Present)
Harold Rees, Senior Investigative Counsel, Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations
Rory Riley, Staff Director and Counsel, Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs (January 2015-October 2015)
Grace Rodden, Investigative Counsel (Minority Office) (May 2015-
Present)
Lauren Rogan, Professional Staff Member and Counsel, Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (January 2015-March 2015)
Michael N. Siegel, Digital Manager (January 2015-February 2015)
Alyssa Schroeder, Research Assistant, Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs (November 2015-Present)
David Simon, Communications Director (Minority Office) (January 2015-
July 2016)
Ian Smith, Research Assistant, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs (January 2015-February 2015)
Erin Snow, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
(Minority Office)
(April 2015-Present)
Maria Tripplaar, Staff Director, Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs
(October 2015-Present)
Saki Ververis, Senior Legislative Assistant (Minority Office) (January
2016-July 2016)
John Vick, Research Assistant, Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs
(April 2015-October 2015)
Cathleen C. Wiblemo, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Health (Minority
Office)
C O N T E N T S
Page
Jurisdiction of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs......... 1
Rules of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs...................... 2
Oversight Agenda for the 114th Congress.......................... 12
Membership and Organization...................................... 21
Legislative and Oversight Activities of the Full Committee....... 24
Activities of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs............................................... 132
Activities of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity........... 147
Activities of the Subcommittee on Health......................... 162
Activities of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations... 177
Messages from the President and other Executive Branch
Communications................................................. 187
Union Calendar No. 690
114th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 114-879
======================================================================
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
FOR THE 114TH CONGRESS
_______
December 16, 2016.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Miller, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, pursuant to Clause
1(d) Rule XI, submitted the following
R E P O R T
Clause 1(d) of the rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives for the 114th Congress requires that each
standing committee, not later than January 2 of each year,
submit to the House a report on the activities of that
committee, including separate sections summarizing the
legislative and oversight activities of that committee during
that Congress.
JURISDICTION--RULES OF THE HOUSE
Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives
establishes the standing committees of the House and their
jurisdiction. Under that rule, all bills, resolutions, and
other matters relating to the subjects within the jurisdiction
of any standing committee shall be referred to such committee.
Clause 1(s) of Rule X establishes the jurisdiction of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs as follows:
(1) Veterans' measures generally.
(2) Cemeteries of the United States in which veterans of
any war or conflict are or may be buried, whether in the United
States or abroad (except cemeteries administered by the
Secretary of the Interior).
(3) Compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and education
of veterans.
(4) Life insurance issued by the Government on account of
service in the Armed Forces.
(5) Pensions of all the wars of the United States, general
and special.
(6) Readjustment of servicemembers to civil life.
(7) Servicemembers' civil relief.
(8) Veterans' hospitals, medical care, and treatment of
veterans.
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 114TH CONGRESS
RULE 1--GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) Applicability of House Rules.--The Rules of the House
are the rules of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and its
subcommittees so far as applicable, except that a motion to
recess from day to day, and a motion to dispense with the first
reading (in full) of a bill or resolution, if printed copies
are available, are non-debatable privileged motions in
Committees and subcommittees.
(b) Subcommittees.--Each subcommittee of the Committee is a
part of the Committee and is subject to the authority and
direction of the Committee and to its rules so far as
applicable.
(c) Incorporation of House Rule on Committee Procedure.--
Rule XI of the Rules of the House, which pertains entirely to
Committee procedure, is incorporated and made part of the rules
of the Committee to the extent applicable. Pursuant to clause
2(a)(3) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Chairman of
the full Committee is directed to offer a motion under clause 1
of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House whenever the Chairman
considers it appropriate.
(d) Vice Chairman.--Pursuant to clause 2(d) of Rule XI of
the Rules of the House, the Chairman of the full Committee
shall designate the Vice Chairman of the Committee.
RULE 2--REGULAR AND ADDITIONAL MEETINGS
(a) Regular Meetings.--The regular meeting day for the
Committee shall be at 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each
month in such place as the Chairman may designate. However, the
Chairman may dispense with a regular Wednesday meeting of the
Committee.
(b) Additional Meetings.--The Chairman of the Committee may
call and convene, as he considers necessary, additional
meetings of the Committee for the consideration of any bill or
resolution pending before the Committee or for the conduct of
other Committee business. The Committee shall meet for such
purpose pursuant to the call of the Chairman.
(c) Notice.--The Chairman shall notify each member of the
Committee of the agenda of each regular and additional meeting
of the Committee at least 24 hours before the time of the
meeting, except under circumstances the Chairman determines to
be of an emergency nature. Under such circumstances, the
Chairman shall make an effort to consult the ranking minority
member, or in such member's absence, the next ranking minority
party member of the Committee.
RULE 3--MEETINGS AND HEARINGS GENERALLY
(a) Open Meetings and Hearings.--Meetings and hearings of
the Committee and each of its subcommittees shall be open to
the public unless closed in accordance with clause 2(g) of Rule
XI of the Rules of the House.
(b) Announcement of Hearing.--The Chairman, in the case of
a hearing to be conducted by the Committee, and the
subcommittee Chairman, in the case of a hearing to be conducted
by a subcommittee, shall make public announcement of the date,
place, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted on any
measure or matter at least one week before the commencement of
that hearing unless the Committee or the subcommittee
determines that there is good cause to begin the hearing at an
earlier date. In the latter event, the Chairman or the
subcommittee Chairman, as the case may be, shall consult with
the ranking minority member and make such public announcement
at the earliest possible date. The clerk of the Committee shall
promptly notify the Daily Clerk of the Congressional Record and
the Committee scheduling service of the House Information
Resources as soon as possible after such public announcement is
made.
(c) Wireless Telephone Use Prohibited.--No person may use a
wireless telephone during a Committee or subcommittee meeting
or hearing.
(d) Media Coverage.--Any meeting of the Committee or its
subcommittees that is open to the public shall be open to
coverage by radio, television, and still photography in
accordance with the provisions of clause 4(f) of House Rule XI
as follows:
(1) If audio or visual coverage of the hearing or
meeting is to be presented to the public as live
coverage, that coverage shall be conducted and
presented without commercial sponsorship.
(2) The allocation among the television media of the
positions or the number of television cameras permitted
by a committee or subcommittee chair in a hearing or
meeting room shall be in accordance with fair and
equitable procedures devised by the Executive Committee
of the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
(3) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to
obstruct in any way the space between a witness giving
evidence or testimony and any member of the committee
or the visibility of that witness and that member to
each other.
(4) Television cameras shall operate from fixed
positions but may not be placed in positions that
obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing or
meeting by the other media.
(5) Equipment necessary for coverage by the
television and radio media may not be installed in, or
removed from, the hearing or meeting room while the
committee is in session.
(6)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B),
floodlights, spotlights, strobelights, and flashguns
may not be used in providing any method of coverage of
the hearing or meeting.
(B) The television media may install additional
lighting in a hearing or meeting room, without cost to
the Government, in order to raise the ambient lighting
level in a hearing or meeting room to the lowest level
necessary to provide adequate television coverage of a
hearing or meeting at the current state of the art of
television coverage.
(7) If requests are made by more of the media than
will be permitted by a committee or subcommittee chair
for coverage of a hearing or meeting by still
photography, that coverage shall be permitted on the
basis of a fair and equitable pool arrangement devised
by the Standing Committee of Press Photographers.
(8) Photographers may not position themselves between
the witness table and the members of the committee at
any time during the course of a hearing or meeting.
(9) Photographers may not place themselves in
positions that obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of
the hearing by the other media.
(10) Personnel providing coverage by the television
and radio media shall be currently accredited to the
Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
(11) Personnel providing coverage by still
photography shall be currently accredited to the Press
Photographers' Gallery.
(12) Personnel providing coverage by the television
and radio media and by still photography shall conduct
themselves and their coverage activities in an orderly
and unobtrusive manner.
(e) Requirements for Testimony.--
(1) Each witness who is to appear before the
Committee or a subcommittee shall file with the clerk
of the Committee, at least 48 hours in advance of his
or her appearance, or at such other time as designated
by the Chairman after consultation with the Ranking
Member, a written statement of his or her proposed
testimony. Each witness shall, to the greatest extent
practicable, also provide a copy of such written
testimony in an electronic format prescribed by the
Chairman. Each witness shall limit any oral
presentation to a summary of the written statement.
(2) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(5) of Rule XI of the
Rules of the House:
(A) In the case of a witness appearing in a
non-governmental capacity, a written statement
of proposed testimony shall include a
curriculum vitae and a disclosure of any
Federal grants or contracts, or contracts or
payments originating with a foreign government,
received during the current calendar year or
either of the two previous calendar years by
the witness and related to the subject matter
of the hearing.
(B) The disclosure required by this Rule
shall include the amount and source of each
Federal grant (or subgrant thereof) or contract
(or subcontract thereof) related to the subject
matter of the hearing and the amount and
country of origin of any payment or contract
related to the subject matter of the hearing
originating with a foreign government.
(f) Calling and Questioning Witnesses.--
(1) Committee and subcommittee members may question
witnesses only when they have been recognized by the
Chairman of the Committee or subcommittee for that
purpose, and only for a 5-minute period until all
members present have had an opportunity to question a
witness. The 5-minute period for questioning a witness
by any one member may be extended only with the
unanimous consent of all members present. The
questioning of witnesses in both Committee and
subcommittee hearings shall be initiated by the
Chairman, followed by the ranking minority party member
and all other members alternating between the majority
and minority. Except as otherwise announced by the
Chairman at the beginning of a hearing, members who are
present at the start of the hearing will be recognized
before other members who arrive after the hearing has
begun. In recognizing members to question witnesses in
this fashion, the Chairman shall take into
consideration the ratio of the majority to minority
members present and shall establish the order of
recognition for questioning in such a manner as not to
disadvantage the members of the majority.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1)
regarding the 5-minute rule, the Chairman after
consultation with the ranking minority member may
designate an equal number of members of the Committee
or subcommittee majority and minority party to question
a witness for a period not longer than 30 minutes. In
no event shall the Chairman allow a member to question
a witness for an extended period under this rule until
all members present have had the opportunity to ask
questions under the 5-minute rule. The Chairman after
consultation with the ranking minority member may
permit Committee staff for its majority and minority
party members to question a witness for equal specified
periods of time.
(3) Non-Committee Members may be invited to sit at
the dais for Committee hearings with the unanimous
consent of all Members present. Further, non-Committee
Members may be recognized for questioning of witnesses
but only after all Committee Members have first been
recognized.
(4) When a hearing is conducted by the Committee or a
subcommittee on any measure or matter, the minority
party members on the Committee shall be entitled, upon
request to the Chairman of a majority of those minority
members before the completion of the hearing, to call
witnesses selected by the minority to testify with
respect to that measure or matter during at least one
day of the hearing thereon.
(g) Subpoenas--Pursuant to clause 2(m) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House, a subpoena may be authorized and issued by
the Committee or a subcommittee in the conduct of any
investigation or series of investigations or activities, only
when authorized by a majority of the members voting, a majority
being present.
(h) Notice Requirements.--
(1) The text of all bills or resolutions for markup,
and any amendments in the nature of a substitute to
such bills or resolution to be first recognized by the
Chairman, shall be made available, via written or
electronic notice, to Committee members at least 48
hours prior to a scheduled markup, except as agreed to
by unanimous consent.
(2) Subject to the second sentence of this paragraph,
it shall not be in order for the Committee to consider
any amendment proposed to a bill or resolution under
consideration by the Committee, or proposed to an
amendment in the nature of a substitute noticed under
paragraph (1), unless a written or electronic copy of
such amendment has been delivered to each Member of the
Committee (or Subcommittee for purposes of Subcommittee
markups) at least 24 hours before the meeting at which
the amendment is to be proposed. This paragraph may be
waived by unanimous consent and shall apply only when
the 48-hour written notice has been provided in
accordance with paragraph (1).
(i) Congressional Budget Office Scoring--The Committee
shall not include any bill or resolution for consideration
during a committee markup which is not accompanied by an
accounting from the Congressional Budget Office of the
mandatory and discretionary costs or savings associated with
such bill or resolution.
The accounting from the Congressional Budget Office need
not be official, but is expected to provide Committee members
with an approximation of the budgetary impact a bill or
resolution may have prior to any vote to favorably forward or
report such bill or resolution. The requirements of this
paragraph may be waived by a majority of Committee members, a
quorum being present.
RULE 4--QUORUM AND RECORD VOTES; POSTPONEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS
(a) Working Quorum.--A majority of the members of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum for business and a majority
of the members of any subcommittee shall constitute a quorum
thereof for business, except that two members shall constitute
a quorum for the purpose of taking testimony and receiving
evidence.
(b) Quorum for Reporting.--No measure or recommendation
shall be reported to the House of Representatives unless a
majority of the Committee was actually present.
(c) Record Votes.--A record vote may be demanded by one-
fifth of the members present or, in the apparent absence of a
quorum, by any one member. With respect to any record vote on
any motion to amend or report, the total number of votes cast
for and against, and the names of those members voting for and
against, shall be included in the report of the Committee on
the bill or resolution.
(d) Prohibition Against Proxy Voting.--No vote by any
member of the Committee or a subcommittee with respect to any
measure or matter may be cast by proxy.
(e) Postponing Proceedings.--Committee and subcommittee
chairmen may postpone further proceedings when a record vote is
ordered on the question of approving a measure or matter or on
adopting an amendment, and may resume proceedings within two
legislative days on a postponed question after reasonable
notice. When proceedings resume on a postponed question,
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous
question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to
further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the
question was postponed.
RULE 5--SUBCOMMITTEES
(a) Establishment and Jurisdiction.--
(1) There shall be four subcommittees of the
Committee as follows:
(A) Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs, which shall have legislative,
oversight and investigative jurisdiction over
compensation; general and special pensions of
all the wars of the United States; life
insurance issued by the Government on account
of service in the Armed Forces; cemeteries of
the United States in which veterans of any war
or conflict are or may be buried, whether in
the United States or abroad, except cemeteries
administered by the Secretary of the Interior;
burial benefits; the Board of Veterans'
Appeals; and the United States Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims.
(B) Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity,
which shall have legislative, oversight and
investigative jurisdiction over education of
veterans, employment and training of veterans,
vocational rehabilitation, veterans' housing
programs, readjustment of servicemembers to
civilian life, and servicemembers civil relief.
(C) Subcommittee on Health, which shall have
legislative, oversight, and investigative
jurisdiction over the Veterans Health
Administration (VHA) including medical
services, medical support and compliance,
medical facilities, medical and prosthetic
research, and major and minor construction.
(D) Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations, which shall have oversight and
investigative jurisdiction over veterans'
matters generally, information technology,
procurement, and over such matters as may be
referred to the subcommittee by the Chairman of
the full Committee for its oversight or
investigation and for its appropriate
recommendations. The subcommittee shall have
legislative jurisdiction over such bills or
resolutions as may be referred to it by the
Chairman of the full Committee.
(2) Each subcommittee shall have responsibility for
such other measures or matters as the Chairman refers
to it.
(b) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the membership of a
subcommittee shall not affect the power of the remaining
members to execute the functions of that subcommittee.
(c) Ratios.--On each subcommittee, there shall be a ratio
of majority party members to minority party members which shall
be consistent with the ratio on the full Committee.
(d) Referral to Subcommittees.--The Chairman of the
Committee may refer a measure or matter, which is within the
general responsibility of more than one of the subcommittees of
the Committee, as the Chairman deems appropriate. In referring
any measure or matter to a subcommittee, the Chairman of the
Committee may specify a date by which the subcommittee shall
report thereon to the Committee.
(e) Powers and Duties.--
(1) Each subcommittee is authorized to meet,
hold hearings, receive evidence, and report to
the full Committee on all matters referred to
it or under its jurisdiction. Subcommittee
chairmen shall set dates for hearings and
meetings of their respective subcommittees
after consultation with the Chairman of the
Committee and other subcommittee chairmen with
a view toward avoiding simultaneous scheduling
of Committee and subcommittee meetings or
hearings whenever possible.
(2) Whenever a subcommittee has ordered a
bill, resolution, or other matter to be
reported to the Committee, the Chairman of the
subcommittee reporting the bill, resolution, or
matter to the full Committee, or any member
authorized by the subcommittee to do so shall
notify the Chairman and the ranking minority
party member of the Committee of the
Subcommittee's action.
(3) A member of the Committee who is not a
member of a particular subcommittee may sit
with the subcommittee during any of its
meetings and hearings, but shall not have
authority to vote, cannot be counted for a
quorum, and cannot raise a point of order at
the meeting or hearing.
(4) Non-Committee Members may be invited to
sit at the dais for subcommittee hearings with
the unanimous consent of all Members present.
Further, non-Committee Members may be
recognized for questioning of witnesses but
only after all subcommittee Members have first
been recognized for questioning.
(5) Each subcommittee shall provide the
Committee with copies of such record votes
taken in subcommittee and such other records
with respect to the subcommittee as the
Chairman of the Committee deems necessary for
the Committee to comply with all rules and
regulations of the House.
RULE 6--GENERAL OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY
(a) Purpose.--Pursuant to clause 2 of Rule X of the Rules
of the House, the Committee shall carry out oversight
responsibilities. In order to assist the House in--
(1) Its analysis, appraisal, evaluation of--
(A) The application, administration,
execution, and effectiveness of the laws
enacted by the Congress, or
(B) Conditions and circumstances, which may
indicate the necessity or desirability of
enacting new or additional legislation, and
(2) Its formulation, consideration and enactment of
such modifications or changes in those laws, and of
such additional legislation, as may be necessary or
appropriate, the Committee and its various
subcommittees, consistent with their jurisdiction as
set forth in Rule 5, shall have oversight
responsibilities as provided in subsection (b).
(b) Review of Laws and Programs.--The Committee and its
subcommittees shall review and study, on a continuing basis,
the applications, administration, execution, and effectiveness
of those laws, or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is
within the jurisdiction of the Committee or subcommittee, and
the organization and operation of the Federal agencies and
entities having responsibilities in or for the administration
and execution thereof, in order to determine whether such laws
and the programs thereunder are being implemented and carried
out in accordance with the intent of the Congress and whether
such programs should be continued, curtailed, or eliminated. In
addition, the Committee and its subcommittees shall review and
study any conditions or circumstances which may indicate the
necessity or desirability of enacting new or additional
legislation within the jurisdiction of the Committee or
subcommittee (whether or not any bill or resolution has been
introduced with respect thereto), and shall on a continuing
basis undertake future research and forecasting on matters
within the jurisdiction of the Committee or subcommittee.
(c) Oversight Plan.--Not later than February 15 of the
first session of a Congress, the Committee shall meet in open
session, with a quorum present, to adopt its oversight plans
for that Congress for submission to the Committee on House
Administration and the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, in accordance with the provisions of clause 2(d) of
Rule X of the Rules of the House.
(d) Oversight by Subcommittees.--The existence and
activities of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
shall in no way limit the responsibility of the other
subcommittees of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for
carrying out oversight duties.
RULE 7--BUDGET ACT RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) Budget Act Responsibilities.--Pursuant to clause
4(f)(1) of Rule X of the Rules of the House, the Committee
shall submit to the Committee on the Budget not later than six
weeks after the President submits his budget, or at such time
as the Committee on the Budget may request--
(1) Its views and estimates with respect to all
matters to be set forth in the concurrent resolution on
the budget for the ensuing fiscal year that are within
its jurisdiction or functions; and
(2) An estimate of the total amounts of new budget
authority, and budget outlays resulting therefrom, to
be provided or authorized in all bills and resolutions
within its jurisdiction that it intends to be effective
during that fiscal year.
RULE 8--RECORDS AND OTHER MATTERS
(a) Transcripts.--There shall be a transcript made of each
regular and additional meeting and hearing of the Committee and
its subcommittees. Any such transcript shall be a substantially
verbatim account of remarks actually made during the
proceedings, subject only to technical, grammatical, and
typographical corrections authorized by the person making the
remarks involved.
(b) Records.--
(1) The Committee shall keep a record of all actions
of the Committee and each of its subcommittees. The
record shall contain all information required by clause
2(e)(1) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House and shall
be available for public inspection at reasonable times
in the offices of the Committee.
(2) There shall be kept in writing a record of the
proceedings of the Committee and each of its
subcommittees, including a record of the votes on any
question on which a recorded vote is demanded. The
result of each such record vote shall be made available
by the Committee for inspection by the public at
reasonable times in the offices of the Committee.
Information so available for public inspection shall
include a description of the amendment, motion, order
or other proposition and the name of each member voting
for and each member voting against such amendment,
motion, order, or proposition, and the names of those
members present but not voting.
(c) Availability of Archived Records.--The records of the
Committee at the National Archives and Records Administration
shall be made available for public use in accordance with Rule
VII of the Rules of the House. The Chairman shall notify the
ranking minority member of any decision, pursuant to clause 3
or clause 4 of Rule VII of the Rules of the House, to withhold
a record otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented
to the Committee for a determination on written request of any
member of the Committee.
(d) Availability of Publications.--Pursuant to clause
2(e)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Committee
shall make its publications available in electronic form to the
maximum extent feasible.
RULE 9--TRAVEL
(a) Requirements for Travel.--All requests for travel,
funded by the Committee, for Members and staff in connection
with activities or subject matters under the general
jurisdiction of the Committee, shall be submitted to the Chair
for approval or disapproval. All travel requests should be
submitted to the Chair at least five working days in advance of
the proposed travel. For all travel funded by any other source,
notice shall be given to the Chair at least five working days
in advance of the proposed travel. All travel requests shall be
submitted to the Chair in writing and include the following:
(1) The purpose of the travel.
(2) The dates during which the travel is to occur.
(3) The names of the locations to be visited and the
length of time to be spent in each.
(4) The names of members and staff of the Committee
for whom the authorization is sought. Travel by the
minority shall be submitted to the Chair via the
Ranking Member.
(b) Trip Reports.--Members and staff shall make a written
report to the Chair within 15 working days on all travel
approved under this subsection. Reports shall include a
description of their itinerary, expenses, and activities, and
pertinent information gained as a result of such travel.
When travel involves majority and minority Members or
staff, the majority shall submit the report to the Chair on
behalf of the majority and minority. The minority may append
additional remarks to the report at their discretion.
(c) Applicability of House Rules.--Members and staff of the
Committee performing authorized travel on official business
shall be governed by applicable laws, resolutions, and
regulations of the House and of the Committee on House
Administration.
RULE 10--FACILITY NAMING
(a) Facility Naming.--No Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) facility or property shall be named after any individual
by the Committee unless:
(1) Such individual is deceased and was:
(A) A veteran who (i) was instrumental in the
construction or the operation of the facility
to be named, or (ii) was a recipient of the
Medal of Honor or, as determined by the
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, otherwise
performed military service of an
extraordinarily distinguished character;
(B) A Member of the United States House of
Representatives or Senate who had a direct
association with such facility;
(C) An Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, a
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, a Secretary of
Defense or of a service branch, or a military
or other Federal civilian official of
comparable or higher rank; or
(D) An individual who, as determined by the
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, performed
outstanding service for veterans.
(2) Each Member of the Congressional delegation
representing the State in which the designated facility
is located must indicate in writing such Member's
support of the proposal to name such facility after
such individual. Evidence of a Member's support in
writing may either be in the form of a letter to the
Chairman and Ranking Member or co-sponsorship of
legislation proposing to name the particular VA
facility in question.
(3) The pertinent State department or chapter of each
Congressionally chartered veterans' organization having
a national membership of at least 500,000 must indicate
in writing its support of such proposal.
(b) The above criteria for naming a VA facility may be
waived by unanimous consent.
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Veterans' Affairs
OVERSIGHT AGENDA FOR THE 114TH CONGRESS
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs conducts its oversight
with the help of four Subcommittees: Oversight and
Investigations; Economic Opportunity; Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs; and Health. It is expected that oversight of
the issues outlined below will be a shared responsibility of
both the full Committee and the appropriate subcommittees.
Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs
Appeals reform--The Board of Veterans Appeals
(BVA) reviews benefits claims submitted by veterans who
disagree with the decision made on their claim by a VA Regional
Office. It currently takes over two years for BVA to reach a
decision due to the backlog of claims. The process often
involves a remand by BVA to the Regional Office for additional
information which further lengthens the time to a final
decision. The Committee will explore alternative processes and
initiatives to the current system.
VBA Training--The Veterans Benefits
Administration's (VBA) overall training strategy continues to
result in questionable outcomes. VBA recently spent about $10
million to upgrade the skills of claims examiners. However,
Committee staff attended several training sessions and spoke
with participants to determine the quality of the training.
Participants were nearly unanimous in their judgment that the
training was of poor quality, hastily organized and inadequate
in nearly all phases. The Committee will review VBA's training
program beginning with initial skills training through advanced
and recurrent training.
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims--The Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) was established in 1988 and
has exclusive jurisdiction over decisions made by the BVA. The
Committee will conduct oversight over the operation of the
Court, including the current, jurisdiction, and compensation
and benefits of CAVC judges sitting on the Court compared to
other Article III courts and the Federal judiciary. The
Committee will make the comparison to determine whether CAVC
judges are adequately compensated relative to their workloads
and scope of work.
VBMS and VBA IT Systems--The Committee will review
the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) and other VBA IT
systems, to include inquiry into claims, future capabilities
and efficiencies, prevention of government waste due to
erroneous automatic payments or other system failures, and
strategic planning for the paperless environment. VA has spent
hundreds of millions of tax dollars to develop an information
technology system to process disability benefit claims. To
date, the Committee continues to receive information that the
system is frequently inoperative thereby forcing claims
processors to use inefficient systems designed decades ago.
VBA Fiduciary Program--The Committee will review
the performance of the VBA Fiduciary Program. The program is
designed to provide financial security to veterans who have
been determined unable to manage their VA benefit payments.
Fiduciaries are designated by VA and can be a family member, a
close friend, or a professional fiduciary. The review will
include oversight of how fiduciaries are appointed, the
Department's compliance with provisions in the Brady Handgun
Violence Prevention Act (Public Law 103-159, 107 Stat. 1536)
that can effectively deny veterans in the fiduciary program of
the Second Amendment rights as well as fraud associated with
the program.
Discharge and Benefits Eligibility--The
Subcommittee will review the treatment of character of
discharge and subsequent effect on benefits and healthcare. The
Committee is aware that many veterans receive types of
discharges that deprive them of their VA benefits as well as
affect their ability to hold many types of employment. These
discharges are sometimes awarded due to a servicemember's
performance under the stresses of PTSD and other mental health-
related issues.
IDES Program--the Subcommittee will conduct
oversight over the Integrated Disability Examination System
(IDES) program collaboration of DoD and VA, to include outcomes
and timeliness. IDES is intended to begin the disability claims
process while a servicemember is on active duty. The goal is to
completely reach a decision on the claim by the time the
servicemember is discharged or shortly thereafter.
National Cemeteries--The Subcommittee will
continue oversight over National Cemetery Administration (NCA),
Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), American Battle Monuments
Commission (ABMC), to include each organization's mission and
operation to include inquiry into matters of unclaimed remains,
access, and the methodology for determining veteran
satisfaction. Each of the above organizations provides a
hallowed resting place for veterans. VA alone operates over 150
National Cemeteries to provide an honorable resting placed for
veterans and certain dependents. The Committee will look into a
number of issues including poor cemetery maintenance,
destruction of and misplaced grave markers, and overall
management issues.
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
Effectiveness of the Transition Assistance Program
(TAP)--The Committee continues to be concerned about the
effectiveness of the TAP program which is intended to prepare
servicemembers for their return to civilian life. The
Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Labor jointly
manage and provide content to the five-day course that focuses
on skills needed to obtain gainful employment as well as an
understanding of the benefits that are available to them from
VA and DoL.
Performance of the Veterans Employment and
Training Service's State Grant program including performance of
the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist/Local
Veterans Employment Representative (DVOPS and LVERs) use of
employment outcome measures--The DVOPS/LVER program funds state
employment service staffs who are dedicated to placing veterans
in good-paying jobs. There are significant issues surrounding
the inconsistent performance of this program across the states
and the outcome measures used to determine performance continue
to be inadequate.
Effectiveness and outcomes of Education and
Training Programs for Returning Veterans with a focus in GI
Bill processing, implementing the in-state and Frye scholarship
provisions in the Choice Act, and the VetSuccess on Campus
program--The Post-9/11 GI bill is the most generous education
program for veterans since the original WWII GI Bill. Based on
the length of service, the program funds up to full tuition and
fees at public institutions of higher learning and about
$19,000 per year at private institutions as well as a monthly
living stipend based on the housing allowance paid to
servicemembers at the rank of E-5 and the zip code of the
institution. Recent changes to the program have expanded
eligibility for surviving dependents and the Committee intends
to determine how VA is implementing those changes as well as
the performance and value of the success-on-Campus program that
stations VA Vocational Rehabilitation staff on approximately 95
campuses.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
program. The VR&E program provides education and training
benefits for disabled veterans with barriers to employment. The
program will fund all costs related to long and short-term
education and training as well as immediate job placement
services. VRE also manages the Independent Living (IL) program
designed to enable the most severely injured veterans to live
as independently as possible. The Committee continues to be
concerned about counselor caseloads and outcomes of VRE
programs. The Committee will also conduct oversight over
management and overall effectiveness of the VR&E program.
Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE)--CVE is
responsible for vetting the applications of veteran and
service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses wanting to
participate in the program designed to increase the amount of
procurement dollars spent with veteran and disabled veteran-
owned small businesses. CVE's vetting program continues to
approve companies that are not qualified for multiple reasons
as well as disapprove qualified companies. The Committee will
review CVE's performance and coordinate with the Small Business
Committee to determine appropriate alternatives.
Licensing and Credentialing Issues--The
Subcommittee plans to look into efforts by states and other
entities to provide appropriate licenses and credentials to
qualified veterans whose military training make them eligible
for such credentials or licenses. The Department of Defense
spends billions of tax dollars to provide servicemembers with
the skills needed to complete DoD's mission. The vast majority
of those skills translate well to civilian jobs. Unfortunately,
few states recognize and give credit for military training to
qualify for state-licensed positions and therefore, the
training provided by DoD is essentially wasted. The Committee
will review states' progress toward awarding credit for
military training.
Subcommittee on Health
Implementation of Public Law 113-146, the Veteran
Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014--The Committee
will thoroughly examine the actions the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) has taken to ensure that the law is implemented in
accordance with statutorily required timelines and
Congressional intent. Last year, Committee oversight and
whistleblower revelations exposed systemic access to care
delays, widespread data manipulation, and failures of
accountability across the VA healthcare system. These issues
left some veterans waiting weeks, months, or--in some cases--
years for needed VA medical appointments. As such, particular
consideration will be given to the status of the Veterans
Choice program created by section 101 of the law and other
efforts undertaken by VA to ensure veterans receive timely and
accessible medical care, whether at VA medical facilities or
through non-VA providers. The Committee will begin looking at a
longer term solution that fully incorporates non-VA care into
the traditional VA care model, either through a restructured
PC3 program or other vehicle. The Committee will also closely
monitor VA's efforts to ensure that payments to non-VA
providers are both accurate and timely and continue aggressive
oversight of VA's efforts to ensure that all appropriate
actions are taken to hold VA leaders and employees accountable
for actions that cause harm to veteran patients.
Mental Health Care Quality, Access, and Staffing--
The Committee will continue to conduct rigorous oversight of
the provision of mental health care to veteran patients,
particularly those at risk of suicide. On average, 22 veterans
commit suicide each day--in spite of significant increases in
VA's mental health and suicide prevention budget, staff, and
programs over the last several years. In light of this seeming
disconnect, the Committee will examine the effectiveness of
VA's mental health and suicide prevention programs in reducing
the prevalence of mental health issues and suicide among the
veteran population. As part of this effort, the Committee will
also examine the quality, availability, and efficacy of the
readjustment counseling services provided through VA Vet
Centers.
Women Veterans--The Committee will evaluate
actions needed to increase access and overcome barriers to care
for women veterans. Women are the fastest growing segment of
the veteran population yet research continues to indicate that
VA struggles with providing women veterans with appropriate
gender-specific and gender-sensitive care in a welcoming
environment. In response, the Committee will examine VA's
current practices and actions needed to improve the provision
of care to women veterans.
Medical Recruitment, Retention and Staffing--The
Committee will closely examine VA's staffing, recruitment, and
retention plans. VA has identified staffing shortages as a key
issue impacting access to care for veteran patients. Recently,
VA transmitted a plan to Congress detailing VA's intent to
invest $2.2 billion to hire approximately 9,600 new permanent
medical staff. The Committee will closely monitor the use of
these funds and the impact staffing increases have on access to
and quality of care for veteran patients. In light of the long-
history of VA Inspector General and Government Accountability
Office reports regarding deficiencies in the productivity and
staffing measures used by VA medical centers and clinics, the
Committee will also assess VA's methodology to identify,
prioritize, and correct staffing shortages.
Caregiver Support--The Committee will continue to
monitor the implementation of the caregiver assistance programs
established in Public Law 111-163, the Caregivers and Veterans
Omnibus Health Services Act. The Committee recognizes and
respects the valuable services caregivers provide--often to the
detriment of their own emotional, physical, and financial
health--to veterans in need. As such, the Committee will also
continue to examine the findings and recommendation made by the
Government Accountability Office and the RAND Corporation,
among others, regarding how to improve caregiver programs.
Notably, the Committee will also evaluate the feasibility of
the expansion of the Family Caregiver Program and the
requirements VA must meet to responsibly expand it to family
caregivers of pre-9/11 veterans. In addition to evaluating the
feasibility of the expansion of the Family Caregiver Program to
pre-9/11 veterans, the Committee will also examine the
feasibility of including ``ill'' veterans' caregivers in the
program.
Management of Major Medical Facility Projects and
Leases--The Committee will continue its aggressive oversight of
VA's major medical facility construction projects and leases.
The Committee will also evaluate actions needed to expedite
VA's leasing projects in light of recent changes that require
VA to work with the General Services Administration to execute
major medical facility leases. Particular consideration will be
given to the status of ongoing major medical facility
construction projects in Orlando, Florida; New Orleans,
Louisiana; and Denver, Colorado; and the twenty-seven major
medical facility leases authorized in Public Law 113-146.
Organizational and Management Structure--The
Committee will closely examine the current Veterans Health
Administration organizational and management structure. Last
year, the Committee received testimony from the VA Inspector
General that, ``. . . there are several organizational issues
that impeded the efficient and effective operation of [the
Veterans Health Administration] and place patients at-risk of
unexpected outcomes.'' The Committee will thoroughly evaluate
these organizational impediments to care and assess changes
that may be needed to improve the provision of timely, quality
care to veteran patients. VISN scope, function, and manpower
requirements will be examined for possible restructuring. The
Committee will also monitor VA's efforts to increase the
efficiency of medical facility operations and, ultimately,
access to care for veteran patients. In addition, the Committee
will also evaluate best practices utilized by private sector
health care systems and their applicability to--and inclusion
in--the VA healthcare system.
Medical and Prosthetic Research Program and
Centers of Excellence--The Committee will closely examine VA's
medical and prosthetic research program. VA's Office of
Research and Development (ORD) conducts an extensive research
program that is tasked with conducting research to advance the
health care provided by VA and to the nation. Outside of ORD,
VA also operates a number of Centers of Excellence across the
country that conduct research on specific aspects of VA health
care. The Committee will aggressively oversee the totality of
VA's research programs and ensure that best practices are
conducted and disseminated throughout the country.
Prosthetic Care and Procurement--The Committee
will continue to closely monitor and assess the provision of
care to veterans requiring prosthetic devices. In 2012, VA
undertook an initiative to reform prosthetics procurement
practices. Under the new system, purchasing authority for
prosthetics equipment above $3,000 was transferred from
prosthetics purchasing agents to contracting specialists. The
Committee remains concerned that these reforms have resulted in
lengthy and unacceptable delays in care for veterans in need.
As such, the Committee will also examine the continuing impacts
of prosthetic procurement reform and actions needed to ensure
veterans--particularly those requiring high-level prosthetic
devices--receive timely and responsive prosthetic care.
Pain Management--The Committee will examine the
increasing use of prescription medications to treat veterans
experiencing acute and chronic pain. Data suggests that
veterans are a particularly high-risk population for
prescription misuse, substance use disorder, accidental
overdose, accidents, and/or self-inflicted injury. In
particular, questions were raised in the 113th Congress
regarding the need for VA to provide a ``higher consent'' form
to veterans regarding medication side effects and offering them
alternative therapies to medications in order to manage their
pain. Accordingly, the Committee will examine actions needed to
improve pain management across the VA health care system.
VA Partnerships with Community Organizations--The
Committee will continue to examine the role of non-profit,
faith-based, and community providers in helping veterans
transitioning from active duty to civilian life and/or
struggling with health or other issues. Operating outside the
constraints of a Federal bureaucracy, faith-based, non-profit,
community, and other nongovernmental organizations are uniquely
situated to assist VA in breaking down identified barriers to
care for veterans in need. Indeed, these groups are already
playing a pivotal role in caring for the veterans in
communities across the country every day, providing a range of
services including transportation, housing, mental health
counseling, crisis intervention services, scholarships,
financial assistance, and workforce reintegration programs. The
Committee will focus on VA's relationship with these critical
community partners and further actions needed to increase and
improve meaningful and effective working relationships between
them and VA.
Homeless Veterans--The Committee will thoroughly
examine the actions VA has taken to provide homeless and at-
risk veterans with appropriate housing, healthcare, and
training and employment opportunities. In November 2009, then-
VA Secretary Shinseki announced a Five-Year Plan to End Veteran
Homelessness. Since this Plan was implemented in 2010, veteran
homelessness has decreased by 33 percent and VA's total medical
care obligations for homeless veterans has increased to roughly
$6 billion, more than ten percent of VA's entire medical care
budget. In light of the pending conclusion of the Plan and the
considerable investments that have been made in support of it,
the Committee will closely assess the status and sustainability
of the progress made to-date to eradicate veteran homelessness.
Importantly, the Committee will also work to ensure that VA's
efforts regarding homeless veterans are focused not just on
housing but also on the elimination of the factors underlying
homelessness.
Toxic Exposures--The Committee will examine VA's
efforts to improve the research and treatment available to
veterans who may have been exposed to toxic chemicals during
their military service. Negative health effects as a result of
exposure to toxic chemicals can have lifelong and generational
effects on veterans and their families. In recognition of this,
the Committee will assess the actions VA has taken in response
to verified or suspected toxic exposure incidents and evaluate
actions still needed to improve services to veterans and family
members.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Long Term
Rehabilitation--The Committee will continue to examine the
treatment provided to veterans with TBI. Identifying and
implementing innovative treatment techniques to aid these
veterans in their recovery has been a long-standing Committee
priority. Particular consideration will be provided to
overseeing the ongoing community-based brain injury residential
rehabilitative care pilot program. Anecdotal evidence seems to
indicate that veterans involved in the pilot program are
satisfied with it and appear to experience functional gains as
a result of the services they receive. In support of these
initial findings, the Committee will continue to oversee the
pilot as well as assess actions needed to enhance
rehabilitation, quality of life, and community integration for
veterans with TBI.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine--The
Committee will assess the availability, use, and efficacy of
complementary and alternative medicine to treat veterans in
need. Anecdotal evidence from veterans in complementary and
alternative medicine programs indicates positive health effects
and, increasingly, veterans are advocating for a variety of
treatment options in addition to traditional medicine. As such,
the Committee will examine how VA is incorporating
complementary and alternative medicine into VA medical
facilities and monitoring the effectiveness of complementary
and alternative treatments for veterans with physical and
mental health issues.
Veterans Courts--The Committee will assess VA's
Veterans Justice Outreach programs and, in particular, the role
of veterans courts. Veterans with mental health, substance use,
and other needs that are left untreated can sometimes become
involved with the criminal justice system. The Committee will
evaluate the use and effectiveness of veterans courts in
assisting veterans with mental health and other needs access
treatment and avoid unnecessary criminalization and
incarceration.
Pharmacy Issues--The Committee will examine
ongoing issues with VA's pharmacy practices and formulary. The
Committee will also evaluate the process through veterans are
prescribed non-formulary medications, as required, and the
process through which new medications are vetted and,
ultimately, provided to veteran patients. The Committee will
also oversee the use and effectiveness of VA's consolidated
mail outpatient pharmacy.
Civilian Health and Medical Program of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)--CHAMPVA provides
health benefits to spouses and children of veterans who are
disabled or who died from a service-connected disability. When
the Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) was passed in
2010, children of these veterans were left out of the
provisions allowing dependents to stay on their parents'
insurance until age 26. However, within the military health
program TRICARE, dependents are allowed to stay until 26,
creating a potential inequity for CHAMPVA dependents. The
Committee will examine the feasibility and advisability of
extending the CHAMPVA program to age 26 for those who are
eligible.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
VA Procurement and Acquisition--The VA procurement
and acquisition process has been a recurring problem area for
the VA. The Committee will look into numerous allegations of
inappropriate and inefficient procurement practices at the VA
and work toward identifying concrete steps that VA can take to
improve the procurement and acquisition process.
VA Major Construction--The Committee will be
undertaking a comprehensive investigation and review of VA's
Major Construction program. VA's current practices may increase
costs and delays in constructing facilities, as most recently
evidenced at the Denver VA Medical Center project, a project
where costs have skyrocketed and estimates regarding completion
have stretched into the future.
VA Claims Process--The Committee will be looking
into the VA claims process to ensure that claims are handled
quickly and fairly, including claims that are handled under an
expedited process that may cut important due process corners.
VA Health Care Quality and Timeliness--The
Committee will continue oversight over VA health care quality
concerns and issues involving delays and access. The Committee
is especially concerned over staffing shortages and the effects
such shortages have on health care access.
VA Land Use Agreements--The Committee will review
allegations of wasteful and improper VA land use lease
agreements that may have an effect on health care quality and
timeliness and waste taxpayer dollars.
Whistleblower Retaliation--The Committee is
concerned over continued allegations regarding VA retaliation
against whistleblowers. The Committee will look closely into
whistleblower retaliation and whether recent statements
regarding zero tolerance for retaliation are being effectively
followed throughout the VA system.
VA Mental Health Care--The Committee will be
reviewing the effectiveness and adequacy of VA's mental health
efforts, including its management of psychiatric medications
and suicide prevention efforts that may not provide appropriate
access to care to veterans seeking mental health care. The
Committee will also review the use and misuse of opioids in the
treatment of mental health issues involving PTSD, TBI, and
substance use addictions.
VA Information Technology--The Committee will
continue its vigorous oversight over the VA's information
technology program, including the effectiveness of VA's
cybersecurity efforts. The Committee will also look into VA's
efforts to replace the scheduling software currently used by
the Veterans Health Administration as well as efforts by VA and
the Department of Defense to put into place interoperable and
integrated electronic health records.
MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
(Ratio: 14-10)
JEFF MILLER, Florida, Chairman
MARK TAKANO, California, Acting Ranking Member (19 July 2016-Present)
CORRINE BROWN, Florida, Ranking Member (Jan 2015-18 July 2016)ice
JULIA BROWNLEY, California Chairman
DINA TITUS, Nevada DAVID P. ROE, Tennessee
RAUL RUIZ, California DAN BENISHEK, Michigan
ANN KUSTER, New Hampshire TIM HUELSKAMP, Kansas
BETO O'ROURKE, Texas MIKE COFFMAN, Colorado
KATHLEEN RICE, New York BRAD WENSTRUP, Ohio
TIM WALZ, Minnesota JACKIE WALORSKI, Indiana
JERRY McNERNEY, California RALPH ABRAHAM, Louisiana
LEE ZELDIN, New York
RYAN COSTELLO, Pennsylvania
AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,
America Samoa
MIKE BOST, Illinois
Jonathan A. Towers, Majority Staff
Director
Don Phillips, Democratic Staff
Director
SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS
SUBCOMMITTEE ON DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AND MEMORIAL AFFAIRS
(Ratio: 5-3)
RALPH ABRAHAM, Louisiana, Chairman
DINA TITUS, Nevada, DOUG LAMBORN, Colorado
Ranking Member LEE ZELDIN, New York
JULIA BROWNLEY, California RYAN COSTELLO, Pennsylvania
RAUL RUIZ, California MIKE BOST, Illinois
SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
(Ratio: 5-4)
BRAD WENSTRUP, Ohio, Chairman
MARK TAKANO, California, LEE ZELDIN, New York
Ranking Member RYAN COSTELLO, Pennsylvania
DINA TITUS, Nevada AMATA AUMUA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,
KATHLEEN RICE, New York America Samoa
JERRY McNERNEY, California MIKE BOST, Illinois
SUBCOMMITEE ON HEALTH
(Ratio: 7-5)
DAN BENISHEK, Michigan, Chairman
JULIA BROWNLEY, California, GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida
Ranking Member DAVID P. ROE, Tennessee
MARK TAKANO, California TIM HUELSKAMP, Kansas
RAUL RUIZ, California MIKE COFFMAN, Colorado
ANN KUSTER, New Hampshire BRAD WENSTRUP, Ohio
BETO O'ROURKE, Texas RALPH ABRAHAM, Louisiana
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS
(Ratio: 6-4)
MIKE COFFMAN, Colorado, Chairman
ANN KUSTER, New Hampshire, DOUG LAMBORN, Colorado
Ranking Member DAVID P. ROE, Tennessee
BETO O'ROURKE, Texas DAN BENISHEK, Michigan
KATHLEEN RICE, New York TIM HUELSKAMP, Kansas
TIM WALZ, Minnesota JACKIE WALORSKI, Indiana
COMMITTEE STAFF
MAJORITY STAFF
Jonathan A. Towers
Staff Director
Michael F. Brinck
Deputy Staff Director
Brandt Anderson, Research
Assistant, Subcommittee on Health
(January 2015-May 2015)
Kelsey Baron, Professional Staff
Member, Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity
Kiley Bidelman (September 2015-
Present)
Tamara Bonzanto, Healthcare
Investigator (June 2015-Present)
Curt Cashour, Communications
Director
Amy Centanni, Investigative
Counsel, Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations
Jonathan A. Clark, Staff Director,
Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity
Cecilia Daly, Professional Staff
Member, Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs
(April 2015-Present)
Hillary Dickinson, Research
Assistant, Subcommittee on Health
(August 2015-Present)
Bernadine N. Dotson, Financial
Administrator
Jessica G. Eggimann, Chief Clerk,
Legislative Coordinator, Office
Manager
Samantha E. Gonzalez, Senior
Professional Staff Member
Eric E. Hannel, Staff Director,
Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations (January 2015-
October 2016)
Christine Hill, Staff Director,
Subcommittee on Health
Jon Hodnette, Investigative
Counsel, Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations (January 2015-
October 2016)--Staff Director
(November 2016-Present)
Christina Mandreucci, Staff
Assistant (January 2015-August
2015)
Tim Mantegna, Digital Manager &
Press Assistant (February 2015-
February 2016)
William Mallison, Contract
Investigator, Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations (July
2015-Present)
Caroline Ponseti, Digital Manager
& Press Assistant (February 2016-
Present)
Harold Rees, Senior Investigative
Counsel, Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations (January 2015-
November 2016)
Rory Riley, Staff Director,
Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs
(January 2015-October 2015)
Lauren Rogan, Professional Staff
Member and Counsel, Subcommittee
on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs (January 2015-
February 2015)
Michael Siegel, Digital Manager
(January 2015-February 2015)
Alyssa Schroeder, Research
Assistant, Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs (November 2015-Present)
Ian Smith, Research Assistant,
Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs
(January 2015-February 2015)
Maria Tripplaar, Staff Director
and Counsel, Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs (October 2015-Present)
John Vick, Research Assistant,
Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs
(April 2015-October 2015)
MINORITY STAFF
Don Phillips
Staff Director
Megan Bland, Executive Assistant
(January 2015-November 2015)
Carolyn Blaydes, Senior
Legislative Assistant
Justin Brown, Staff Director,
Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs
(January 2015-September 2016)
Andrea Donelson, Executive
Assistant and New Media Manager
(November 2015-Present)
Lee Footer, Professional Staff
Member
Carol S. Murray, Office Manager
and Legislative Coordinator
Grace Rodden, Investigative
Counsel (May 2015-Present)
David Simon, Communications
Director (January 2015-July 2015)
Erin Snow, Staff Director,
Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity (April 2015-Present)
David Tucker, Deputy Staff
Director and Chief Counsel
(January 2015-August 2016)
Saki Ververis, Senior Legislative
Assistant (January 2015-July 2016)
Cathleen C. Wiblemo, Staff
Director, Subcommittee on Health
LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES OF THE FULL COMMITTEE
From January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2016 of the First
and Second Sessions of the 114th Congress, 452 bills were
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The Committee
reported to the House or was discharged from further
consideration of 38 measures. Sixteen measures regarding
matters within the Committee's jurisdiction were enacted into
law.
The following is a summary of the legislative and oversight
activities of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs from January
1, 2015 to December 31, 2016 of the 114th Congress.
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
(Ratio: 14-10)
JEFF MILLER, Florida, Chairman
MARK TAKANO, California, Acting Ranking Member (19 July 2016-Present)
CORRINE BROWN, Florida, Ranking Member (Jan 2015-18 July 2016)ice
JULIA BROWNLEY, California Chairman
DINA TITUS, Nevada DAVID P. ROE, Tennessee
RAUL RUIZ, California DAN BENISHEK, Michigan
ANN KUSTER, New Hampshire TIM HUELSKAMP, Kansas
BETO O'ROURKE, Texas MIKE COFFMAN, Colorado
KATHLEEN RICE, New York BRAD WENSTRUP, Ohio
TIM WALZ, Minnesota JACKIE WALORSKI, Indiana
JERRY McNERNEY, California RALPH ABRAHAM, Louisiana
LEE ZELDIN, New York
RYAN COSTELLO, Pennsylvania
AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,
America Samoa
MIKE BOST, Illinois
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
FULL COMMITTEE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
First Session
VETERANS IDENTIFICATION CARD ACT 2015
(H.R. 91)
Summary
H.R. 91, the Veteran's Identification Card Act of 2015,
directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue a
veteran's identification card to a requesting veteran who is
neither entitled to military retired pay nor enrolled in the VA
system of patient enrollment.
The bill also requires such card, among other things, to:
(1) display the veteran's name and photograph, and (2) serve as
proof that the veteran has a DD-214 form or other official
document in his or her military personnel file that describes
the veteran's military service. The bill also directs VA to
charge a card fee and states that such card shall not serve as
proof of entitlement to any benefits.
Legislative History
H.R. 91 was introduced by Representative Vern Buchanan on
January 6, 2015, and referred to the Committee on Veterans
Affairs. H.R. 91 had 82 cosponsors.
On May 18, 2015, the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 91, as amended, by 402 Yeas and 0 Nays.
On June 22, 2015, H.R. 91 passed the Senate with an
amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On July 7, 2015, the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and agree to the Senate amendment by 411 Yeas and 0
Nays.
On July 9, 2015, H.R. 91 was presented to the President.
On July 20, 2015, H.R. 91 was signed by the President and
became Public Law No. 114-31.
CLAY HUNT SAV ACT
(H.R. 203)
Summary
H.R. 203, the Clay Hunt SAV Act, requires the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) arrange for an independent third
party evaluation, to be conducted by September 30, 2018, and
each fiscal year thereafter, of the VA's mental health care and
suicide prevention programs; and (2) submit a report to
Congress, by December 1, 2018, and each year thereafter,
containing the most recent evaluations not yet submitted to
Congress and any recommendations the Secretary considers
appropriate.
H.R. 203 directs the Secretary to submit interim reports to
Congress by September 30, 2016, and September 30, 2017, on the
VA's mental health care and suicide prevention programs.
H.R. 203 directs the Secretary to survey the VA's websites
and information resources to publish a website that serves as a
centralized source to provide veterans with information,
updated at least once every 90 days, regarding the VA's mental
health care services.
H.R. 203 requires the Secretary to carry out a three-year
pilot program to repay the education loans relating to
psychiatric medicine that are incurred by individuals who: are
eligible to practice psychiatric medicine in the Veterans
Health Administration (VHA) or are enrolled in the final year
of a residency program leading to a specialty qualification in
psychiatric medicine; demonstrate a commitment to a long-term
career as a psychiatrist in the VHA; and agree to a period of
two or more years of obligated service with the VHA in the
field of psychiatric medicine, as determined by the Secretary.
H.R. 203 limits the loan repayment to no more than $30,000
for each year an individual performs such obligated service, as
determined by the Secretary.
H.R. 203 directs the Secretary to submit interim and final
reports to Congress on such pilot program.
H.R. 203 directs the Secretary to establish a three-year
pilot program at not less than five Veterans Integrated Service
Networks (VISNs) to assist veterans transitioning from active
duty and to improve the access of veterans to mental health
services. Requires the pilot program at each VISN to include:
(1) a community oriented veteran peer support network carried
out in partnership with an entity that has experience in peer
support programs, and (2) a community outreach team for each
medical center in such VISN.
H.R. 203 directs the Secretary to submit interim and final
reports to Congress on such pilot program.
H.R. 203 authorizes the Secretary to collaborate with
nonprofit mental health organizations to prevent suicide among
veterans. Requires the Secretary and any such organization to
exchange training sessions and best practices.
H.R. 203 directs the Secretary to select a VA Director of
Suicide Prevention Coordination to undertake any collaboration
with nonprofit mental health organizations.
H.R. 203 extends for one year combat veterans' eligibility
for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care
for illnesses that have not been medically proven to be
attributable to their service, provided they: (1) were
discharged or released from active duty between January 1,
2009, and January 1, 2011, and (2) did not enroll to receive
such care during the five-year period of eligibility following
their discharge.
H.R. 203 prohibits the authorization of any additional
appropriations to carry out this Act's provisions.
Legislative History
H.R. 203 was introduced by Representative Timothy Walz on
January 7, 2015, and referred to the House Veterans' Affairs
Committee. The bill had 39 cosponsors, 11 of which were
original cosponsors.
On January 12, 2015, the House agreed to a motion to
suspend the rules and pass the bill agreed to by 403 Yeas and 0
Nays.
On January 21, 2015, H.R. 203 was reported by Senator
Isakson without amendment and without a written report.
On February 3, 2015, H.R. 203 passed the Senate without
amendment by 99 Yeas and 0 Nays.
On February 11, 2015, H.R. 203 was presented to the
President.
On February 12, 2015, H.R. 203 was signed by the President
and became Public Law No: 114-2.
On April 23, 2015, Senator Isakson from the Senate
Committee on Veterans' Affairs filed the written report, No.
114-34.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS BUDGET PLANNING REFORM ACT OF 2015
(H.R. 216)
Summary
H.R. 216, the Department of Veterans' Affairs Budget
Planning Reform Act of 2015, directs the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs (VA) to submit annually to Congress a Future-Years
Veterans Program (Program) reflecting estimated expenditures
and proposed appropriations included in the budget for that
fiscal year.
H.R. 216 requires the Program to: (1) set forth a five-year
VA plan to address the U.S. commitment to veterans and the
resources necessary to meet that commitment; (2) be included in
VA's annual budget submission to the Congress, starting with
the FY2020 budget submission; and (3) be published on a
publicly available VA website.
H.R. 216 requires the Secretary, in 2019 and quadrennially
thereafter, to conduct a review of the strategy for meeting
such commitment and resources requirement (Quadrennial Veterans
Review) which shall include a comprehensive examination of U.S.
policies and strategies for veterans, including recommendations
regarding the long-term strategy and priorities for veterans
programs, services, and benefits, and guidance on VA programs,
assets, budget, and policies.
H.R. 216 requires each Review to be coordinated with the
Program.
H.R. 216 directs the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress
regarding each Review, and (2) publish each Review on a
publicly available VA website.
H.R. 216 directs the Secretary to establish an Independent
Veterans Review Panel for each year in which a Review is
conducted which shall review the process by which the review is
formulated and submit a related report to Congress.
H.R. 216 directs the Secretary to provide annually to the
appropriate VA officials written policy guidance for the
preparation and review of the planning and program
recommendations and budget proposals of the VA elements of such
officials.
H.R. 216 directs the Secretary to designate a Chief
Strategy Officer to: (1) advise the Secretary on long-range VA
strategy and implications, and (2) develop and execute the
Program.
H.R. 216 states that: (1) no additional funds are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act, and (2)
this Act shall be carried out using funds otherwise available
to VA.
Legislative History
H.R. 216 was introduced by Representative Corrine Brown on
January 8, 2015, and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill was originally cosponsored by
Chairman Jeff Miller, and had 3 additional cosponsors.
On January 27, 2015, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 216, and received testimony
from the following witnesses: the Honorable Alan Grayson,
Member of Congress, U.S. House of Representatives, 9th
Congressional District, Florida; Mr. David R. McLenachen,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. Mr. McLenachen was accompanied by: Dr. Rajiv Jain,
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Patient
Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Susan Sullivan, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Policy, Office of Policy and Planning, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Kim McLeod, Counsel, Office
of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Joseph A. Violante, National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Zachary
Hearn, Deputy Director--Claims of the Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Commission, The American Legion; and Mr. Blake
Ortner, Deputy Government Relations Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America.
On February 12, 2015, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in an open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 216 was offered by Ranking Member Brown of
Florida and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 216, as amended,
passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full House by voice vote. The Committee Report
was filed on March 23, 2015 (H. Rept. 114-48).
On March 24, 2015, the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill, as amended by 420 Yeas and 0 Nays.
On March 25, 2015, H.R. 216 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO RECOUP BONUSES AND
AWARDS PAID TO EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
(H.R. 280)
Summary
H.R. 280, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
recoup bonuses and awards paid to employees of the Department
of Veterans Affairs, authorizes the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) to issue an order directing a VA employee to repay
the amount, or a portion of the amount, of an award or bonus
paid to the employee if: (1) the VA determines that such
repayment is appropriate, and (2) the employee is afforded
notice and an opportunity for a hearing conducted by another
federal agency. H.R. 280 makes such repayment decisions final
and unreviewable.
H.R. 280 makes this Act applicable to awards or bonuses
paid before, on, or after the date of this Act's enactment.
Legislative History
H.R. 280 was introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller on January
12, 2015, and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs in addition to the the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform. The bill had 9 additional cosponsors.
On January 27, 2015, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 280, and received testimony
from the following witnesses: the Honorable Alan Grayson,
Member of Congress, U.S. House of Representatives, 9th
Congressional District, Florida; Mr. David R. McLenachen,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance,
Veterans Benefits Administration U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. Mr. McLenachen was accompanied by: Dr. Rajiv Jain,
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Patient
Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Susan Sullivan, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Policy, Office of Policy and Planning, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Kim McLeod, Counsel, Office
of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Joseph A. Violante, National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Zachary
Hearn, Deputy Director--Claims of the Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Commission, The American Legion; and Mr. Blake
Ortner, Deputy Government Relations Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America.
On February 12, 2015 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met
in an open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute H.R. 280 was offered by Chairman Miller of Florida
and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 280, as amended, passed the
Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the
Full House by voice vote. The Committee Report was filed on
March 2, 2015, and discharged from the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform (H. Rept. 114-32).
On March 2, 2015, the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill, as amended, by voice vote.
On March 3, 2015, H.R. 280 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
LONG-TERM CARE VETERANS CHOICE ACT
(H.R. 294)
Summary
H.R. 294, Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act, authorizes
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), during the three-year
period beginning on October 1, 2015, at the request of a
veteran for whom the VA is required to provide nursing home
care, to place such veteran in a medical foster home that meets
VA standards. Requires such veteran to agree, as a condition of
such placement, to accept VA home health services.
H.R. 294 limits the number of veterans placed in a medical
foster home that may have their care covered at the expense of
the United States to 900.
H.R. 294 amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 to reduce the aggregate amount of
awards and bonuses that may be paid by the VA in each of
FY2015-FY2018 to $300 million.
Legislative History
H.R. 294 was introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller on January
13, 2015, and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 2 additional cosponsors.
On January 27, 2015, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 294, and received testimony
from the following witnesses: the Honorable Alan Grayson,
Member of Congress, U.S. House of Representatives, 9th
Congressional District, Florida; Mr. David R. McLenachen,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. Mr. McLenachen was accompanied by: Dr. Rajiv Jain,
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Patient
Services Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Susan Sullivan, Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Policy, Office of Policy and Planning, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Kim McLeod, Counsel, Office
of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Joseph A. Violante, National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Zachary
Hearn, Deputy Director for Claims of the Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Commission, The American Legion; and Mr. Blake
Ortner, Deputy Government Relations Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America.
On February 12, 2015 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met
in open session and an amendment in the nature of a substitute,
H.R. 294, was offered by Chairman Miller of Florida and was
adopted by voice vote. H.R. 294, as amended, passed the Full
Committee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full
House by voice vote. The Committee Report was filed on March 2,
2015 (H. Rept. 114-35).
On March 2, 2015, the House agreed on the motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill, as amended, by 405 Yeas and 0
Nays.
On March 2, 2015, H.R. 294 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
HOMELESS VETERANS' REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2015
(H.R. 474)
Summary
H.R. 474, Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs
Reauthorization Act of 2015, extends through FY2020 the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) homeless veterans
reintegration programs. (Those programs provide job training,
counseling, and placement services to homeless veterans to
expedite their reintegration into the labor force.)
H.R. 474 makes eligible for participation in those
programs: (1) homeless veterans, (2) veterans who are
participating in the VA supported housing program for which
rental assistance is provided under the United States Housing
Act of 1937, and (3) veterans who are transitioning from being
incarcerated.
Legislative History
H.R. 474 was introduced by Representative Brad Wenstrup on
January 22, 2015, and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 4 additional cosponsors.
On March 24, 2015 the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and held a legislative hearing on H.R. 474
and received testimony from the following witnesses: the
Honorable Patrick Murphy, U.S. House of Representatives, 18th
Congressional District, Florida; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy
Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States; Mr. Christopher Neiweem, Legislative
Associate, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Steve
Gonzalez, Assistant Director, National Veteran Employment &
Education Division, The American Legion; Dr. Joseph W. Wescott,
President, National Association of State Approving Agencies; MG
Robert M. Worley II USAF (Ret.), Director, Education Service,
Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Tom Leney, Executive Director,
Small and Veteran Business Programs, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Ms. Kimberly McLeod, Deputy
Assistant General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Mr. John Brizzi, Deputy Assistant General
Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Teresa W.
Gerton, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and
Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor.
On April 15, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and ordered H.R. 474 to be favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 18, 2015, the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 474 by voice vote.
On May 19, 2015, H.R. 474 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs.
VETERANS' COMPENSATION COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 2015
(H.R. 675)
Summary
H.R. 675, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Act of 2015, directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to
increase, as of November 30, 2015, the rates of: veterans'
disability compensation, additional compensation for
dependents, wartime disability compensation, the clothing
allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and
indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Each
such increase shall be the same percentage as the benefits
increase provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and
Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act, as of
December 1, 2015. The VA shall publish such adjusted rates in
the Federal Register.
Legislative History
H.R. 675 was introduced by Representative Ralph Abraham on
February 3, 2015, and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had 5 cosponsors, 1 of which was an
original cosponsor.
On April 14, 2015 the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing on H.R. 675 and
received testimony from the following witnesses: The Honorable
Chellie Pingree, U.S. House of Representatives; Mr. David R.
McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability
Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Mr. McLenachen was accompanied by Ms.
Laura H. Eskenazi, Executive-in-Charge and Vice Chairman, Board
of Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Mr. David J. Barrans, Assistant General Counsel, Office of
General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Zachary Hearn, Deputy Director for Claims, Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr. Blake C.
Ortner, Deputy Government Relations Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; Mr. Paul R. Varela, Assistant National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Ronald B.
Abrams, Joint Executive Director, National Veterans Legal
Services Program; Mr. Kenneth M. Carpenter, Founding Member,
National Organization of Veterans' Advocates.
On May 14, 2015, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs met in open session and ordered H.R. 675
to favorably be forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 21, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 675 was offered by Rep. Ralph Abraham of Louisiana and
was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote. An amendment
to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 675 was
offered by Rep. Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania and was adopted
by the Full Committee by voice vote. H.R. 675, as amended,
passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full House by voice vote. The Committee Report
was filed on July 16, 2015 (H. Rept. 114-206).
On July 28, 2015, the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill, as amended, by 409 Yeas and 0
Nays.
On July 29, 2015, H.R. 675 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
ENSURING VA EMPLOYEE ACOUNTABILITY ACT
(H.R. 1038)
Summary
H.R. 1038, Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act, would
require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to retain a
copy of any reprimand or admonishment received by a VA employee
in the employee's permanent record.
Legislative History
H.R. 1038 was introduced by Representative Ryan Costello on
February 24, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had no cosponsors.
On March 24, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 1038, and received testimony
from the following witnesses: the Honorable Patrick Murphy,
U.S. House of Representatives, 18th Congressional District,
Florida; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States; Mr. Christopher Neiweem, Legislative Associate, Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Steve Gonzalez,
Assistant Director, National Veteran Employment & Education
Division, The American Legion; Dr. Joseph W. Wescott,
President, National Association of State Approving Agencies; MG
Robert M. Worley II USAF (Ret.), Director, Education Service,
Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Tom Leney, Executive Director,
Small and Veteran Business Programs, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Ms. Kimberly McLeod, Deputy
Assistant General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Mr. John Brizzi, Deputy Assistant General
Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Teresa W.
Gerton, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and
Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor.
On April 15, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and ordered H.R. 1038 to be favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 18, 2015, the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 1038 by voice vote.
On May 19, 2015, H.R. 1038 was received by the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
SERVICE DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF ACT
(H.R. 1313)
Summary
H.R. 1313, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
Relief Act, would treat the surviving spouse of a service-
disabled veteran who acquires the ownership interest in a small
business of the deceased veteran as such veteran for purposes
of eligibility for VA service-disabled small business
contracting goals and preferences for: (1) 10 years after the
veteran's death if such veteran was either 100% disabled or
died from a service-connected disability, or (2) 3 years after
such death if the veteran was less than 100% disabled and did
not die from a service-connected disability.
Legislative History
H.R 1313 was introduced by Representative Jerry McNerney on
March 4, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had no cosponsors.
On March 24, 2015 the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 1313 and received testimony
from the following witnesses: the Honorable Patrick Murphy,
U.S. House of Representatives, 18th Congressional District,
Florida; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States; Mr. Christopher Neiweem, Legislative Associate, Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Steve Gonzalez,
Assistant Director, National Veteran Employment & Education
Division, The American Legion; Dr. Joseph W. Wescott,
President, National Association of State Approving Agencies; MG
Robert M. Worley II USAF (Ret.), Director, Education Service,
Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Tom Leney, Executive Director,
Small and Veteran Business Programs, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Ms. Kimberly McLeod, Deputy
Assistant General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Mr. John Brizzi, Deputy Assistant General
Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Teresa W.
Gerton, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and
Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor.
On April 15, 2015 the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in an open session and ordered H.R. 1313 to favorably be
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 18, 2015, the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 1313 by 403 Yeas and 0 Nays.
On May 19, 2015, H.R. 1313 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
DIGNIFIED INTERMENT OF OUR VETERANS ACT OF 2015
(H.R. 1338)
Summary
H.R. 1338, Dignified Interment of our Veterans Act of 2015,
would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study
and report to Congress on matters relating to the interring of
veterans' unclaimed remains in national cemeteries under the
control of the National Cemetery Administration, including: the
scope of the issues relating to veterans' unclaimed remains,
including the estimated number of such remains; the
effectiveness of VA procedures for working with persons or
entities having custody of unclaimed remains to facilitate
their interment in such cemeteries; state and local laws that
affect the Secretary's ability to inter unclaimed veterans'
remains in such cemeteries; and recommendations for appropriate
legislative or administrative action.
H.R. 1338 would ensure the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to limit FY2016 awards
and bonuses to $2 million for VA employees who are members of
the Senior Executive Service.
Legislative History
H.R. 1338 was introduced by Representative Bill Shuster on
March 6, 2015, and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 98 cosponsors, 21 of which were original
cosponsors.
On June 24, 2015, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing on H.R. 1338
and received testimony from the following witnesses: The
Honorable Bill Johnson, U.S. House of Representatives; Mr.
David R. McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for
Disability Assistance Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Mr.
Matthew Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and
Planning, and CFO National Cemetery Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs and was Mr. David Barrans,
Assistant General Counsel Office of General Counsel, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Zachary Hearn, Deputy
Director for Claims, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division, The American Legion; Mr. Paul R. Varela, Assistant
National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr.
Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Diane Zumatto, National
Legislative Director, AMVETS; Mr. Chris Neiweem, Legislative
Associate, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
On July 9, 2015 the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs met in open session and ordered H.R. 1338
to be favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1338 was offered by Rep. Abraham of
Louisiana and was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote.
H.R. 1338, as amended passed the Full Committee by voice vote
and was favorably reported to the Full House by voice vote. The
Committee Report was filed on October 26, 2015 (H. Rept. 114-
312).
On November 16, 2015, the House agreed to the motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1338, as amended, by 409 Yeas
and 0 Nays.
On November 17, 2015, H.R. 1338 was received by the Senate
and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
BOOSTING RATES OF AMERICAN VETERAN EMPLOYMENT ACT
(H.R. 1382)
Summary
H.R. 1382, Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment
Act, would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),
in awarding a contract or task order for the procurement of
goods or services, to give preference to offerors based on the
percentage of the offeror's full-time employees who are
veterans.
H.R. 1382 would require the debarment from contracting with
the VA for not less than five years of any offeror determined
to have willfully and intentionally misrepresented the veteran
status of its employees.
Legislative History
H.R. 1382 was introduced by Representative Kathleen Rice on
March 16, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 8 cosponsors, 5 of which were original
cosponsors.
On March 24, 2015 the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 1382 and received testimony
from the following witnesses: the Honorable Patrick Murphy,
U.S. House of Representatives, 18th Congressional District,
Florida; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States; Mr. Christopher Neiweem, Legislative Associate, Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Steve Gonzalez,
Assistant Director, National Veteran Employment & Education
Division, The American Legion; Dr. Joseph W. Wescott,
President, National Association of State Approving Agencies; MG
Robert M. Worley II USAF (Ret.), Director, Education Service,
Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Tom Leney, Executive Director,
Small and Veteran Business Programs, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Ms. Kimberly McLeod, Deputy
Assistant General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Mr. John Brizzi, Deputy Assistant General
Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Teresa W.
Gerton, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and
Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor.
On April 15, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1382 was offered by Representative Kathleen
Rice of New York and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1382, as
amended passed the EO Subcommittee by voice vote and was
favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 18, 2015, the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 1382 by 404 Yeas and 0 Nays.
On May 19, 2015, H.R. 1382 was received by the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
HONOR AMERICA'S GUARD-RESERVE RETIREES ACT
(H.R. 1384)
Summary
H.R. 1384, Honor America's Guard-Reserve Retirees Act,
would establish that any person who is entitled to retired pay
for nonregular (reserve) service or who, but for age, would be
so entitled shall be honored as a veteran. A person shall not
be entitled to any benefit by reason of such recognition.
Legislative History
H.R. 1384 was introduced by Representative Timothy Walz on
March 16, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 132 cosponsors, 30 of which were original
cosponsors.
On June 24, 2015, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing on H.R. 1384
and received testimony from the following witnesses: The
Honorable Bill Johnson, U.S. House of Representatives; Mr.
David R. McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for
Disability Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, who was accompanied by Mr.
Matthew Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and
Planning, and CFO National Cemetery Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs and Mr. David Barrans, Assistant
General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Zachary Hearn, Deputy Director for
Claims, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The
American Legion; Mr. Paul R. Varela, Assistant National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Aleks
Morosky, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Diane Zumatto, National
Legislative Director, AMVETS; Mr. Chris Neiweem, Legislative
Associate, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
On July 9, 2015, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs met in open session and ordered H.R. 1384
to be favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in open session and H.R. 1384 passed the Full Committee by
voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by
voice vote. The Committee Report was filed on October 21, 2015
(H. Rept. 114-302).
On November 16, 2015, the House agreed on a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1384 by 407 Yeas and 0 Nays.
On November 17, 2015, H.R. 1384 was received in the Senate
and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
RUTH MOORE ACT OF 2015
(H.R. 1607)
Summary
H.R. 1607, Ruth Moore Act of 2015, would direct the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report to Congress, by
December 1, 2015 and each year thereafter through 2019, on
claims submitted during the previous fiscal year for disability
compensation based on a covered mental health condition alleged
to have been incurred or aggravated by military sexual trauma
(covered claims). Each report shall include: the number of
covered claims submitted or considered; the number and
percentage of such claims submitted by each sex, and the number
of claims approved or denied; the number and percentage, listed
by each sex, of approved covered claims assigned to each rating
percentage; the three most common reasons for denial of covered
claims, and the number of denials based on the veteran's
failure to report for a medical examination; the number of
covered claims pending and the number on appeal; the average
number of days that covered claims take to complete; and a
description of related training provided to Veterans Benefits
Administration employees. The VA shall submit to Congress an
initial report within 90 days after enactment of this Act, and
annual reports beginning in December 2015. It is the sense of
Congress that the VA should update regulations regarding
military sexual trauma by: ensuring that military sexual trauma
is specified as an in-service stressor in determining the
service-connection of post-traumatic stress disorder, and
recognizing the full range of physical and mental disabilities
(including depression, anxiety, and other disabilities as
indicated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association)
that can result from military sexual trauma. For the period
starting fifteen months after enactment of this Act and lasting
until VA publishes updated regulations, the VA shall provide: a
copy of the congressional report to each veteran who has
submitted a covered claim or been treated for military sexual
trauma at a VA medical facility; and monthly to each such
veteran, information that includes the date that the VA plans
to complete such updated regulations, the number of granted or
denied covered claims, a comparison to the rate of grants and
denials with the rate for other claims regarding post-traumatic
stress disorder, the three most common reasons for claim
denials, and the average time for processing covered claims at
each regional office. The VA shall report to Congress monthly
regarding: (1) all adjudicated covered claims and their
outcomes, and (2) the reason for denial of any covered claim.
H.R. 1607 would ensure the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to limit to $2 million
during each of FY2016-FY2018 the aggregate amount of awards and
bonuses paid to VA employees who are members of the Senior
Executive Service.
Legislative History
H.R 1607 was introduced by Representative Chellie Pingree
on March 25, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had 31 cosponsors, 10 of which were
original cosponsors.
On April 14, 2015, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing on
H.R. 1607 and received testimony from the following witnesses:
The Honorable Chellie Pingree, U.S. House of Representatives;
Mr. David R. McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for
Disability Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. McLenachen was accompanied
by Ms. Laura H. Eskenazi, Executive-in-Charge and Vice
Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Mr. David J. Barrans, Assistant General
Counsel, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Zachary Hearn, Deputy Director for Claims,
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American
Legion; Mr. Blake C. Ortner, Deputy Government Relations
Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Paul R. Varela,
Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Mr. Ronald B. Abrams, Joint Executive Director,
National Veterans Legal Services Program; Mr. Kenneth M.
Carpenter, Founding Member, National Organization of Veterans'
Advocates.
On May 14, 2015, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
on Memorial Affairs met in an open session and an Amendment in
the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 1607 was offered by Rep.
Dina Titus of Nevada and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1607,
as amended passed the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote and was
favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 21, 2015 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
open session and an amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 1607 was offered by Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois and was
adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1607, as amended, passed the Full
Committee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full
House by voice vote. The Committee Report was filed on July 16,
2015 (H. Rept. 114-207).
On July 27, 2015, the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 1607, as amended, by voice vote.
On July 28, 2015, H.R. 1607 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs.
TO NAME THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT
CLINIC IN THE DALLES, OREGON, AS THE ``LOREN R. KAUFMAN VA CLINIC''
(H.R. 1762)
Summary
H.R. 1762 would establish that the Department of Veterans
Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located at 704
Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Oregon, shall be designated as the
``Loren R. Kaufman VA Clinic.''
Legislative History
H.R. 1762 was introduced by Representative Greg Walden on
April 13, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 4 cosponsors, 3 of which were original
cosponsors.
On May 23, 2015, the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 1762, as amended, by voice vote.
On June 10, 2015, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
discharged the bill by Unanimous Consent. H.R. 1762 passed the
Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On June 14, 2015, H.R. 1762 was presented to the President.
On June 22, 2015, H.R. 1762 was signed by the President and
became Public Law No: 114-179.
VA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2015
(H.R. 1994)
Summary
H.R. 1994, VA Accountability Act of 2015, would authorize
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a
VA employee based on performance or misconduct. The VA may also
remove an individual from the civil service or demote the
individual through a reduction in grade or annual pay rate. A
demoted individual: (1) shall be paid at the demoted rate as of
the date of demotion, (2) may not be placed on administrative
leave or any other category of paid leave while an appeal is
ongoing, and (3) may only receive pay and other benefits if the
individual reports for duty. The VA shall notify Congress of,
and the reason for, any removal or demotion. An employee shall
have the right to an appeal before the Merit Systems Protection
Board within seven days of removal or demotion. If an
administrative judge does not make a final decision within 45
days the original decision becomes final. The Board or an
administrative judge may not stay any removal or demotion.
Between the date on which an individual appeals a removal from
the civil service and the date on which the administrative
judge issues a final decision on the appeal, the individual may
not receive any pay, awards, bonuses, incentives, allowances,
differentials, student loan repayments, special payments, or
benefits. The VA may not remove or demote an employee during
the pendency of a whistleblower complaint made to the VA Office
of Special Counsel or to the central whistleblower office until
a final decision has been made. The Special Counsel may
terminate an investigation of a prohibited personnel practice
alleged by a VA employee or former employee after it has given
the individual a written statement of the reasons for the
termination.
H.R. 1994, would establish an individual's appointment to a
permanent position within the competitive service or as a
career appointee within the Senior Executive Service (SES)
shall become final after an 18-month probationary period, which
the VA may extend. Final appointment shall be made by the
employee's supervisor.
H.R. 1994 would establish an additional method for filing
whistleblower complaints in which a VA employee may file such
complaints with his or her immediate and next-level
supervisors, and ultimately with the VA after having properly
filed a complaint at each supervisory level. If a supervisor
makes a positive determination regarding such complaint the VA
shall: (1) inform the employee of the ability to volunteer for
a transfer, and (2) give preference to such transfer. The VA
may not exempt any employee from such whistleblower coverage.
The central whistleblower office shall be responsible for
investigating all VA whistleblower complaints, regardless of
whether such complaints are made by or against an employee who
is not a SES member. The VA shall ensure that the central
whistleblower office: is not an element of the Office of the
General Counsel; is not headed by an official who reports to
the General Counsel; does not provide, or receive from, the
General Counsel any information regarding a whistleblower
complaint except pursuant to an action regarding the complaint
before an administrative body or court; and does not provide
advice to the General Counsel.
The VA shall carry out the following adverse actions
against a supervisor who commits a prohibited personnel action
relating to a whistleblower complaint: for a first offense, an
adverse action that is not less than a 14-day suspension and
not more than removal; and for a second offense, removal. A
supervisor subject to an adverse employment action shall have
five days to respond to a notification of the proposed action,
and if the supervisor's response is inadequate or untimely, the
adverse action will take effect. The criteria used to evaluate
a supervisor's performance shall include whistleblower-related
actions. A supervisor who commits a prohibited personnel action
shall not be paid any award or bonus for a one-year period, and
any award or bonus paid during that period shall be recouped.
VA employees shall receive annual whistleblower complaint
training.
H.R. 1994 would ensure the VA shall provide five annual
performance level ratings for SES employees as follows:
outstanding, exceeds fully successful, fully successful,
minimally satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. The number of
employees who may receive outstanding or exceeds fully
successful ratings in each year is limited. At least once every
five years the VA shall reassign each individual employed in an
SES position to a position at a different location that does
not include the supervision of the same personnel or programs.
The VA may waive this requirement if it notifies Congress of
the waiver and the reasons for it. The VA shall enter into a
contract with a nongovernmental entity to review the SES
management training program.
H.R. 1994 would ensure the VA shall reduce the federal
annuity of an individual removed from the SES who: (1) is
convicted of a felony that influenced his or her performance
while employed in that position, and (2) was afforded prior
notice and an opportunity for a hearing conducted by another
department or federal agency. The VA may reduce the federal
annuity of an individual convicted of such a felony and who was
subject to removal or transfer from the SES, but who left the
VA before final action was taken.
H.R. 1994 would establish that the VA may not place an
employee on administrative leave or any other type of paid non-
duty status for more than a total of 14 days during any 365-day
period. The VA may waive this prohibition if it gives Congress
a detailed explanation of the reasons the employee was placed
on such leave or status and the reasons for extending that
placement.
H.R. 1994 would establish Congressional testimony by a VA
employee in his or her official capacity shall be considered
official duty, and the VA shall provide any such employee with
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence,
during the period when the employee is so testifying.
H.R. 1994 would ensure the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to reduce to $300 million
the aggregate amount of awards and bonuses that may be paid by
the VA in each of FY2015-FY2018.
H.R. 1994 would ensure the Government Accountability Office
shall study the amount of time spent by VA employees carrying
out labor organizing activities and the amount of VA space used
for such activities.
H.R. 1994 would ensure the VA Inspector General shall
submit to the VA and to Congress any report that recommends
actions to address an issue with respect to public health or
safety relating to misconduct by a VA employee. Such a report
shall include: (1) an explanation of any VA-recommended changes
to the report during the period in which the Inspector General
was preparing the report, and (2) the names of each responsible
manager (which the Inspector General shall not make public).
The VA: (1) shall notify each responsible manager within seven
days and provide such person with appropriate counseling and a
mitigation plan to resolve the issue, and (2) may not pay any
bonus or award to such manager if an issue is unresolved.
Legislative History
H.R. 1994 was introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller on April
23, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs in addition to the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform. The bill had 98 cosponsors, 5 of which were
original cosponsors.
On June 2, 2015 the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 1994 and received testimony
from the following witnesses: The Honorable Bill Flores, U.S.
House of Representatives, 17th Congressional District, Texas;
The Honorable Paul Cook, U.S. House of Representatives, 8th
Congressional District, California; The Honorable Sean Patrick
Maloney, U.S. House of Representatives, 18th Congressional
District, New York; Mr. Paul R. Varela, Assistant National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Brendon
Gehrke, Senior Legislative Associate, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr.
Steve Gonzalez, Assistant Director, Veterans Employment and
Education Division, The American Legion; Mr. David Borer,
General Counsel, American Federation of Government Employees,
AFL-CIO; Mr. Christopher Neiweem, Legislative Associate, Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Rick Weidman,
Executive Director, Government Affairs Vietnam Veterans of
America; Mr. Curtis L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic
Opportunity, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Ms. Cathy Mitrano, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for the Office of Resource Management,
Human Resources and Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Teresa W. Gerton, Acting Assistant Secretary,
Veterans' Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of
Labor; Dr. Susan S. Kelly, Director Transition to Veterans
Program Office, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness, U.S. Department of Defense.
On June 25, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and an Amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1994 was offered by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of
Ohio and was voted on by a recorded vote with 5 yeas to 4 nays,
and was adopted by the EO Subcommittee. A Substitute to the
Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1994 was
offered by Rep. Mark Takano of California and was voted on by a
recorded vote with 5 nays to 4 yeas, and was not adopted by the
EO Subcommittee. An Amendment to the Amendment in the nature of
a substitute to H.R. 1994 was offered by Rep. Kathleen Rice of
New York and was voted on by a recorded vote with 5 nays to 4
yeas, and was not adopted by the EO Subcommittee. H.R. 1994, as
amended, passed the EO Subcommittee by voice vote and was
favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On July 15, 2015, the Full Committee met in open session
and an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1994, as
amended, was offered by Rep. Miller of Florida and was adopted
by roll call. A substitute to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1994, as amended, was offered by Rep. Mark
Takano of California and was not adopted by roll call. An
amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 1994, as amended, was offered by Rep. Tim Huelskamp of
Kansas and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1994, as amended,
passed the Full Committee by a roll call vote of 14 yeas to 10
nays and was favorably reported to the Full House by voice
vote.
On July 23, 2015, the Committee Report was filed and the
bill was discharged from the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform (H. Rept. 114-225 Part I).
On July 27, 2015, the Committee filed a Supplemental Report
(H. Rept. 114-225 Part II).
On July 29, 2015, H.R. 1994 was passed by the House by 256
Yeas and 170 Nays.
On July 30, 2015, H.R. 1994 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
VETERANS' INFORMATION MODERNIZATION ACT
(H.R. 2256)
Legislation
H.R. 2256, Veterans' Information Modernization Act, would
direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report
annually to Congress during 2016 through 2020 on its furnishing
of hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care. Each
report shall: evaluate the effectiveness of the Veterans Health
Administration (VHA) program in improving the quality of, and
increasing access to, veterans hospital care, medical services,
and nursing home care; and assess physician and other VHA
employee workloads, patient demographics and utilization rates,
physician compensation, physician and VHA employee
productivity, the percentage of hospital care, medical
services, and nursing home care provided to veterans in VA
facilities and in non-VA facilities, pharmaceutical prices, and
outstanding third party health billings.
H.R. 2256 would ensure the definition of homeless veteran
is expanded for purposes of VA benefits.
H.R. 2256 would ensure the VA shall: (1) adopt the device
identification system developed for medical devices by the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) or implement a comparable
standard identification system to identify biological implants
for use in VA medical facilities, (2) implement a system for
tracking biological implants from human or animal source to
implantation which shall be compatible with the identification
system, and (3) implement inventory recall controls compatible
with the tracking system. 180-day implementation deadlines are
set for the identification and tracking systems.
H.R. 2256 would ensure the VA may procure biological
implants of human origin only from a vendor that: uses the
standard identification system and has safeguards to ensure
that a distinct identity code has been in place at each
distribution step of each biological implant from its donor; is
registered as required by the FDA, and for a vendor that uses a
tissue distribution intermediary or a tissue processor,
provides assurances that the intermediary or processor is
registered as required by the FDA; ensures that donor
eligibility determinations and other records accompany each
biological implant at all times, regardless of the donor's
country of origin; agrees to cooperate with all biological
implant recalls; agrees to notify the VA of any adverse event
or reaction report it provides to the FDA, or of any FDA
warning letter issued to the vendor or a tissue processor or
tissue distribution intermediary it uses; agrees to retain all
records associated with the procurement of a biological implant
by the VA for at least 10 years; and provides assurances that
the biological implants provided by the vendor are acquired
only from tissue processors that maintain active accreditation
with the American Association of Tissue Banks or a similar
national accreditation specific to biological implants. The VA
may procure biological implants of non-human origin only from a
vendor that: uses the standard identification system; is a
registered establishment as required by the FDA, and in the
case of a vendor that is not the original product manufacturer
of such implants the vendor provides assurances that the
original product manufacturer is registered as required by the
FDA; agrees to cooperate with all biological implant recalls;
agrees to notify the VA of any adverse event report it provides
to the FDA, or any FDA warning letter issued to the vendor or
the original product manufacturer it uses; and agrees to retain
all records associated with the procurement of a biological
implant by the VA for at least 10 years. The VA shall procure
biological implants under the General Services Administration's
federal supply schedules unless the implants are not available
under them. A VA procurement employee who procures biological
implants with the intent to avoid, or with reckless disregard
of, the procurement requirements of this Act shall be
ineligible to hold a certificate of appointment as a
contracting officer or serve as a representative of an ordering
officer, contracting officer, or purchase card holder.
H.R. 2256 would extend through FY2019 the mandatory
rounding down of percentage increases of certain educational
assistance rates and survivors' and dependents' educational
assistance rates. Post-FY2019 increases shall be rounded to the
nearest whole dollar.
H.R. 2256 would ensure The Veterans Expedited Recovery
Commission is established to: examine the efficacy of the
evidence-based therapy model for treating mental health
illnesses of veterans; conduct a patient-centered survey within
each of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks to examine the
experience of veterans seeking mental health assistance through
the VA and non-VA systems, the preferences of veterans
regarding mental health treatment, and VA outreach efforts;
examine complementary alternative treatment therapies for
mental health issues; and study the potential increase of VA
claims relating to mental health issues by veterans who served
in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or
Operation New Dawn, including an assessment of VA resources to
meet such claims.
Legislative History
H.R. 2256 was introduced by Representative Dan Benishek on
May 12, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had no cosponsors.
On May 15, 2015 the Subcommittee on Health met in an open
session and ordered H.R. 2256 to be forwarded favorably to the
Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 21, 2015 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
an open session and an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 2256 was offered by Rep. Dan Benishek of Michigan and
was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 2256, as amended, passed the
Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the
Full House by voice vote. The Committee Report was filed on
July 7, 2015 (H. Rept. 114-191).
On July 21, 2015 the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 2256, as amended, by 408 Yeas and 0
Nays.
On July 22, 2015 H.R. 2256 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATION AND CHOICE IMPROVEMENT ACT
(H.R. 2496)
Summary
H.R. 2496, Construction Authorization and Choice
Improvement Act, would authorize the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs (VA) to carry out the replacement of the existing VA
Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, in FY2015 in an amount not
to exceed $900 million.
H.R. 2496, would establish the 40-mile distance requirement
for a veteran to use a non-VA medical facility under the
veterans choice program of the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 shall be construed to allow a
veteran to access a non-VA medical facility if: the veteran
resides more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA
facility; or the veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden
in traveling to such VA medical facility not only because of
geographical challenges (as under current law) but also because
of environmental factors, such as roads that are not accessible
to the general public, traffic, or hazardous weather, because
of a medical condition that impacts the ability to travel, or
because of other factors as the Secretary determines.
Legislative History
H.R. 2496 was introduced by Representative Mike Coffman on
May 21, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had no cosponsors.
On May 21, 2015 H.R. 2496 was discharged from the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs and passed the House without objection.
On May 22, 2015 H.R. 2496 passed the Senate without
amendment by voice vote and was presented to the President,
signed by the President and became Public Law No: 114-19.
TO DESIGNATE THE ARBORETUM AT THE HUNTER HOLMES MCGUIRE VA MEDICAL
CENTER IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, AS THE ``PHYLLIS E. GALANTI ARBORETUM
(H.R. 2693)
Summary
H.R. 2693 would designates the arboretum at the Hunter
Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, as the
Phyllis E. Galanti Arboretum.
Legislative History
H.R. 2693 was introduced by Representative Dave Brat on
June 9, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. This bill had 11 original cosponsors.
On December 8, 2015, H.R. 2693 was discharged from the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and passed the House without
objection.
On December 10, 2015, H.R. 2693 was discharged from the
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs by Unanimous Consent and
passed the Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On December 11, 2015, H.R. 2693 was presented to the
President.
On December 18, 2015, H.R. 2693 was signed by the President
and became Public Law No: 114-103.
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION AND VETERANS HEALTH CARE CHOICE IMPROVEMENT ACT
OF 2015
(H.R. 3236)
Summary H.R. 3236, Surface Transportation and Veterans
Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015, would direct the
Secretary of Transportation to reduce the amount apportioned
for a surface transportation program, project, or activity for
FY2015 by amounts apportioned or allocated under the Highway
and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 and the Highway and
Transportation Funding Act of 2015 for the period from October
1, 2014, through July 31, 2015.
H.R. 3236 would amend the Highway and Transportation
Funding Act of 2014 to continue from October 1, 2014, through
October 29, 2015, and authorizes appropriations through that
period for specified federal-aid highway programs under: the
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), the
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity
Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Technical Corrections Act
of 2008, SAFETEA-LU, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st
Century (TEA-21), the National Highway System Designation Act
of 1995, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
of 1991 (ISTEA), and other specified law. Subjects funding for
FY2015, and for the period October 1, 2015 through October 29,
2015 for such programs, to certain funding level restrictions.
Amends MAP-21 to authorize appropriations out of the general
fund of the Treasury for the Tribal High Priority Projects
program for the same period. Prescribes an obligation ceiling
of $40.256 billion for FY2015, including $3,189,683,060 for the
period October 1, 2015, through October 29, 2015, for federal-
aid highway and highway safety construction programs.
H.R. 3236, would authorize appropriations from the HTF
(other than the Mass Transit Account) for administrative
expenses of the federal-aid highway program for the same
period.
H.R. 3236 would extend for the same period the
authorization of appropriations for National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety programs, including:
highway safety research and development, national priority
safety programs, the National Driver Register, the High
Visibility Enforcement Program, and NHTSA administrative
expenses. Amends SAFETEA-LU to extend for the same period high-
visibility traffic safety law enforcement campaigns under the
High Visibility Enforcement Program. Sets aside a specified
amount of the total apportionment to states for highway safety
programs for a cooperative program to research and evaluate
priority highway safety countermeasures for the same period.
H.R. 3236 would extend for the same period the
authorization of appropriations for Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA) programs, including: motor
carrier safety grants, FMCSA administrative expenses,
commercial driver's license program improvement grants, border
enforcement grants, performance and registration information
system management grants, commercial vehicle information
systems and networks deployment grants, safety data improvement
grants, a set-aside for high priority activities that improve
commercial motor vehicle safety and compliance with commercial
motor vehicle safety regulations, a set-aside for new entrant
motor carrier audit grants, FMCSA outreach and education, and
the commercial motor vehicle operators grant program.
H.R. 3236 would amend the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish
Restoration Act to continue, for the same period, the
authorized distribution of funds for coastal wetlands,
recreational boating safety, projects under the Clean Vessel
Act of 19921, boating infrastructure projects, and the National
Outreach and Communications Program.
H.R. 3236 would extend for the same period the
apportionment of nonurbanized (rural) area formula grants for
competitive grants and formula grants for public transportation
on Indian reservations.
H.R. 3236 would extend the apportionment of urbanized area
formula grants for passenger ferry projects for the same
period.
H.R. 3236 extend for the same period the authorization of
appropriations from the HTF Mass Transit Account for: formula
grants for public transportation, including allocations for
specified projects; research, development demonstration, and
deployment projects; the transit cooperative research program;
technical assistance and standards development grants; human
resources and training grants; capital investment grants; and
administrative expenses.
H.R. 3236 would allocate, for the same period, certain
amounts to states and territories for formula bus and bus
facilities grants.
H.R. 3236 would authorize appropriations for the same
period for hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation safety
projects. Authorizes the Secretary to make certain
expenditures, including an amount for hazmat training grants,
from the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Fund for
the same period.
H.R. 3236 would amends Amends the Internal Revenue Code to
extend through October 30, 2015, the authority for expenditures
from: (1) the Highway and Mass Transit Accounts of the Highway
Trust Fund, (2) the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust
Fund, and (3) the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.
H.R. 3236 would appropriate additional funds to the Highway
and Mass Transit Accounts of the Highway Trust Fund.
H.R. 3236 would require tax information returns reporting
mortgage interest received in a trade or business to include:
(1) the outstanding principal on the mortgage, (2) the date of
the origination of the mortgage, and (3) the address of the
property which secures the mortgage.
H.R. 3236 would require that: (1) the value of the basis in
any property acquired from a decedent be consistent with the
basis as determined for estate tax purposes; and (2) executors
of estates disclose to the Internal Revenue Service and to
persons acquiring any interest in the decedent's estate
information identifying the value of each interest received.
H.R. 3236 would make the six-year limitation on assessments
of additional tax applicable to understatements of gross income
due to an overstatement of unrecovered costs or other basis.
H.R. 3236 would change tax return due dates for
partnerships, S corporations, and C corporations. Extends the
automatic extension for corporate income tax returns from three
to six months.
H.R. 3236 would extend through 2025 the authority for
transfers of excess pension assets of a defined benefit plan to
a retiree health benefits account.
H.R. 3236 would equalize excise tax rates for liquefied
petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, and compressed natural
gas.
H.R. 3236 would revise aviation security service passenger
fee requirements. Requires the deposit into the Treasury as
offsetting receipts the following sums collected to pay the
costs of providing civil aviation security services to airline
passengers: $1.560 billion for FY2024, and $1.6 billion for
FY2025.
H.R. 3236 would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) to develop a plan to consolidate all non-VA provider
programs into a new, single Veterans Choice Program to furnish
hospital care and medical services at non-VA facilities for
veterans in the patient enrollment system.
H.R. 3236 would require the presidential budget for FY2017
and every ensuing fiscal year to include an appropriations
account for non-VA provider programs.
H.R. 3236 would grant the VA temporary authority, until the
end of FY2015, to use certain transfers from the Veterans
Choice Fund to pay for health care for eligible veterans at
non-VA facilities, including pharmaceuticals for treatment of
Hepatitis C.
H.R. 3236 would modifies requirements of the Veterans
Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to: repeal the
60-day limit on follow-up care; repeal the August 1, 2012,
enrollment limitation on the eligibility of veterans in the
patient enrollment system; extend provider eligibility to any
health care provider meeting VA criteria; and base the 40-mile
distance requirement as on distance traveled from a VA medical
facility, including one offering primary care for a veteran
seeking primary care.
H.R. 3236 would prohibit the use of funds by the VA to
expand the dialysis pilot program, or to create any new
dialysis capability provided by the VA in a facility that is
not an initial facility under the dialysis pilot program, until
an independent analysis of the dialysis pilot program is
conducted for each such initial facility and 180 days have
elapsed since the VA reports on the results.
H.R. 3236 would Amends the Internal Revenue Code to:
exclude individuals covered for medical care under TRICARE or
the VA from the determination of whether an employer is an
applicable large employer with respect to employee enrollment
in minimum essential health care coverage under an eligible
employer-sponsored plan, treat a veteran receiving hospital
care or medical services for a service-connected disability as
not disqualified from participating in or contributing to a
tax-preferred health savings account.
H.R. 3236 would designate this title, except for section
4007, an emergency requirement, thereby exempting it from the
pay-as-you-go requirement of budget neutrality.
Legislative History
H.R. 3236 was introduced by Representative Bill Shuster on
July 28, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs in addition to the Committees on: House Transportation
and Infrastructure; House Ways and Means; House Energy and
Commerce; House Science, Space, and Technology; House Natural
Resources; House Education and the Workforce; House Budget;
House Homeland Security. The bill had 2 original cosponsors.
On July 29, 2015 the House passed H.R. 3236 by 385 Yeas and
34 Nays and 1 Present.
On July 30, 2015 H.R. 3236 was received in the Senate, read
twice, considered, read the third time, and passed (under the
order of 7/29/15, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative)
without amendment by 91 Yeas and 4 Nays.
On July 31, 2015 H.R. 3236 was presented to the President,
signed by the President, and became Public Law No: 114-41.
HIRE VETS ACT
(H.R. 3286)
Summary
H.R. 3286, HIRE VETS Act, would direct the Department of
Labor to establish a HIRE Vets Medallion Program to solicit
voluntary information from employers for purposes of
recognizing, by the award of a HIRE Vets Medallion, verified
efforts by these employers to: (1) recruit, employ, and retain
veterans; and (2) provide community and charitable services
supporting the veteran community. Labor shall annually: (1)
solicit voluntary medallion applications from employers, and
(2) review applications and present the President with a list
of recipients. The President shall annually present the
medallion and corresponding certificate to recipients at a time
to coincide with the annual commemoration of Veterans Day.
Labor shall begin soliciting applications by January 31, stop
accepting applications not earlier than April 30, and finish
application review by August 31. The President shall notify
chosen applicants no later than October 11. Medallions shall be
awarded in November.
H.R. 3286 would state that labor shall establish two levels
of medallions for large and small employers, to be designated
the Gold HIRE Vets Medallion and the Platinum HIRE Vets
Medallion. The bill prescribes awards criteria.
H.R. 3286 would establish that a recipient: (1) may
publicly display the medallion and certificate through the end
of the calendar year, and (2) may not publicly display the
award as part of any advertisement implying receipt of the
award for any calendar year other than the one in which it was
awarded.
H.R. 3286 would establishe the HIRE Vets Medallion Award
Fund. Labor may assess a reasonable medallion application fee
and shall deposit such fees into the fund.
H.R. 3286 would state that beginning two years after
enactment of this bill, Labor shall submit annual reports on
fees, program costs, the number of applications, and the
medallions awarded, including the name and medallion level of
each recipient.
H.R. 3286 excludes from the definition of ``employer'' the
federal government, any state, or any foreign state.
H.R. 3286 would ensure that The Veterans Access Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to cap FY2016 bonuses at
$2 million for senior executive service employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Legislative History
On April 14, 2016 the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 3286 and received testimony
from the following witnesses: Honorable David McKinley, U.S.
House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District, West
Virginia; the Honorable Paul Cook U.S. House of
Representatives, 8th Congressional District, California, and
the Honorable Martha McSally, U.S. House of Representatives,
2nd Congressional District, Arizona; Mr. Curtis L. Coy, Deputy
Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity with the Veterans
Benefits Administration at the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. Mr. Coy was accompanied by Ms. Carin Otero, Associate
Deputy Assistant Secretary for HR Policy and Planning in the
Office of Human Resources and Administration at the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Sam Shellenberger, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Operations with the Veterans'
Employment and Training Service at the U.S. Department of Labor
also provided testimony; Mr. Davy Leghorn, Assistant Director,
Veterans Employment and Education Division, The American
Legion; Dr. Joseph W. Wescott, Legislative Director at the
National Association of State Approving Agencies; Mr. Walter
Ochinko, Policy Director with the Veterans Education Success;
Mr. Jared Lyon, President & CEO with Student Veterans of
America; and Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director of National
Legislative Service for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States; A statement for the record was provided by
Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
On May 11, 2016 an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 3286 was offered by Rep. Wenstrup of Ohio. The
amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to by the EO
Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R.
3286, as amended to the Full Committee was offered by Ranking
Member Takano of California and was adopted by the EO
Subcommittee by voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
an open session and an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 3286, as amended was offered by Chairman Miller of
Florida and was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote.
H.R. 3286, as amended passed the Full Committee via voice vote
and a motion to favorably report H.R. 3286, as amended to the
House of Representatives was offered by Ranking Member Brown
and agreed to via voice vote. The Committee Report was filed on
September 6, 2016 (H. Rept. 114-708).
On November 29, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3286, as amended by voice vote.
On November 30, 2016 H.R. 3286 was received in the Senate.
FINAL FAREWELL ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 3715)
Summary
H.R. 3715, Final Farewell Act of 2016, would direct the
Department of Veterans Affairs to permit the interment or
funeral, memorial service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran at
a national cemetery during weekends, other than federal holiday
weekends, upon the request of the veteran's next-of-kin. Any
grant to assist a state in establishing a veterans' cemetery
shall require that the cemetery permits the interment or
funeral, memorial service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran
during weekends, other than federal holiday weekends, upon the
request of the veteran's next-of-kin.
Legislative History
H.R. 3715 was introduced by Representative Corrine Brown on
October 8, 2015 and was referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. This bill had no cosponsors.
On April 13, 2016 the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing on H.R. 3715
and received testimony from the following witnesses: the
Honorable Jeff Miller, U.S. House of Representatives, 1st
Congressional District, Florida; the Honorable Corrine Brown,
5th Congressional District, Florida; the Honorable Ryan
Costello, U.S. House of Representatives, 6th Congressional
District, Pennsylvania; and the Honorable Mia Love, U.S. House
of Representatives, 4th Congressional District, Utah; Mr. David
R. McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance
with the Veterans Benefits Administration at the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. McLenachen was accompanied
by Mr. Matt Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary of Finance and
Planned and CFO with the National Cemetery Administration with
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Patrick K.
Hallinan, Executive Director with the Army National Military
Cemeteries at the Department of the Army; Mr. Carl Blake,
Associate Executive Director for Government Relations for the
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy
Director, National Legislative Service, for the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr. Paul R. Varela,
Assistant National Legislative Director for the Disabled
American Veterans; Ms. Elizabeth Davis, Advocate for Survivors'
Benefits; and Mr. Edward G. Lilley, Team Leader for the Health
Policy, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division
for the American Legion; A statement for the record was proved
by Mr. John Rowan, National President of Vietnam Veterans of
America On May 11, 2016 the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs met in an open session and an
A.N.S. to H.R. 3715 was offered by Rep. Titus of Nevada was
agreed to by the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to
favorably forward H.R. 3715, as amended to the Full Committee
was offered by Ranking Member Titus and was adopted by the DAMA
Subcommittee by voice vote.
On May 18, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
an open session and a motion to favorably report H.R. 3715, as
amended to the House of Representatives was offered by Ranking
Member Brown of Florida and was agreed to via voice vote.
On May 23, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend the
rules and pass H.R. 3715, as amended by voice vote.
On May 24, 2016 H.R. 3715 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Full Committee Legislative Hearing on H.R. 189, H.R. 216, H.R. 245,
H.R. 280, and H.R. 294
On January 27, 2015, the Full Committee held a legislative
hearing on H.R. 189, the Servicemember Foreclosure Protections
Extension Act of 2015; H.R. 216, the Department of Veterans
Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015; H.R. 245, to amend
title 38, United States Code, to codify certain existing
provisions of law relating to effective dates for claims under
the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and
for other purposes; H.R. 280, to authorize the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to recoup bonuses and awards paid to employees
of the Department of Veterans Affairs; and, H.R. 294, the Long-
Term Care Veterans Choice Act.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Alan Grayson, Member of Congress, U.S. House of
Representatives, 9th Congressional District of Florida.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: David R.
McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability
Assistance Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs: Accompanied by: Rajiv Jain, M.D., Assistant
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Patient Services,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Susan Sullivan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy
Office of Policy and Planning, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and, Kim McLeod, Counsel Office of General Counsel,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by: Joseph A.
Violante, National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Zachary Hearn, Deputy
Director, Claims of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Commission, The American Legion; Blake Ortner, Deputy
Government Relations Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America.
See ``Hearing on H.R. 189, H.R. 216, H.R. 245, H.R. 280, and
H.R. 294,'' Serial No. 114-3.
Full Committee Markup of H.R. 280, H.R. 294, H.R. 216, and H.R. 189
On February 12, 2015, the Full Committee met and marked up
H.R. 280, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
recoup bonuses and awards paid to employees of the Department
of Veterans Affairs, introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller of
Florida; H.R. 294, the Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act,
introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller of Florida; H.R. 216, the
Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of
2015, introduced by Ranking Member Corrine Brown of Florida;
and, H.R. 189, the Servicemember Foreclosure Protections
Extension Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Alan Grayson of
Florida.
On February 12, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute H.R. 280 was offered by Chairman Jeff Miller of
Florida and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 280, as amended,
passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
On February 12, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute H.R. 294 was offered by Chairman Jeff Miller of
Florida and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 294, as amended,
passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
On February 12, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute H.R. 216 was offered by Ranking Member Corrine Brown
of Florida and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 216, as amended,
passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
On February 12, 2015, H.R. 189 passed the Full Committee by
voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by
voice vote.
Full Committee Markup of H.R. 475, H.R. 571, H.R. 675, H.R. 1575, H.R.
1607, and H.R. 2256
On May 21, 2015, the Full Committee met and marked up H.R.
475, GI Bill Processing Improvement Act of 2015, introduced by
Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio; H.R. 571, the Veterans Affairs
Retaliation Prevention Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Jeff
Miller of Florida; H.R. 675, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-
of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Ralph
Abraham of Louisiana; H.R. 1575, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to make permanent the pilot program on counseling
in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from
service in the Armed Forces, introduced by Ranking Member
Corrine Brown of Florida.
On May 21, 2015, an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute
to H.R. 475 was offered by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio and was
adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote. An amendment to
the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 475 was
offered by Rep. Mark Takano of California and was not adopted
by the Full Committee by voice vote. H.R. 475, as amended,
passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
On May 21, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 571 was offered by Chairman Jeff Miller of Florida and
was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 571, as amended, passed the
Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the
Full House by voice vote.
On May 21, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 675 was offered by Rep. Ralph Abraham of Louisiana and
was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote. An amendment
to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 675 was
offered by Rep. Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania and was adopted
by the Full Committee by voice vote. H.R. 675, as amended,
passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
On May 21, 2015, H.R. 1575 passed the Full Committee by
voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by
voice vote.
On May 21, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 1607 was offered by Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois and was
adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1607, as amended, passed the Full
Committee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full
House by voice vote.
On May 21, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 2256 was offered by Rep. Dan Benishek of Michigan and
was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 2256, as amended, passed the
Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the
Full House by voice vote.
Full Committee Markup of H.R. 1994
On July 15, 2015, the Full Committee met and marked up H.R.
1994, VA Accountability Act of 2015, introduced by Chairman
Jeff Miller of Florida.
On July 15, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1994, as amended, was offered by Chairman
Jeff Miller of Florida and was adopted by roll call. An
amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 1994, as amended, was offered by Rep. Mark Takano of
California and was not adopted by roll call. An amendment to
the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1994, as
amended, was offered by Rep. Tim Huelskamp of Kansas and was
adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1994, as amended, passed the Full
Committee by a roll call vote of 14 yeas to 10 nos and was
favorably reported to the Full House by voice vote.
Full Committee Markup of Markup of H.R. 3106, as Amended; H.R. 3016;
H.R. 677; H.R. 1338; H.R. 1384; H.R. 2360, as Amended; and H.R.
2915
On September 17, 2015, the Full Committee met and marked up
H.R. 3106, as amended, the Construction Reform Act of 2015,
introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller of Florida; H.R. 3016, the
VA Provider Equity Act, introduced by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of
Ohio; H.R. 677, the American Heroes COLA Act of 2015,
introduced by Rep. Ralph Abraham of Louisiana; Unanimous
Consent to consider the remaining agenda items to include the
following bills and amendments En Bloc was agreed to without
objection with a quorum present: H.R. 1338, the Dignified
Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Bill
Shuster of Pennsylvania, with an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute offered by Rep. Ralph Abraham of Louisiana; H.R.
1384, the Honor America's Guard-Reserve Retirees Act,
introduced by Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota; H.R. 2360, as
amended, the Career Ready Student Veterans Act, introduced by
Rep. Mark Takano of California; H.R. 2915, the Female Veteran
Suicide Prevention Act, introduced by Rep. Julia Brownley of
California, with an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute
offered by Rep. Julia Brownley of California.
On September 17, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3106, as amended, was offered by Chairman
Jeff Miller of Florida and was adopted. An amendment to the
amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3106, as
amended, was offered by Rep. Julia Brownley of California and
was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote. An amendment
to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3106, as
amended, was offered by Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York and was
adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote. The amendment in
the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3106, as amended, was
adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote. H.R. 3106, as
amended, passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was
favorably reported to the Full House by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3016 was offered by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of
Ohio and was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote. An
amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 3016 was offered by Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee and was
adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote. An amendment to
the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3016 was
offered by Rep. Mark Takano of California and was not adopted
by the Full Committee by voice vote. An additional amendment to
the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3016 was
offered by Rep. Mark Takano of California and was not adopted
by the Full Committee by roll call. An amendment to the
amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3016 was
offered by Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada and was not adopted by the
Full Committee by voice vote. The amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3016, as amended, was adopted by the Full
Committee by voice vote. H.R. 3016, as amended, passed the Full
Committee by voice vote and was favorably reported to the Full
House by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 677 was offered by Rep. Ralph Abraham of
Louisiana and was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote.
An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 677 was offered by Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada and was not
adopted by the Full Committee by roll call. The amendment in
the nature of a substitute to H.R. 677, as amended, was adopted
by the Full Committee by voice vote. H.R. 677, as amended,
passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably
reported to the Full House by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1338 was offered by Rep. Ralph Abraham of
Louisiana and was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote.
H.R. 1338, as amended, passed the Full Committee by voice vote
and was favorably reported to the Full House by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015, H.R. 1384 passed the Full Committee
by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by
voice vote.
On September 17, 2015, H.R. 2360, as amended, passed the
Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the
Full House by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 2915 was offered by Rep. Julia Brownley of
California and was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote.
H.R. 2915, as amended, passed the Full Committee by voice vote
and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
FULL COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
First Session
Site Visit--Denver, CO
On January 20, 2015, the Chairman of the Full Committee
traveled to Denver, Colorado, to conduct an oversight visit to
the Eastern Colorado Health Care System Clinic replacement
hospital site with Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado and Rep. Doug
Lamborn of Colorado. The visit was in response to VA's breach
of contract with Kiewit-Turner and the project's excessive cost
overruns and delays. The trip took place in advance of a Full
Committee hearing on the Denver project entitled, ``Building a
Better VA: Assessing Ongoing Major Construction Management
Problems within the Department.''
Full Committee Hearing--Building a Better VA: Assessing Ongoing Major
Construction Management Problems Within the Department
On January 21, 2015, the Full Committee met in open session
to conduct a hearing assessing the ongoing construction and
management problems within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Sloan D. Gibson, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Dennis Milsten, Associate
Executive Director, Office of Programs and Plans, Office of
Construction and Facilities Management, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and, Lloyd C. Caldwell, P.E. Director of
Military Programs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: David Wise,
Director, Physical Infrastructure Issues, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Roscoe Butler, Deputy Director for
Healthcare, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The
American Legion; and, Ray Kelley, Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars. See ``Building a
Better VA: Assessing Ongoing Major Construction Management
Problems within the Department,'' Serial No. 114-1.
Full Committee Business Meeting--To Formally Organize the Veterans'
Affairs Committee for the 114th Congress
On January 21, 2015, the Full Committee met to formally
establish the Veterans' Affairs Committee for the 114th
Congress.
There were no testimonies provided. See ``Business Meeting
to Formally Organize the Veterans' Affairs Committee for the
114th Congress.''
Full Committee Hearing--U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget
Request for Fiscal Year 2016
On February 11, 2015, the Full Committee met to discuss the
Department of Veterans Affair's Fiscal Year 2016 budget request
to Congress.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Robert A. McDonald, Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Carolyn Clancy M.D., Interim
Under Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; the Honorable Allison A. Hickey, Under Secretary for
Benefits, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ronald E.
Walters, Interim Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Helen Tierney, Executive in
Charge for the Office of Management, and VA Chief Financial
Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and, Stephen
Warren, Executive in Charge and Chief Information Officer,
Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Carl Blake,
Associate Executive Director, Government Relations, Paralyzed
Veterans of America, On Behalf of the Co-Authors of the
Independent Budget: Accompanied by: Joseph A. Violante,
National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ray
Kelley, Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of
Foreign Wars; Diane M. Zumatto, National Legislative Director,
AMVETS; and, Ian de Planque, Legislative Director, The American
Legion. See ``U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget
Request for Fiscal Year 2016,'' Serial No. 114-7.
Full Committee Business Meeting--To Designate Congressman Jerry
McNerney (CA-09) and Congressman Tim Walz (MN-01) to HVAC
Subcommittees
On February 11, 2015, the Full Committee met to discuss the
designation of Congressman Jerry McNerney of California and
Congressman Tim Walz of Minnesota to a subcommittee.
There were no testimonies provided. See ``Business Meeting
to Designate Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) and Congressman
Tim Walz (MN-01) to HVAC Subcommittees.''
Full Committee Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation of
the Disabled American Veterans
On February 24, 2015, the Full Committee participated in a
joint hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to
receive testimony from the Disabled American Veterans on its
2015 legislative priorities.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Ronald F. Hope, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans;
Accompanied by: J. Marc Burgess, National Adjutant; Barry A.
Jesinoski, Executive Director, National Headquarters; Garry J.
Augustine, Executive Director, Washington Headquarters; Jim
Marszalek, National Service Director; Joseph A. Violante,
National Legislative Director; John Kleindienst, National
Director of Voluntary Service; Jeffrey C. Hall, National
Director of Employment; and, LeeAnn Karg, DAV Auxiliary
National Commander. See ``Joint Hearing of the House and Senate
Veterans' Affairs Committees to receive the Legislative
Presentation of the Disabled American Veterans,'' This hearing
was hosted by the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and
therefore does not have a House Serial No.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation of
the American Legion
On February 25, 2015, the Full Committee participated in a
joint hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to
receive testimony from The American Legion on its 2015
legislative priorities.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Michael D. Helm, National Commander, The American Legion;
Accompanied by: Brett Reistad, Legislative Chairman; Ian de
Planque, Legislative Director; Ralph Bozella, Chairman,
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation; Louis Celli, Director,
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation; James Fratolillo,
Chairman, Veterans Employment and Veterans Preference
Committee; and Joseph Sharpe, Jr., Director, Veterans
Employment and Education. See ``Joint Hearing of the House and
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees to receive the Legislative
Presentation of The American Legion,'' This hearing was hosted
by the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and therefore does
not have a House Serial No.
Full Committee Roundtable
On February 27, 2015, the Full Committee held a roundtable
discussion with veterans service organizations on issues facing
America's veterans. Members of the Full Committee attended the
roundtable, as did: Mr. Michael D. Helm, National Commander,
American Legion; Robert L. Frank, CMSgt (Ret.) USAF, Chief
Executive Officer, Air Force Sergeants Association; Mr. Aaron
G. Bresnahan, National President, Association of the U.S. Navy;
Mr. Mark Cornell, National President, Blinded Veterans of
America; Mr. Pete Hegseth, Chief Executive Officer, Concerned
Veterans of America; Mr. Ronald Hope, National Commander,
Disabled American Veterans; Mr. John D. Ippert, National
President, Fleet Reserve Association; Ms. Harriet Boyden,
President, Gold Star Wives of America; Mr. Paul Rieckhoff,
Founder/CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Col.
Maxwell Spencer Colon, USA (Ret.), National Commander, Jewish
War Veterans of America; Vice Admiral Norbert R. Ryan, Jr., USN
(Ret.), President/CEO, Military Officers of America
Association; Mr. Pat Little, National Commander, Military Order
of the Purple Heart; Mr. Joseph W. Wescott, II, Ed. D.,
National Association of State Approving Agencies; Mr. Lonnie
Wangen, President, National Association of State Directors of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Bob Simoneau, Deputy Executive Director,
National Association of State Workforce Agencies; Lt. Gen. Jack
Klimp,; President, National Association for Uniformed Services;
MG Gus L. Hargett, President, National Guard Association of the
United States; Ms. Joyce Wessel Raezer, Executive Director,
National Military Family Association; Sgt. Maj. H. Gene
Overstreet, President, Non-Commissioned Officers of America;
Mr. Al Kovach, Jr., National President, Paralyzed Veterans of
America; Ms. Anne Marie Dougherty, Executive Director, The Bob
Woodruff Foundation; BG Michael J. Silva, USAR (Ret.),
President, Reserve Officers Association; Mr. John F. Downing,
President/CEO, Soldier On; Mr. D. Wayne Robinson, President/
Chief Executive Officer, Student Veterans of America; Mr. Larry
Hyland, USAF (Ret.), National President, The Retired Enlisted
Association; Ms. Bonnie Carroll, Founder/President, Tragedy
Assistance Program for Survivors; Mr. Charlie Huebner, Chief,
U.S. Paralympics; Mr. John W. Stroud, Commander-in-Chief,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. John Rowan, National President,
Vietnam Veterans of America; Mr. Steven Nardizzi, Esq.,
Executive Director, Wounded Warrior Project.
Site Visit--Tucson, AZ
On March 1, 2015, the Chairman of the Full Committee
traveled to Tucson, Arizona, to conduct oversight visits to the
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System and the University of
Arizona's VETS Centers. The visit to SAVAHCS focused on the
implementation of the Choice program as well as staffing,
productivity, homelessness, and care for blind and visually
impaired veterans. The visit to U of A's VETS Centers focused
on the centers' impact on the school's veteran student
population.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars
On March 4, 2015, the Full Committee participated in a
joint hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to
receive testimony from Veterans of Foreign Wars on its 2015
legislative priorities.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
John W. Stroud, Commander in Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars:
Accompanied by: Bill Bradshaw, Director, National Veterans
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Bob Wallace, Executive
Director, Washington, DC Office, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ray
Kelley, Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of
Foreign Wars; and, Gil Hernandez, Chairman, National
Legislative Committee. This hearing was hosted by the Senate
Veterans' Affairs Committee and therefore does not have a House
Serial No.
Full Committee Hearing--The Power of Legislative Inquiry--Improving the
VA by Improving Transparency
On March 16, 2015, the Full Committee met to discuss
transparency within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Leigh A. Bradley, General Counsel, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Maureen T. Regan, Counselor to the Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Charles Tiefer,
Professor of Law, University of Baltimore School of Law;
Michael D. Bopp, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. See
``The Power of Legislative Inquiry--Improving the VA by
Improving Transparency,'' Serial No. 114-9.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation of
Multiple Veterans Service Organizations (JWV, AFSA, TREA, FRA,
NASDVA, NGAUS, AXPOW, GSW and WWP)
On March 18, 2015, the Full Committee participated in a
joint hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to
receive testimony from multiple veterans' organizations on
their 2015 legislative priorities.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by: COL
Maxwell S. Colon (USA, Ret.), National Commander, Jewish War
Veterans; Rob Frank, Chief Executive Officer, Air Force
Sergeants Association; Larry Hyland, National President, The
Retired Enlisted Association; John D. Ippert, National
President, Fleet Reserve Association; Lonnie Wangen, President,
National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs;
COL Peter J. Duffy (USA, Ret.), Director Legislation, National
Guard Association of the United States; Charles Susino, Jr.,
Past National Commander and Chair of the Legislative Committee,
American Ex-Prisoners of War; Jeanette B. Early, National
President Emeritus, Gold Star Wives; and Ryan Kules, National
Director, Alumni, Wounded Warrior Project. This hearing was
hosted by the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and therefore
does not have a House Serial No.
Site Visit--Milwaukee, WI
On March 29-31, 2015, the Chairman of the Full Committee
traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to conduct an oversight visit
to the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. The oversight
visit focused on the implementation of the Choice program, as
well as the facility's pain management practices, care for
blind and visually impaired veterans, and construction and
facility maintenance. The Chairman also visited the VA River
Valley Outpatient Clinic in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Full Committee Field Hearing--Tomah VAMC: Examining Quality, Access,
and a Culture of Over-Reliance on High-Risk Medications
On March 30, 2015, the Full Committee conducted a Full
Committee oversight field hearing with the Senate Committee on
Homeland Security and Government Affairs to discuss
overprescription of high-risk medication at the Tomah VA
Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Candace
Delis, Auburndale, WI; Ryan Honl, Tomah, WI; Noelle Johnson,
PHARM.D., BCACP, CGP Urbandale, IA; Heather Simcakoski, Stevens
Point, WI; and Marvin Simcakoski, Stevens Point, WI.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: John Daigh,
M.D., Assistant Inspector General for Healthcare Inspections,
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Accompanied by: Alan Mallinger, M.D., Senior
Physician, Office of Healthcare Inspections;Carolyn Clancy
M.D., Interim Under Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Renee Oshinski, Acting
Network Director, VISN 12, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and, Mario V. DeSanctis, FACHE,
Medical Center Director, Tomah VAMC. See ``Tomah VAMC:
Examining Quality, Access, and a Culture of Over-Reliance on
High-Risk Medications.'' This hearing was hosted by the Senate
Veterans' Affairs Committee and therefore does not have a House
Serial No.
Full Committee Hearing--Denver Va Medical Center: Constructing a Way
Forward
On April 15, 2015, the Full Committee met to discuss the
construction of the VA Medical Center in Denver, Colorado.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Lloyd C. Caldwell, P.E., Director of Military Programs, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of the Army; and the
Honorable Sloan D. Gibson, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Stella Fiotes, Executive
Director, Office of Construction and Facilities Management,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and, Dennis Milsten,
Director of Operations, Office of Construction and Facilities
Management, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See ``Denver
VA Medical Center: Constructing a Way Forward,'' Serial No.
114-15.
Full Committee Hearing--Philadelphia and Oakland: Systemic Failures and
Mismanagement
On April 22, 2015, the Full Committee met to discuss the
failures and mismanagements of the VA in Philadelphia, PA, and
Oakland, CA.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Kristen
Ruell, J.D., Whistleblower, Philadelphia Regional Office, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Joseph Malizia, President,
Local 940, American Federation of Government Employees; Diana
Blender, Whistleblower, Philadelphia Regional Office, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Rustyann Brown,
Whistleblower, Oakland Regional Office, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Linda
Halliday, Assistant Inspector General for Audits and
Evaluations, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Nora Stokes, Director, Bay
Pines Benefits Inspections Division, Office of Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Brent
Arronte, Director, San Diego Benefits Inspections Division,
Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of Inspector General,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was also
provided by Danny G. I. Pummill, Principal Deputy Under
Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Diana Rubens,
Director, Philadelphia Regional Office, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lucy
Filipov, Assistant Director, Philadelphia Regional Office,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Julianna M. Boor, Director, Oakland Regional Office,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Michele Kwok, Assistant Director, Oakland Regional
Office, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See, ``Philadelphia and Oakland: Systemic
Failures and Mismanagement,'' Serial No. 114-16.
Full Committee Hearing--Examining Access and Quality of Care and
Services for Women Veterans
On April 30, 2015, the Full Committee met to discuss the
care and services that are provided to women veterans through
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Dawn Halfaker, veteran; Joy Ilem, Deputy National Legislative
Director, National Service and Legislative Headquarters,
Disabled American Veterans; Lauren Augustine, Legislative
Associate, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; and,
Patricia Hayes, Ph.D., Chief Consultant for Women's Health
Services, Office of Patient Care Services, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Susan McCutcheon, R.N., Ed.D., National Mental
Health Director for Family Services, Women's Mental Health, and
Military Sexual Trauma, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and, Curtis Coy, Deputy Under
Secretary for Economic Opportunity, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See
``Examining Access and Quality of Care and Services for Women
Veterans,'' Serial No. 114-18.
Full Committee Business Meeting--Business Meeting: Motion To Issue a
Subpoena to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, To Produce
Complete MSPB and EEO Files From the Regional Office in
Philadelphia to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
On April 30, 2015, the Full Committee met to address the
motion to subpoena the Department of Veterans Affairs to
produce complete MSPB and EEO files from the Philadelphia VA
Regional Office.
There were no testimonies provided. See, ``Business
Meeting: Motion to Issue a Subpoena to the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, to produce complete MSPB and EEO files from
the Regional Office in Philadelphia to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.''
Full Committee Hearing--Assessing the Promise and Progress of the
Choice Program
On May 13, 2015, the Full Committee met in open session to
conduct a Full Committee oversight hearing on the Choice
program created by the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146).
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Donna
Hoffmeier, Program Officer, VA Services, Health Net Federal
Services; David J. McIntyre Jr., President and Chief Executive
Officer, TriWest Healthcare Alliance; and, the Honorable Sloan
Gibson, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: James Tuchschmidt, M.D., Interim Principal
Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Darin
Selnick, Senior Veterans Affairs Advisor, Concerned Veterans
for America; Carlos Fuentes, Senior Legislative Associate,
National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States; Roscoe G. Butler, Deputy Director for Health
Care, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The
American Legion; Joseph A. Violante, National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; and, Christopher Neiweem,
Legislative Associate, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America. See ``Assessing the Promise and Progress of the Choice
Program,'' Serial No. 114-19.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation of
Multiple Veterans Service Organizations (PVA, AMVETS, MOAA,
MOPH, IAVA, VVA, BVA and NCOA)
On May 20, 2015, the Full Committee participated in a joint
hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to receive
testimony from multiple veterans' organizations (PVA, AMVETS,
MOAA, MOPH, IAVA, VVA, BVA and NCOA) on their 2015 legislative
priorities.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by: Al
Kovach, National President, Paralyzed Veterans of America; CDR
Larry E. Via, National Commander, AMVETS; COL Robert F. Norton,
U.S. Army (Ret.), Deputy Director, Government Relations,
Military Officers Association of America; J. Patrick Little,
National Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart; John
Rowan, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America; Glenn
Minney, Director of Government Relations, Blinded Veterans
Association; Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO, Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America; and Sergeant Major H. Gene
Overstreet, USMC (Ret.), President, Non Commissioned Officers
Association. This hearing was hosted by the Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committee and therefore does not have a House Serial
No.
Site Visit--Cincinnati, OH
On June 9, 2015, the Chairman for the Full Committee
traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, to conduct an oversight visit to
the Cincinnati VA Medical Center with Rep. Brad Wenstrup of
Ohio. The trip focused on wait times, the utilization of the
Choice program and other sources of non-VA care, and ways to
strengthen VA's purchased care options.
Full Committee Hearing--The State of VA's Fiscal Year 2015, Budget
On June 25, 2015, the Full Committee held a hearing to
examine the VA's Budget for the 2015 Fiscal Year.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Sloan Gibson, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: James Tuchschmidt, M.D.,
Interim Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Edward Murray, Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and
Interim Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and, Gregory Giddens, Principal Executive Director
Office of Acquisitions, Logistics, and Construction, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See ``The State of VA's Fiscal
Year 2015, Budget,'' Serial No. 114-29.
Full Committee Hearing--Exploring VA's Administration of Individual
Unemployability Benefits
On July 15, 2015, the Full Committee held a hearing to
examine the individual unemployment benefits under the VA's
Administration.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by
Daniel Bertoni, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income
Security, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Bradley Flohr,
Senior Advisor, Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration; Paul R. Varela, Assistant National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; and Ian de Planque,
Legislative Director, The American Legion. See ``Exploring VA's
Administration of Individual Unemployability Benefits,'' Serial
No. 114-32.
Full Committee Hearing--To Receive the Secretary's Testimony Regarding
the Pending VA Health Care Budget Shortfall and System Shutdown
On July 22, 2015, the Full Committee held a hearing to
receive testimony regarding the Department's notification of a
$3 billion budget shortfall in the Medical Services account
that will result in a nationwide shutdown of VA hospital
operations if Congress does not act before August, 2015.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Robert McDonald, Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: James Tuchschmidt, M.D.,
Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See
``To Receive the Secretary's Testimony regarding the Pending VA
Health Care Budget Shortfall and System Shutdown,'' Serial No.
114-34.
Full Committee Hearing--A Call for System-Wide Change: Evaluating the
Independent Assessment of the Veterans Health Administration
On October 7, 2015, the Full Committee held a hearing to
discuss and evaluate the independent assessment of the VA
Health Administration.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Robert A. McDonald, Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: the Honorable David J.
Shulkin M.D., Under Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. Testimony was also provided by Richard J.
Byrne, Senior Vice President, The MITRE Corporation; and, Brett
P. Giroir M.D., Senior Fellow, Texas Medical Center Health
Policy Institute. See ``A Call for System-Wide Change:
Evaluating the Independent Assessment of the Veterans Health
Administration,'' Serial No. 114-37.
Full Committee Hearing--An Examination of the VA Office of Inspector
General's Final Report on the Inappropriate Use of Position and
the Misuse of the Relocation Program and Incentives
On October 21, 2015, the Full Committee held a hearing to
assess and examine the VA Office of Inspector General' Report
of inappropriate use of position and the misuse of relocation
program and incentives.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by
Linda Halliday, Deputy Inspector General, Office of Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Danny Pummill
Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs was invited to testify but did not appear.
Mr. Pummill was invited to be accompanied by Ms. Diana Rubens
Director, Philadelphia and Wilmington Region Office, Veterans
Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Mr. Robert McKenrick Director, Los Angeles Regional Office,
Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Kimberly Graves Director, St. Paul Regional
Office, Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Antione Waller Director, Baltimore
Regional Office, Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S.
Department of Veteran Affairs. These individuals did also not
appear. See ``An Examination of the VA Office of Inspector
General's Final Report on the Inappropriate Use of Position and
the Misuse of the Relocation Program and Incentives,'' Serial
No. 114-38.
Full Committee Business Meeting--Motion To Issue Subpoenas to Employees
of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, To Compel Them To
Appear and Provide Testimony to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs on the Inspector General's Final Report,
Entitled ``Inappropriate Use of Position and the Misuse of the
Relocation Program and Incentives.''
On October 21, 2015, the Full Committee met in open session
to conduct a motion to issue subpoenas to employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and compel them to appear and
provide testimony to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
on the Inspector General's final report.
Full Committee Hearing--``Testimony of Subpoenaed Witnesses on the
Department of Veterans Affairs Alleged Misuse of Relocation
Program and Incentives''
On November 2, 2015, the Full Committee held a hearing to
hear testimony from subpoenaed witnesses of the Department of
Veterans Affairs on the misuse of relocation program and
incentives.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by
Danny Pummill, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits,
Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. Accompanied by: Diana Rubens, Director, Philadelphia
and Wilmington Regional Offices, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Robert
McKenrick, Director, Los Angeles Regional Office, Veterans
Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Kimberly Graves, Director, St. Paul Regional Office, Veterans
Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
and, Antione Waller, Director, Baltimore Regional Office,
Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veteran
Affairs. Testimony was also provided by Linda Halliday, Deputy
Inspector General, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs. The Honorable Allison Hickey, Former Under
Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs was invited to provide testimony
but did not appear. See, ``Testimony of Subpoenaed Witnesses on
the Department of Veterans Affairs Alleged Misuse of Relocation
Program and Incentives,'' Serial No. 114-41.
Full Committee Hearing--Choice Consolidation: Assessing VA's Plan To
Improve Care in the Community
On November 18, 2015, the Full Committee held a hearing on
the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA's) plan to consolidate
non-VA care programs.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Sloan Gibson, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: the Honorable David J.
Shulkin, M.D., Under Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Baligh Yehia, M.D., Assistant Deputy
Undersecretary for Health for Community Care, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and, Joe
Dalpiaz, Network Director, Heart of Texas Health Care Network,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See ``Choice Consolidation: Assessing VA's Plan to
Improve Care in the Community,'' Serial No. 114-45.
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
FULL COMMITTEE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Second Session
AMERICAN HEROES COLA ACT OF 2015
(H.R. 677)
Summary
H.R. 677, American Heroes COLA Act of 2015, authorizes the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in lieu of furnishing a
headstone or marker to a deceased individual, to furnish a
medallion or other device to signify the deceased individual's
veteran status, to be attached to a headstone or marker
furnished at private expense. A deceased individual, for the
purposes of such provision, is an individual who: (1) served in
the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917; and (2) is eligible
for a headstone or marker, or who would be eligible but for his
or her date of death.
H.R. 677 would state ``Claim'' and ``formal claim'' (a
claim submitted on a DOD-prescribed form) are defined for
purposes of provisions relating to claims for benefits under
laws administered by the VA.
H.R. 677 would establish that the VA shall report quarterly
to Congress for five years regarding submitted VA claims. Each
report shall include the total number of: claims submitted,
including the total number of informal and formal claims; forms
indicating an intent to file a benefits claim; claim
notification letters that included an invitation to submit an
additional formal claim and the total number of claimants who
submitted such additional formal claim; electronically filed
claims submitted; and fully-developed claims submitted. It is
the sense of Congress that the VA should develop a form for
increasing or reopening a claim that does not require
resubmittal of information previously submitted on a formal
claim form.
H.R. 677 would establish that the VA may pay burial and
funeral expenses, accrued benefits, dependency and indemnity
compensation, and non-service connected disability or death
pension amounts to a survivor of a veteran who has not filed a
formal claim if the record contains sufficient evidence to
establish the survivor's entitlement to such benefits. The date
of receipt of such benefits application shall be the earlier
of: the date on which the survivor notifies the VA of the
veteran's death through a death certificate or other relevant
medical evidence indicating that the death was due to a
service-connected or compensable disability, or the date on
which any other federal agency notifies the VA of the veteran's
death. The bill requires the VA to report to Congress on
benefits paid pursuant to covered claims.
H.R. 677 would establish that the VA shall provide the
following claimants priority when processing veterans benefits
claims: veterans who have attained the age of 70; veterans who
are terminally ill; veterans with life-threatening illnesses;
homeless veterans; veterans who were awarded the Medal of
Honor; veterans who are former prisoners of war; veterans whose
claims are being reviewed again in relation to a previously
denied claim relating to military sexual trauma; veterans who
the VA determines, on a case-by-case basis, are seriously or
very seriously injured; and veterans whom the VA determines
should otherwise be given priority for good cause.
H.R. 677 would establish that if a veteran has submitted a
medical opinion or report from a private physician in support
of a disability compensation claim, the VA may not order a
medical examination by a VA physician unless the VA provides
the veteran with an explanation of why: (1) the submitted
medical opinion or report was not sufficiently complete, and
(2) additional medical evidence is necessary. This provision
shall apply to medical evidence submitted one year after
enactment of this Act by veterans who have not submitted any
prior VA disability compensation claims.
H.R. 677 would establish that during the nine-year period
beginning on December 1, 2016, whenever there is an increase in
benefit amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and
Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, the VA shall
increase by the same percentage the amounts payable as
veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for
dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult
children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for
surviving spouses and children.
H.R. 677 would establish that the process for appointment
of fiduciaries for veterans is revised. If the VA determines a
beneficiary to be mentally incompetent for purposes of
appointing a fiduciary, the VA shall provide the beneficiary
with a written statement detailing the reasons for such
determination. A beneficiary may appeal such determination. A
beneficiary for whom the VA appoints a fiduciary may, at any
time, request the VA to remove such fiduciary and appoint a new
one. The VA shall comply with a good faith request if the
fiduciary: (1) has received a fee from the beneficiary and a
volunteer fiduciary is available to assist the beneficiary, or
(2) is not acting in the beneficiary's best interests. The VA
shall ensure that any removal or new appointment shall not
delay or interrupt the beneficiary's receipt of benefits. A VA-
appointed fiduciary shall act independently of the VA and in
the interest of the beneficiary. A veteran may predesignate a
fiduciary. If a beneficiary does not designate a fiduciary the
VA shall appoint a fiduciary who is: (1) a relative, (2) a
guardian, or (3) authorized to act on the beneficiary's behalf
under a durable power of attorney. The VA, if it determines
that a commission is necessary to obtain the services of a
fiduciary in the best interests of a beneficiary, may authorize
a fiduciary appointed by the VA to obtain from the monthly
benefits provided to the beneficiary a reasonable commission
for fiduciary services rendered. Such commission shall not
exceed the lesser of: (1) 3% of the monthly monetary benefits
paid on behalf of the beneficiary to the fiduciary, or (2) $35.
A commission may not be authorized for a fiduciary who receives
any other form of remuneration or payment in connection with
rendering fiduciary services for the beneficiary. Temporary
benefit payments to a person having custody and control of an
incompetent or minor beneficiary are permitted. Specified state
and local agencies and nonprofit social service agencies may
act as fiduciaries. The VA shall maintain a list of state and
local agencies and nonprofit social service agencies that are
qualified to act as a fiduciary. The bill requires the
investigation for the certification of a fiduciary to include
criminal and credit background checks. A background check shall
be performed each time a person is proposed as a fiduciary. A
person convicted of a federal or state offense may serve as a
fiduciary only if the VA finds such person to be appropriate
under the circumstances. A fiduciary shall disclose the number
of beneficiaries on whose behalf the fiduciary acts. The VA
shall: (1) maintain records of any person whose fiduciary
status has been revoked, and (2) notify a beneficiary within 14
days after learning that the fiduciary has been convicted of a
specified crime. The VA shall investigate alleged misuse of
benefits, and if substantiated, transmit such information to
the Department of Justice and each federal agency that pays
benefits to fiduciaries or beneficiaries. The VA shall, when
determining whether a proposed fiduciary must furnish a bond,
consider: (1) the existence of any familial or other personal
relationship between the proposed fiduciary and the
beneficiary, and (2) the care the proposed fiduciary has taken
to protect the beneficiary's interests. Each Veterans Benefits
Administration regional office shall maintain specified
fiduciary information. A fiduciary must (currently, may) file
an annual accounting of the administration of beneficiary
benefits. The VA shall conduct annual random audits of
fiduciaries who receive a commission for such service.
H.R. 677 would establish that the Board of Veterans'
Appeals shall, for purposes of scheduling a veteran's appeal
hearing at the earliest possible date, determine whether to
provide such hearing: (1) at its principal location or at
another VA facility or other federal facility within the
regional VA's area, and (2) through the use of video
conferencing or by an appellant's personal appearance. (Current
law merely permits an appellant to request that a hearing be at
the Board's principal location or at a VA facility located
within the regional VA's area.) The Board shall notify the
appellant of such decisions. Upon notification, the appellant
may request a different location or type of hearing, and the
Board shall grant such request while ensuring that the hearing
is scheduled at the earliest possible date.
H.R. 677 would establish that the Veterans Benefits Act of
2003 is amended to extend until December 31, 2017, the VA's
authority to provide for persons other than VA employees (i.e.,
contract physicians) to conduct medical disability examinations
of applicants for VA benefits. A VA-contracted physicians may
conduct such examinations at any location in any state, the
District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or
possession of the United States so long as the examination is
within the scope of the contract and the physician: has a
current unrestricted license to practice his or her health care
profession; is not barred from practicing such health care
profession in any state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S.
commonwealth, territory, or possession; and is performing
authorized duties for the VA pursuant to a contract.
The Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 is amended
to provide similar authorities for examination locations under
the pilot program authorizing the VA to use contract physicians
to perform medical disability examinations of applicants for
benefits carried out through the Under Secretary for Benefits.
H.R. 677 would establish that the VA shall: (1) carry out a
five-year pilot program to provide a faster disability
compensation appeals process, and (2) inform claimants about
such program. Appeals filed under the pilot program are
described as ``fully developed appeals.'' A claimant may elect
to file a fully developed appeal by filing with the VA: (1) a
notice of disagreement along with the claimant's written
election to have the appeal determined under the pilot program,
(2) all necessary evidence, and (3) a statement of the claim's
supporting argument. A claimant who elects to file a claim
under the pilot program may elect to revert to the standard
appeals process at any time. Such reversion shall be final.
Such a claimant or an electing claimant who is later determined
to be ineligible for the pilot program shall revert to the
standard appeals process without any penalty other than the
loss of docket number. The VA shall transfer jurisdiction over
a fully developed appeal directly to the Board of Veterans'
Appeals. The Board shall: maintain fully developed appeals on a
separate docket; hear fully developed appeals in the order
received; decide not more than one fully developed appeal for
each four traditional appeals decided, though this ratio may be
adjusted for fairness purposes after one year; and decide each
fully developed appeal within one year of a claimant's filing
the notice of disagreement. A claimant may not submit or
identify to the Board any new evidence relating to a fully
developed appeal after filing such appeal unless the claimant
reverts to the standard appeals process. The Board shall
establish an office to develop necessary federal records,
independent medical opinions, and new medical exams that the
Board determines are necessary to decide a fully developed
appeal. The Board may not provide hearings for fully developed
appeals.
H.R. 677 would establish that the VA shall take steps to
ensure that regional offices certify VA Form 9, Appeal to Board
of Veterans' Appeals forms within one year of receipt.
H.R. 677 would establish that a commission or task force is
established to evaluate the backlog of VA disability claims and
appeals. The commission or task force shall: (1) carry out a
comprehensive evaluation of the claims backlog and the appeals
process and provide Congress and the President with initial,
interim, and final reports; and (2) terminate 60 days after
submission of the final report.
H.R. 677 would establish that the Department of Defense
(DOD) shall accept additional documentation for verifying
active duty service as a coastwise merchant seaman between
December 7, 1941-December 31, 1946, for purposes of veterans'
burial benefits and medal and decorations eligibility,
including: in the case of an individual who served on a
coastwise merchant vessel seeking such recognition for whom no
applicable Coast Guard shipping or discharge form, ship
logbook, merchant mariner's document or Z-card, or other
official employment record is available, applicable Social
Security Administration records, together with validated
testimony given by the individual or the primary next of kin
that the individual performed such service between December 7,
1941-December 31, 1946; and in the case of such an individual
for whom such employment record has been destroyed or is
otherwise unavailable, other official documentation
demonstrating that the individual performed such service
between December 7, 1941-December 31, 1946. (These individuals
shall not be entitled to other benefits based upon such
service.) DOD, when determining whether to recognize service
performed during such period, shall recognize masters of
seagoing vessels or other command officers who were authorized
to document an individual for purposes of hiring for, or
discharging from, the merchant marine. DOD shall verify that an
individual performed such qualifying service under honorable
conditions without regard to an individual's sex, age, or
disability.
H.R. 677 would establish that the VA shall designate at
least one U.S. city each year as an ``American World War II
City'' based on the city's: (1) contributions to the war effort
during World War II; and (2) efforts to preserve the history of
such contributions, including through establishment of
preservation organizations or museums, restoration of World War
II facilities, and recognition of World War II veterans.
Wilmington, North Carolina, is designated as the first such
city.
H.R. 677 would establish that Congress: (1) expresses its
appreciation to the men and women left permanently wounded,
ill, or injured as a result of their service in the Armed
Forces; and (2) supports the annual recognition of permanently
disabled American veterans.
H.R. 677 would establish that the Caregivers and Veterans
Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 is amended to extend
through December 31, 2021, the pilot program of providing
reintegration and readjustment services in group retreat
settings to certain women veterans recently separated from
military service.
Legislative History
H.R. 677 was introduced by Representative Ralph Abraham on
February 3, 2015, and referred to the House Veterans' Affairs
Committee. Representative Dina Titus was the only original
cosponsor.
On April 14, 2015 the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing on H.R. 677 and
received testimony from the following witnesses: The Honorable
Chellie Pingree, U.S. House of Representatives; Mr. David R.
McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability
Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Mr. McLenachen was accompanied by Ms.
Laura H. Eskenazi, Executive-in-Charge and Vice Chairman, Board
of Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Mr. David J. Barrans, Assistant General Counsel, Office of
General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Zachary Hearn, Deputy Director for Claims, Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr. Blake C.
Ortner, Deputy Government Relations Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; Mr. Paul R. Varela, Assistant National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Ronald B.
Abrams, Joint Executive Director, National Veterans Legal
Services Program; Mr. Kenneth M. Carpenter, Founding Member,
National Organization of Veterans' Advocates.
On May 14, 2015 the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs met in open session and ordered H.R. 677
to be favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in an open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 677 was offered by Rep. Abraham of Louisiana
and was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote. An
amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 677 was offered by Rep. Titus of Nevada and was not
adopted by the Full Committee by roll call. The amendment in
the nature of a substitute to H.R. 677, as amended was adopted
by the Full Committee by voice vote. H.R. 677, as amended
passed the Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably
reported to the Full House by voice vote. The Committee Report
was filed on February 1, 2016 (H. Rept. 114-405).
On February 9, 2016, the House agreed on the motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 677, as amended by voice vote.
On February 10, 2016, H.R. 677 was received in the Senate
and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
TO DESIGNATE THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMUNITY-BASED
OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN NEWARK, OHIO, AS THE DANIEL L. KINNARD VA CLINIC
(H.R. 960)
Summary
H.R. 960 would establish the Department of Veterans Affairs
community based outpatient clinic in Newark, Ohio, shall be
known as the ``Daniel L. Kinnard VA Clinic.''
Legislative History
H.R. 960 was introduced by Representative Patrick Tiberi on
February 12, 2015, and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had 14 cosponsors, 12 of which were
original cosponsors.
On May 23, 2016, the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 960 by voice vote.
On May 24, 2016, H.R. 960 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
CAREER-READY STUDENT VETERANS ACT
(H.R. 2360)
Summary
H.R. 2360, Career-Ready Student Veterans Act, would add the
following new criteria for state approval, with respect to the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance, of
applications of educational institutions providing veterans
with non-accredited courses: a program designed to prepare an
individual for state licensure or certification must meet any
state instructional curriculum licensure or certification
requirements; or a program designed to prepare an individual
for employment pursuant to standards developed by a state board
or agency in an occupation requiring approval or licensure must
be approved or licensed by that state board or agency. The VA
may waive either of these two requirements if: the educational
institution is accredited by an agency or association
recognized by the Department of Education; the program did not
meet the requirements at any time during the two-year period
preceding the waiver date; the waiver furthers the purposes of
the educational assistance programs or would further the
education interests of individuals eligible for assistance
under such programs; and the educational institution does not
provide any incentive payment based on securing enrollments or
financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in student
recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions
regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for
recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries
who are ineligible for federal student assistance. The VA shall
submit to Congress notice of, and justification for, a waiver
within 30 days of issuance. The VA shall disapprove a course of
education unless the educational institution providing it
discloses publicly any conditions or additional requirements,
including training, experience, or exams, required to obtain
the license, certification, or approval for which the course is
designed to provide preparation. If after enrollment in a
course subject to disapproval an individual pursues one or more
courses of education at the same educational institution while
remaining continuously enrolled, such course or courses shall
not be subject to disapproval by reason of this Act.
Legislative History
H.R. 2360 was introduced by Representative Mark Takano on
May 15, 2015 and was referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had 7 cosponsors.
On June 2, 2015 the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 2360 and received testimony
from the following witnesses: The Honorable Bill Flores, U.S.
House of Representatives, 17th Congressional District, Texas;
The Honorable Paul Cook, U.S. House of Representatives, 8th
Congressional District, California; The Honorable Sean Patrick
Maloney, U.S. House of Representatives, 18th Congressional
District, New York; Mr. Paul R. Varela Assistant National
Legislative Director Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Brendon
Gehrke Senior Legislative Associate National Legislative
Service Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr.
Steve Gonzalez Assistant Director Veterans Employment and
Education Division The American Legion; Mr. David Borer General
Counsel American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO;
Mr. Christopher Neiweem Legislative Associate Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Rick Weidman Executive
Director Government Affairs Vietnam Veterans of America; Mr.
Curtis L. Coy Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity
Veterans Benefits Administration U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Accompanied by: Ms. Cathy Mitrano Deputy Assistant
Secretary for the Office of Resource Management Human Resources
and Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Teresa W. Gerton Acting Assistant Secretary Veterans'
Employment and Training Service U.S. Department of Labor; Dr.
Susan S. Kelly Director Transition to Veterans Program Office
of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
U.S. Department of Defense.
On June 25, 2015 the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in an open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 2360 was offered by Rep. Mark Takano of
California and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 2360, as amended
passed the EO Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in an open session and H.R. 2360, as amended passed the
Full Committee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the
Full House by voice vote. The Committee Report was filed on
November 16, 2015 (H. Rept. 114-336).
On February 9, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 2360, as amended by voice vote.
On February 10, 2016 H.R. 2360 was received in the Senate
and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
TO AMEND TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE, TO IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF
ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR VETERANS
(H.R. 2460)
Summary
H.R. 2460, to amend title 38, United States Code, to
improve the provision of adult day health care services for
veterans, would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
to enter into an agreement or a contract with each state home
to pay for adult day health care for a veteran eligible for,
but not receiving, nursing home care. The veteran must need
such care either specifically for a service-connected
disability, or, if not specifically for one, the veteran must
have a service-connected disability rated 70% or more. Payment
under each agreement or contract between the VA and a state
home must equal 65% of the payment that the VA would otherwise
pay to the state home if the veteran were receiving nursing
home care.
Legislative History
H.R. 2460 was introduced by Representative Lee Zeldin on
May 19, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 53 cosponsors.
On April 20, 2016 the Subcommittee on Health held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 2460 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: Honorable Lee M. Zeldin, U.S. House of
Representatives, 1st Congressional District of New York; the
Honorable Mike Bost, U.S. House of Representatives, 12th
Congressional District of Illinois; the Honorable Ann M.
Kuster, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional
District of New Hampshire; the Honorable Elise M. Stefanik,
U.S. House of Representatives, 21st Congressional District of
New York; and, the Honorable Jackie Walorski, U.S. House of
Representatives, 2nd Congressional District of Indiana; Diane
M. Zumatto, National Legislative Director, AMVETS; Shurhonda Y.
Love, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Fred S. Sganga, Legislative Officer,
National Association of State Veterans Homes; Maureen McCarthy
M.D., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Patient
Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Susan Blauert, Chief
Counsel, Health Care Law Group, Office of General Counsel, on
behalf of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On April 29, 2016 the Subcommittee on Health met in an open
session and ordered H.R. 2460 to be forwarded favorably to the
Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 18, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
an open session and a motion to favorably report H.R. 2460 to
the House was offered by Ranking Member Brown and agreed to via
voice vote.
On May 23, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend the
rules and pass H.R. 2460 by voice vote.
On May 24, 2016 H.R. 2460 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
TO NAME THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT
CLINIC IN SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE, THE DANNIE A. CARR VETERANS
OUTPATIENT CLINIC
(H.R. 2814)
Summary
H.R. 2814 would designate the Department of Veterans
Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located at 1124
Blanton Drive, Sevierville, Tennessee, as the ``Dannie A. Carr
Veterans Outpatient Clinic.''
Legislative History
H.R. 2814 was introduced by Representative David Roe on
June 17, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. This bill had no cosponsors.
On March 1, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill by voice vote.
On May 18, 2016 H.R. 2814 was discharged from the Senate
Committee on Veterans' Affairs by Unanimous Consent and passed
the Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On May 24, 2016 H.R. 2814 was presented to the President.
On June 3, 2016 H.R. 2814 was signed by the president and
became Public Law No: 114-164.
FEMALE VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION ACT
(H.R. 2915)
Summary
H.R. 2915, Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act, would
direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to identify: (1)
VA mental health care and suicide prevention programs that are
most effective for women veterans, and (2) those programs with
the highest satisfaction rates among women veterans.
H.R. 2915 would state that it is the sense of Congress that
veterans who experience combat-related mental health wounds
should have immediate and consistent access to comprehensive
mental health care. The VA shall: establish standards and
procedures to ensure that each covered veteran may access VA
mental health care in a manner that fully accommodates the
veteran's obligation to not improperly disclose classified
information; and disseminate guidance to Veterans Health
Administration employees, including mental health
professionals, regarding these standards and procedures:
``Covered veteran'' means a veteran who: (1) is enrolled in the
VA health care system; (2) is seeking mental health treatment;
and (3) in the course of serving in the Armed Forces
participated in a sensitive (classified) mission or served in a
sensitive unit primarily involved in training for the conduct
of, or conducting, special activities or classified missions.
Legislative History
H.R. 2915 was introduced by Representative Julia Brownley
on June 25, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had 21 cosponsors.
On July 14, 2015 the Subcommittee on Health held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 2915 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: the Honorable Tim Walberg, U.S. House
of Representatives, 7th Congressional District of Michigan; the
Honorable Sean Duffy, U.S. House of Representatives, 7th
Congressional District of Wisconsin; the Honorable Steve
Stivers, U.S. House of Representatives, 15th Congressional
District of Ohio; the Honorable Kyrsten Sinema, U.S. House of
Representatives, 9th Congressional District, Arizona; the
Honorable Doug Collins, U.S. House of Representatives, 9th
Congressional District of Georgia; the Honorable Mike Coffman,
U.S. House of Representatives, 6th Congressional District of
Colorado; the Honorable Jeff Denham, U.S. House of
Representatives, 10th Congressional District of California; the
Honorable Charles Boustany, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Louisiana; and, the Honorable Brad
Wenstrup, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional
District of Ohio; Ian de Planque, Legislative Director, The
American Legion; Adrian Atizado, Assistant National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; and, Carlos Fuentes,
Senior Legislative Associate, National Legislative Service
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Madhulika
Agarwal, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Policy and Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Janet P. Murphy, M.B.A., Acting
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and
Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Jessica Tanner, General
Attorney Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
On July 22, 2015 the Subcommittee on Health met in an open
session and ordered H.R. 2915 to be forwarded favorably to the
Full Committee by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015 an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 2915 was offered by Rep. Brownley of
California and was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote.
H.R. 2915, as amended passed the Full Committee by voice vote
and was favorably forwarded to the Full House by voice vote.
The Committee Report was filed on December 3, 2015 (H. Rept.
114-365).
On February 9, 2016 the House agreed to suspend the rules
and pass H.R. 2915, as amended by voice vote.
On February 10, 2016 H.R. 2915 was received in the Senate
and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENT ACT
(H.R. 3016)
Summary
H.R. 3016, Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare
Improvement Act, would include podiatrists within the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) definition of physician,
and increases their pay grade to match other VA physician
compensation.
H.R. 3016 would make the priority for enrollment in the VA
health care system given to Medal of Honor recipients shall
increase from third to first, regardless of the date on which
the medal is awarded. Medal of honor recipients shall be
eligible for VA: (1) hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary
care; (2) extended care services for non-service-connected
disabilities, without having to make a copayment for such
services; and (3) medications, without having to make a
copayment for such medications.
H.R. 3016 would state that the VA may provide the newborn
child of a woman veteran receiving VA maternity care with post-
delivery care services for at most 42 days (currently 7 days)
after the child's birth if the veteran delivered the child in a
VA facility or another facility with which VA has a contract
for such services.
H.R. 3016 would state that the Government Accountability
Office (GAO) shall periodically audit elements of the Veterans
Health Administration budget.
H.R. 3016 would state that the VA shall: (1) conduct
outreach to inform veterans of how to resolve credit issues
caused by a delayed payment of a claim for emergency hospital
care, medical services, or other emergency health care
furnished through a non-VA provider; and (2) establish a toll-
free telephone number for veterans to report such issues to the
VA's Chief Business Office. The GAO shall evaluate the
effectiveness of the Chief Business Office in providing timely
payment of a proper invoice for emergency hospital care,
medical services, or other emergency health care furnished
through non-VA providers by the required payment date.
H.R. 3016 would state that the VA shall carry out a five-
year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of addressing
veterans' post-deployment mental health and post-traumatic
stress disorder symptoms through the therapeutic medium of
educating those veterans in the training and handling of
service dogs for veterans with disabilities. The program shall
be carried out through contracts with appropriate
nongovernmental entities located in close proximity to between
three and five VA medical centers. Each entity shall be
certified in service dog training and have a training area for
educating veterans with mental health conditions in service dog
training and handling.
Legislative History
H.R. 3016 was introduced by Representative Brad Wenstrup on
July 9, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 15 cosponsors, 5 of which were original
cosponsors.
On July 14, 2015 the Subcommittee on Health held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 3016 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: Honorable Tim Walberg, U.S. House of
Representatives, 7th Congressional District of Michigan; the
Honorable Sean Duffy, U.S. House of Representatives, 7th
Congressional District of Wisconsin; the Honorable Steve
Stivers, U.S. House of Representatives, 15th Congressional
District of Ohio; the Honorable Kyrsten Sinema, U.S. House of
Representatives, 9th Congressional District, Arizona; the
Honorable Doug Collins, U.S. House of Representatives, 9th
Congressional District of Georgia; the Honorable Mike Coffman,
U.S. House of Representatives, 6th Congressional District of
Colorado; the Honorable Jeff Denham, U.S. House of
Representatives, 10th Congressional District of California; the
Honorable Charles Boustany, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Louisiana; and, the Honorable Brad
Wenstrup, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional
District of Ohio; Ian de Planque, Legislative Director, The
American Legion; Adrian Atizado, Assistant National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; and, Carlos Fuentes,
Senior Legislative Associate, National Legislative Service
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Madhulika
Agarwal, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Policy and Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Janet P. Murphy, M.B.A., Acting
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and
Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Jessica Tanner, General
Attorney Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
On July 22, 2015 the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session and ordered H.R. 3016 to be favorably forwarded to the
Full Committee by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015 an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute to H.R. 3016 was offered by Rep. Wenstrup of Ohio
and was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote. An
amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. to
H.R. 3016 was offered by Rep. Roe of Tennessee and was adopted
by the Full Committee by voice vote. An amendment to the
amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3016 was
offered by Rep. Takano of California and was not adopted by the
Full Committee by voice vote. An additional amendment to the
amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3016 was
offered by Rep. Takano of California and was not adopted by the
Full Committee by roll call. An amendment to the amendment in
the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3016 was offered by Rep.
Titus of Nevada and was not adopted by the Full Committee by
voice vote. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
3016, as amended was adopted by the Full Committee by voice
vote. H.R. 3016, as amended passed the Full Committee by voice
vote and was favorably reported to the Full House by voice
vote. The Committee Report was filed on December 1, 2015 (H.R.
Rept. 114-358).
On February 9, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 3016, as amended by voice vote.
On February 10, 2016 H.R. 3016 was received in the Senate
and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
CONSTRUCTION REFORM ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 3106)
Summary
H.R. 3106, Construction Reform Act of 2016, would require
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use industry
standards, standard designs, and best practices in carrying out
medical facility construction. A super construction project is
one for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a
medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than
$100 million (but does not include an acquisition by exchange).
The VA shall provide, on a non-reimbursable basis, a non-VA
federal entity with: (1) design, planning, and construction
assistance; (2) project documents; and (3) other assistance
upon request. With respect to a proposed change to a contract
entered into by a non-VA federal entity with which the VA has
entered into an agreement that is estimated at a value of less
than $250,000, the entity shall issue a final decision
regarding such change within 30 days. With respect to a
proposed contract change estimated at a value of $250,000 or
more: the VA may make recommendations to the entity; the VA may
issue the final decision regarding the change within 30 days
after the entity proposes it; and if the VA does not issue a
final decision within 60 days after the entity proposes the
contract change, the entity shall issue a final decision
regarding the change no later than 90 days after it proposes
the change. The VA shall ensure that each VA employee with
responsibilities relating to the construction or alteration of
medical facilities undergoes ongoing professional training and
development. The VA is prohibited from: obligating or expending
funds for advance planning or design for any super construction
project until 60 days after congressional notification,
obligating funds for a major medical facility project or a
super construction project by more than 10% of the amount
approved by law unless certain congressional committees approve
the obligation, or using bid savings amounts or funds for other
than their original purpose before 30 days after notifying
those committees unless each committee approves the obligation.
The VA shall enter into a contract with an appropriate non-
department federal entity to conduct an external forensic audit
of: (1) the medical center construction project in Aurora,
Colorado; and (2) the expenditures relating to any major
medical facility or super construction project when such
expenditures exceed the amount approved by law by more than
25%. The VA must complete a 10-year master plan for: (1) each
existing VA medical facility by December 31, 2016, and (2) each
new VA medical facility by not later than the earlier of the
date on which activation is completed or the date of the
facility's formal dedication. H.R. 3106 would establish in the
Office of Inspector General an Assistant Inspector General for
Construction who shall be responsible for conducting,
supervising, and coordinating audits, evaluations, and
investigations of the planning, design, contracting, and
construction of VA facilities and infrastructure, including
major and minor construction projects and leases.
Legislative History
H.R. 3106 was introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller on July
16, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 2 cosponsors.
On July 14, 2015 the Subcommittee on Health held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 3106 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: Honorable Tim Walberg, U.S. House of
Representatives, 7th Congressional District of Michigan; the
Honorable Sean Duffy, U.S. House of Representatives, 7th
Congressional District of Wisconsin; the Honorable Steve
Stivers, U.S. House of Representatives, 15th Congressional
District of Ohio; the Honorable Kyrsten Sinema, U.S. House of
Representatives, 9th Congressional District, Arizona; the
Honorable Doug Collins, U.S. House of Representatives, 9th
Congressional District of Georgia; the Honorable Mike Coffman,
U.S. House of Representatives, 6th Congressional District of
Colorado; the Honorable Jeff Denham, U.S. House of
Representatives, 10th Congressional District of California; the
Honorable Charles Boustany, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Louisiana; and, the Honorable Brad
Wenstrup, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional
District of Ohio; Ian de Planque, Legislative Director, The
American Legion; Adrian Atizado, Assistant National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; and, Carlos Fuentes,
Senior Legislative Associate, National Legislative Service
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Madhulika
Agarwal, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Policy and Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Janet P. Murphy, M.B.A., Acting
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and
Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Jessica Tanner, General
Attorney Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
On July 22, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health met in an open
session and an amendment to H.R. 3106 was offered by Rep. Mike
Coffman of Colorado and was adopted by the Health Subcommittee
by voice vote. H.R. 3106, as amended, passed the Health
Subcommittee and was favorably forwarded to the Full Committee
by voice vote.
On September 17, 2015 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in open session and an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute to H.R. 3106, as amended was offered by Chairman
Miller of Florida and was adopted/not adopted. An Amendment to
the A.N.S. to H.R. 3106, as amended was offered by Rep.
Brownley of California and was adopted by the Full Committee by
voice vote. An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3106, as amended was offered by Rep. Rice of
New York and was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote.
The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3106, as
amended was adopted by the Full Committee by voice vote. H.R.
3106, as amended passed the Full Committee by voice vote and
was favorably reported to the Full House by voice vote. The
Committee Report was filed on December 3, 2015 (H. Rept. 114-
364).
On February 9, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 3106, as amended by voice vote.
On February 10, 2016 H.R. 3106 was received in the Senate
and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
VET ACT
(H.R. 3216)
Summary
H.R. 3216, VET Act, would declare that, if a veteran who is
enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care
program requests a medical examination or treatment at an
emergency department of a VA medical facility, the veteran
shall be provided with: a medical screening examination to
determine whether an emergency medical condition exists; and if
an emergency condition exists, stabilizing medical treatment or
transfer to another VA or non-VA medical facility. The VA is
deemed to have met such requirements if it offers to transfer
the veteran to another medical facility, informs the veteran of
the transfer's risks and benefits, and the veteran refuses to
consent to the transfer. If a non-stabilized emergency medical
condition exists the VA hospital may not transfer the veteran
unless: the veteran (or individual), after being made aware of
the risks, makes a written transfer request; a physician
certifies that the medical benefits of a transfer outweigh the
risks to the veteran and, in the case of a woman in labor, to
the unborn child; if a physician is not present in the
emergency department at the time of transfer, a qualified
medical person has made such certification after a physician
has determined that a transfer's benefit outweighs the risk and
a physician subsequently countersigns the qualified medical
person's certification; and the transfer is to a medical
facility with the necessary treatment capacities. A VA or non-
VA medical facility that has specialized capabilities or
facilities (such as burn units, shock-trauma units, neonatal
intensive care units, or, with respect to rural areas, regional
referral centers) shall not refuse to accept a transfer if the
facility has the capacity to treat the veteran. A VA or non-VA
medical facility may not delay a medical screening examination
or further medical examination and treatment in order to
inquire about a veteran's payment method or insurance status.
The VA may not take adverse action against a VA employee
because the employee refuses to authorize the transfer of an
enrolled veteran with a non-stabilized emergency medical
condition or because the employee reports a violation of this
bill.
Legislative History
H.R. 3216 was introduced by Representative Dan Newhouse on
July 27, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 13 cosponsors, 3 of which were original
cosponsors.
On June 23, 2016 the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 3216 and received testimony
from the following witnesses: Honorable Doug Lamborn, U.S.
House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District of Nevada;
The Honorable Raul Ruiz, U.S. House of Representatives, 36th
Congressional District of California; The Honorable Beto
O'Rourke, U.S. House of Representatives, 16th Congressional
District of Texas; The Honorable Ron DeSantis, U.S. House of
Representatives, 6th Congressional District of Florida; The
Honorable Ted Yoho, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Florida; The Honorable Jody Hice,
U.S. House of Representatives, 10th Congressional District of
Georgia; The Honorable Dan Newhouse, U.S. House of
Representatives, 4th Congressional District of Washington; and
The Honorable David Young, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Iowa; The Honorable Sloan Gibson,
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Deputy
Secretary Gibson was accompanied by Ms. Laura Eskenazi,
Executive in Charge and Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans
Appeals; Mr. David McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for
Disability Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration; and
Dr. Maureen McCarthy, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for
Health Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration
within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was
also provided by Mr. Raymond Kelley, Director, National
Legislative Service of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States; Mr. Paul Varela, Assistant National Legislative
Director with Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Carl Blake,
Associate Executive Director of Government Relations with the
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Louis J. Celli, Jr.,
Director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division
of The American Legion; and Mr. Rick Weidman, Executive
Director for Policy and Government Affairs with the Vietnam
Veterans of America; Statements for the Record were provided by
the following Veterans Service Organizations: American Battle
Monuments Commission, AMVETS, Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military
Officers Association of America, Military Veterans Advocacy,
Inc., National Organization of Veterans Advocates, National
Veterans Legal Services Program, P.A.W.S. Foundation, Stetson
University College of Law's Veterans Law Institute, U.S.
Department of Labor.
On September 21, 2016 the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs met in an open session and ordered H.R. 3216 to be
favorably forwarded to the House by voice vote.
On September 26, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3216 by voice vote.
On September 27, 2016 H.R. 3216 was received in the Senate
and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
VA MEDICAL CENTER RECOVERY ACT
(H.R. 3234)
Summary
H.R. 3234, VA Medical Center Recovery Act, would direct the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to publish in the Federal
Register and on a publicly available VA Internet website a
compilation of key health metrics for each VA medical center.
The VA shall: (1) determine on a semiannual basis whether each
medical center is satisfactory or underperforming; and (2) upon
a determination of underperformance, send a rapid deployment
team to the center to ensure that it achieves satisfactory
performance as quickly as practicable. A rapid deployment team
shall: identify the areas of the medical center that require
improvement and whether the center follows directives and best
practices; establish a performance remediation plan; review the
status of any disciplinary actions taken at the center, any
recommendations made by the VA Inspector General, and any
Government Accountability Office findings; and provide
appropriate training to the director and staff. The Inspector
General of the VA shall prioritize investigations regarding
underperforming medical centers. The Office of Accountability
Review shall prioritize investigations of whistleblower
retaliation regarding underperforming medical centers. H.R.
3234 would state that the VA shall seek to enter into
partnerships with recognized schools of nursing to provide
undergraduate nursing students enrolled in such schools with
standardized training with respect to: the culture of the
military and veterans; post-traumatic stress disorder;
traumatic brain injury; amputation and assistive devices;
environmental, chemical, and toxic exposure; substance use
disorders; military sexual trauma; suicide; homelessness;
serious illness at the end of life; and federal benefits,
services, and resources for veterans.
Legislative History
On November 17, 2015 the Subcommittee on Health held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 3234 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: the Honorable Beto O'Rourke, U.S.
House of Representatives, 16th Congressional District of Texas;
the Honorable Andy Barr, U.S. House of Representatives, 6th
Congressional District of Kentucky; the Honorable Matt
Cartwright, U.S. House of Representatives, 17th Congressional
District of Pennsylvania; the Honorable Scott Peters, U.S.
House of Representatives, 52nd Congressional District of
California; the Honorable Martha Roby, U.S. House of
Representatives, 2nd Congressional District of Alabama; the
Honorable Jackie Walorski, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd
Congressional District of Indiana; the Honorable John Kline,
U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional District of
Minnesota; the Honorable Gus Bilirakis, U.S. House of
Representatives, 12th Congressional District of Florida; Adrian
Atizado, Deputy National Legislative, Director Disabled
American Veterans; LaRanda D. Holt, Assistant Director for
Women and Minority Veterans Outreach, National Veterans Affairs
and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; and Carlos
Fuentes, Senior Legislative Associate, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Janet
Murphy, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations
and Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Elias Hernandez, Chief
Officer, Workforce Management and Consulting Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Harold Kudler, Chief Consultant for Mental
Health Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Susan Blauert,
Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On February 9, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 3234, as amended by voice vote.
On February 10, 2016 H.R. 3234 was received in the Senate
and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF LAND OF THE ILLIANA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN DANVILLE, ILLINOIS
(H.R. 3262)
Summary
H.R. 3262 would authorize the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) to convey to the Danville Area Community College
of Danville, Illinois, all right, title, and interest of the
United States in and to certain real property, including
improvements, known as Building Number 48, which is part of the
VA Illiana Health Care System. As consideration for such
conveyance, the College shall convey to the United States all
right, title, and interest in and to certain real property,
including improvements, near the College Library Building.
Legislative History
H.R. 3262 was introduced by Representative John Shimkus on
July 28, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had no cosponsors.
On December 8, 2015 the Subcommittee on Health held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 3262 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: the Honorable John Shimkus, U.S. House
of Representatives, 15th Congressional District of Illinois;
the Honorable Ted Lieu, U.S. House of Representatives, 33rd
Congressional District, California; the Honorable John L. Mica,
U.S. House of Representatives, 7th Congressional District of
Florida; the Honorable Jerry McNerney, U.S. House of
Representatives, 9th Congressional District of California; and
the Honorable Mike Coffman, U.S. House of Representatives, 6th
Congressional District of Colorado; Raymond C. Kelley, Director
of the National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States; Howard Trace, Director of the National
Library and Museum Division, The American Legion; Accompanied
by: Louis Celli Jr., Director of the National Veterans Affairs
and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Stella S.
Fiotes, Director of the Office of Construction and Facilities
Management, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Vince
Kane, Special Assistant to the Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
On February 9, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 3262 by voice vote.
On February 22, 2016 the Senate Committee on Veterans'
Affairs discharged H.R. 3262 by Unanimous Consent. H.R. 3262
passed the Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On February 25, 2016 H.R. 3262 was presented to the
President.
On February 29, 2016 H.R. 3262 was signed by the President
and became Public Law No: 114-129.
VETERANS MOBILITY SAFETY ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 3471)
Summary
H.R. 3471, Veterans Mobility Safety Act of 2016, would
direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that
an eligible disabled veteran provided an automobile or other
conveyance is given the opportunity to make personal selections
relating to such conveyance. H.R. 3471 would state that the VA
shall develop a comprehensive policy regarding quality
standards for providers of modification services to veterans
under the automobile adaptive equipment program. Such policy
shall cover: (1) management of the automobile adaptive
equipment program, (2) development and application of safety
and quality standards for equipment and installation, (3)
provider certification by a third party organization or
manufacturer, (4) education and training of VA personnel, (5)
provider compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, and (6) allowance for veterans to receive modifications
at their residence or location of choice. The VA shall: (1)
within one year and at least every six years thereafter, update
VHA Handbook 1173.4 in accordance with such policy; and (2)
within one year of such update and biennially thereafter
through 2022, report on policy implementation and facility
compliance. The VA shall: (1) develop and revise such policy in
consultation with veteran service organizations, the National
Highway Transportation Administration, industry
representatives, manufacturers of automobile adaptive
equipment, and other entities with relevant expertise; and (2)
ensure against the use of a certifying entity that has a
financial conflict of interest regarding the certification of
an eligible provider.
H.R. 3471 would state that the VA may appoint licensed
hearing aid specialists to the Veterans Health Administration.
The VA shall ensure that: (1) a hearing aid specialist may only
perform hearing services consistent with the specialist's state
license related to the practice of fitting and dispensing
hearing aids, without excluding other qualified professionals
from rendering services in overlapping practice areas; (2)
services provided to veterans by hearing aid specialists shall
be provided as part of the non-medical treatment plan developed
by an audiologist; and (3) VA medical facilities provide
veterans with access to the full range of audiologist services.
The VA shall, within one year and annually thereafter for the
next five years, report on: (1) veterans access to such hearing
health services; and (2) VA contracting policies for providing
hearing health services to veterans in non-VA facilities,
including the number of veterans referred to audiologists and
hearing aid specialists.
Legislative History
H.R. 3471 was introduced by Representative Jackie Walorski
on September 10, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had 51 cosponsors, 5 of which were
original cosponsors.
On November 17, 2015 the Subcommittee on Health held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 3471 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: the Honorable Beto O'Rourke, U.S.
House of Representatives, 16th Congressional District of Texas;
the Honorable Andy Barr, U.S. House of Representatives, 6th
Congressional District of Kentucky; the Honorable Matt
Cartwright, U.S. House of Representatives, 17th Congressional
District of Pennsylvania; the Honorable Scott Peters, U.S.
House of Representatives, 52nd Congressional District of
California; the Honorable Martha Roby, U.S. House of
Representatives, 2nd Congressional District of Alabama; the
Honorable Jackie Walorski, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd
Congressional District of Indiana; the Honorable John Kline,
U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional District of
Minnesota; the Honorable Gus Bilirakis, U.S. House of
Representatives, 12th Congressional District of Florida; Adrian
Atizado, Deputy National Legislative, Director Disabled
American Veterans; LaRanda D. Holt, Assistant Director for
Women and Minority Veterans Outreach, National Veterans Affairs
and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; and Carlos
Fuentes, Senior Legislative Associate, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Janet
Murphy, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations
and Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Elias Hernandez, Chief
Officer, Workforce Management and Consulting Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Harold Kudler, Chief Consultant for Mental
Health Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Susan Blauert,
Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On April 29, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health met in an
open session and an amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 3471 was offered by Rep. Dan Benishek of Michigan. The
amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to by the
Health Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 3471, as amended, to the Full Committee was
offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of California and was
adopted by the Health Subcommittee by voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
an open session and an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 3471 was offered by Rep. Walorski of Indiana. An
amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 3471 was offered by Rep. Benishek of Michigan. The
amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 3471 offered by Rep. Benishek was agreed to by the Full
Committee via a voice vote. The amendment in the nature of a
substitute, as amended to H.R. 3471, as amended was agreed to
by the Full Committee via a voice vote; H.R. 3471, as amended
passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably
report H.R. 3471, as amended to the House of Representatives
was offered by Ranking Member Brown and agreed to via voice
vote. The Committee Report was filed on September 6, 2016 (H.
Rept. 114-709).
On September 12, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3471, as amended by voice vote.
On November 17, 2016 H.R. 3471 was discharged from the
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs by Unanimous Consent.
H.R. 3471 passed the Senate with an amendment by Unanimous
Consent.
On November 29, 2016 motion to reconsider laid on the table
agreed to without objection.
BLACK HILLS NATIONAL CEMETERY BOUNDARY EXPANSION ACT
(H.R. 3839)
Summary
H.R. 3829, Black Hill National Cemetery Boundary Expansion
Act, would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to:
(1) complete environmental, cultural resource, and other due
diligence activities on certain public land to confirm its
suitability for inclusion in the Black Hills National Cemetery,
South Dakota; and (2) notify the Department of the Interior of
such activities. After completion of such activities and upon
receipt by Interior of written confirmation of suitability from
the VA, the land shall: (1) be withdrawn from all forms of
appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining
laws, the mineral leasing laws, and the geothermal leasing
laws, for as long as it remains under VA administrative
jurisdiction; (2) be deemed property; and (3) be transferred to
the VA for use as national cemeteries.
H.R. 3839 would establish that the Interior shall publish a
notice containing the legal descriptions of such transferred
land. The VA shall reimburse Interior for reasonable transfer
costs, including survey costs.
H.R. 3839 would establish that upon a determination by the
VA that all or a portion of such transferred land shall not be
used for cemetery purposes, the VA shall: (1) notify Interior
and transfer jurisdiction of the land back to Interior, and (2)
be responsible for any decontamination costs necessary for
restoration of the lands to the public lands.
Legislative History
H.R. 3839 was introduced by Representative Kristi Noem on
October 27, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, in addition to the House Committee on
Natural Resources. The bill had no cosponsors.
On September 6, 2016 H.R. 3839 was reported amended by the
Committee on Natural Resources (H. Rept. 114-714) and
discharged from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The House
agreed on a motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3839, as
amended by voice vote.
On September 12, 2016 H.R. 3839 was read twice by the
Senate and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under
General Orders. Calendar No. 624.
VET ACT
(H.R. 3936)
Summary
H.R. 3936, VET Act, would direct the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA), beginning not later than October 1, 2016, to
carry out a three-year pilot program under which the VA shall
carry out Veteran Engagement Team events to assist veterans in
completing VA disability and pension claims. Such events shall
be carried out: during the first year, at least once a month
within the jurisdiction of each of 10 VA regional offices,
including at least 2 regional offices in each of the 5
districts of the Veterans Benefits Administration; during each
of the second and third years, at least once a month within the
jurisdiction of each of 15 VA regional offices, including at
least 3 regional offices in each district; at different
locations within each regional office's jurisdiction and at
least 50 miles from any regional office; during the sponsoring
regional office's normal business hours; and with a sufficient
number of physicians (to be available for opinions only),
veteran service and rating representatives, and other
appropriate claims personnel to initiate, update, and finalize
the completion and adjudication of claims.
Amounts shall be paid to a VA employee for event work only
from amounts otherwise available for the employee's salary. No
additional appropriations are authorized for such payments. The
VA shall: (1) collect and analyze event-satisfaction
information from attending veterans, and (2) report annually to
Congress on event implementation. The VA may not permanently
transfer any Veterans Health Administration physician to staff
an event.
H.R. 3936 would ensure The Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to reduce the aggregate
amount of awards and bonuses that may be paid by the VA in
FY2017.
Legislative History
H.R. 3936 was introduced by Representative Ryan Costello on
November 5, 2015 and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 6 cosponsors, 1 of which was an original
cosponsor.
On April 13, 2016 the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing on H.R. 3936
and received testimony from the following witnesses: Honorable
Jeff Miller, U.S. House of Representatives, 1st Congressional
District, Florida; the Honorable Corrine Brown, 5th
Congressional District, Florida; the Honorable Ryan Costello,
U.S. House of Representatives, 6th Congressional District,
Pennsylvania; and the Honorable Mia Love, U.S. House of
Representatives, 4th Congressional District, Utah; Mr. David R.
McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance
with the Veterans Benefits Administration at the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. McLenachen was accompanied
by Mr. Matt Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary of Finance and
Planned and CFO with the National Cemetery Administration with
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Patrick K.
Hallinan, Executive Director with the Army National Military
Cemeteries at the Department of the Army; Mr. Carl Blake,
Associate Executive Director for Government Relations for the
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy
Director, National Legislative Service, for the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr. Paul R. Varela,
Assistant National Legislative Director for the Disabled
American Veterans; Ms. Elizabeth Davis, Advocate for Survivors'
Benefits; and Mr. Edward G. Lilley, Team Leader for the Health
Policy, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division
for the American Legion; a statement for the record was proved
by Mr. John Rowan, National President of Vietnam Veterans of
America.
On May 11, 2016 the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs met in an open session and H.R. 3936
passed the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to
favorably forward H.R. 3936 to the Full Committee was offered
by Ranking Member Titus and was adopted by the DAMA
Subcommittee by voice vote.
On June 21, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 3936, as amended by voice vote.
On June 22, 2016 H.R. 3936 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
VA HEALTH CENTER MANAGEMENT STABILITY AND IMPROVEMENT ACT
(H.R. 3956)
Summary
H.R. 3956, VA Health Center Management Stability and
Improvement Act, would direct the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) to: (1) develop and implement a plan to hire
highly qualified directors for each VA medical center that
lacks a permanent director, and (2) prioritize such hiring for
the medical centers that have been without a permanent director
for the longest periods. The plan shall include: (1) a hiring
deadline; (2) identification of possible hiring impediments;
and (3) identification of opportunities to promote and train
candidates from within the VA for senior executive positions,
including medical center directors.
H.R. 3956 would state that the VA shall ensure that the
director of each VA medical facility annually certifies that
the facility is in full compliance with all provisions of law
and regulations relating to scheduling appointments for
veterans hospital care and medical services. The VA may not
waive any applicable provision of such laws or regulations. If
unable to make such certification, the director shall provide
the VA with an explanation of noncompliance and a description
of compliance actions being taken. If a director does not make
a certification for any year, each covered official may not
receive specified awards or bonuses during the subsequent year.
A covered official is the: (1) director, (2) chief of staff,
(3) associate director, (4) associate director for patient
care, and (5) deputy chief of staff.
H.R. 3956 would state that the VA shall ensure that its
directives and policies apply uniformly to each VA office or
facility.
Legislative History
H.R. 3956 was introduced by Representative Mike Bost on
November 5, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had 12 cosponsors, 3 of which were
original cosponsors.
On April 20, 2016 the Subcommittee on Health held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 3956 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: the Honorable Lee M. Zeldin, U.S.
House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District of New
York; the Honorable Mike Bost, U.S. House of Representatives,
12th Congressional District of Illinois; the Honorable Ann M.
Kuster, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional
District of New Hampshire; the Honorable Elise M. Stefanik,
U.S. House of Representatives, 21st Congressional District of
New York; and, the Honorable Jackie Walorski, U.S. House of
Representatives, 2nd Congressional District of Indiana; Diane
M. Zumatto, National Legislative Director, AMVETS; Shurhonda Y.
Love, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Fred S. Sganga, Legislative Officer,
National Association of State Veterans Homes; Maureen McCarthy,
M.D., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Patient
Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Susan Blauert, Chief
Counsel, Health Care Law Group, Office of General Counsel, on
behalf of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On April 29, 2016 the Subcommittee on Health met in an open
session and ordered H.R. 3956 to be favorably forwarded to the
Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
an open session and an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 3956 was offered by Rep. Bost of Illinois. The
amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3956 was agreed
to by the Full Committee via voice vote. H.R. 3956, as amended
passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably
report H.R. 3956, as amended to the House of Representatives
was offered by Ranking Member Brown and agreed to via voice
vote.
On May 23, 2016 the House agreed on the motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 3956, as amended by voice vote.
On May 24, 2016 H.R. 3956 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
TO DESIGNATE THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMUNITY-BASED
OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN LAUGHLIN, NEVADA, AS THE ``MASTER CHIEF PETTY
OFFICER JESSE DEAN VA CLINIC''
(H.R. 3969)
Summary
H.R. 3969 would designate the Department of Veterans
Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Laughlin, Nevada,
as the ``Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean VA Clinic.''
Legislative History
H.R. 3969 was introduced by Representative Joseph Heck on
November 5, 2015 and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 2 original cosponsors.
On May 23, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend the
rules and pass H.R. 3969, as amended by voice vote.
On September 8, 2016 the Senate Committee on Veterans'
Affairs discharged H.R. 3969 by Unanimous Consent. H.R. 3969
passed the Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On September 14, 2016 H.R. 3969 was presented to the
President.
On September 23, 2016 H.R. 3969 was signed by the President
and became Public Law No: 114-220.
SUPPORT OUR MILITARY CAREGIVERS ACT
(H.R. 3989)
Summary
H.R. 3989, Support Our Military Caregivers Act, would
permit an individual to elect to have an independent contractor
perform an external clinical review of any of the following: a
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) denial of an individual's
application to be a caregiver or family caregiver eligible for
VA benefits; with respect to an approved application, a VA
determination of the level or amount of personal care services
that a veteran requires; a request by a caregiver or family
caregiver for a reconsideration of the level or amount of
personal care services that a veteran requires based on post-
application changes; and a revocation of benefits by the VA.
The VA shall ensure that each external clinical review is
completed and the individual is notified in writing of the
results within 120 days of the election.
Legislative History
H.R. 3989 was introduced by Representative Elise Stefanik
on November 5, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had 19 cosponsors.
On April 20, 2016 the Subcommittee on Health held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 3989 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: the Honorable Lee M. Zeldin, U.S.
House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District of New
York; the Honorable Mike Bost, U.S. House of Representatives,
12th Congressional District of Illinois; the Honorable Ann M.
Kuster, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional
District of New Hampshire; the Honorable Elise M. Stefanik,
U.S. House of Representatives, 21st Congressional District of
New York; and, the Honorable Jackie Walorski, U.S. House of
Representatives, 2nd Congressional District of Indiana; Diane
M. Zumatto, National Legislative Director, AMVETS; Shurhonda Y.
Love, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Fred S. Sganga, Legislative Officer,
National Association of State Veterans Homes; Maureen McCarthy
M.D., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Patient
Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Susan Blauert, Chief
Counsel, Health Care Law Group, Office of General Counsel, on
behalf of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On April 29, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health met in an
open session and an amendment to H.R. 3989 was offered by Rep.
Gus Bilirakis of Florida. The amendment was agreed to by the
Health Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 3989, as amended, to the Full Committee was
offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of California and was
adopted by the Health Subcommittee by voice vote.
On May 18, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
an open session and ordered H.R. 3989, as amended to be
favorably forwarded to the House by voice vote.
On May 23, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend the
rules and pass H.R. 3989, as amended by voice vote.
On May 24, 2016 H.R. 3989 was received by the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO CONVEY TO THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ALL RIGHT, TITLE, AND INTEREST OF THE
UNITED STATES TO THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS ``THE COMMUNITY LIVING CENTER''
AT THE LAKE BALDWIN VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTPATIENT CLINIC, ORLANDO,
FLORIDA
(H.R. 4056)
Summary
H.R. 4056 would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs
to convey to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs all
right, title, and interest of the United States in the property
known as ``The Community Living Center'' at the Lake Baldwin
Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Orlando, Florida. The deed
of conveyance shall require all of the property to be used for
the sole purpose of providing nursing home, domiciliary, or
adult day health care to veterans.
Legislative History
H.R. 4056 was introduced by Representative John Mica on
November 18, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had no cosponsors.
On December 8, 2015 the Subcommittee on Health held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 4056 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: the Honorable John Shimkus, U.S. House
of Representatives, 15th Congressional District of Illinois;
the Honorable Ted Lieu, U.S. House of Representatives, 33rd
Congressional District, California; the Honorable John L. Mica,
U.S. House of Representatives, 7th Congressional District of
Florida; the Honorable Jerry McNerney, U.S. House of
Representatives, 9th Congressional District of California; and,
the Honorable Mike Coffman, U.S. House of Representatives, 6th
Congressional District of Colorado; Raymond C. Kelley, Director
of the National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States; Howard Trace, Director of the National
Library and Museum Division, The American Legion; Accompanied
by: Louis Celli Jr., Director of the National Veterans Affairs
and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Stella S.
Fiotes, Director of the Office of Construction and Facilities
Management, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Vince
Kane, Special Assistant to the Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
On February 9, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill, as amended by voice vote.
On February 22, 2016 the Senate Committee on Veterans'
Affairs discharged H.R. 4056 by Unanimous Consent. H.R. 4056
passed the Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On February 25, 2016 H.R. 4056 was presented to the
President.
On February 29, 2016 H.R. 4056 was signed by the President
and became Public Law No: 114-130.
JASON SIMCAKOSKI PROMISE ACT
(H.R. 4063)
Summary
H.R. 4063, Jason Simcakoski Promise Act, would direct the
Department Veterans Affairs (VA) to expand its Opioid Safety
Initiative to include all VA medical facilities. The VA shall
establish guidance that each VA health care provider, before
initiating opioid therapy, use the VA Opioid Therapy Risk
Report tool, which shall include: (1) information from state
prescription drug monitoring programs; and (2) a patient's most
recent information in order to assess the risk for adverse
outcomes of opioid therapy, including the concurrent use of
controlled substances such as benzodiazepines. The VA shall
establish enhanced standards for the use of routine and random
urine drug tests before and during opioid therapy to help
prevent substance abuse, dependence, and diversion, including
that: (1) tests occur at least once each year; and (2) health
care providers use the test results to tailor pain therapy,
safeguards, and risk management strategies for each patient.
The VA shall use the Interdisciplinary Chronic Pain Management
Training Team Program to provide education and training on pain
management and safe opioid prescribing practices for managing
patients with chronic pain. In carrying out the VA Opioid
Safety Initiative, each VA medical facility shall designate a
pain management team of health care professionals to coordinate
pain management therapy for patients experiencing acute and
chronic pain that is non-cancer related. The VA shall establish
standard protocols for the designation of pain management teams
at each VA medical facility. Each protocol shall ensure that
any health care provider without expertise in prescribing
analgesics, or who has not completed the required education and
training, does not prescribe opioids unless such health care
provider: consults with a provider who has pain management
expertise or who is on the pain management team; and refers the
patient to the pain management team for subsequent
prescriptions and therapy.
In carrying out the Opioid Safety Initiative and the Opioid
Therapy Risk Report tool, the VA shall: ensure access by VA
health care providers to information on controlled substances,
including opioids and benzodiazepines, prescribed to veterans
who receive care outside the VA through a state prescription
drug monitoring program; include such information in the Opioid
Therapy Risk Report; and require VA health care providers to
provide to a state's prescription drug monitoring program
information on prescriptions of controlled substances received
by veterans in that state. The VA shall report to Congress with
respect to improving the VA Opioid Therapy Risk Report tool to
allow for improved real-time tracking and access to data on:
(1) key clinical indicators regarding the totality of veterans'
opioid use, (2) concurrent prescribing by VA health care
providers of opioids in different health care settings, and (3)
mail-order prescriptions of opioids prescribed to veterans
under VA-administered laws. The VA shall: maximize the
availability to veterans of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-
approved opioid receptor antagonists, including naloxone; equip
each VA pharmacy with such antagonists for outpatient use; and
expand the Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution program
to ensure that all veterans in receipt of VA health care who
are at risk of opioid overdose may access such antagonists and
training on the proper administration of such antagonists. The
VA shall include in the Opioid Therapy Risk Report tool:
information on the most recent time the tool was accessed by a
VA health care provider with respect to a veteran and the
results of such veteran's most recent urine drug test; and the
ability of VA health care providers to determine whether a
health care provider prescribed opioids to a veteran without
checking tool information.
The VA shall modify its computerized patient record system
to ensure that any health care provider that accesses a
veteran's record will be immediately notified about whether the
veteran: (1) is receiving opioid therapy and has a history of
substance use disorder or prior instances of overdose, (2) has
a history of opioid abuse, or (3) is at risk of becoming an
opioid abuser. H.R. 4063 would state that the VA and the
Department of Defense (DOD) shall ensure that the VA/DOD Pain
Management Working Group includes a focus on: opioid
prescribing practices; management of acute and chronic pain,
including related training for health care providers;
complementary and integrative health and complementary
alternative medicines; concurrent use of opioids and
prescription drugs to treat mental health disorders, including
benzodiazepines; prescribing opioids to treat mental health
disorders; coordination in coverage of and consistent access to
medications prescribed for patients transitioning from DOD to
VA health care; and identification and treatment of substance
use disorders.
The VA and DOD shall ensure that such working group: (1)
coordinates with other relevant working groups, (2) consults
with other relevant federal agencies, and (3) and consults with
VA and DOD regarding any proposed updates to the VA/DOD
Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Opioid Therapy
for Chronic Pain. The VA and DOD shall update the VA/DOD
Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Opioid Therapy
for Chronic Pain. Matters to be included in such update are
prescribed.
H.R. 4063 would ensure that the Government Accountability
Office shall, within two years, report to Congress on: (1) the
VA Opioid Safety Initiative, and (2) opioid prescribing
practices of VA health care providers. Such report shall
include: improvements to the Opioid Safety Initiative;
information regarding VA-prescribed opioid-related deaths,
overall opioid prescription rates for non-cancer, non-
palliative, and non-hospice care patients, concomitant opioid
and benzodiazepine prescription rates, the prescription of
opioids to patients without any pain (including non-opioid
mental health disorders); the effectiveness of opioid therapy;
and evaluations of the VA's oversight processes regarding
veterans' opioid use and of its implementation of the VA/DOD
Guideline for Management of Opioid Therapy. The VA shall: (1)
report to Congress for five years regarding the prescription of
opioids at each VA facility to treat non-cancer, non-
palliative, and non-hospice care patients; and (2) notify
Congress and conduct an investigation through the Office of the
Medical Inspector if the VA determines that a prescription rate
is inconsistent with safe care standards.
H.R. 4063 would establish a VA disclosure of certain
information to a state controlled substance monitoring program
in order to prevent misuse of prescription medicines by a
veteran or dependent is made mandatory.
H.R. 4063 would state that the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to reduce the aggregate
amount of awards and bonuses that may be paid by the VA in each
of FY2017-FY2021 to $230 million.
Legislative History
H.R. 4063 was introduced by Representative Gus Bilirakis on
November 18, 2015 and referred to the House Veterans' Affairs
Committee in addition to the House Armed Service Committee. The
bill had 35 cosponsors, 15 of which were original cosponsors.
On February 25, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met
in an open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 4063 was offered by Rep. Bilirakis of
Florida. An amendment to the A.N.S. to H.R. 4063 was offered by
Rep. Walorski of Indiana, and a second amendment to the A.N.S.
to H.R. 4063 was offered by Rep. Walorski of Indiana. The
second amendment to the A.N.S. to H.R. 4063 offered by Rep.
Walorski was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote,
the first amendment to the A.N.S. to H.R. 4063 offered by Rep.
Walorski was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote.
The A.N.S., as amended offered by Rep. Bilirakis was agreed to
by the Full Committee via voice vote and H.R. 4063, as amended
passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably
report H.R. 4063, as amended to the House of Representatives
was offered by Ranking Member Brown and agreed to via voice
vote. The Committee Report was filed on May 10, 2016 (H. Rept.
114-546) and the Armed Services Committee discharged H.R. 4063.
On May 10, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend the
rules and pass H.R. 4063, as amended by voice vote.
On May 11, 2016 H.R. 4063 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans Affairs.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMERGENCY MEDICAL STAFFING RECRUITMENT
AND RETENTION ACT
(H.R. 4150)
Summary
H.R. 4150, Department of Veterans' Affairs Emergency
Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act, would authorize
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to modify the hours of
employment for a full-time VA physician or physician assistant
to be more than or less than 80 hours in a biweekly pay period
if the total of such employee's hours of employment in a
calendar year does not exceed 2,080 hours.
Legislative History
H.R. 4150 was introduced by Representative Raul Ruiz on
December 1, 2015 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had 2 cosponsors, 1 of which was an
original cosponsor.
On June 23, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 4150 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: Honorable Doug Lamborn, U.S. House of
Representatives, 1st Congressional District of Nevada; The
Honorable Raul Ruiz, U.S. House of Representatives, 36th
Congressional District of California; The Honorable Beto
O'Rourke, U.S. House of Representatives, 16th Congressional
District of Texas; The Honorable Ron DeSantis, U.S. House of
Representatives, 6th Congressional District of Florida; The
Honorable Ted Yoho, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Florida; The Honorable Jody Hice,
U.S. House of Representatives, 10th Congressional District of
Georgia; The Honorable Dan Newhouse, U.S. House of
Representatives, 4th Congressional District of Washington; and
The Honorable David Young, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Iowa; The Honorable Sloan Gibson,
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Deputy
Secretary Gibson was accompanied by, Ms. Laura Eskenazi,
Executive in Charge and Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans
Appeals; Mr. David McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for
Disability Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration; and
Dr. Maureen McCarthy, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for
Health Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration
within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was
also provided by Mr. Raymond Kelley, Director, National
Legislative Service of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States; Mr. Paul Varela, Assistant National Legislative
Director with Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Carl Blake,
Associate Executive Director of Government Relations with the
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Louis J. Celli, Jr.,
Director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division
of The American Legion; and Mr. Rick Weidman, Executive
Director for Policy and Government Affairs with the Vietnam
Veterans of America; Statements for the Record were provided by
the following Veterans Service Organizations: American Battle
Monuments Commission, AMVETS, Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military
Officers Association of America, Military Veterans Advocacy,
Inc., National Organization of Veterans Advocates, National
Veterans Legal Services Program, P.A.W.S. Foundation, Stetson
University College of Law's Veterans Law Institute, U.S.
Department of Labor.
On September 21, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in an open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 4150 was offered by Rep. Raul Ruiz of
California. The A.N.S. to H.R. 4150 was agreed to by the Full
Committee and passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A
motion to favorably report H.R. 4150, as amended, to the House
of Representatives was offered by Rep. Takano of California and
agreed to via voice vote. The Committee Report was filed on
November 14, 2016 (H. Rept. 114-811).
On December 6, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 4150, as amended by voice vote.
On December 7, 2016 H.R. 4150, as amended was received in
the Senate.
WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOT ARLINGTON INURNMENT RESTORATION ACT
(H.R. 4336)
Summary
H.R. 4336 would direct the Department of the Army to ensure
that the cremated remains of persons whose service has been
determined to be active duty service pursuant to the GI Bill
Improvement Act of 1977 are eligible for above ground inurnment
in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Such
provision shall apply with respect to: (1) the remains of a
person that are not formally interred or inurned as of the date
of the enactment of this Act, and (2) a person who dies on or
after such date.
H.R. 4336 would direct The Department of the Army shall
report to Congress on Arlington National Cemetery's interment
and inurnment capacity, including: the estimated date that the
cemetery will reach maximum interment and inurnment capacity;
and recommendations for legislative actions and non legislative
options to ensure that the cemetery's maximum interment and
inurnment capacity is not reached until well into the future,
including options with respect to redefining interment and
inurnment eligibility and expansion opportunities beyond the
cemetery's current boundaries.
Legislative History
H.R. 4336 was introduced by Representative Martha McSally
on January 6, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs in addition to the House Armed Services
Committee. The bill had 191 cosponsors, 24 of which were
original cosponsors.
On February 25, 2016 the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs met in an open session and an amendment in the nature
of a substitute was offered by Rep. Abraham of Louisiana to
H.R. 4336. An amendment to the A.N.S. was offered by RM Brown
of Florida. The amendment to the A.N.S. to H.R. 4336 offered by
Rep. Brown was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote.
The A.N.S. to H.R. 4336, as amended offered by Rep. Abraham was
agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote. H.R. 4336, as
amended, passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to
favorably report H.R. 4336, as amended, to the House of
Representatives was offered by Ranking Member Brown and agreed
to via voice vote. The Committee Report was filed on March 21,
2016 (H. Rept. 114-459) and the bill was discharged from the
Armed Services Committee.
On March 22, 2016 the House agreed to suspend the rules and
pass H.R. 4336, as amended by 385 Yeas and 0 Nays.
On May 10, 2016 The Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
discharged H.R. 4336 by Unanimous Consent. H.R. 4336 passed the
Senate with amendments and an amendment to the Title by
Unanimous Consent.
On May 11, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to agree to
the Senate amendments without objection.
On May 13, 2016 H.R. 4336 was presented to the President.
On May 20, 2016 H.R. 4336 was signed by the President and
became Public Law No: 114-158.
FASTER CARE FOR VETERANS ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 4352)
Summary
H.R. 4352, Faster Care for Veterans Act of 2016, would
direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin an 18-
month pilot program in at least three Veterans Integrated
Service Networks (VISNs) under which veterans use an Internet
website to schedule and confirm appointments at VA medical
facilities. The pilot program's duration may be extended and
the number of VISNs may be increased.
Legislative History
H.R. 4352 was introduced by Representative Seth Moulton on
January 8, 2016 and was referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had 228 cosponsors, one of which
was an original cosponsor.
On December 6, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 4352 by voice vote..
On December 7, 2016 H.R. 4352 was received in the Senate.
TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMITTAL OF THE FINAL REPORT REQUIRED
BY THE COMMISSION ON CARE
(H.R. 4437)
Summary
H.R. 4437 would amend the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 to extend the deadline for the
Commission on Care's final report to June 30, 2016. (The
Commission is charged with examining veterans' access to
Department of Veterans' Affairs health care and to examine how
best to organize the Veterans Health Administration, locate
health resources, and deliver health care to veterans during
the next 20 years.)
Legislative History
H.R. 4437 was introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller on
February 2, 2016 and was referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had one cosponsor.
On February 9, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill by voice vote.
On February 22, 2016 the H.R. 4437 was discharged from the
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee by Unanimous Consent and
passed the Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On February 25, 2016 H.R. 4437 was presented to the
President.
On February 29, 2016 H.R. 4437 was signed by the President
and became Public Law No: 114-131.
FISCAL YEAR 2016 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS SEISMIC SAFETY AND
CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATION ACT
(H.R. 4590)
Summary
H.R. 4590, Fiscal Year 2016 Department of Veterans' Affairs
Seismic Safety and Construction Authorization Act, would
authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out
the following major medical facility projects (each with
specified maximum authorized funds): seismic corrections to
buildings, including retrofitting and replacement of high-risk
buildings, in San Francisco, California; seismic corrections to
facilities, including facilities to support homeless veterans,
at the medical center in West Los Angeles, California; seismic
corrections to the mental health and community living center in
Long Beach, California; construction of an outpatient clinic,
administrative space, cemetery, and columbarium in Alameda,
California; realignment of medical facilities in Livermore,
California; construction of a replacement community living
center in Perry Point, Maryland; and seismic corrections and
other renovations to several buildings and construction of a
specialty care building in American Lake, Washington. The bill
authorizes appropriations for such projects for FY2016 or the
year in which funds are appropriated for the Construction,
Major Projects, account. Only specified funds may be used to
carry out such projects. H.R. 4590 would state that the VA
shall submit the following information for each project: a line
item accounting of construction management expenditures, future
amounts budgeted for construction management, a justification
for expenditures and future amounts, and any agreement entered
into by the VA regarding the Army Corps of Engineers providing
project services.
Legislative History
H.R. 4590 was introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller on
February 23, 2016 and was referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had no cosponsors.
On February 25, 2016 the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs met in an open session and an amendment to H.R. 4590
was offered by Rep. Coffman of Colorado to H.R. 4590. An
amendment to H.R. 4590 was also offered by Rep. Rice of New
York. The amendment to H.R. 4590 offered by Rep. Rice was
agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote. The amendment
to H.R. 4590 offered by Rep. Coffman was also agreed to by the
Full Committee via voice vote. H.R. 4590, as amended, passed
the Full Committee via voice vote and a motion to favorably
report H.R. 4590, as amended, to the House of Representatives
was offered by Ranking Member Brown and agreed to via voice
vote. The Committee Report was filed on May 10, 2016 (H. Rept.
114-545).
On June 21, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 4590, as amended by voice vote.
On June 22, 2016 H.R. 4590 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs.
TO EXPAND THE ELIGIBILITY FOR HEADSTONES, MARKERS, AND MEDALLIONS
FURNISHED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR DECEASED INDIVIDUALS
WHO WERE AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR AND ARE BURIED IN PRIVATE
CEMETERIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
(H.R. 4757)
Summary
H.R. 4757, To expand the eligibility for headstones,
markers, and medallions furnished by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs for deceased individuals who were awarded the Medal of
Honor and are buried in private cemeteries, and for other
purposes, would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
to furnish at a private cemetery, and upon request, a
headstone, marker, or medallion that signifies the status of an
eligible veteran who served in the Armed Forces on or after
April 6, 1917, as a Medal of Honor recipient. If the VA
furnished a headstone, marker, or medallion for a deceased
veteran that does not signify his or her status as a Medal of
Honor recipient, the VA shall upon request replace that
headstone, marker, or medallion with one that signifies the
deceased's status as a Medal of Honor recipient.
H.R. 4757 was introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller on March
16, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had no cosponsors.
On April 13, 2016 the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs held a legislative hearing on H.R. 4757
and received testimony from the following witnesses: Honorable
Jeff Miller, U.S. House of Representatives, 1st Congressional
District, Florida; the Honorable Corrine Brown, 5th
Congressional District, Florida; the Honorable Ryan Costello,
U.S. House of Representatives, 6th Congressional District,
Pennsylvania; and the Honorable Mia Love, U.S. House of
Representatives, 4th Congressional District, Utah; Mr. David R.
McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance
with the Veterans Benefits Administration at the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. McLenachen was accompanied
by Mr. Matt Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary of Finance and
Planned and CFO with the National Cemetery Administration with
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Patrick K.
Hallinan, Executive Director with the Army National Military
Cemeteries at the Department of the Army; Mr. Carl Blake,
Associate Executive Director for Government Relations for the
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy
Director, National Legislative Service, for the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr. Paul R. Varela,
Assistant National Legislative Director for the Disabled
American Veterans; Ms. Elizabeth Davis, Advocate for Survivors'
Benefits; and Mr. Edward G. Lilley, Team Leader for the Health
Policy, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division
for the American Legion; A statement for the record was proved
by Mr. John Rowan, National President of Vietnam Veterans of
America.
On May 11, 2016 the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs met in an open session and an A.N.S. to
H.R.4757 was offered by Rep. Titus of Nevada and was agreed to
by the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 4757, as amended to the Full Committee was offered
by Ranking Member Titus and was adopted by the DAMA
Subcommittee by voice vote.
On September 21, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in an open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 4757, as amended was offered by Rep. Jeff
Miller of Florida. The A.N.S. to H.R. 4757, as amended was
agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote. H.R. 4757, as
amended, passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to
favorably report H.R. 4757, as amended, to the House of
Representatives was offered by Acting Ranking Member Takano of
California and agreed to via voice vote. The Committee Report
was filed on November 14, 2016 (H. Rept. 114-812).
On November 29, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4757, as amended by 401 Yeas
and 0 Nays.
On November 30, 2016 H.R. 4757 was received in the Senate.
PROTECTING VETERANS EDUCATIONAL CHOICE ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 5047)
Summary
H.R. 5047, Protecting Veterans' Educational Choice Act of
2016, would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
counselors who provide specified educational or vocational
counseling services to provide a requesting veteran or member
of the Armed Forces with information about the articulation
agreements (agreements governing the transferability of credits
toward meeting specific degree or program requirements) of each
institution of higher learning in which the individual is
interested. The VA shall: (1) provide a veteran who is
certified as eligible for VA educational assistance with
information on education counseling services and articulation
agreements, and (2) implement this bill within 90 days after
its enactment.
Legislative History
H.R. 5047 was introduced by Representative Jody Hice on
March 25, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 24 cosponsors, 3 of which were original
cosponsors.
On September 21, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in an open session and a motion to favorably report H.R.
5047 to the House of Representatives was offered by Acting
Ranking Member Takano of California and agreed to via voice
vote. The Committee Report was filed on November 14, 2016 (H.
Rept. 114-813).
On November 30, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5047 by 411 Yeas and 3 Nays.
On December 1, 2016 H.R. 5047 was received in the Senate.
CHIP IN FOR VETS ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 5099)
Summary
H.R. 5099, CHIP IN for Vets Act of 2016, would authorize
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a program
under which it may enter into up to five partnership
arrangements with a non-federal entity to conduct one or more:
super construction projects (those for the construction,
alteration, or acquisition of a medical facility involving a
total expenditure of more than $100 million); major
construction projects (those for the construction, alteration,
or acquisition of a medical facility involving a total
expenditure of more than $10 million, but not including an
acquisition by exchange); or major construction projects to
construct a new cemetery or to develop additional gravesites or
columbarium niches at an existing cemetery. The selected
projects may be ones for which: Congress has appropriated
partial funding or the VA has identified a need for the project
by listing it on the Major Construction Strategic Capital
Investment Planning priority list, and a non-federal entity has
entered or is willing to enter into a formal agreement with the
VA to independently finance and/or donate acceptable project
funds at no additional government cost. One of the non-federal
entity partnership agreements shall be a project to design,
finance, and construct a new ambulatory care center in Omaha,
Nebraska.
Legislative History
H.R. 5099 was introduced by Representative Brad Ashford on
April 28, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 4 cosponsors.
On September 21, 2016, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in an open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 5099 was offered by Rep. Tim Walz of
Minnesota. An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Rep. Julia Brownley of California.
The amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute
offered by Rep. Brownley was officially withdrawn from the
markup agenda by Rep. Brownley of California. The amendment in
the nature of a substitute to H.R. 5099 was agreed to by the
Full Committee via voice vote. H.R. 5099, as amended, passed
the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably report
H.R. 5099, as amended, to the House of Representatives was
offered by Acting Ranking Member Takano of California and
agreed to via voice vote. The Committee Report was filed on
November 14, 2016 (H. Rept. 114-814). On December 7, 2016 the
House agreed to a motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R.
5099, as amended by voice vote.
On December 8, 2016 H.R. 5099, as amended was received in
the Senate.
VET CONNECT ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 5162)
Summary
H.R. 5162, VET Connect Act of 2016, would authorize the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to disclose to non-VA
entities that provide hospital care or medical treatment to
veterans (including private entities and other federal
agencies) records of the identity, diagnosis, prognosis, or
treatment of any patient in connection with a program relating
to drug abuse, alcoholism or alcohol abuse, infection with the
human immunodeficiency virus, or sickle cell anemia.
Legislative History
H.R. 5162 was introduced by Representative Beto O'Rourke on
April 29, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had one cosponsor.
On June 23, 2016 the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 5162 and received testimony
from the following witnesses: the Honorable Doug Lamborn, U.S.
House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District of Nevada;
The Honorable Raul Ruiz U.S. House of Representatives, 36th
Congressional District of California; The Honorable Beto
O'Rourke, U.S. House of Representatives, 16th Congressional
District of Texas; The Honorable Ron DeSantis, U.S. House of
Representatives, 6th Congressional District of Florida; The
Honorable Ted Yoho, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Florida; The Honorable Jody Hice,
U.S. House of Representatives, 10th Congressional District of
Georgia; The Honorable Dan Newhouse, U.S. House of
Representatives, 4th Congressional District of Washington; and
The Honorable David Young, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Iowa; The Honorable Sloan Gibson,
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Deputy
Secretary Gibson was accompanied by, Ms. Laura Eskenazi,
Executive in Charge and Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans
Appeals; Mr. David McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for
Disability Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration; and
Dr. Maureen McCarthy, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for
Health Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration
within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was
also provided by Mr. Raymond Kelley, Director, National
Legislative Service of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States; Mr. Paul Varela, Assistant National Legislative
Director with Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Carl Blake,
Associate Executive Director of Government Relations with the
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Louis J. Celli, Jr.,
Director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division
of The American Legion; and Mr. Rick Weidman, Executive
Director for Policy and Government Affairs with the Vietnam
Veterans of America; Statements for the Record were provided by
the following Veterans Service Organizations: American Battle
Monuments Commission, AMVETS, Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military
Officers Association of America, Military Veterans Advocacy,
Inc., National Organization of Veterans Advocates, National
Veterans Legal Services Program, P.A.W.S. Foundation, Stetson
University College of Law's Veterans Law Institute, U.S.
Department of Labor.
On September 21, 2016, the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs met in an open session and a motion to favorably report
H.R. 5162 to the House of Representatives was offered by Acting
Ranking Member Takano of California and agreed to via voice
vote.
On September 26, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5162 by voice vote.
On September 27, 2016 H.R. 5162 was received in the Senate
and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
WINGMAN ACT
(H.R. 5166)
Summary
H.R. 5166, WINGMAN Act, would direct the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide an accredited, permanent
congressional employee with read-only remote access to the
electronic Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) claims
records system of a represented veteran, regardless of whether
the employee is acting under a power of attorney executed by
the veteran. The VA shall ensure that access does not allow the
employee to modify system data. An employee must complete the
VA certification process required of agents or attorneys in
order to have system access. Each Member of Congress who elects
to have an employee participate in the system shall bear the
certification cost, which shall be paid from the Member's
representational allowance. Information access by an employee
shall be deemed: (1) a covered disclosure requiring prior
consent, with specified exceptions; and (2) a permitted
disclosure relating to the privacy of individually identifiable
health information. The VA may not recognize an employee for
purposes of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA
claims by reason of such system access. ``Accredited, permanent
congressional employee'' means an employee of a Member of
Congress who assists constituents with issues regarding federal
departments or agencies. ``Electronic VBA claims records
system'' means the VA system that provides claim status
information, including information about medical records,
compensation and pension exams records, rating decisions, a
statement of the case and a supplementary statement of the
case, a notice of disagreement, and Form-9.
Legislative History
H.R. 5166 was introduced by Representative Ted Yoho on May
3, 2016 and was referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 136 cosponsors, 30 of which were original
cosponsors.
On June 23, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 5166 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: the Honorable Doug Lamborn, U.S. House
of Representatives, 1st Congressional District of Nevada; The
Honorable Raul Ruiz U.S. House of Representatives, 36th
Congressional District of California; The Honorable Beto
O'Rourke, U.S. House of Representatives, 16th Congressional
District of Texas; The Honorable Ron DeSantis, U.S. House of
Representatives, 6th Congressional District of Florida; The
Honorable Ted Yoho, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Florida; The Honorable Jody Hice,
U.S. House of Representatives, 10th Congressional District of
Georgia; The Honorable Dan Newhouse, U.S. House of
Representatives, 4th Congressional District of Washington; and
The Honorable David Young, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Iowa; The Honorable Sloan Gibson,
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Deputy
Secretary Gibson was accompanied by, Ms. Laura Eskenazi,
Executive in Charge and Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans
Appeals; Mr. David McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for
Disability Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration; and
Dr. Maureen McCarthy, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for
Health Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration
within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was
also provided by Mr. Raymond Kelley, Director, National
Legislative Service of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States; Mr. Paul Varela, Assistant National Legislative
Director with Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Carl Blake,
Associate Executive Director of Government Relations with the
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Louis J. Celli, Jr.,
Director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division
of The American Legion; and Mr. Rick Weidman, Executive
Director for Policy and Government Affairs with the Vietnam
Veterans of America; Statements for the Record were provided by
the following Veterans Service Organizations: American Battle
Monuments Commission, AMVETS, Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military
Officers Association of America, Military Veterans Advocacy,
Inc., National Organization of Veterans Advocates, National
Veterans Legal Services Program, P.A.W.S. Foundation, Stetson
University College of Law's Veterans Law Institute, U.S.
Department of Labor.
On September 21, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in an open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 5166 was offered by Chairman Miller of
Florida. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
5166 was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote. H.R.
5166, as amended, passed the Full Committee via voice vote; A
motion to favorably report H.R. 5166, as amended, to the House
of Representatives was offered by Acting Ranking Member Takano
of California and agreed to via voice vote.
On November 29, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5166 by voice vote.
On November 30, 2016 H.R. 5166 was received in the Senate.
IMPROVING TRANSITION PROGRAMS FOR ALL VETERANS ACT
(H.R. 5229)
Summary
H.R. 5229, Improving Transition Programs for All Veterans
Act, would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to study
and report on programs to assist veterans in their transition
to civilian life. Such study shall determine the effectiveness
of current programs, especially concerning the challenges faced
by women veterans, veterans with disabilities, Native American
veterans, veterans who are residents of a U.S. territory,
veterans who are part of the indigenous population of a U.S.
territory, and other groups of minority veterans with regard
to: (1) pursuing higher education, (2) entering the civilian
workforce and translating military experience and skills to the
job market, and (3) transitioning to civilian life for veterans
families.
H.R. 5229 would ensure that no additional funds are
authorized to carry out the requirements of this bill. Such
requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise
authorized.
Legislative History
H.R. 5229 was introduced by Representative Mark Takano on
May 13, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had one cosponsor.
On May 18, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
an open session and an amendment to H.R. 5229 was offered by
Rep. Takano of California. The amendment to H.R. 5229 was
agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote. H.R. 5229, as
amended passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to
favorably report H.R. 5229, as amended to the House of
Representatives was offered by Ranking Member Brown and agreed
to via voice vote.
On May 23, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend the
rules and pass H.R. 5229, as amended by voice vote.
On May 24, 2016 H.R. 5229 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
TO DESIGNATE THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE CENTER IN
CENTER TOWNSHIP, BUTLER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AS THE ``ABIE ABRAHAM VA
CLINIC''
(H.R. 5317)
Summary
H.R. 5317, would designate the Department of Veterans
Affairs health care center in Center Township, Butler County,
Pennsylvania, as the ``Abie Abraham VA Clinic.''
Legislative Summary
H.R. 5317 was introduced by Representative Mike Kelly on
May 24, 2015 and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 17 cosponsors.
On June 21, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 5317 as amended by voice vote.
On June 22, 2016 H.R. 5317 was received in the Senate and
read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
NO VETERANS CRISIS LINE CALL SHOULD GO UNANSWERED ACT
(H.R. 5392)
Summary
H.R. 5392, No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go
Unanswered Act, would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) to develop a quality assurance document for carrying out
the toll-free Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), which shall: (1)
outline performance indicators and objectives to improve the
VCL, including at backup call centers; (2) include time frames
to meet such indicators and objectives; and (3) be consistent
with guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget.
The VA shall develop a plan to ensure that each telephone call,
text message, and other communications received by the VCL,
including at backup call centers, is answered in a timely
manner by a person, consistent with the guidance established by
the American Association of Suicidology. The plan shall include
guidelines for periodic VCL testing. The VA shall submit the
document and plan within 180 days.
Legislative History
H.R. 5392 was introduced by Representative David Young on
June 7, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 26 cosponsors.
On June 23, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 5392 and received testimony from
the following witnesses: the Honorable Doug Lamborn, U.S. House
of Representatives, 1st Congressional District of Nevada; The
Honorable Raul Ruiz U.S. House of Representatives, 36th
Congressional District of California; The Honorable Beto
O'Rourke, U.S. House of Representatives, 16th Congressional
District of Texas; The Honorable Ron DeSantis, U.S. House of
Representatives, 6th Congressional District of Florida; The
Honorable Ted Yoho, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Florida; The Honorable Jody Hice,
U.S. House of Representatives, 10th Congressional District of
Georgia; The Honorable Dan Newhouse, U.S. House of
Representatives, 4th Congressional District of Washington; and
The Honorable David Young, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Iowa; The Honorable Sloan Gibson,
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Deputy
Secretary Gibson was accompanied by, Ms. Laura Eskenazi,
Executive in Charge and Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans
Appeals; Mr. David McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for
Disability Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration; and
Dr. Maureen McCarthy, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for
Health Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration
within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Testimony was
also provided by Mr. Raymond Kelley, Director, National
Legislative Service of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States; Mr. Paul Varela, Assistant National Legislative
Director with Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Carl Blake,
Associate Executive Director of Government Relations with the
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Louis J. Celli, Jr.,
Director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division
of The American Legion; and Mr. Rick Weidman, Executive
Director for Policy and Government Affairs with the Vietnam
Veterans of America; Statements for the Record were provided by
the following Veterans Service Organizations: American Battle
Monuments Commission, AMVETS, Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military
Officers Association of America, Military Veterans Advocacy,
Inc., National Organization of Veterans Advocates, National
Veterans Legal Services Program, P.A.W.S. Foundation, Stetson
University College of Law's Veterans Law Institute, U.S.
Department of Labor.
On September 21, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in an open session and a motion to favorably report H.R.
5392 to the House of Representatives was offered by Acting
Ranking Member Takano of California and agreed to via voice
vote.
On September 26, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5392 by 357 Yeas and 0 Nays.
On November 16, 2016 H.R. 5392 passed the Senate without
amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On November 18, 2016 H.R. 5392 was presented to the
President.
On November 28, 2016 H.R. 5392 was signed by the President
and became Public Law No: 114-247.
ETHICAL PATIENT CARE FOR VETERANS ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 5399)
Summary
H.R. 5399, Ethical Patient Care for Veterans Act of 2016,
would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure
that each VA physician is informed of the duty to report any
covered activity committed by another physician that the
physician witnesses or otherwise directly discovers to the
applicable state licensing authority within five days.
``Covered activity'' means any activity occurring in a VA
medical facility that consists of or causes the provision of
impaired, incompetent, or unethical health care that requires
direct reporting under the Code of Medical Ethics of the
American Medical Association.
Legislative History
H.R. 5399 was introduced by Representative Phil Roe on June
7, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had no cosponsors.
On September 21, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in an open session and H.R. 5399 passed the Full Committee
via voice vote. A motion to favorably report H.R. 5399 to the
House of Representatives was offered by Acting Ranking Member
Takano of California and agreed to via voice vote. The
Committee Report was filed on November 14, 2016 (H. Rept. 114-
815).
On December 6, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 5399 by voice vote.
On December 7, 2016 H.R. 5399 was received in the Senate.
TO NAME THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TEMPORARY LODGING FACILITY
IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, AS THE ``DR. OTIS BOWEN VETERAN HOUSE''
(H.R. 5509)
Summary
H.R. 5509 would designate the Department of Veterans
Affairs temporary lodging facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, as
the ``Dr. Otis Bowen Veteran House.''
Legislative History
H.R. 5509 was introduced by Representative Susan Brooks on
June 16, 2016 and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 8 cosponsors.
On September 26, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5509 by voice vote.
On November 30, 2016 the Senate Committee on Veterans'
discharged H.R. 5509 by Unanimous Consent. H.R. 5509 was passed
by the Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
VETERANS COMPENSATION COLA ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 5588)
Summary
H.R. 5588, Veterans Compensation COLA Act of 2016, would
direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as
of December 1, 2016, the rates of veterans' disability
compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the
clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and
dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and
children. Each such increase shall be the same percentage as
the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age,
Survivors, and Disability Insurance [OASDI]) of the Social
Security Act, on the same effective date.
H.R. 5588 would state that the VA shall publish such
increased amounts in the Federal Register not later than the
date on which certain OASDI cost-of-living increases are
required to be published during FY2017.
Legislative History
H.R. 5588 was introduced by Representative Ralph Abraham on
June 28, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had one cosponsor.
On July 11, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 5588 by voice vote.
On July 13, 2016 H.R. 5588 passed the Senate without
amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On July 14, 2016 H.R. 5599 was presented to the President.
On July 22, 2016 H.R. 5599 was signed by the President and
became Public Law No: 114-197.
NO HERO LEFT UNTREATED ACT
(H.R. 5600)
Summary
H.R. 5600, No Hero Left Untreated Act, would require the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a one-year
pilot program to provide access to magnetic EEG/EKG-guided
resonance therapy technology to larger populations of veterans
suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain
injury, military sexual trauma, chronic pain, or opiate
addiction. The VA shall carry out the program at up to five VA
facilities, including the proposed Center for Innovation.
Legislative History
H.R. 5600 was introduced by Representative Stephen Knight
on June 28, 2016 and was referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had 33 cosponsors, 18 of which were
original cosponsors.
On September 21, 2016 the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
met in an open session and an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 5600 was offered by Rep. Jackie Walorski of
Indiana. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
5600 was agreed to by the Full Committee and H.R. 5600, as
amended, passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to
favorably report H.R. 5600, as amended, to the House of
Representatives was offered by Rep. Takano of California and
agreed to via voice vote. The report was filed on November 14,
2016 (H. Rept. 114-817).
On November 29, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5600 voice vote.
On November 30, 2016 H.R. 5600 was received in the Senate.
VA ACCOUNTABILITY FIRST AND APPEALS MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 5620)
Summary
H.R. 5620, VA Accountability First and Appeals
Modernization Act of 2016, would authorize the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a VA employee based
on performance or misconduct and provides that specified
federal employee performance appraisal provisions shall not
apply to such removals or demotions. The VA may remove such
individual from the civil service or demote the individual
through a reduction in grade or annual pay rate. A demoted
individual shall not be placed on administrative leave or any
other category of paid leave during the appeals period and can
receive pay only if he or she reports for duty. An expedited
appeals process is established under which: (1) an employee
shall have the right to an appeal before the Merit Systems
Protection Board (MSPB) within seven days of removal or
demotion, (2) the MSPB shall issue a decision within 60 days of
the appeal or the removal or demotion becomes final, (3) an
MSPB decision and any final removal or demotion may be appealed
to the U.S. Court of Appeals, and (4) the MSPB may not stay any
removal or demotion. The VA may not remove or demote an
employee: (1) without the approval of the Special Counsel if
the individual seeks corrective action from the Office of
Special Counsel based on an alleged prohibited personnel
practice, and (2) until a final decision in the case of a
whistle blower complaint. The VA shall reduce the federal
annuity of an individual removed from the VA Senior Executive
Service (SES) who is convicted of a felony that influenced his
or her performance while employed in such position. The VA may
reduce the federal annuity of an individual who was convicted
of such a felony and was subject to removal or transfer from
the SES but who left the VA before final action was taken. The
VA may recoup an award, a bonus, or relocation expenses paid to
a VA employee under specified circumstances. The VA may
suspend, reprimand or admonish an SES employee for misconduct
or performance that does not merit removal. The VA must notify
an individual five days before taking such proposed action.
Appeals may be made to the Senior Executive Disciplinary
Appeals Board (as provided for by this bill) and may not be
appealed to the MSPB. The bill establishes an additional
whistle blower complaint process, which shall include
suspension and removal actions against supervisory employees
who commit prohibited personnel actions against a whistle
blower. The bill amends the disability benefits appeals
process. The bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 to prohibit payment of an award or
bonus to any VA SES employee during each of FY2017-FY2021.
Legislative History
H.R. 5620 was introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller on July 5,
2016 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
in addition to the House Oversight and Government Reform
Committee. The bill had 34 cosponsors.
On September 14, 2016 H.R. 5620 passed the House by 310
Yeas and 116 Nays.
On September 15, 2016 H.R. 5620 was received in the Senate
and read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
WEST LOS ANGELES LEASING ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 5936)
Summary
H.R. 5936, West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016, would
authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out
the following leases at the VA's West Los Angeles Campus in Los
Angeles, California: any enhanced-use lease of real property
for supportive housing that principally benefits veterans and
their families; any lease of real property for not to exceed 50
years to a third party for services that principally benefit
veterans and their families and that are related to health and
wellness, education, vocational training and employment, peer
activities or recreation, legal and federal benefits
assistance, volunteerism, family support services, and
transportation; and a lease of real property for up to 10 years
to the Regents of the University of California, on behalf of
the University of California, Los Angeles, if the lease is
consistent with the VA master plan, the provision of veterans
services is the predominant focus, and the Regents agree to
provide non-VA compensated additional services that principally
benefit veterans and their families. The VA shall not enter
into land-sharing agreements unless the agreements provide
additional health care resources and benefit veterans and their
families in ways other than generating additional revenue.
Funds received by the VA from a lease shall be credited to the
applicable VA medical facilities account and shall be
available, without fiscal year limitation and without further
appropriation, exclusively for campus renovation and
maintenance. The VA may, notwithstanding any other provision of
law other than federal laws relating to environmental and
historic preservation, grant easements or rights-of-way on,
above, or under campus lands to: (1) any local or regional
public transportation authority to construct, operate, or
maintain public mass transit facilities; and (2) California,
the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, any agency
or political subdivision thereof, or any public utility company
for the purpose of providing public utilities. The VA may not
sell or convey to a third party fee simple title to any real
property or related improvements made at the campus. The VA
shall ensure that each lease is consistent with the draft
master plan approved by the VA on January 28, 2016, or
successor master plans. The VA shall establish, within 180
days, a Community Veterans Engagement Board to coordinate
locally with the VA to: (1) identify community goals; and (2)
provide advice to improve services for veterans, members of the
Armed Forces, and their families. The VA shall submit,
annually, an evaluation of all campus leases and land-sharing
agreements. The VA Inspector General shall report on: (1) all
campus leases; and (2) the VA's management of land use at the
campus, including an assessment of efforts to implement the
master plan.
H.R. 5936 would ensure the VA may not waive or postpone the
obligation of a lessee to pay any consideration under an
enhanced-use lease, including monthly rent. (The enhanced-use
lease program is a program in which the VA leases under-
utilized real estate to the private sector for developing
supportive housing and other services for homeless and at-risk
veterans and their families.) The bill provides that nothing in
this bill shall be construed to: (1) authorize the VA to enter
into an enhanced-use lease that authorizes the federal
government to guarantee a third party loan to a lessee; and (2)
abrogate or constitute a waiver of the sovereign immunity of
the United States with respect to any financial agreement
between a lessee and a third-party relating to an enhanced-use
lease. The annual report on enhanced-use leases shall include:
(1) identification of VA actions taken to implement and
administer such leases, and (2) lease amounts deposited into
the Medical Care Collection Fund account and the VA's use of
such funds. Such report shall also include with respect to each
enhanced-use lease: (1) an overview of the VA's use of
consideration received to support veterans, (2) the amount of
consideration received by the VA under or relating to the
lease, and (3) the costs to the VA of carrying out the lease.
The bill defines ``major enhanced-use lease'' as an enhanced-
use lease that includes more than $10 million in average annual
rent. The Government Accountability Office shall submit an
audit of the enhanced-use lease program within 270 days.
Legislative History
H.R. 5936 was introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller on
September 6, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs. The bill had one cosponsor.
On September 12, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5936, as amended by voice vote.
On September 19, 2016 H.R. 5936 passed the Senate without
amendment by voice vote.
On September 21, 2016 H.R. 5936 was presented to the
President.
On September 29, 2016 H.R. 5936 was signed by the President
and became Public Law No: 114-226.
TO AMEND TITLE 36, UNITED STATES CODE, TO AUTHORIZE THE AMERICAN BATTLE
MONUMENTS COMMISSION TO ACQUIRE, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN THE LAFAYETTE
ESCADRILLE MEMORIAL IN MARNES-LA-COQUETTE, FRANCE, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
(H.R. 5937)
Summary
H.R. 5937, would authorize the American Battle Monuments
Commission to enter into an agreement with the Lafayette
Escadrille Memorial Foundation to acquire, operate, and
maintain the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-
Coquette, France. The Commission shall ensure the ongoing
maintenance of the memorial, including the cemetery containing
the remains of 49 U.S. aviators who died during World War I.
Legislative History
H.R. 5937 was introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller on
September 6, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs in addition to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. The bill had no cosponsors.
On September 12, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5937, as amended by voice vote.
On September 20, 2016 H.R. 5937 passed the Senate without
amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On September 26, 2016 H.R. 5937 was presented to the
President.
On September 29, 2016 H.R. 5937 was signed by the President
and became Public Law No: 114-227.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXPIRING AUTHORITIES ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 5985)
Summary
H.R. 5985, Department of Veterans' Affairs Expiring
Authorities Act of 2016, would extend specified Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) programs.
H.R. 5985 would allow the authority for collection of
copayments for hospital care and nursing home care is extended
through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would establish the requirement to provide
nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected
disabilities is extended through December 31, 2017.
H.R. 5985 would require the authorization of appropriations
for assistance and support services for caregivers is extended
through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would require the authority for recovery from
third parties of the cost of care and services furnished to
veterans with health-plan contracts for non-service-connected
disability is extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would state that the Caregivers and Veterans
Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 is amended to extend
through December 31, 2017, authority for the pilot program on
assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health
care. The authorization of appropriations for such program is
extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would establish the authority to make grants to
veterans service organizations for transportation of highly
rural veterans is extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would establish the authority for the pilot
program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans
newly separated from service is extended through December 31,
2017. The authorization of appropriations for such program is
extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would require the reporting date for the pilot
program on the use of community organizations and state and
local entities to ensure that veterans receive eligible
benefits is changed from 180 days after the program's
completion to September 30, 2017.
H.R. 5985 would give authority for the Veterans' Advisory
Committee on Education is extended through December 31, 2017.
H.R. 5985 would specify housing loan provisions and
definitions, including the calculation of the net value of real
property at the time of foreclosure, are extended through
FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would give authority relating to vendee loans is
extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would give authority for rehabilitation and
vocational benefits at VA facilities for members of the Armed
Forces with severe injuries or illnesses is extended through
December 31, 2017.
H.R. 5985 would give authority for homeless veterans
reintegration programs is extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would ensure authority for the homeless women
veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration
program is extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would authorize for referral and counseling
services for veterans at risk of homelessness who are
transitioning from penal institutions or institutions that
provide long-term mental health care is extended through
FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would authorize for housing assistance for
homeless veterans is extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would authorize for financial assistance for
supportive services for very low-income veteran families in
permanent housing is extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would authorize for the grant program for
homeless veterans with special needs is extended through
FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would authorize for the Advisory Committee on
Homeless Veterans is extended through December 31, 2017.
H.R. 5985 would authorize for treatment and rehabilitation
services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans,
including a program to provide homeless veterans with benefits
and services at certain locations, is extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would authorize for transportation of individuals
to and from VA facilities for vocational rehabilitation,
counseling, treatment, or care is extended through December 31,
2017.
H.R. 5985 would authorize for operation of the VA regional
office in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines, is extended
through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would authorize for monthly assistance allowances
under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and
Special Events is extended through FY 2017.
H.R. 5985 would establish the requirement to provide annual
reports to Congress regarding equitable relief in the case of
administrative error is extended through December 31, 2017.
H.R. 5985 would establish authorization for appropriations
for adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members
of the Armed Forces is extended through FY2017. The VA may only
provide such assistance for adaptive sports opportunities
during FY2010-FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would give authority for the Advisory Committee
on Minority Veterans is extended through December 31, 2017.
H.R. 5985 would give the authorization of appropriations
for homeless veterans' comprehensive services is increased.
H.R. 5985 would give authority for temporary eligibility
expansion for specially adapted housing assistance for certain
veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating is
extended through FY2017. The VA may not approve more than 30
assistance applications in each of FY2014-FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would give authority for specially adapted
housing assistive technology grants is extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would state that the VA may not guarantee the
payment of principal and interest on certain mortgage loan pool
certificates or other securities issued or approved after
December 31, 2017.
H.R. 5985 would give authority to enter into agreement with
the National Academy of Sciences regarding associations between
diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in
herbicides is extended through December 31, 2017.
H.R. 5985 would give authority for performance of medical
disabilities examinations by contract physicians is extended
through December 31, 2017.
H.R. 5985 would give the current multipliers used in
calculating the fees the VA may pay to educational institutions
and apprenticeship providers for reports regarding each
eligible individual's enrollment in veterans' education or
training programs and the interruption or termination of their
participation in such programs is extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would state that the requirement for an annual
report on the Department of Defense-VA Interagency Program
Office is extended through FY2017.
H.R. 5985 would state that in the case of an education
course subject to disapproval because the Department of
Education has withdrawn recognition of the accrediting agency,
the VA may continue to treat the course as an approved course
for up to 18 months unless the VA or the state approving agency
determines that there is evidence to support such disapproval.
The VA must notify any veteran enrolled in such course about
its status.
Legislative History
H.R. 5985 was introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller on
September 9, 2016 and referred to the House Committee on
Veterans' Affairs in addition to the Committees on Armed
Services and Budget. The bill had no cosponsors.
On September 13, 2016 the House agreed on the motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 5985, as amended by voice vote.
On September 19, 2016 H.R. 5985 passed the Senate without
amendment by 89 Yeas and 0 Nays.
On September 21, 2016 H.R. 5985 was presented to the
President.
On September 29, 2016 H.R. 5985 was signed by the President
and became Public Law No. 114-228.
TO NAME THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN LONG
BEACH, CALIFORNIA, THE ``TIBOR RUBIN VA MEDICAL CENTER''
H.R. 6323
Summary
H.R. 6323 would name the Department of Veterans Affairs
health care system in Long Beach, California, the ``Tibor Rubin
VA Medical Center.''
Legislative History
H.R. 6323 was introduced by Representative Alan Lowenthal
on November 15, 2016 and referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. The bill had 51 cosponsors.
On November 29, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 6323 by voice vote.
On November 30, 2016 H.R. 6323 was received in the Senate.
THE JEFF MILLER AND RICHARD BLUMENTHAL VETERANS HEALTH CARE AND
BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2016
(H.R. 6416)
Summary
H.R. 6416, the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans
Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016 would make a
number of improvements to VA disability compensation, appeals,
burial, education, vocational rehabilitation, small business,
health care, and homeless programs.
The bill allows physicians who are under contract with VA
and with unrestricted licenses to conduct disability
examinations in any state as well as extends the expansion of
the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to nine judges through
2020, which would help the Court address its growing volume of
cases. H.R. 6416 directs VA to provide a medallion to be
affixed to a headstone in a private cemetery that signifies the
grave of a veteran, permits VA to furnish a medallion
specifically designed for the graves of Medal of Honor
recipients, and provides Presidential Memorial Certificates to
those who served in the National Guard or Reserve, even if they
were never called to active duty.
Other provisions in this bill make needed improvements to
education, vocational rehabilitation, and employment benefits
by: prioritizing vocational rehabilitation services for our
most disabled veterans; increasing approval and access to
oversight processes for education programs and schools;
improving coordination between federal and state agencies who
provide employment services to veterans; expanding eligibility
for work-study programs; extending the amount of time spouses
of fallen servicemembers have to use the GI Bill's Fry
Scholarship benefits; and, by extending the in-state tuition
rate limit to dependents of servicemembers who are still
serving on active duty.
H.R. 6416 contains numerous provisions that would improve
the provision of VA health care by: requiring VA to produce an
annual report on a number of critical measures of care;
clarifying VA's responsibility to provide medical screenings
and treatment to individuals requesting to be seen in a VA
emergency room--including women in labor--and ensuring that VA
emergency room physicians are afforded the schedule flexibility
that the nature of their work demands; and, requiring VA to
enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Medicine
to conduct an assessment on scientific research relating to the
descendants of individuals with toxic exposure and, depending
on the results of those efforts, require VA to establish an
advisory board to advise the Secretary on further research. The
bill also includes provisions that would require reforms to
VA's medical facility construction processes and procedures.
Legislative History
H.R. 6416 was introduced by Representative Phil Roe on
December 1, 2016. The bill had 5 original cosponsors.
On December 6, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 6416 by 419 Yeas and 0 Nays.
On December 7, 2016 H.R. 6416 was received in the Senate.
TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTORS OF VETERANS INTEGRATED SERVICE NETWORKS OF
THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH
APPROPRIATE CIVILIAN ACCREDITATION ENTITIES OR APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE
EVALUATION ENTITIES TO INVESTIGATE MEDICAL CENTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS
(H.R. 6435)
Summary
H.R. 6435 would authorize the Directors of Veterans
Integrated Service Networks of the Department of Veterans
Affairs to enter into contracts with appropriate civilian
accreditation entities or appropriate health care evaluation
entities to investigate medical centers of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Legislative History
H.R. 6435 was introduced by Representative Markwayne Mullin
on December 5, 2016. The bill had no cosponsors.
On December 7, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass H.R. 6435 by voice vote.
On December 8, 2016 H.R. 6435 was received in the Senate.
VETERANS DAY MOMENT OF SILENCE ACT
(S. 1004)
Summary
S. 1004 would direct the President to issue an annual
proclamation calling on the people of the United States to
observe two minutes of silence on Veterans Day, beginning at
3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time, in honor of the service and
sacrifice of veterans throughout the history of the nation.
Legislative History
S. 1004 was introduced by Senator Mark Steven Kirk on April
16, 2015 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The
bill had 7 cosponsors, 5 of which were original.
On November 9, 2015 the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
discharged S. 1004 by Unanimous Consent. The Senate passed S.
1004 without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On September 27, 2016 S. 1004 passed the House without
objection.
On September 29, 2016 S. 1004 was presented to the
President.
On October 7, 2016 S. 1004 was signed by the President and
became Public Law No. 114-240.
CHARLES DUNCAN BURIED WITH HONOR ACT OF 2016
(S. 3076)
Summary
S. 3076, Charles Duncan Buried with Honor Act of 2016,
would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), if it
is unable to identify a deceased veteran's next of kin and if
it determines that sufficient resources for the furnishing of a
casket or urn for the burial of such veteran are not otherwise
available, to furnish a casket or urn for the burial of such
veteran in a national cemetery (current law) or in a veterans
cemetery of a state or tribal organization for which the VA has
provided a grant for the establishment, expansion, and
improvement of veterans' cemeteries.
Legislative History
S. 3076 was introduced by Senator Tom Cotton on June 20,
2016 and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
The bill had one cosponsor.
On September 20, 2016 S. 3076 was discharged from the
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs by Unanimous Consent. S.
3076 passed the Senate with an amended by Unanimous Consent.
On September 26, 2016 S. 3076 was referred to the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
On December 6, 2016 the House agreed on a motion to suspend
the rules and pass S. 3076 by voice vote.
On December 8, 2016 S. 3076 was presented to the President.
A BILL TO DESIGNATE THE COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT CLINIC OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN PUEBLO, COLORADO, AS THE ``PFC JAMES
DUNN VA CLINIC''
(S. 3283)
Summary
S. 3283 would designate the Department of Veterans Affairs
community-based outpatient clinic in Pueblo, Colorado, as the
``PFC James Dunn VA Clinic.''
Legislative History
S. 3283 was introduced by Senator Cory Gardner on July 14,
2016. The bill had one cosponsor.
On July 14, 2016 S. 3283 was introduced in the Senate, read
twice, considered, read a third time, and passed without
amendment by Unanimous Consent.
On September 28, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to
suspend the rules and pass S. 3283 by 423 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 1
Present.
On October 3, 2016 S. 3283 was presented to the President.
On October 7, 2016 S. 3283 was signed by the President and
became Public Law No. 114-243.
A BILL TO DESIGNATE THE TRAVERSE CITY VA COMMUNITY-BASED OUTPATIENT
CLINIC OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IN TRAVERSE CITY,
MICHIGAN, AS THE ``COLONEL DEMAS T. CRAW VA CLINIC''
(S. 3492)
Summary
S. 3492 would designate the Traverse City VA Community-
Based Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs
in Traverse City, Michigan, as the ``Colonel Demas T. Craw VA
Clinic''.
Legislative History
S. 3492 was introduced by Senator Gary Peters on December
1, 2016. The bill had one original cosponsor.
On December 1, 2016 S. 3492 was read twice, considered,
read a third time, and passed the Senate without amendment by
Unanimous Consent.
On December 6, 2016 the House agreed to a motion to suspend
the rules and pass S. 3492 by voice vote.
On December 8, 2016 S. 3492 was presented to the President.
Full Committee Markup of H.R. 4591; H.R. 4336; H.R. 4063; H.R. 4129;
H.R. 1769; H.R. 3484; and H.R. 4590
On February 25, 2016, the Full Committee met and marked up
H.R. 4591, to amend title 38, United States Code to authorize
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with
certain health care providers to furnish hospital care, medical
services, and extended care to veterans, introduced by Chairman
Jeff Miller of Florida; H.R. 4336, the Women Airforce Service
Pilot Arlington Inurnment Restoration Act, introduced by Rep.
Martha McSally of Arizona; H.R. 4063, the Jason Simcakoski
PROMISE Act, introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida; H.R.
4129, the Jumpstart VA Construction Act, introduced by Rep.
Jerry McNerney of California; H.R. 1769, the Toxic Exposure
Research Act of 2016, introduced by Rep. Dan Benishek of
Michigan; H.R. 3484, the Los Angeles Homeless Veterans Leasing
Act of 2016, introduced by Rep. Ted Lieu of California; and
H.R. 4590, the Fiscal Year 2016 Department of Veterans Affairs
Seismic Safety and Construction Authorization Act, introduced
by Chairman Jeff Miller of Florida.
On February 25, 2016, an amendment to H.R. 4591 was offered
by Rep. Mark Takano of California; an amendment to H.R. 4591
was offered by Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee; and an amendment to
H.R. 4591 was offered by Chairman Jeff Miller of Florida. The
amendment to H.R. 4591 offered by Rep. Mark Takano of
California was not agreed to via a roll call vote of 13 nays
and 10 yeas. The amendment to H.R. 4591 offered by Rep. Phil
Roe was agreed to via voice vote; the amendment to H.R. 4591
offered by Chairman Jeff Miller of Florida was also agreed to
via voice vote. H.R. 4591, as amended, passed the Full
Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably report H.R.
4591, as amended to the House of Representatives was offered by
Ranking Member Corrine Brown of Florida and agreed to via voice
vote.
On February 25, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Rep. Ralph Abraham of Louisiana to
H.R. 4336. An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Ranking Member Corrine Brown of
Florida. The amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 4336 offered by Ranking Member Corrine Brown
of Florida was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote.
The amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 4336, as amended offered by Rep. Ralph Abraham of
Louisiana was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote.
H.R. 4336, as amended, passed the Full Committee via voice
vote. A motion to favorably report H.R. 4336, as amended, to
the House of Representatives was offered by Ranking Member
Corrine Brown of Florida and agreed to via voice vote.
On February 25, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 4063 was offered by Rep. Gus Bilirakis of
Florida. An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 4063 was offered by Rep. Jackie Walorski of
Indiana, and a second amendment to the amendment in the nature
of a substitute to H.R. 4063 was offered by Rep. Jackie
Walorski of Indiana. The second amendment to the amendment in
the nature of a substitute to H.R. 4063 offered by Rep. Jackie
Walorski of Indiana was agreed to by the Full Committee via
voice vote, the first amendment to the amendment in the nature
of a substitute to H.R. 4063 offered by Rep. Jackie Walorski of
Indiana was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote. The
amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Rep. Gus
Bilirakis of Florida was agreed to by the Full Committee via
voice vote and H.R. 4063, as amended, passed the Full Committee
via voice vote. A motion to favorably report H.R. 4063, as
amended, to the House of Representatives was offered by Ranking
Member Corrine Brown of Florida and agreed to via voice vote.
On February 25, 2016, H.R. 4129 passed the Full Committee
via voice vote. A motion to favorably report H.R. 4129 to the
House of Representatives was offered by Ranking Member Corrine
Brown of Florida and agreed to via voice vote.
On February 25, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1769 was offered by Rep. Dan Benishek of
Michigan. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
1769 was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote and
H.R. 1769, as amended, passed the Full Committee via voice
vote. A motion to favorably report H.R. 1769, as amended, to
the House of Representatives was offered by Ranking Member
Corrine Brown of Florida and agreed to via voice vote.
On February 25, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3484 was offered by Chairman Jeff Miller of
Florida. The A.N.S. to H.R. 3484 was agreed to by the Full
Committee via voice vote and H.R. 3484, as amended, passed the
Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably report
H.R. 3484, as amended, to the House of Representatives was
offered by Ranking Member Corrine Brown of Florida and agreed
to via voice vote.
On February 25, 2016, an amendment to H.R. 4590 was offered
by Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado. An amendment to H.R. 4590 was
also offered by Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York. The amendment
to H.R. 4590 offered by Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York was
agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote. The amendment
to H.R. 4590 offered by Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado was also
agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote. H.R. 4590, as
amended, passed the Full Committee via voice vote and a motion
to favorably report H.R. 4590, as amended, to the House of
Representatives was offered by Ranking Member Corrine Brown of
Florida and agreed to via voice vote.
Markup of H.R. 5178; H.R. 5229; H.R. 4138; H.R. 3286, as Amended; H.R.
3471, as Amended; H.R. 3974, as Amended; H.R. 3956; H.R. 4782;
H.R. 4087, as Amended; H.R. 2460; H.R. 3989, as Amended; and
H.R. 3715, as Amended
On Wednesday, May 18, 2016, the Full Committee met to mark
up H.R. 5178, the Veterans Success on Campus Act of 2016,
introduced by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio; H.R. 5229, to direct
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a study to
evaluate the effectiveness of programs, especially in regards
to women veterans and minority veterans, in transitioning to
civilian life, and for other purposes, introduced by Rep. Mark
Takano of California; H.R. 4138, to authorize the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to recoup relocation expenses paid to or on
behalf of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller of Florida; H.R. 3286, as
amended, the HIRE Vets Act, introduced by Rep. Paul Cook of
California; H.R. 3471, as amended, the Veterans Mobility Safety
Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Jackie Walorski of Indiana;
H.R. 3974, as amended, the Grow Our Own Directive: Physician
Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015, introduced by
Rep. Ann Kuster of New Hampshire; H.R. 3956, the VA Health
Center Management Stability and Improvement Act, introduced by
Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois; H.R. 4782, the Veterans'
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2016, introduced
by Rep. Ralph Abraham of Louisiana; H.R. 4087, as amended, the
Fair Treatment for Families of Veterans Act, introduced by Rep.
Mia Love of Utah; H.R. 2460, to amend title 38, United States
Code, to improve the provision of adult day health care
services for veterans, introduced by Rep. Lee Zeldin of New
York; H.R. 3989, as amended, Support Our Military Caregivers
Act, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York; and H.R.
3715, as amended, the Final Farewell Act of 2015, introduced by
Ranking Member Corrine Brown of Florida.
On May 18, 2016, amendments in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 5178 were offered by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio and
Rep. Mark Takano of California. The amendment to the amendment
in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 5178 offered by Rep. Mark
Takano of California failed and was not agreed to by the Full
Committee on a recorded vote of 10 yeas and 13 noes with 1
Member not voting. The amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 5178 offered by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio was agreed
to by the Full Committee by a recorded vote of 14 yeas, 9 noes
and 1 Member not voting. H.R. 5178, as amended, passed the Full
Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably report H.R.
5178, as amended, to the House of Representatives was offered
by Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado and agreed to via voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, an amendment to H.R. 5229 was offered by
Rep. Mark Takano of California. The amendment to H.R. 5229 was
agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote. H.R. 5229, as
amended, passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to
favorably report H.R. 5229, as amended, to the House of
Representatives was offered by Ranking Member Corrine Brown of
Florida and agreed to via voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, an amendment to H.R. 4138 was offered by
Rep. Kathleen Rice of New York. The amendment to H.R. 4138
failed and was not agreed to by the Full Committee by a
recorded vote of 9 yeas, 13 noes and 2 Members not voting. H.R.
4138 passed the Full Committee via recorded vote of 18 yeas and
4 noes with 2 Members not voting. A motion to favorably report
H.R. 4138 to the House of Representatives was offered by Rep.
Doug Lamborn of Colorado and agreed to via voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 3286, as amended, was offered by Chairman Jeff Miller
of Florida and was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice
vote. H.R. 3286, as amended, passed the Full Committee via
voice vote and a motion to favorably report H.R. 3286, as
amended, to the House of Representatives was offered by Ranking
Member Corrine Brown of Florida and agreed to via voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 3471 was offered by Rep. Jackie Walorski of Indiana. An
amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 3471 was offered by Rep. Dan Benishek of Michigan. The
amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to
H.R. 3471 offered by Rep. Dan Benishek of Michigan was agreed
to by the Full Committee via a voice vote. The amendment in the
nature of a substitute, as amended, to H.R. 3471, as amended,
was agreed to by the Full Committee via a voice vote; H.R.
3471, as amended, passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A
motion to favorably report H.R. 3471, as amended, to the House
of Representatives was offered by Ranking Member Corrine Brown
of Florida and agreed to via voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 3974, as amended, was offered by Rep. Ann Kuster of New
Hampshire. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
3974, as amended, was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice
vote. H.R. 3974, as amended, passed the Full Committee via
voice vote. A motion to favorably report H.R. 3974, as amended,
to the House of Representatives was offered by Ranking Member
Brown and agreed to via voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 3956 was offered by Rep. Mike Bost of Indiana. The
amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 3956 was agreed
to by the Full Committee via voice vote. H.R. 3956, as amended,
passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably
report H.R. 3956, as amended, to the House of Representatives
was offered by Ranking Member Corrine Brown of Florida and
agreed to via voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 4782 was offered by Rep. Ralph Abraham of Louisiana. An
additional amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Ranking Member Corrine Brown of
Florida and an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Rep. Julia Brownley of California.
The amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute
offered by Rep. Julia Brownley of California was officially
withdrawn from the markup agenda by Rep. Julia Brownley of
California. The amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute offered by Ranking Member Corrine Brown of Florida
failed and was not agreed to by the Full Committee by a
recorded vote of 9 yeas and 13 noes with 2 Members not voting.
The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 4782
offered by Rep. Ralph Abraham of Louisiana was agreed to by the
Full Committee via voice. H.R. 4782, as amended, passed the
Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably report
H.R. 4782, as amended, to the House of Representatives was
offered by Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado and agreed to via
voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 4087, as amended, was offered by Chairman Jeff Miller
of Florida. An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Ranking Member Corrine Brown of
Florida. An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Rep. Julia Brownley of California.
The amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute
offered by Rep. Julia Brownley of California failed and was not
agreed to by the Full Committee recorded vote of 9 yeas and 13
noes with 2 Members not voting. The amendment to the Amendment
in the Nature of a Substitute offered by Ranking Member Corrine
Brown of Florida failed and was not agreed to by the Full
Committee by a recorded vote of 8 yeas, 14 noes, and 2 Members
not voting. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
4087 offered by Chairman Jeff Miller of Florida was agreed to
by the Full Committee by a recorded vote of 14 yeas, 8 noes,
and 2 Members not voting. H.R. 4087, as amended, passed the
Full Committee by a recorded vote of 14 yeas and 8 noes with 2
Members not voting. A motion to favorably report H.R. 4087, as
amended, to the House of Representatives was offered by Rep.
Doug Lamborn of Colorado and agreed to via voice vote.
On May 18, 2016, H.R. 2460; H.R. 3989, as amended; and,
H.R. 3715, as amended, were considered en bloc and passed the
Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably report
H.R. 2460; H.R. 3989, as amended; and H.R. 3715, as amended, to
the House of Representatives was offered by Ranking Member
Corrine Brown of Florida and was agreed to via voice vote.
Legislative Hearing on H.R. 3216, H.R. 4150, H.R. 4764, H.R. 5047, H.R.
5083, H.R. 5162, H.R. 5166, H.R. 5392, H.R. 5407, H.R. 5416,
H.R. 5420, and H.R. 5428
On Thursday, June 23, 2016, the Full Committee met in open
session and conducted a legislative hearing on H.R. 3216, the
VET Act; H.R. 4150, the Department of Veterans Affairs
Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act; H.R.
4764, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act
of 2016; H.R. 5047, the Protecting Veterans' Educational Choice
Act of 2016; H.R. 5083, the VA Appeals Modernization Act of
2016; H.R. 5162, the Vet Connect Act of 2016; H.R. 5166, the
WINGMAN Act; H.R. 5392, the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should
Go Unanswered Act; H.R. 5407, to amend title 38, United States
Code, to direct the Secretary of Labor to prioritize the
provision of services to homeless veterans with dependent
children in carrying out homeless veterans reintegration
programs, and for other purposes; H.R. 5416, to amend title 38,
United States Code, to expand burial benefits for veterans who
die while receiving hospital care or medical services under the
Veterans Choice Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
and for other purposes; H.R. 5420, to authorize the American
Battle Monuments Commission to acquire, operate, and maintain
the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marne-la-
Coquette, France; and H.R. 5428, Military Residency Choice Act.
On panel one, testimony was provided by: the Honorable Doug
Lamborn, U.S. House of Representatives, 1st Congressional
District of Colorado; the Honorable Raul Ruiz, U.S. House of
Representatives, 36th Congressional District of California; the
Honorable Beto O'Rourke, U.S. House of Representatives, 16th
Congressional District of Texas; the Honorable Ron DeSantis,
U.S. House of Representatives, 6th Congressional District of
Florida; the Honorable Ted Yoho, U.S. House of Representatives,
3rd Congressional District of Florida; the Honorable Jody Hice,
U.S. House of Representatives, 10th Congressional District of
Georgia; the Honorable Dan Newhouse, U.S. House of
Representatives, 4th Congressional District of Washington; and
the Honorable David Young, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd
Congressional District of Iowa.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Sloan Gibson, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; accompanied by: Laura Eskenazi, Executive in
Charge and Vice Chairman, Board of Veterans Appeals; David
McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance,
Veterans Benefits Administration; and, Maureen McCarthy, M.D.,
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health Patient Care
Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. Testimony was also provided by: Raymond
Kelley, Director, National Legislative Service of the Veterans
of Foreign Wars of the United States; Paul Varela, Assistant
National Legislative Director with Disabled American Veterans;
Carl Blake, Associate Executive Director of Government
Relations with the Paralyzed Veterans of America; Louis J.
Celli, Jr., Director, National Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division of The American Legion; and Rick
Weidman, Executive Director for Policy and Government Affairs
with the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Statements for the Record were provided by the following
Veterans Service Organizations: American Battle Monuments
Commission, AMVETS, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Officers
Association of America, Military Veterans Advocacy, Inc.,
National Organization of Veterans Advocates, National Veterans
Legal Services Program, P.A.W.S. Foundation, Stetson University
College of Law's Veterans Law Institute, U.S. Department of
Labor. See, ``Legislative Hearing on H.R. 3216, H.R. 4150, H.R.
4764, H.R. 5047, H.R. 5083, H.R. 5162, H.R. 5166, H.R. 5392,
H.R. 5407, H.R. 5416, H.R. 5420, and H.R. 5428,'' Serial No.
114-75.
Markup of H.R. 4757, as Amended; H.R. 5166; H.R. 4150; H.R. 5099; H.R.
5600; H.R. 5047; H.R. 5428; H.R. 3216; H.R. 5162; H.R. 5392;
H.R. 5399
On Wednesday, September 21, 2016, the Full Committee met
and marked up H.R. 4757, as amended, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to expand the eligibility for headstones, markers,
and medallions furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
for deceased individuals who were awarded the Medal of Honor
and are buried in private cemeteries, introduced by Chairman
Jeff Miller of Florida; H.R. 5166, the Working to Integrate
Networks Guaranteeing Member Access Now (WINGMAN) Act,
introduced by Rep. Ted Yoho of Florida; H.R. 4150, the
Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing
Recruitment and Retention Act, introduced by Rep. Raul Ruiz of
California; H.R. 5099, to establish a pilot program on
partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the
Department of Veterans Affairs, introduced by Rep. Brad Ashford
of Nebraska; H.R. 5600, the No Hero Left Untreated Act,
introduced by Rep. Stephen Knight of California; H.R. 5047, the
Protecting Veterans' Educational Choice Act of 2016, introduced
by Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia; H.R. 5428, the Military Residency
Choice Act, introduced by Rep. Randy Forbes of Virginia; H.R.
3216, the Veterans Emergency Treatment (VET) Act, introduced by
Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington; H.R. 5162, the Vet Connect Act
of 2016, introduced by Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas; H.R. 5392,
the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act,
introduced by Rep. David Young of Iowa; and, H.R. 5399, the
Ethical Patient Care for Veterans Act of 2016, introduced by
Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee.
On September 21, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 4757, as amended, was offered by Rep. Jeff
Miller of Florida. The amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 4757, as amended, was agreed to by the Full Committee
via voice vote. H.R. 4757, as amended, passed the Full
Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably report H.R.
4757, as amended, to the House of Representatives was offered
by Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano of California and agreed
to via voice vote.
On September 21, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 5166 was offered by Chairman Jeff Miller of
Florida. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
5166 was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote. H.R.
5166, as amended, passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A
motion to favorably report H.R. 5166, as amended, to the House
of Representatives was offered by Acting Ranking Member Mark
Takano of California and agreed to via voice vote.
On September 21, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 4150 was offered by Rep. Raul Ruiz of
California. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
4150 was agreed to by the Full Committee and passed the Full
Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably report H.R.
4150, as amended, to the House of Representatives was offered
by Rep. Mark Takano of California and agreed to via voice vote.
On September 21, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 5099 was offered by Rep. Tim Walz of
Minnesota. An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Rep. Julia Brownley of California.
The amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute
offered by Rep. Julia Brownley of California was officially
withdrawn from the markup agenda by Rep. Julia Brownley of
California. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
5099 was agreed to by the Full Committee via voice vote. H.R.
5099, as amended, passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A
motion to favorably report H.R. 5099, as amended, to the House
of Representatives was offered by Acting Ranking Member Mark
Takano of California and agreed to via voice vote.
On September 21, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 5600 was offered by Rep. Jackie Walorski of
Indiana. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R.
5600 was agreed to by the Full Committee and H.R. 5600, as
amended, passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to
favorably report H.R. 5600, as amended, to the House of
Representatives was offered by Acting Ranking Member Mark
Takano of California and agreed to via voice vote.
On September 21, 2016, H.R. 5047, H.R. 5428, H.R. 3216,
H.R. 5162, H.R. 5392, and H.R. 5399 were considered en bloc and
passed the Full Committee via voice vote. A motion to favorably
report H.R. 5047, H.R. 5428, H.R. 3216, H.R. 5162, H.R. 5392,
and H.R. 5399 to the House of Representatives was offered by
Acting Ranking Member Mark Takano of California and agreed to
via voice vote.
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
FULL COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Full Committee Hearing--1988 To 2016: VETSNET To VBMS; Billions Spent,
Backlog Grinds on
On Tuesday, January 12, 2016, the Full Committee met in
open session to conduct a hearing to review the Veterans
Benefits Management System.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Beth McCoy, Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations at the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Dawn
Bontempo, Director Veterans Benefits Management System Program
Management Office; Steven Schliesman, Assistant Deputy Chief
Information Officer, Office of Information & Technology; and
Thomas Murphy Director, Compensation Service Veterans Benefits
Administration. Valerie C. Melvin Director, Information
Technology at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Brent
Arronte, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits and
Evaluations, Office of Inspector General within the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs also provided testimony;
Accompanied by: Michael Bowman Director, Information Technology
and Security Audits Division, Office of Inspector General. See,
``1988 to 2016: VETSNET to VBMS; Billions Spent, Backlog Grinds
On,'' Serial No. 114-49.
Site Visit--Los Angeles, California
On January 19, 2016, the Chairman of the Full Committee
traveled to Los Angeles California, to conduct an oversight
visit of the Los Angeles National Cemetery.
Full Committee Hearing--Lost Opportunities for Veterans An Examination
of VA's Technology Transfer Program
On February 3, 2016, the Full Committee met in open session
and conducted a hearing to examine the Department's technology
transfer program.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
David Shulkin, M.D., Under Secretary for Health, Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Kyong-Mi Chang, M.D., Chief
Research and Development Officer with the Veterans Health
Administration; and Marisue Cody, Ph.D., Director of
Operations, Office of Research and Development. See ``Lost
Opportunities for Veterans: An Examination of VA's Technology
Transfer Program,'' Serial No. 114-52.
Full Committee Hearing--U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget
Request for Fiscal Year 2017
On February 10, 2016, the Full Committee met in open
session and conducted a hearing to review the Department's
budget for Fiscal Year 2017.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Robert A. McDonald, Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: the Honorable David Shulkin,
Under Secretary for Health; Danny Pummill, Acting Under
Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration;
Ronald Walters, Interim Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs,
the Honorable LaVerne Council, Assistant Secretary for
Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer,
Office of Information and Technology; and, Ed Murray, Interim
Secretary for Management and Interim Chief Financial Officer.
Statements for the Record were provided by the U.S.
Government Accountability Office, Co-Authors of the Independent
Budget, AMVETS, and The American Legion. See, ``U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2017,''
Serial No. 114-53.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation of
the Disabled American Veterans
On February 23, 2016, the Full Committee participated in a
joint hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to
receive testimony from the Disabled American Veterans on its
2016 legislative priorities.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Moses A. McIntosh, Jr., National Commander, Disabled American
Veterans; Accompanied by: J. Marc Burgess, National Adjutant;
Barry A. Jesinoski, Executive Director, National Headquarters;
Garry J. Augustine, Executive Director, Washington
Headquarters; Jim Marszalek, National Service Director; Joy J.
Ilem, National Legislative Director; John Kleindienst, National
Director of Voluntary Service; Jeffrey C. Hall, National
Director of Employment; and, Linda Stake, DAV Auxiliary
National Commander. See, ``Joint Hearing of the House and
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees to receive the Legislative
Presentation of the Disabled American Veterans,'' Serial No.
114-57.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation of
the American Legion
On February 24, 2016, the Full Committee participated in a
joint hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to
receive testimony from The American Legion on its 2016
legislative priorities.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Dale Barnett, National Commander of The American Legion;
Accompanied by: Brett Reistad, Chairman, National Legislative
Commission; Ralph Bozella, Chairman, National Veterans Affairs
and Rehabilitation Commission; Ian dePlanque, Director,
National Legislative Division; Louis Celli Jr., Director,
National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division; James W.
Oxford, Chairman, Veterans Employment & Education Commission;
and Joseph Sharpe, Jr., Director, Veterans Employment &
Education Division. This hearing was hosted by the Senate
Veterans' Affairs Committee and therefore does not have a House
Serial No.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars
On March 2, 2016, the Full Committee participated in a
joint hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to
receive testimony from the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
John Biedrzycki, Commander in Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars;
Accompanied by: Jerry Manar, Director, National Veterans
Service; Bob Wallace, Executive Director; Ray Kelley, Director,
National Legislative Service; and Al Bucchi, National
Legislative Chairman. This hearing was hosted by the Senate
Veterans' Affairs Committee and therefore does not have a House
Serial No.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation From
BVA, GSW, VVA, MOPH, WWP, NGAUS, AMVETS and PVA
On March 3, 2016, the Full Committee participated in a
joint hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to
receive testimony from multiple Veterans Service Organizations.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Robert ``Dale'' Stamper, National President, Blinded Veterans
Association; Christine Kinnard, Co-Chair for Government
Relations Committee, Gold Star Wives of America; Marsha Tansey
Four, Vice President, Vietnam Veterans of America; Robert
Puskar, National Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart;
Ryan Kules, Combat Stress Recovery Director, Wounded Warrior
Project; Mike Waite, Legislative Director, National Guard
Association of the United States; James D. Pidgeon, National
Commander, AMVETS; and Al Kovach, Jr., National President,
Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Statements for the Record were provided by: The Association
of the United States Army, The Association of the United States
Navy, and the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor
Memorial Society. See, ``Joint Hearing of the House and Senate
Veterans' Affairs Committees to receive the Legislative
Presentation from BVA, GSW, VVA, MOPH, WWP, NGAUS, AMVETS and
PVA,'' Serial No.
Full Committee Hearing--Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committees To Receive the Legislative Presentation From FRA,
TREA, NASDVA, MOAA, AFSA, AMERICAN EX- POW, NCOA, JWV and IAVA
On March 16, 2016, the Full Committee participated in a
joint hearing with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee to
receive testimony from multiple Veterans Service Organizations.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Virgil Courneya, National President, Fleet Reserve Association;
Larry Hyland, National President, The Retired Enlisted
Association; David Brasuell, President, Idaho, National
Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs; Rene
Campos, Deputy Director, Government Relations, Military
Officers Association of America; Rob Frank, Chief Executive
Officer, Air Force Sergeants Association; Charles Susino, Jr.,
Past National Commander/Legislative Officer, American Ex
Prisoners of War; Sgt. Major H. Gene Overstreet, President, Non
Commissioned Officers Association; Jerome Blum, National
Commander, Jewish War Veterans; and, Paul Rieckhoff, Founder
and CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. This hearing
was hosted by the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and
therefore does not have a House Serial No.
Site Visit--Salem, Virginia
On March 24, 2016, the Chairman of the Full Committee
traveled to Salem, Virginia, to conduct an oversight visit to
the Salem VA Medical Center.
Full Committee Hearing--A Continued Assessment of Delays in Veterans'
Access to Health Care
On April 19, 2016, the Full Committee met in open session
to conduct a hearing reviewing the delays in veterans' access
to health care.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable David Shulkin, M.D., Under Secretary for Health, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Thomas Lynch,
M.D., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Clinical
Operations. Also providing testimony, Debra Draper, Director,
Health Care Team with the U.S. Government Accountability Office
and Larry Reinkemeyer, Director, Kansas City Office of Audits
and Evaluations, Office of Inspector General within the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Gary Abe,
Acting Assistant Inspector, General for Audits and Evaluations
with the Office of Inspector General.
A statement for the record was provided by The American
Legion. See ``A Continued Assessment of Delays in Veterans'
Access to Health Care,'' Serial No. 114-65.
Full Committee Hearing--Combating the Crisis: Evaluating Efforts To
Prevent Veteran Suicide
On May 12, 2016, the Full Committee met in open session to
review the Department's efforts to prevent veteran suicide.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Maureen McCarthy, M.D., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for
Health for Patient Care Services, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Harold Kudler, M.D., Chief Consultant for
Mental Health Services; and Caitlin Thompson, M.D., National
Director for Suicide Prevention. The following individuals also
provided testimony: Jackie Maffucci, M.D., Research Director,
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Thomas Berger,
Executive Director of the Veterans Health Council, Vietnam
Veterans of America; Kim Ruocco, Chief External Relations
Officer for Suicide Prevention and Postvention, Tragedy
Assistance Program for Survivors; and, Joy J. Ilem, National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans.
A statement for the record was provided by the Centerstone
Military Services. See ``Combating the Crisis: Evaluating
Efforts to Prevent Veteran Suicide,'' Serial No. 114-68.
Site Visit--Fort Harrison, Montana
On July 29, 2016, the Chairman of the Full Committee
traveled to Fort Harrison, Montana, to conduct an oversight
visit to the Fort Harrison regional office.
Site Visit--Wichita, Kansas
On July 29, 2016, the Chairman of the Full Committee
traveled to Wichita, Kansas, to conduct an oversight visit to
the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center.
Site Visit--St. Louis, Missouri
On August 2, 2016, the Chairman of the Full Committee
traveled to St. Louis, Missouri, to conduct an oversight visit
to the VA St. Louis Health Care System--John Cochran Division.
Site Visit--Fort Harrison, Montana
On August 3, 2016, the Chairman of the Full Committee
traveled to Fort Harrison, Montana, to conduct an oversight
visit to the VA Montana Health Care System.
Site Visit--Omaha, Nebraska
On August 5, 2016, the Chairman of the Full Committee
traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, to attend the dedication of the
Omaha National Cemetery.
Full Committee Business Meeting--Motions To Subpoena Information From
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
On September 7, 2016, the Full Committee met in open
session to submit a motion to issue a subpoena to the Honorable
Robert A. McDonald, in his capacity as Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, to produce certain
documentation to the Committee pertaining to: a) spending on
artwork and ornamental furnishings from fiscal year 2010 to
present; and b) evidentiary files associated with the
Administrative Investigation Board convened on the Aurora,
Colorado Replacement Medical Center construction project.
Full Committee Hearing--From Tumult To Transformation: The Commission
on Care and the Future of the VA Healthcare System
On September 7, 2016, the Full Committee met in open
session to discuss the analysis and recommendations included in
the final report authored by the Commission on Care.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Nancy Schlichting, Chairperson Commission on Care; and, Delos
M. (Toby) Cosgrove, M.D., Vice Chairperson, Commission on Care.
Statements for the record were provided by: U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs, American Federation of Government
Employees, AMVETS, The American Legion, Concerned Veterans for
America, Disabled American Veterans, The Enlisted Association
of the National Guard of the United States, Healthcare
Professionals Federal Unions, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America, Military Officers Association of America, Nurses
Organization of Veterans Affairs, Paralyzed Veterans of
America, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Vietnam
Veterans of America. See, ``From Tumult to Transformation: The
Commission on Care and the Future of the VA Healthcare
System,'' Serial No. 114-78.
Full Committee Hearing--An Examination of VA's Misuse of Settlement
Agreements
On September 14, 2016, the Full Committee met in open
session to conduct a hearing reviewing the Department's misuse
of settlement agreements.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by the
Honorable Leigh Bradley, General Counsel at the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: James Manker, Jr., Acting
Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits and Steve Young,
Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and
Management at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Testimony was also provided by Eric Bachman, Deputy Special
Counsel for Litigation and Legal Affairs at the U.S. Office of
Special Counsel. See, ``An Examination of VA's Misuse of
Settlement Agreements,'' Serial No. 114-79.
Full Committee Field Hearing--An Assessment of Deficiencies at the
Northport VA Medical Center
On September 20, 2016, the Full Committee met in open
session to conduct a field hearing at Northport VA Medical
Center in Northport, New York to assess its deficiencies.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Joan
E. McInerney, M.D., M.A., M.B.A., F.A.C.E., Network Director,
Veterans Integrated Service Network 2, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Phillip C. Moschitta,
Director, Northport VA Medical Center; and Charlene M.
Thomesen, M.D., Chief of Psychiatry, Northport VA Medical
Center. Testimony was also provided by Mayer Bellehsen, Ph.D.,
Director, Mildred and Frank Feinberg Division, Unified
Behavioral Health Center for Military Veterans and their
Families. See, ``An Assessment of Deficiencies at the Northport
VA Medical Center,'' Serial No. 114-80.
FULL COMMITTEE ROUNDTABLE--
On December 6, 2016, the Full Committee held a roundtable
with Members of the Committee, multiple Veterans Service
Organizations and award-winning journalist, author and
documentarian, Sebastian Junger. During the roundtable, Junger
discussed his latest book, Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging,
which discusses themes of transition, mental health, and the
need for inclusion among servicemembers and veterans.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AND MEMORIAL
AFFAIRS
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
First Session
Subcommittee Hearing--Legislative Hearing on H.R. 675; H.R. 677; H.R.
732; H.R. 800; H.R. 1067; H.R. 1331; H.R. 1379; H.R. 1414; H.R.
1569; and H.R. 1607
On April 14, 2015, the DAMA Subcommittee held a legislative
hearing on H.R. 675, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living
Adjustment Act of 2015; H.R. 677, the American Heroes COLA Act
of 2015; H.R. 732, the Veterans Access to Speedy Review Act;
H.R. 800, the Express Appeals Act; H.R. 1067, U.S. Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims Reform Act; H.R. 1331, the Quicker
Veterans Benefits Delivery Act of 2015; H.R. 1379, to amend
title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Board of
Veterans' Appeals to develop evidence in appeal cases, and for
other purposes; H.R. 1414, the Pay As You Rate Act; H.R. 1569,
to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify that the
estate of a deceased veteran may receive certain accrued
benefits upon the death of the veteran, and for other purposes;
and H.R. 1607, the Ruth Moore Act of 2015.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by The Honorable
Chellie Pingree, U.S. House of Representatives.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. David R.
McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability
Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Mr. McLenachen was accompanied by Ms.
Laura H. Eskenazi, Executive-in-Charge and Vice Chairman, Board
of Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Mr. David J. Barrans, Assistant General Counsel, Office of
General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Zachary
Hearn, Deputy Director for Claims, Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr. Blake C.
Ortner, Deputy Government Relations Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; Mr. Paul R. Varela, Assistant National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Ronald B.
Abrams, Joint Executive Director, National Veterans Legal
Services Program; Mr. Kenneth M. Carpenter, Founding Member,
National Organization of Veterans' Advocates. See ``Legislative
Hearing on H.R. 675; H.R. 677; H.R. 732; H.R. 800; H.R. 1067;
H.R. 1331; H.R. 1379; H.R. 1414; H.R. 1569; and H.R. 1607,''
Serial No. 114-14.
Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 675, H.R. 677, H.R. 732, H.R. 1067, H.R.
1331, H.R. 1414, H.R. 1569, and H.R. 1607
On May 14, 2015, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs met and marked up H.R. 1067, the U.S.
court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Reform Act, introduced by
Representative Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania; H.R. 1414, the
Pay As You Rate Act, introduced by Representative Dina Titus of
Nevada; H.R. 732, the Veterans Access to Speedy Review Act,
introduced by Representative Raul Ruiz of California; H.R.
1607, the Ruth Moore Act of 2015, introduced by Representative
Chellie Pingree of Maine; en Bloc H.R. 675, the Veterans'
Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015, introduced
by Representative Ralph Abraham of Louisiana; H.R. 677, the
American Heroes COLA Act of 2015, introduced by Representative
Ralph Abraham of Louisiana; H.R. 1331, the Quicker Veterans
Benefits Delivery Act of 2015, introduced by Representative
Timothy Walz of Minnesota; and H.R. 1569, to amend title 38,
United States Code, to clarify that the estate of a deceased
veteran may receive certain accrued benefits upon the death of
the veteran, and for other purposes, introduced by
Representative Lee Zeldin of New York.
On May 14, 2015, an amendment to H.R. 1067 was offered by
Representative Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania and was adopted by
voice vote. H.R. 1067, as amended passed the DAMA Subcommittee
by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full Committee
by voice vote.
On May 14, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 1015 was offered by Representative Dina Titus of Nevada
and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1414, as amended passed the
DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to
the Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 14, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 732 was offered by Representative Raul Ruiz of
California and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 732, as amended
passed the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 14, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 1017 was offered by Representative Dina Titus of Nevada
and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1607, as amended passed the
DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to
the Full Committee by voice vote.
On May 14, 2015, the bills considered en Bloc (H.R. 675
introduced by Representative Ralph Abraham of Louisiana; H.R.
677 introduced by Representative Ralph Abraham of Louisiana;
H.R. 1331 introduced by Representative Timothy Walz of
Minnesota; and H.R. 1569 introduced by Representative Lee
Zeldin of New York) passed the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote
and was favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice
vote.
Subcommittee Hearing--Legislative Hearing on H.R. 2214; H.R. 1380; H.R.
2706; H.R. 2691; H.R. 303; H.R. 1338; H.R. 1302; H.R. 2605; and
H.R. 1384
On June 24, 2015, the DAMA Subcommittee held a legislative
hearing on H.R. 2214, the Disabled Veterans' Access to Medical
Exams Improvement Act; H.R. 1380, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to expand the eligibility for a medallion
furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to signify the
veteran status of a deceased individual; H.R. 2706, the
Veterans National Remembrance Act; H.R. 2691, the Veterans'
Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act of 2015; H.R. 303,
the Retired Pay Restoration Act; H.R. 1338, the Dignified
Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015; H.R. 1302, the VA
Appeals Backlog Relief Act; H.R. 2605, the Veterans Fiduciary
Reform Act of 2015; and H.R. 1384, the Honor America's Guard-
Reserve Retirees Act.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by The Honorable
Bill Johnson, U.S. House of Representatives.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. David R.
McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability
Assistance Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs who was accompanied by Mr. Matthew Sullivan,
Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and Planning, and CFO
National Cemetery Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs and was also accompanied by Mr. David Barrans,
Assistant General Counsel Office of General Counsel, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Zachary
Hearn, Deputy Director for Claims Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr. Paul R.
Varela, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Diane
Zumatto, National Legislative Director, AMVETS; Mr. Chris
Neiweem, Legislative Associate, Iraq and Afghanistan, Veterans
of America. See ``Legislative Hearing on H.R. 2214; H.R. 1380;
H.R. 2706; H.R. 2691; H.R. 303; H.R. 1338; H.R. 1302; H.R.
2605; and H.R. 1384,'' Serial No. 144-28.
Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 2214, H.R. 800, H.R. 1379, H.R. 1380, H.R.
2605, H.R. 1302, H.R. 1338, H.R. 1384, H.R. 2691
On July 9, 2015, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs met and marked up H.R. 2214 the Disabled
Veterans' Access to Medical Exams Improvement Act, introduced
by Representative Ralph Abraham of Louisiana; H.R. 800, the
Express Appeals Act, introduced by Representative Beto O'Rourke
of Texas; H.R. 1379, to amend title 38, United States Code, to
authorize the Board of Veterans' Appeals to develop evidence in
appeal cases, and for other purposes, introduced by
Representative Jeff Miller of Florida; H.R. 1380, to amend
title 38, United States Code, to expand the eligibility for a
medallion furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
signify the veteran status of a deceased individual, introduced
by Representative Jeff Miller of Florida; H.R. 2605, the
Veterans Fiduciary Reform Act of 2015, introduced by
Representative Bill Johnson of Ohio; H.R. 1302, the VA Appeals
Backlog Relief Act, introduced by Representative Bob Latta of
Ohio; H.R. 1338, the Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of
2015, introduced by Representative Bill Shuster of
Pennsylvania; H.R. 1384, the Honor America's Guard-Reserve
Retirees Act, introduced by Representative Timothy Walz of
Minnesota; and H.R. 2691, the Veterans' Survivors Claims
Processing Automation Act of 2015, introduced by Representative
Raul Ruiz of California were considered en bloc.
On July 9, 2015, an amendment to H.R. 2214 was offered by
Representative Abraham of Louisiana and was adopted by voice
vote. H.R. 2214, as amended passed the DAMA Subcommittee by
voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by
voice vote.
On July 9, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 800 was offered by Representative Dina Titus of Nevada
and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 800, as amended passed the
DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to
the Full Committee by voice vote.
On July 9, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 1379 was offered by Representative Ralph Abraham of
Louisiana and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1379, as amended
passed the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On July 9, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 1380 was offered by Representative Ralph Abraham of
Louisiana and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1380, as amended
passed the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On July 9, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 2605 was offered by Representative Ralph Abraham of
Louisiana and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 2605, as amended
passed the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On July 9, 2015, H.R. 1302 introduced by Representative Bob
Latta of Ohio; H.R. 1338 introduced by Representative Bill
Shuster of Pennsylvania; H.R. 1384 introduced by Representative
Timothy Walz of Minnesota; and H.R. 2691 introduced by
Representative Raul Ruiz of California were considered en bloc,
passed the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote, and were favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
First Session
Subcommittee Hearing--Veterans' Dilemma: Navigating the Appeals System
for Veterans Claims
On January 22, 2015, the DAMA Subcommittee held a hearing
to examine a veterans' dilemma in having to navigate the
appeals system for Veterans Claims.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Ms. Beth
McCoy, Esquire, Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. McCoy was accompanied by Mr. Ronald S. Burke, Jr.,
Director, Appeals Management Center, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms.
Laura H. Eskenazi, Esquire Executive-in-Charge and Vice
Chairman, Board of Veterans' Appeals, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Gerald
T. Manar, Deputy Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans
of Foreign Wars; Mr. Zachary Hearn, Deputy Director for Claims,
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American
Legion; Ms. Diane Boyd Rauber, Esquire, Associate General
Counsel for Appeals, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Paul R.
Varela, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Mr. James R. Vale, Esquire, Director,
Veterans Benefits Program, Vietnam Veterans of America.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Barton F.
Stichman, Esquire, Joint Executive Director, National Veterans
Legal Services Program; and Mr. Kenneth M. Carpenter, Esquire
Founding Member, National Organization of Veterans' Advocates.
See ``Veterans' Dilemma: Navigating the Appeals System for
Veterans Claims,'' Serial No. 114-2.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Arlington, Virginia
On February 9, 2015, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs staffed DAMA
Chairman Abraham during an operational update and tour of
Arlington National Cemetery.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Exploration of the Impact of
Character of Discharge
On February 13, 2015, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs participated in a
roundtable discussion hosted by the Minority on the topic of
those who were discharged from the military under other than
honorable conditions. Members of the Subcommittee in attendance
included Representatives Abraham, Benishek, Brownley, and
Titus.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Bethesda, Maryland
On February 20, 2015, Majority and Minority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
participated in a staff delegation to tour Walter Reed National
Military Medical Center. Additionally, staff received briefings
regarding the Warrior Transition Unit, the Integrated
Disability Evaluation System, the Inpatient Traumatic Brain
Injury Program, and the NSAB Fisher Houses. Staff also received
briefings on the Military Advanced Training Center, the John P.
Murtha Cancer Center, and the National Intrepid Center of
Excellence.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Impact of VA'S Backlog of Claims
and Appeals on Wisconsin Veterans
On February 25, 2015, Majority and Minority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
assisted the Wisconsin delegation in the coordination of a
bipartisan Member-level Roundtable discussion on the topic of
the impact VA's backlog of claims and appeals has had on
Wisconsin veterans. In attendance included Wisconsin
Representatives: Representative Sean Duffy, Representative Gwen
Moore, Representative Jim Sensenbrenner, Representative Ron
Kind, Representative Reid Ribble, Representative Glenn
Grothman, Representative Mark Pocan, Representative Paul Ryan,
as well as Senator Tammy Baldwin. Mr. Danny Pummill, Principal
Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, was also in attendance.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Recommendations on Improvement of
Veterans' Disability Benefits and Pension Claims Appeals Within
the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Judicial System
On March 4, 2015, Majority and Minority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
staffed a bipartisan roundtable discussion on the topic of
veterans' disability benefits appeals hosted by DAMA Chairman
Abraham and DAMA Ranking Member Titus. Attendance included:
Members of the Majority and Minority of the Subcommittee, Chief
Judge Bruce Kasold, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims;
Professor Michael P. Allen, Stetson Law University College of
Law; Mr. Louis J. Celli, Director, National Legislative
Division, The American Legion; Mr. Joseph Moor, Bergmann and
Moore; Ms. Carol W.Scott, Esq., Federal Bar Assoc., Veterans
and Military Law Section; Mr. Matthew Hill, Esq., Hill &
Ponton; Mr. Michael Viterna, President, National Organization
of Veterans' Advocates, Inc.; Mr. Ronald B. Abrams and Mr.
Barton F. Stichman, Joint Executive Directors, National
Veterans Legal Services Program; Mr. Blake Ortner, National
Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr.
Brendon Gehrke, Senior Legislative Associate, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States; Mr. John Rowan, National President, Vietnam Veterans of
America; Ms. Amanda Meredith, Staff for the Senate Veterans
Affairs Chairman; and Mr. Travis Murphy, Staff for the Senate
Veterans Affairs Ranking Member; Brendon Gehrke, Veterans of
Foreign Wars; John Rowan, Vietnam Veterans of America.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On March 20, 2015, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted oversight
and attended The American Legion briefing with the Director of
the Philadelphia Regional Office.
Subcommittee Congressional Delegation--Fort Bliss, Texas
On March 29, 2015, through April 2, 2015, Majority and
Minority staff of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs accompanied Subcommittee Chairman Abraham to
Fort Bliss, Texas, to conduct oversight of the Fort Bliss
Integrated Disability Evaluation System and attend the Second
Annual Army Trials. Chairman Abraham met with soldiers in the
Warrior Transition Unit, service members engaged in the medical
retirement/separation process via Integrated Disability
Evaluation System, and other veterans. Chairman Abraham also
received a briefing at the William Beaumont Army Medical
Center, and received a tour of the facility. Additionally,
Chairman Abraham received briefings, including a command
briefing, and information on the installation's capacities,
capabilities, and deployment platform. While on site, Chairman
Abraham observed a Transition Assistance Program briefing.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Arlington, Virginia
On May 7, 2015, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs participated in a
staff delegation to tour Arlington National Cemetery and Joint
Base Myer Henderson Hall. The tour included the Arlington
National Cemetery, an Old Guard briefing, a Caisson Barn tour,
and a visit to the Army band.
Subcommittee Hearing--Exploring VBA's Fiduciary Program
On June 11, 2015, the Subcommittee of Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs held a hearing to examine and assess the
VBA's Fiduciary Program.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Mr. David R.
McLenachen, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Disability
Assistance, Director, Pension and Fiduciary Service, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,
who was accompanied by Mr. Michael R. Stephens Director,
Indianapolis Regional Benefit Office Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who was
accompanied by Ms. Marcia Hempy, Acting Deputy Director,
Pension and Fiduciary Service Manager, Columbia Fiduciary Hub,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Gary Abe, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for
Audits and Evaluations, Office of Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs, who was accompanied by Mr.
Quentin Aucoin Assistant Inspector General for Investigations,
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, who was accompanied by Mr. Timothy Crowe, Director,
St. Petersburg Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of
Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Zachary
Hearn, Deputy Director for Claims, Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr. Sam J.
Albritton, III, Executive Vice President, Regions Bank; Mr.
Douglas J. Rosinski, Attorney, Veterans Justice Group, LLC. See
``Exploring VBA's Fiduciary Program,'' Serial No. 114-26.
Subcommittee Roundtable Site Visit--Subcommittees on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Military Construction,
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Joint Oversight--
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On June 15, 2015, Members and Majority and Minority staff
of the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs and the Appropriations Subcommittee on
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
held roundtable discussions at the Philadelphia Regional Office
to discuss the state of the Philadelphia Regional Office.
Members and staff met with VBA and Philadelphia Regional Office
leadership and employees. Attendance included: Representative
Ralph Abraham of Louisiana; Representative Sanford Bishop of
Georgia; Representative Brady; Representative C. Brown;
Representative Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania; Representative
John Carney of Delaware; Representative Ryan Costello of
Pennsylvania; Representative Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania;
Representative Chaka Fattah of Pennsylvania; Representative
Michael Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania; Representative Patrick
Meehan of Pennsylvania; Ms. Allison Hickey, Under Secretary for
Benefits, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Linda
Halliday, Assistant Inspect General for Audits and Evaluations,
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Cathy Gromek, Congressional Relations Officer,
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Nora Stokes, Director, Bay Pines Benefits
Inspection Division, Office of Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Ron Arronte, Director, San
Diego Benefits Inspections Division, Office of Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Regional Office
Ms. Diana Rubens, Director, Philadelphia Regional Office;
Regional Office; Ms. Carol Roane, Assistant Director,
Philadelphia Regional Office; and Edward J. McQuade, Director,
Togus R-regional Office Director McQuade.
Subcommittee Site Visit--New Orleans, Louisiana
On June 28, 2015, through June 30, 2015, Majority staff of
the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
staffed Chairman Abraham on a visit to the New Orleans Regional
Office. Additionally, staff conducted case file review of
veterans' claims.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Saint Petersburg, Florida
On June 30, 2015, to July 2, 2015, Majority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted oversight and received briefings at the St.
Petersburg Regional Office and the Bay Pines National Cemetery,
in conjunction with Minority staff.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Chicago, Illinois
On August 2, 2015, to August 4, 2015, Majority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted oversight and file review at the Chicago Regional
Office.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Saint Louis, Missouri
On August 9, 2015, to August 11, 2015, Majority staff of
the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted oversight and received briefings at the St. Louis
Regional Office, St. Louis Records Management Center, and the
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Pensacola, Florida
On August 11, 2015, to August 13, 2015, Majority staff of
the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted oversight and attended briefings at the Naval Air
Station Pensacola and Eglin Air Base in conjunction with DAMA
minority staff. Staff met with Wounded Warriors at Pensacola
and Eglin. Staff toured the Naval Hospital Pensacola, Eglin
Fisher House, Eglin Inpatient Multi-Service Unit/ICU, Eglin
Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, McKinley Climatic Lab, and
Eglin Petting Zoo. Staff also attended a Naval Air Station
Pensacola Command Brief, VA collaboration brief, Integrated
Disability Evaluation System brief, Physical Medicine mission
brief.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Nashville, Tennessee
On September 20, 2015, to September 24, 2015, Majority
staff of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs conducted oversight and file review at the Nashville
Regional Office and National Call Center. Additionally staff
conducted oversight of the Systematic Technical Accuracy Review
facility to assess quality review operations.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Florida
On October 13, 2015, to October 16, 2015, Majority staff of
the Subcommittees on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
and Oversight and Investigation conducted an oversight visit of
the IDES program at the Army Reserve Medical Command at
Pinellas Park, Florida. Staff also attended a MyVA Advisory
Committee meeting in Tampa, Florida with Secretary McDonald,
Deputy Secretary Gibson, Under Secretary for Benefits Hickey,
and Under Secretary for Health Shulkin. Majority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs also
conducted oversight and file review at the St. Petersburg
Regional Office.
Subcommittee Site Visit--North Carolina
On November 9, 2015 to November 10, 2015, Majority staff of
the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted oversight and attended briefings at the Raleigh
National Cemetery, the Fort Bragg Integrated Disability
Evaluation System/Wounded Warrior Programs, and the Winston-
Salem Regional Office.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Baltimore, Maryland
On November 18, 2015, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted oversight
and observed Veterans Service Representative training at the
Veterans Benefits Administration Training Academy at the
Baltimore Regional Office.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AND MEMORIAL
AFFAIRS
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Subcommittee Hearing--Legislative Hearing on H.R. 3936; H.R. 4087; H.R.
4757; H.R. 4758; H.R. 4759; H.R. 4782; H.R. 3715; a Draft Bill
Entitled ``Medal of Honor Legacy Act;'' a Draft Bill Entitled
``Love Lives on Act of 2016;'' a Draft Bill Entitled ``To Amend
Title 38, United States Code, To Improve the Consideration of
Evidence by Board of Veterans' Appeals;'' and, a Draft Bill
Entitled ``To Amend Title 38, United States Code, to Pay
Special Compensation to Certain Veterans With the Loss or Loss
of Use of Creative Organs''
On April 13, 2016, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs met in open session and held a
legislative hearing on the H.R. 3936, VET Act; H.R. 4087, Fair
Treatment for Families of Veterans Act; H.R. 4757, To amend
title 38, United States Code, to expand the eligibility for
headstones, markers, and medallions furnished by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs for deceased individuals who were awarded
the Medal of Honor and are buried in private cemeteries; H.R.
4758, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the
award of the Presidential Memorial Certificate to certain
deceased members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces
and certain deceased members of the Reserve Officers' Training
Corps; H.R. 4759, To amend title 38, United States Code, to
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay costs
relating to the transportation of certain deceased veterans to
veterans' cemeteries owned by a State or tribal organization;
H.R. 4782, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act
of 2016; H.R. 3715, Final Farewell Act of 2016; a draft bill
entitled ``To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve
the consideration of evidence by Board of Veterans' Appeals;''
and, a draft bill entitled ``To amend title 38, United States
Code, to pay special compensation to certain veterans with the
loss or loss of use of creative organs.'' On the first panel,
testimony was provided by the Honorable Jeff Miller, U.S. House
of Representatives, 1st Congressional District, Florida; the
Honorable Corrine Brown, 5th Congressional District, Florida;
the Honorable Ryan Costello, U.S. House of Representatives, 6th
Congressional District, Pennsylvania; and the Honorable Mia
Love, U.S. House of Representatives, 4th Congressional
District, Utah.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. David R.
McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance
with the Veterans Benefits Administration at the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. McLenachen was accompanied
by Mr. Matt Sullivan, Deputy Under Secretary of Finance and
Planned and CFO with the National Cemetery Administration with
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Patrick K.
Hallinan, Executive Director with the Army National Military
Cemeteries at the Department of the Army also provided
testimony.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Carl
Blake, Associate Executive Director for Government Relations
for the Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Aleks Morosky,
Deputy Director, National Legislative Service, for the Veterans
of Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr. Paul R. Varela,
Assistant National Legislative Director for the Disabled
American Veterans; Ms. Elizabeth Davis, Advocate for Survivors'
Benefits; and Mr. Edward G. Lilley, Team Leader for the Health
Policy, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division
for the American Legion.
A statement for the record was proved by Mr. John Rowan,
National President of Vietnam Veterans of America. See,
Legislative Hearing on H.R. 3936; H.R. 4087; H.R. 4757; H.R.
4758; H.R. 4759; H.R. 4782; H.R. 3715; a draft bill entitled
``Medal of Honor Legacy Act;'' a draft bill entitled ``Love
Lives On Act of 2016;'' a draft bill entitled ``To amend title
38, United States Code, to improve the consideration of
evidence by Board of Veterans' Appeals;'' and, a draft bill
entitled ``To amend title 38, United States Code, to pay
special compensation to certain veterans with the loss or loss
of use of creative organs.'' Serial No. 114-62.
Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 4892; H.R. 3715; H.R. 4758; H.R. 4087; H.R.
4759; H.R. 4782; H.R. 4757; and H.R. 3936
On May 11, 2016, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs met in open session to markup up H.R.
4757, the ``To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand
the eligibility for headstones, markers, and medallions
furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for deceased
individuals who were awarded the Medal of Honor and are buried
in private cemeteries,'' introduced by Chairman Miller of
Florida; H.R. 4758, ``To amend title 38, United States Code, to
authorize the award of the Presidential Memorial Certificate to
certain deceased members of the reserve components of the Armed
Forces and certain deceased members of the Reserve Officers'
Training Corps,'' introduced by Chairman Miller of Florida;
H.R. 4759, ``To amend title 38, United States Code, to
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay costs
relating to the transportation of certain deceased veterans to
veterans' cemeteries owned by a State or tribal organization,''
introduced by Chairman Miller of Florida; H.R. 3936, the
``Veterans Access to Care Act,'' introduced by Rep. Ryan
Costello of Pennsylvania; H.R. 4892, ``To amend title 38,
United States Code, to pay special compensation to certain
veterans with the loss or loss of use of creative organs,''
introduced by Chairman Miller of Florida; H.R. 4782, the
``Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of
2016,'' introduced by Rep. Abraham of Louisiana; H.R. 4087,
``Fair Treatment for Families of Veterans Act,'' introduced by
Rep. Love of Utah; and H.R. 3715, the ``Final Farewell Act of
2015'', introduced by Rep. Brown of Florida.
On May 11, 2016 an A.N.S. to H.R. 4757 was offered by Rep.
Titus of Nevada and was agreed to by the DAMA Subcommittee by
voice vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R. 4757, as amended
to the Full Committee was offered by Ranking Member Titus and
was adopted by the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote.
On May 11, 2016 an A.N.S. to H.R. 4758 was offered by Rep.
Abraham of Louisiana agreed to by the DAMA Subcommittee by
voice vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R. 4758, as amended
to the Full Committee was offered by Ranking Member Titus and
was adopted by the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote.
On May 11, 2016 an A.N.S. to H.R. 4759 was offered by Rep.
Abraham of Louisiana and agreed to by the DAMA Subcommittee by
voice vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R. 4759, as amended
to the Full Committee was offered by Ranking Member Titus and
was adopted by the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote.
On May 11, 2016 H.R. 3936 passed the DAMA Subcommittee by
voice vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R. 3936 to the Full
Committee was offered by Ranking Member Titus and was adopted
by the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote.
On May 11, 2016 an A.N.S. to H.R. 4892 was offered by Rep.
Abraham of Louisiana and substitute for the A.N.S. to H.R. 4892
was offered by Rep. Titus of Nevada. The substitute for the
A.N.S. to H.R. 4892 offered by Rep. Titus not adopted by the
DAMA Subcommittee by a recorded vote of 5 noes; 2 yeas, and 1
Member not voting. A substitute for the A.N.S. to H.R. 4892 was
offered by Rep. Ruiz on behalf of Rep. Brownley of California.
The substitute for the A.N.S. to H.R. 4892 offered by Rep.
Brownley was adopted by the DAMA Subcommittee by a recorded
vote of 5 noes; 2 yeas, and 1 Member not voting. The A.N.S. to
H.R. 4892 offered by Rep. Abraham was adopted by the DAMA
subcommittee by a recorded vote of 6 yeas, 1 no and 1 Member
not voting. A motion to favorably forward H.R. 4892, as amended
to the Full Committee was offered by Rep. Lamborn and was
adopted by the DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote.
On May 11, 2016, an A.N.S. to H.R. 4782 was offered by Rep.
Titus of Nevada and was not agreed to by the DAMA Subcommittee
by a recorded vote of 4 noes; 3 yeas; and 1 Member not voting.
H.R. 4782, passed the DAMA Subcommittee by recorded vote of 7
yeas and 0 noes. A motion to favorably forward H.R. 4782 to the
Full Committee was offered by Rep. Lamborn and was adopted by
the DAMA Subcommittee via voice vote.
On May 11, 2016, an A.N.S. to H.R. 4087 was offered by Rep.
Abraham of Louisiana; an amendment to the A.N.S. to H.R. 4087
was offered by Rep. Titus of Nevada; and an amendment to the
A.N.S. to H.R. 4087 was offered by Rep. Brownley of California.
The amendment to the A.N.S. offered by Rep. Titus to H.R. 4087
was not adopted by the DAMA Subcommittee by a recorded vote of
5 noes and 3 yeas. The amendment to the A.N.S. offered by Rep.
Brownley to H.R. 4087 was adopted by the DAMA Subcommittee via
voice vote. The A.N.S. to H.R. 4087, as amended, was adopted by
the DAMA subcommittee via voice vote. H.R. 4087, as amended,
was adopted by the DAMA subcommittee via voice vote and a
motion to favorably forward H.R. 4087, as amended to the Full
Committee was offered by Rep. Lamborn and was adopted by the
DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote. On May 11, 2016 an A.N.S. to
H.R. 3715 was offered by Rep. Titus of Nevada agreed to by the
DAMA Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to favorably forward
H.R. 3715, as amended to the Full Committee was offered by
Ranking Member Titus and was adopted by the DAMA Subcommittee
by voice vote.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Second Session
The American Legion Washington Conference--Washington, DC
On February 18, 2016, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs attended Department
Service Officer training.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Newnan, Georgia
On February 26, 2016, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs conducted an
oversight visit at the CACI scanning facility in Newnan,
Georgia.
Subcommitee Site Visit--Cleveland, Ohio
On March 7, 2016, to March 10, 2016, Majority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted oversight and file review at the Chicago regional
office.
National Organization of Veterans' Advocates (NOVA) Conference--Las
Vegas, Nevada
On March 11, 2016, to March 12, 2016, Majority and Minority
staff of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial
Affairs participated in the NOVA Conference. Staff attended
several workshops for veterans' legal advocates, including a
discussion conducted by the Honorable Judge Alan G. Lance, Sr.,
on practicing before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
and an update from VA conducted by Department of Veterans
Affairs Program Analyst Allison Blaisdell and Chief, Veterans
Claims Examiner Jacqueline Imboden.
Subcommittee Hearing--Twenty-Five Years After the Persian Gulf War: An
Assessment of Veterans Affairs' Disability Claim Process With
Respect to Gulf War Illness
On March 15, 2016, the Subcommittees on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Oversight and
Investigations met in open session and held an oversight
hearing to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs handling
of disability claims filed by Persian Gulf War veterans. On the
first and only panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Zachary
Hearn, Deputy Director for Claims, Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr. Aleksandr
Morosky, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Rick Weidman, Executive Director
for Policy and Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of America;
Mr. Richard V. Spataro, Director of Training and Publications,
National Veterans Legal Services Program; and, Mr. David R.
McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. McLenachen was
accompanied by Mr. Bradley Flohr, Senior Advisor, Compensation
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See, ``Twenty-Five Years After the Persian
Gulf War: An Assessment of Veterans Affairs' Disability Claim
Process with Respect to Gulf War Illness,'' Serial No. 114-59.
Appeals Working Group--Department of Veterans Affairs--Washington, DC
In March 2016, Majority and Minority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
attended several sessions of the Appeals Working Group, which
focused on reforming VA's appeals process. Participants
included representatives from the following organizations: the
Department of Veterans Affairs; The American Legion; AMVETS;
Disabled American Veterans; Military Officers Association of
America; National Association of County Veteran Service
Officers; National Association of State Directors of Veterans
Affairs; National Organization of Veterans Advocates; National
Veterans Legal Services Program; Paralyzed Veterans of America;
Veterans of Foreign Wars; and, Vietnam Veterans of America;
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims--Washington, DC
On March 29, 2016, Majority staff of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs observed the oral
arguments in the case of Robinson v. McDonald.
Thirteenth Judicial Conference of the U.S. Court of Appeals for
Veterans Claims--Washington, DC
On April 14, 2016, to April 15, 2016, Majority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
attended the Judicial Conference of the U.S. Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims. Staff attended several sessions including
Exams, DBQs & Opinions: Comparing Views moderated by Douglas
Rosinski, Attorney, Office of Douglas J. Rosinski; and
panelists: Alan Dinesman, M.D., Office of Disability and
Medical Assessment, Veterans Health Administration, Department
of Veterans Affairs; Leticia Flores, Ph.D., Associate
Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee;
and Bradley Hennings, Board Member, Board of Veterans' Appeals,
Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, staff attended
remarks from Robert A. McDonald, Secretary, Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Hearing--Investigating VA's Management of Veterans' Paper
Records
On June 15, 2016, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs met in open session and held an oversight
hearing to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs handling
of paper records. On the first and only panel, testimony was
provided by Ms. Beth McCoy, Deputy Under Secretary for Field
Operations, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Brent
Arronte, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits and
Evaluations, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. Ms. McCoy was accompanied by Mr. Brad
Houston, Director, Office of Business Process, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Arronte was accompanied by Ms. Dana
Sullivan, Director, San Diego Benefits Inspection Division,
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See, ``Investigating VA's Management of Veterans'
Paper Records,'' Serial No. 114-72.
Subcommittee Roundtable Site Visit--Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs--Rayville, Louisiana
On June 20, 2016, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hosted a roundtable
to discuss the criteria used to award federal grants to help
establish state veterans cemeteries. Attendees included: Rep.
Abraham; Rep. Benishek; Mr. George D. Eisenbach, Director,
Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Howard Orr, Landscape Architect, NCA Cemetery
Grants Program, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Homer
Rodgers, Undersecretary, Louisiana Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Billy Robbins, Director, State Cemeteries
Division, Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Tim
Johnson, Director, Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery; and,
Mr. Scott Franklin, representative of the Franklin family.
Majority and Minority staff of the subcommittee provided
support to Chairman Abraham and invited participants.
Subcommittee Hearing--TBI Claims: VA's Failure To Provide Adequate
Examinations
On July 13, 2016, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance
and Memorial Affairs Affairs met in open session and held an
oversight hearing on VA's failure to provide adequate
examinations for traumatic brain injury claims. On the first
and only panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Dave McLenachen,
Deputy Under Secretary for Disability Assistance, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Mr. McLenachen was accompanied by Ms. Patricia Murray, Chief
Officer, Office of Disability and Medical Assessment, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
and, Ms. Mary Glenn, Acting Deputy Director, Operations,
Compensations Services, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``TBI Claims: VA's Failure
to Provide Adequate Examinations,'' Serial No. 114-76.
Appeals Management Center Site Visit--Washington, DC
On July 26, 2016, Majority and Minority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted an oversight visit of the Appeals Management Center.
Subcommittee Site Visit--St. Paul, Minnesota
On August 16, 2016, to August 19, 2016, Majority staff of
the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
conducted oversight and file review at the Chicago regional
office.
Honor Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on Arlington National
Cemetery--Arlington, VA
On August 23, 2016, Majority and Minority staff of the
Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
observed the Honor Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on
Arlington National Cemetery meeting which discussed the P.L.
114-158 requirement that the Secretary of the Army submit a
report to Congress on the current capacity of Arlington
National Cemetery and make recommendations for legislative
actions and nonlegislative options the Secretary of the Army
considers appropriate to extend the life of the cemetery well
into the future.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
First Session
Subcommittee Hearing--Legislative Hearing on H.R. 456; H.R. 473; H.R.
474; H.R. 475; H.R. 476; H.R. 643; H.R. 1038; H.R. 1141; H.R.
1187; H.R. 1313; H.R. 1382
On March 24, 2015 the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and held a legislative hearing on H.R. 456,
Reducing Barriers for Veterans Education Act of 2015; H.R. 473,
Increasing the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability to
Veterans Act of 2015; H.R. 474, Homeless Veterans'
Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015; H.R. 475,
GI Bill Processing Improvement Act of 2015; H.R. 476, GI Bill
Education Quality Enhancement Act of 2015; H.R. 643, Veterans
Education Survey Act of 2015; H.R.1038, Ensuring VA Employee
Accountability Act; H.R. 1141, GI Bill Fairness Act of 2015;
H.R. 1187, To amend title 38, United States Code, to adjust
certain limits on the guaranteed amount of a home loan under
the home loan program of the Department of Veterans Affairs;
H.R. 1313, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Relief
Act; H.R. 1382, Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment
Act.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by the Honorable
Patrick Murphy, U.S. House of Representatives, 18th
Congressional District, Florida.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Aleks
Morosky, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr. Christopher
Neiweem, Legislative Associate, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
of America; Mr. Steve Gonzalez, Assistant Director, National
Veteran Employment & Education Division, The American Legion;
Dr. Joseph W. Wescott, President, National Association of State
Approving Agencies.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by MG Robert M.
Worley II USAF (Ret.), Director, Education Service, Veterans
Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Mr. Tom Leney, Executive Director, Small and
Veteran Business Programs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Ms. Kimberly McLeod, Deputy Assistant General
Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by:
Mr. John Brizzi, Deputy Assistant General Counsel, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Teresa W. Gerton, Deputy
Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and Training Service,
U.S. Department of Labor. See ``Legislative Hearing on H.R.
456; H.R.473; H.R. 474; H.R. 475; H.R. 476; H.R. 643; H.R.
1038; H.R. 1141; H.R. 1187; H.R. 1313; H.R. 1382'' Serial No.
114-12.
Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 473, H.R. 475, H.R. 476, H.R. 1382, H.R.
456, H.R. 474, H.R. 643, H.R. 1038, H.R. 1141, H.R. 1187, H.R.
1313
On April 15, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met and marked up H.R. 473, the ``Increasing the Department of
Veterans Affairs Accountability to Veterans Act of 2015'',
introduced by Chairman Miller of Florida; H.R. 475, the ``GI
Bill Processing Improvement Act of 2015,'' introduced by Rep.
Brad Wenstrup of Ohio; H.R. 476, the ``GI Bill Education
Quality Enhancement Act of 2015,'' introduced by Rep. Brad
Wenstrup of Ohio; En Bloc H.R. 456, the ``Reducing Barriers for
Veterans Education Act of 2015,'' introduced by Rep. Patrick
Murphy of Florida; H.R. 474, the ``Homeless Veterans'
Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2015,'' introduced
by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio; H.R. 643, the ``Veterans
Education Survey Act of 2015,'' introduced by Rep. Gus
Bilirakis of Florida; H.R. 1038, the ``Ensuring VA Employee
Accountability Act,'' introduced by Rep. Ryan Costello of
Pennsylvania; H.R. 1141, the ``GI bill Fairness Act of 2015,''
introduced by Rep. Mark Takano of California; H.R. 1187, ``To
amend title 38, United States Code, to adjust certain limits on
the guaranteed amount of a home loan under the home loan
program of the Department of Veterans Affairs,'' introduced by
Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York; H.R. 1313, the ``Service Disabled
Veteran Owned Small Business Relief Act,'' introduced by Rep.
Jerry McNerney of California.
On April 15, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 473 was offered by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of
Ohio and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 473, as amended passed
the EO Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded
to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On April 15, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 475 was offered by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of
Ohio and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 475, as amended passed
the EO Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded
to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On April 15, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 476 was offered by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of
Ohio and an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Rep. Mark Takano of California. The
amendment to the A.N.S. to H.R. 476 was voted on by a recorded
vote and was not adopted by the EO Subcommittee with a roll
call vote of 4 yeas to 4 nays. The A.N.S. to H.R. 476 offered
by Rep. Wenstrup was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 476, as
amended passed the EO Subcommittee by voice vote and was
favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On April 15, 2015, the following bills were considered en
bloc: H.R. 456 introduced by Rep. Murphy, Florida; H.R. 474
introduced by Rep. Wenstrup, Indiana; H.R. 643 introduced by
Rep. Bilirakis, Florida; H.R. 1038 introduced by Rep. Costello,
Pennsylvania; H.R. 1141 introduced by Rep. Takano, California;
H.R. 1187 introduced by Rep. Zeldin, New York; H.R. 1313
introduced by Rep. McNerney, California passed the Economic
Opportunity Subcommittee by voice vote and were favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
Subcommittee Hearing--Legislative Hearing on H.R. 356; H.R. 832; H.R.
1994; H.R. 2133; H.R. 2275; H.R. 2344; H.R. 2360; H.R. 2361;
and a Draft Bill Entitled, ``To Amend Title 38, United States
Code, To Make Certain Modifications and Improvements in the
Transfer of Unused Educational Assistance Benefits Under the
Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and for Other Purposes.''
On June 2, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and met in open session and held a
legislative hearing on H.R. 356, Wounded Warrior Employment
Improvement Act; H.R. 832, Veterans Employment and Training
Service Longitudinal Study Act of 2015; H.R. 1994, VA
Accountability Act of 2015; H.R. 2133, Servicemembers' Choice
in Transition Act; H.R. 2275, Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015;
H.R. 2344, Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
Improvement Act of 2015; H.R. 2360, Career-Ready Student
Veterans Act; H.R. 2361, Work-Study for Student Veterans Act;
and a draft bill entitled, ``To amend title 38, United States
Code, to make certain modifications and improvements in the
transfer of unused educational assistance benefits under the
Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.''
On the first panel, testimony was provided by The Honorable
Bill Flores, U.S. House of Representatives, 17th Congressional
District, Texas; The Honorable Paul Cook, U.S. House of
Representatives, 8th Congressional District, California; The
Honorable Sean Patrick Maloney, U.S. House of Representatives,
18th Congressional District, New York.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Paul R.
Varela Assistant National Legislative Director Disabled
American Veterans; Mr. Brendon Gehrke Senior Legislative
Associate National Legislative Service Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States; Mr. Steve Gonzalez Assistant Director
Veterans Employment and Education Division The American Legion;
Mr. David Borer General Counsel American Federation of
Government Employees, AFL-CIO; Mr. Christopher Neiweem
Legislative Associate Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America;
Mr. Rick Weidman Executive Director Government Affairs Vietnam
Veterans of America.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Curtis L.
Coy Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity Veterans
Benefits Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Ms. Cathy Mitrano Deputy Assistant Secretary
for the Office of Resource Management Human Resources and
Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Teresa
W. Gerton Acting Assistant Secretary Veterans' Employment and
Training Service U.S. Department of Labor; Dr. Susan S. Kelly
Director Transition to Veterans Program Office Office of the
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness U.S.
Department of Defense. See ``Legislative Hearing on H.R. 356;
H.R. 832; H.R. 1994; H.R. 2133; H.R. 2275; H.R. 2344; H.R.
2360; H.R. 2361; and a draft bill entitled, `To amend title 38,
United States Code, to make certain modifications and
improvements in the transfer of unused educational assistance
benefits under the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program of
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.'''
Serial No. 114-23.
Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 1994; H.R. 2344; H.R 2360; H.R. 356; H.R.
832; H.R. 2275; and H.R. 2361
On June 25, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met and marked up H.R. 1994, the ``VA Accountability Act of
2015, introduced by Chairman Miller of Florida; H.R. 2344, the
``Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Act of
2015'', introduced by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio; H.R. 2360,
the ``Career-Ready Student Veterans Act,'' introduced by Rep.
Mark Takano of California; En Bloc H.R. 356, the ``Wounded
Warriors Employment Improvement Act'' introduced by Rep. Sean
Patrick Maloney of New York; H.R. 832, the ``Veterans
Employment and Training Service Longitudinal Act of 2015''
introduced by Rep. Paul Cook of California; H.R. 2275, the
``Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015'' introduced by Rep. Jeff
Miller of Florida; H.R. 2361, the ``Work-Study for Student
Veterans Act'' introduced by Rep. Mark Takano of California.
On June 25, 2015, an Amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 1994 was offered by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of
Ohio and was voted on by a recorded vote with 5 yeas to 4 nays,
and was adopted by the EO Subcommittee. A Substitute to the
Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1994 was
offered by Rep. Mark Takano of California and was voted on by a
recorded vote with 5 nays to 4 yeas, and was not adopted by the
EO Subcommittee. An Amendment to the Amendment in the nature of
a substitute to H.R. 1994 was offered by Rep. Kathleen Rice of
New York and was voted on by a recorded vote with 5 nays to 4
yeas, and was not adopted by the EO Subcommittee. H.R. 1994, as
amended passed the EO Subcommittee by voice vote and was
favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On June 25, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 2344 was offered by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of
Ohio and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 2344, as amended
passed the EO Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On June 25, 2015, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 42360 was offered by Rep. Mark Takano of
California and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 2360, as amended
passed the EO Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On June 25, 2015, the bills were considered en bloc (H.R.
356, introduced by Rep. Maloney, New York; H.R. 832, introduced
by Rep. Cook, California; H.R. 2275, introduced by Rep. Miller,
Florida; H.R. 2361, introduced by Rep. Takano, California)
passed the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee by voice vote and
were favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
First Session
Subcommittee Hearing--A Review of the Transition Assistance Program
(TAP)
On January 27, 2015 the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session and met in open session and
held a hearing to examine and review the Transition Assistance
Program.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Davy
Leghorn, Assistant Director The Veteran Education and
Employment Commission, The American Legion; Mr. Ryan M.
Gallucci, Deputy Director National Veterans Service Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States; Ms. Valrica Marshall
Dunmyer, Chief of Staff and Chief Financial Officer Student
Veterans of America; Colonel David W. Sutherland, U.S. Army
(Ret.) Chairman and Co-Founder Easter Seals Dixon Center.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Curtis
L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity
Veterans Benefits Administration U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Teresa W. Gerton, Deputy Assistant Secretary
Veterans' Employment and Training Service U.S. Department of
Labor; Dr. Susan Kelly, Director Transition to Veterans Program
Office, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel
and Readiness Department of Defense. See ``A Review of the
Transition Assistance Program (TAP),'' Serial No. 114-4.
Subcommittee Hearing--A Review of the President's Fiscal Year 2016
Budget Request for the Department of Labor's Veteran Employment
and Training Service (VETS)
On February 12, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session and met in open session and
held a hearing to review and examine the President's Fiscal
Year 2016 Budget request for the Department of Labor's veteran
employment and training services.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Ms. Teresa W.
Gerton, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment and
Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Davy G.
Leghorn, Assistant Director, The Veteran Education and
Employment Commission, The American Legion; Mr. Rick Weidman,
Executive Director, Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of
America; Mr. Paul R. Varela, Assistant National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans. See ``A Review of the
President's Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request for the Department
of Labor's Veteran Employment and Training Service (VETS),''
Serial No. 114-8.
Subcommittee Hearing--A Review of Higher Education Opportunities for
the Newest Generation of Veterans
On March 17, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and held a hearing to assess and review the
higher education opportunities for the newest generation of
veterans.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Terence
Harrison, Manager, Veterans Programs and Services, The
University of Cincinnati; Mr. Raymond C. Kelley, Director,
National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States; Mr. Christopher Neiweem, Legislative Associate,
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Marc A. Barker,
President, National Association of Veterans' Program
Administrators; Trustee William Withrow, Board of Trustees,
Peralta Community College District.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by MG Robert M.
Worley II USAF (Ret.), Director, Education Service, Veterans
Benefit Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
See ``A Review of Higher Education Opportunities for the Newest
Generation of Veterans,'' Serial No. 114-10.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Louisville, KY
On March 30, 2015-April 3, 2015, the Staff Director and the
Legislative Aide of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
travelled to Louisville, KY to attend a Transition Assistance
Program (TAP) training course hosted by the United States Army
and the Army's Soldier for Life program. The purpose of
attending the course was to learn what the Army is doing to
properly transition their servicemembers out of active duty
service into the civilian world. They also had the opportunity
to speak with various individuals who administer TAP classes
worldwide and receive feedback on how to improve the program
for future transitioning servicemembers. Staff from HVAC
Minority and SVAC Majority and Minority also attended the site
visit and TAP course.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--To Review the Recommendations Made
in the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization
Commission
On April 22, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
hosted a bi-partisan roundtable discussion to discuss the
recommendations made regarding the G.I. Bill in the Military
Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission's final
report. Members of the subcommittee attended the roundtable, as
did the following: The Honorable Alphonso Maldon, Jr.,
Chairman, Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization
Commission; Senator Larry Pressler, Commissioner, Military
Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission;
Congressman Steve Buyer, Commissioner, Military Compensation
and Retirement Modernization Commission; Congressman
Christopher Carney, Commissioner, Military Compensation and
Retirement Modernization Commission; Mr. Michael Higgins,
Commissioner, Military Compensation and Retirement
Modernization Commission; Dr. Dov Zakheim, Commissioner,
Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission;
Mr. Steve Gonzalez, Assistant Director, National Veteran
Employment & Education Division, The American Legion; Mr.
Brendon Gehrke, Senior Legislative Associate, Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr. Walter Tillman, Director
of Programs, Student Veterans of America; Mr. Shaun Rieley,
Outreach and Research Analyst, Concerned Veterans for America;
Ms. Susan Lucas, Legislative Director, Reserve Officers
Association; Mr. Chris Neiweem, Legislative Associate, Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America; and Mr. Rick Weidman,
Executive Director, Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of
America.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Issues With the Cap on Flight
Schools for G.I. Bill Funding
On May 8, 2015, the Staff Director for the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity attended an informal roundtable in
Washington, D.C. at the headquarters for the Helicopter
Association International (HAI). The roundtable was an
opportunity for various flight and helicopter schools who
belong to HAI to voice their concerns with placing a cap on
flight school training for GI Bill benefits that was included
in H.R. 476, introduced by Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and later
was included in H.R. 3016 and passed out of the Committee. The
Staff Director of the Subcommittee spoke with the attendees and
discussed alternative caps on flight training programs, as well
as provided an update on the bill and where it would move going
forward.
Subcommittee Hearing--A Review of VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment Program
On July 8, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and held a hearing to assess and review the
VA's vocational rehabilitation and employment program.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Paul R.
Varela, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Ms. Heather Ansley, Associate General
Counsel for Corporate and Government Relations, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; Mr. Ross A. Meglathery, MPA, Director of
VetsFirst, United Spinal Association.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Jack
Kammerer, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Ralph Charlip, Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Operations and Management, Veterans' Employment and
Training Service, U.S. Department Of Labor. See ``A Review of
VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program,'' Serial
No. 114-30.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Indianapolis, IN
On August 18, 2015, the Staff Director for the Subcommittee
on Economic Opportunity travelled to Indianapolis, IN to
conduct oversight of VA's education programs and to participate
on the legislative panel at the National Association of State
Approving Agencies' (NASAA) annual conference.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Consortium for Citizens With
Disabilities Veterans and Military Families Task Force.
On September 10, 2015, the Staff Director for the
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity attended a roundtable
discussion in Washington D.C. with the Consortium for Citizens
with Disabilities Veterans and Military Families Task Force.
The roundtable was an opportunity to discuss issues and
legislation relating to veterans' employment, VR&E, and
adaptive housing. Veterans groups attended the roundtable as
well as other stakeholders in the veterans community who deal
with employment and transition issues for veterans.
Subcommittee Hearing--A Review of Licensing and Credentialing Standards
for Servicemembers and Veterans: Do Barriers Still Remain?
On September 10, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session and held a hearing to examine
and review the licensing and credentialing standards for
servicemembers and veterans, determining whether barriers still
remain.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Steve
Gonzalez, Assistant Director National Veterans Employment &
Education Division, The American Legion; Dr. Roy Swift,,
Executive Director Workcred, an affiliate of the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI); Mr. Jamie P. Merisotis,
President Lumina Foundation; Ms. Denise Roosendaal,l Executive
Director Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE).
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Ms. Teresa
W. Gerton, Acting Assistant Secretary Veterans' Employment and
Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor; Mr. Frank C.
DiGiovanni, Director Force Readiness and Training, U.S.
Department of Defense; Mr. David Quam, Deputy Director, Policy
National Governors Association. See ``A Review of Licensing and
Credentialing Standards for Servicemembers and Veterans: Do
Barriers Still Remain,'' Serial No. 114-36.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Advisory Committee on Education
On October 21, 2015, the Staff Director for the
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, attended a roundtable
discussion in Washington, D.C. with the Advisory Committee on
Education and provided an update to the attendees on current
legislation that would make improvements to the GI Bill and
other education assistance programs administered by VA. The
Staff Director of the Subcommittee was accompanied at the
roundtable by staff from SVAC Majority.
Subcommittee Hearing--A Review of VA's Vetsuccess on Campus Program
On October 22, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session and held a hearing to examine
and review the VA's VetSuccess on campus program.
On the first panel testimony was provided by Mr. Terence
Harrison, Manager Veterans Programs and Services, University of
Cincinnati; Dr. Lawrence A. Braue, LTC (USA, Ret.), Director
Office of Veterans Services, University of South Florida; Mr.
William Hubbard, Vice President of Government Affairs, Student
Veterans of America; Mr. Ryan Kaufman, Nebraska Veteran Team
Leader, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Jack
Kammerer, Director Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See ``A Review of VA's VetSuccess on Campus
Program,'' Serial No. 114-40.
Subcommittee Hearing--Examining VA's Information Technology Systems
that Provide Economic Opportunities for Veterans
On November 3, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session and held a hearing to examine
the economic opportunities for veterans from the VA's
information technology systems.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Davy
Leghorn, Assistant Director, National Veterans Employment &
Education Division, The American Legion; Mr. William Hubbard,
Vice President of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of
America.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Curtis
L. Coy Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity Veterans
Benefits Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Mr. Jack Kammerer Director, Vocational
Rehabilitation and Employment Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: MG Robert M. Worley II USAF (Ret.), Director,
Education Service Veterans Benefit Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Steven
Schliesman, Assistant Deputy Chief Information Officer, Office
of Information & Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See ``Examining VA's Information Technology Systems
that Provide Economic Opportunities for Veterans,'' Serial No.
114-42.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Advisory Committee on Readjustment
for Veterans
On November 6, 2015, the Staff Director for the
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity attended a roundtable
discussion in Washington, D.C. with the Advisory Committee on
Readjustment for Veterans. The discussion was focused around
programs to assist transitioning servicemembers readjust from
active duty military life to the civilian sector. The Staff
Director of the Subcommittee was accompanied at the roundtable
by staff from HVAC Minority and staff from SVAC Majority and
Minority staff.
Subcommittee Hearing--Examining VA's On-The-Job Training and
Apprenticeship Program
On November 18, 2015, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session to conduct a hearing reviewing
the on-the-job training and apprenticeship program.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Mr.
Andrew Sherrill, Director Education, Workforce, and Income
Security, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Dr. Joseph W.
Wescott, Legislative Director, National Association of State
Approving Agencies; MG Robert M. Worley II USAF (Ret.),
Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefit Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Eric Seleznow,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. See ``Examining VA's
On-The-Job Training and Apprenticeship Program,'' Serial No.
114-46.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Assessing How To Improve
Recruitment, Retention, and Hiring Practices Across VA
On December 2, 2015, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity attended and hosted a roundtable
discussion, along with Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Health, entitled, ``Assessing How to Improve Recruitment,
Retention, and Hiring Practices across VA.'' Those who attended
the roundtable discussion included: Samuel B. Retherford,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Human Resources
and Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Melody
Mikutowski, Acting Chief Consultant, Office of Human Resources
Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Denni Woodmansee, Director of Physician
Assistant Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Marilyn Park, Legislative
Representative, American Federation of Government Employees;
Mike Rosenblatt, Legislative Representative, American
Federation of Government Employees; Max Stier, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Partnership for Public Service;
Kristine Simmons, Vice President of Government Affairs,
Partnership for Public Service; Samuel Spagnolo M.D.,
President, National Association of VA Physicians and Dentists;
Scot Burroughs, Board Member, Veterans Affairs Physician
Assistant Association; Larry Lemos, President, Nurses
Organization of Veterans Affairs ; Travis Singleton, Senior
Vice President, Merritt Hawkins; Sean Ebner, President, Staff
Care; Ed Lilley, Team Leader for Health Policy, Veterans
Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Matt
Shuman, Assistant Director, Legislative Division, The American
Legion; Sarah Dean, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; Heather Ansley, Associate General Counsel,
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Shurhonda Love, Assistant
National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans;
Carlos Fuentes, Senior Legislative Associate, Veterans of
Foreign Wars; Rick Weidman, Executive Director for Policy and
Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of America.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITES
Second Session
Joint Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on Draft Legislation To
Improve the Authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs To
Hire and Retain Physicians and Other Employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs
On Wednesday, March, 16, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health
and the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity conducted, in open
session, a legislative hearing on draft legislation to improve
the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire and
retain physicians and other employees of the Department of
Veterans Affairs.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Max Stier,
President and Chief Executive Officer, on behalf of Partnership
for Public Service; Roscoe G. Butler, Deputy Director of Health
Care, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, on
behalf of The American Legion; Carlos Fuentes, Senior
Legislative Associate, on behalf of Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States; Carolyn Clancy M.D., Deputy Under Secretary
for Health for Organizational Excellence, Veterans Health
Administration, on behalf of U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. Dr. Clancy was accompanied by Elias Hernandez, Chief
Officer, Workforce Management and Consulting, Veterans Health
Administration, on behalf of U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See, ``Legislative Hearing on draft legislation to
improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
hire and retain physicians and other employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs,'' Serial No. 114-60.
Subcommittee Hearing--Legislative Hearing on H.R. 748; H.R. 2551; H.R.
3286; H.R. 3419; H.R. 4138; A Draft Bill Entitled, ``To Make
Certain Improvements in the Laws Administered by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs Relating to Educational Assistance, and for
Other Purposes;'' A Draft Bill Entitled, the ``Veterans Success
on Campus Act of 2016;'' A Draft Bill Entitled, the ``GI Bill
Oversight Act of 2016;'' and a Draft Bill Entitled, ``To Direct
the Secretary of Labor to Carry Out a Research Program to
Evaluate the Effectiveness of Transition Assistance Program in
Addressing Needs of Certain Minority Veterans.''
On April 14, 2016, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and held a legislative hearing on the H.R.
748, GI Bill STEM Extension Act of 2015; H.R. 2551, Veterans'
Entry to Apprenticeship Act; H.R. 3286, Veterans' Entry to
Apprenticeship Act; H.R. 3419, Support for Student Veterans
with Families Act; H.R. 4138, To authorize the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to recoup relocation expenses paid to or on
behalf of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs; a
draft bill entitled, ``To make certain improvements in the laws
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to
educational assistance, and for other purposes;'' a draft bill
entitled, the ``Veterans Success on Campus Act of 2016;'' a
draft bill entitled, the ``GI Bill Oversight Act of 2016;'' and
a draft bill entitled, ``To direct the Secretary of Labor to
carry out a research program to evaluate the effectiveness of
Transition Assistance Program in addressing needs of certain
minority veterans.''
On the first panel, testimony was provided by the Honorable
David McKinley, U.S. House of Representatives, 1st
Congressional District, West Virginia; the Honorable Paul Cook
U.S. House of Representatives, 8th Congressional District,
California, and the Honorable Martha McSally, U.S. House of
Representatives, 2nd Congressional District, Arizona.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Curtis
L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity with
the Veterans Benefits Administration at the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. Mr. Coy was accompanied by Ms. Carin Otero,
Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for HR Policy and Planning
in the Office of Human Resources and Administration at the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Sam Shellenberger, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Operations with the Veterans'
Employment and Training Service at the U.S. Department of Labor
also provided testimony.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Davy
Leghorn, Assistant Director, Veterans Employment and Education
Division, The American Legion; Dr. Joseph W. Wescott,
Legislative Director at the National Association of State
Approving Agencies; Mr. Walter Ochinko, Policy Director with
the Veterans Education Success; Mr. Jared Lyon, President & CEO
with Student Veterans of America; and Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy
Director of National Legislative Service for the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States.
A statement for the record was provided by Office of
Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
See Legislative Hearing on H.R. 748; H.R. 2551; H.R. 3286; H.R.
3419; H.R. 4138; a draft bill entitled, ``To make certain
improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs relating to educational assistance, and for
other purposes;'' a draft bill entitled, the ``Veterans Success
on Campus Act of 2016;'' a draft bill entitled, the ``GI Bill
Oversight Act of 2016;'' and a draft bill entitled, ``To direct
the Secretary of Labor to carry out a research program to
evaluate the effectiveness of Transition Assistance Program in
addressing needs of certain minority veterans.'' Serial No.
114-64.
Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 3286; H.R. 4138; H.R. 5174; H.R. 5175; H.R.
5176; and H.R. 5178
On May 11, 2016 the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met and marked up H.R. 3286, the ``HIRE Vets Act,'' introduced
by Rep. Paul Cook of California; H.R. 4138, ``To authorize the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recoup relocation expenses
paid to or on behalf of employees of the Department of Veterans
Affairs,'' introduced by Chairman Jeff Miller of Florida; H.R.
5174, the ``Veterans Education Enhancement Act of 2016,''
introduced by Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen of American
Samoa; H.R. 5175, the ``GI Bill Oversight Act of 2016,''
introduced by Rep. Mark Takano of California; H.R. 5176, the
``Success for All Veterans in Transition Act,'' introduced by
Rep. Mark Takano of California; and H.R. 5178, the ``Veterans
Success on Campus Act of 2016,'' introduced by Rep. Brad
Wenstrup of Ohio.
On May 11, 2016 an amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R.3286 was offered by Rep. Wenstrup of Ohio. The amendment
in the nature of a substitute was agreed to by the EO
Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to favorably forward H.R.
3286, as amended to the Full Committee was offered by Ranking
Member Takano of California and was adopted by the EO
Subcommittee by voice vote.
On May 11, 2016 H.R. 4138 passed the EO Subcommittee by a
recorded vote of 5 yeas to 3 noes. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 4138 to the Full Committee was offered by Rep.
Zeldin of New York and was adopted by the EO Subcommittee by a
voice vote.
On May 11, 2016 an amendment to H.R.5174 was offered by
Rep. Takano of California; The amendment was not agreed to by
the EO Subcommittee by voice vote; an additional amendment to
H.R. 5174, was offered by Rep. Takano of California; the
amendment was agreed to by the EO Subcommittee by voice vote; a
motion to favorably forward H.R. 5174, as amended to the Full
Committee was offered by Ranking Member Takano of California
and was adopted by the EO Subcommittee by voice vote.
On May 11, 2016, H.R. 5175 and H.R. 5178 were considered by
the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity en bloc. Both H.R.
5175 and H.R. 5178 passed the EO Subcommittee by voice vote and
a motion to favorably forward H.R.5175; and H.R. 5178 to the
Full Committee was offered by Ranking Member Takano of
California and were adopted by the EO Subcommittee by voice
vote.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Subcommittee Site Visit--Orlando, FL
On January 9-10, 2016, Staff Director of the Subcommittee
on Economic Opportunity travelled to Orlando, FL with the
Chairman to attend the Student Veterans of America annual
conference and conduct oversight of VA's administration of
education benefits.
Subcommittee Hearing--Finding Solutions FOR Veteran Homelessness in
Southern California
On January 20, 2016 the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session and held an oversight field
hearing at the Riverside Community College in Riverside, CA to
discuss solutions for veterans' homelessness in Southern
California.
Testimony was provided by Mr. Emilio Ramirez, Development
Director, City of Riverside; Ms. Carrie Harmon, Principal
Development Specialist, County of Riverside; Mr. Stephen Peck,
President & CEO, U.S.VETS; Mr. Son Nguyen Co-founder &
President, Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals;
and Mr. Jose Rivera, Student of the University of California,
Riverside. See ``Finding Solutions for Veteran Homelessness in
Southern California,'' Serial No. 114-50.
Subcommittee Hearing--A Review of VA's Loan Guaranty and Specially
Adaptive Housing Grant Programs (SAH)
On February 10, 2016, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session and held a hearing to review
and examine the Department of Veterans Affairs' Loan Guaranty
and Specially Adaptive Housing programs and how these benefits
are being administered.
Testimony was provided by Ms. Heather Ansley, Associate
General Counsel for Corporate and Government Relations,
Paralyzed Veterans of America: Mr. Ross A. Meglathery,
Director, VetsFirst; Mr. James H. Danis II, President of
Residential Mortgage Corporation on behalf of the Mortgage
Bankers Association; Ms. Sherri Meadows, Vice President,
National Association of Realtors; and Mr. Mike Frueh, Director,
Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See ``A Review of VA's Loan
Guaranty and Specially Adaptive Housing Grant Programs (SAH),''
Serial No. 114-54.
Subcommittee Field Hearing--Best Practices in Veteran Hiring
On February 19, 2016, the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity met in open session and held an oversight field
hearing at the Anderson Township Civic Center in Cincinnati, OH
to discuss how to best recruit and retain veterans in civilian
jobs and to highlight several local businesses who are hiring
veterans.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Sergeant
Dominic F. Gulliford, Recruiting & Background, Cincinnati
Police Department; Mr. John Sapp, Executive Director, GE
Aviation; Ms. Stephanie Huff, Chief Human Resources Officer,
HELP Heating and Air Conditioning; and Mr. Jeff Carper,
Executive Sales Director, Total Quality Logistics.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Mr. Matt
Disher, Military Recruiting Program Manager, Cintas; Mr. Dan
Knowles, President & CEO, Tristate Veterans Community Alliance;
and Mr. Chris Newsome, Director of Strategy Development,
RecruitMilitary. See ``Best Practices in Veteran Hiring.''
Serial No. 114-56.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Veteran Job Fair, Cincinnati, OH
On February 19, 2016, following the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity oversight field hearing entitled, ``Best
Practices in Veteran Hiring,'' the Majority and Minority Staffs
of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity attended
subcommittee and Rep. Brad Wenstrup helped to host a job fair
for veterans at the Anderson Township Civic Center in
Cincinnati Ohio which was hosted by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio.
National and local companies participated in the job fair and
gave veterans the opportunity to connect with and speak with
employers.
Subcommittee Hearing--A Review of Veterans Preference in Federal
Government Hiring
On April 20, 2016, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and held an oversight hearing to examine
veterans' preference in Federal hiring.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: The
Honorable Michael H. Michaud, Assistant Secretary, Veterans'
Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor; Ms.
Carin M. Otero, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for HR
Policy and Planning, Office of Human Resources and
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr.
Mark D. Reinhold, Associate Director for Employee Services,
U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Mr. Aleks
Morosky, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr. Daniel P.
Smith, Assistant Director, Veterans Employment & Education
Division, The American Legion; and Mr. Rick Weidman, Executive
Director, Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of America. See,
``A Review of Veterans Preference in Federal Government
Hiring,'' Serial No. 114-67.
Subcommittee Hearing--Veterans in Tech: Innovative Careers for All
Generations of Veterans
On May 17, 2016, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and held an oversight hearing to discuss
the advantages of recruiting and hiring veterans of all ages in
the information and technology industry.
Testimony was provided by the following: Mr. Bernard
Bergan, Technical Account Manager, Microsoft; Mr. Brian
Huseman, Vice President, Public Policy, Amazon; Vice Admiral
Joseph Kernan, Chairman, NS2 Serves; and Mr. Todd Bowers,
Director, UberMILITARY, Uber. See ``Veterans in Tech:
Innovative Careers for All Generations of Veterans,'' Serial
No. 114-69.
Subcommittee Hearing--Examining 21st Century Programs and Strategies
for Veteran Job Seekers
On June 15, 2016, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in open session and held an oversight hearing to examine
how veterans are finding jobs in the civilian sector.
Testimony was provided by the following: The Honorable
Michael H. Michaud, Assistant Secretary, Veterans' Employment
and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor; Mr. Eric
Eversole, President, Hiring Our Heroes, U.S. Chamber of
Commerce Foundation; Mr. Terry D. Howell, Senior Director,
Military.com; Mr. LeRoy Acosta, Assistant National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; and Mr. Greg Call, Head
of Veterans Program, LinkedIn. See ``Examining 21st Century
Programs and Strategies for Veteran Job Seekers,'' Serial No.
114-73.
Subcommittee Site Visit--St. Paul, MN
On August 17-18, 2016, the Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity travelled to St. Paul, MN
to conduct an oversight visit of the Department of Veterans
Affairs Regional Benefit Office. During this visit, Majority
staff met with staff of the Regional Loan Center, the Debt
Management Center, and the Committee on Waivers all of which
are located at the Regional Benefit Office.
Subcommittee Site Visit--New Orleans, LA
On August 23-24, 2016, the Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity travelled to New Orleans,
LA to conduct oversight of VA's education programs and to
participate on the legislative panel at the National
Association of State Approving Agencies' (NASAA) annual
conference.
Subcommittee Site Visit--San Diego, CA
On October 11-12, 2016, the Professional Staff Member of
the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity travelled to San
Diego, CA to conduct oversight of VA's education programs and
to participate on the legislative panel at the National
Association of Veterans' Program Administrators' (NAVPA) annual
conference.
Subcommittee Site Visit--Muskogee, OK
On October 24-25, 2016, the Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity travelled to Muskogee, OK
to conduct an oversight visit of the Department of Veterans
Affairs Regional Benefit Office. During this visit, Majority
staff met with the Director of the Regional Benefit Office as
well as other staff from the leadership team. The Majority
staff also visited the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
offices, the Education Call Center, and the Regional Processing
Office all of which are located at the Regional Benefit Office.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
First Session
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on: Draft
Legislation To Improve Reproductive Treatment Provided to
Certain Disabled Veterans; Draft Legislation To Direct the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) To Submit an Annual Report
on the Veterans Health Administration; H.R. 271; H.R. 627; H.R.
1369; H.R. 1575; and, H.R. 1769
On April 23, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct a legislative hearing on: draft legislation
to improve reproductive treatment provided to certain disabled
veterans; draft legislation to direct the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit an annual report on the
Veterans Health Administration; H.R. 271, the COVER Act; H.R.
627, to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the
definition of homeless veteran for purposes of benefits under
the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
H.R. 1369, the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act of 2015;
H.R. 1575, the Veterans Access to Extended Care Act of 2015;
and, H.R. 1769, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Gus Bilirakis, U.S. House of Representatives, 12th
Congressional District of Florida; the Honorable Janice Hahn,
U.S. House of Representatives, 44th Congressional District of
California; and, the Honorable Jackie Walorski, U.S. House of
Representatives, 2nd Congressional District of Indiana.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Blake
Ortner, Deputy Government Relations Director, Paralyzed Veteran
of America; Louis J. Celli Jr., Director, National Veterans
Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; John
Rowan, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America; and,
Adrian Atizado, Assistant National Legislative Director,
Disabled American Veterans.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by: Rajiv Jain,
M.D., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Patient
Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Janet Murphy, Acting
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and
Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Jennifer Gray, Attorney,
Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See ``Legislative Hearing on: Draft legislation to
improve reproductive treatment provided to certain disabled
veterans; Draft legislation to direct the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit an annual report on the
Veterans Health Administration; H.R. 271; H.R. 627; H.R. 1369;
H.R. 1575; and, H.R. 1769,'' Serial No. 114-17.
Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 271, H.R. 627, H.R. 1575, H.R. 1769, and
H.R. 2256
On May 15, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health met and marked
up H.R. 271, the COVER Act, introduced by Rep. Bilirakis of
Florida; H.R. 627, to expand the definition of homeless veteran
for purposes of benefits under the laws administered by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, introduced by Rep. Janice Hahn
of California; H.R. 1575, to make permanent the pilot program
on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly
separated from service in the Armed Forces, introduced by Rep.
Corrine Brown of Florida; H.R. 1769, the Toxic Exposure
Research Act of 2015, introduced by Rep. Dan Benishek of
Michigan; and, H.R. 2256, the Veterans Information
Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Dan Benishek of Michigan.
On May 15, 2015, H.R. 271 passed the Health Subcommittee by
voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by
voice vote.
On May 15, 2015, H.R. 627 passed the Health Subcommittee by
voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by
voice vote.
On May 15, 2015, H.R. 1575 passed the Health Subcommittee
by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full Committee
by voice vote.
On May 15, 2015, H.R. 1769 passed the Health Subcommittee
by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full Committee
by voice vote.
On May 15, 2015, H.R. 2256 passed the Health Subcommittee
by voice vote and was favorably forwarded to the Full Committee
by voice vote.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 272;
H.R. 353; H.R. 359; H.R. 421; H.R. 423; H.R. 1356; H.R. 1688;
H.R. 1862; H.R. 2464; H.R. 2914; H.R. 2915; H.R. 3016; and,
Draft Legislation To Authorize VA Major Medical Facility
Construction Projects for FY 2015 and To Make Certain
Improvements in the Administration of VA Medical Facility
Construction Projects
On July 14, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session to conduct a legislative hearing on: H.R. 272, the
Medal of Honor Priority Care Act; H.R. 353, the Veterans'
Access to Hearing Health Act of 2015; H.R. 359, the Veterans
Dog Training Therapy Act; H.R. 421, the Classified Veterans
Access to Care Act; H.R. 423, the Newborn Care Improvement Act;
H.R. 1356, the Women Veterans Access to Quality Care Act of
2015; H.R. 1688, to amend the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014 to designate 20 graduate medical
education residency positions specifically for the study of
optometry; H.R. 1862, the Veterans' Credit Protection Act; H.R.
2464, the Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act of 2015;
H.R. 2914, the Build a Better VA Act; H.R. 2915, the Female
Veteran Suicide Prevention Act; H.R. 3016, the VA Provider
Equity Act; and, draft legislation to authorize VA major
medical facility construction projects for FY 2015 and to make
certain improvements in the administration of VA medical
facility construction projects.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Tim Walberg, U.S. House of Representatives, 7th
Congressional District of Michigan; the Honorable Sean Duffy,
U.S. House of Representatives, 7th Congressional District of
Wisconsin; the Honorable Steve Stivers, U.S. House of
Representatives, 15th Congressional District of Ohio; the
Honorable Kyrsten Sinema, U.S. House of Representatives, 9th
Congressional District, Arizona; the Honorable Doug Collins,
U.S. House of Representatives, 9th Congressional District of
Georgia; the Honorable Mike Coffman, U.S. House of
Representatives, 6th Congressional District of Colorado; the
Honorable Jeff Denham, U.S. House of Representatives, 10th
Congressional District of California; the Honorable Charles
Boustany, U.S. House of Representatives, 3rd Congressional
District of Louisiana; and, the Honorable Brad Wenstrup, U.S.
House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional District of Ohio.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Ian de
Planque, Legislative Director, The American Legion; Adrian
Atizado, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; and, Carlos Fuentes, Senior Legislative
Associate, National Legislative Service Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by: Madhulika
Agarwal, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Policy and Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Janet P. Murphy, M.B.A., Acting
Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and
Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Jessica Tanner, General
Attorney Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See ``Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 272; H.R. 353; H.R.
359; H.R. 421; H.R. 423; H.R. 1356; H.R. 1688; H.R. 1862; H.R.
2464; H.R. 2914; H.R. 2915; H.R. 3016; and, draft legislation
to authorize VA major medical facility construction projects
for FY 2015 and to make certain improvements in the
administration of VA medical facility construction projects,''
Serial No. 114-31.
Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 272, H.R. 359, H.R. 421, H.R. 423, H.R.
1862, H.R. 2464, H.R. 2915, H.R. 3016, and H.R. 3106
On July 22, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health met and marked
up H.R. 421, the Classified Veterans Access to Care Act,
introduced by Rep. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona; H.R. 3106, the
Construction Reform Act of 2015, introduced by Chairman Jeff
Miller of Florida; En Block H.R. 272, the Medal of Honor
Priority Care Act introduced by Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan;
H.R. 359, the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act, introduced by
Rep. Steve Stivers of Ohio; H.R. 423, the Newborn Care
Improvement Act, introduced by Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia;
H.R. 1862, the Veterans' Credit Protection Act, introduced by
Rep. Charles Boustany of Louisiana; H.R. 2464, the Demanding
Accountability for Veterans Act, introduced by Rep. Dan
Benishek of Michigan; H.R. 2915, the Female Veteran Suicide
Prevention Act, introduced by Rep. Julia Brownley of
California; H.R. 3016, the VA Provider Equity Act, introduced
by Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio.
On July 22, 2015, an amendment to H.R. 421 was offered by
Rep. Julia Brownley of California and was adopted by the Health
Subcommittee by voice vote. H.R. 421, as amended, passed the
Health Subcommittee and was favorably forwarded to the Full
Committee by voice vote.
On July 22, 2015, an amendment to H.R. 3106 was offered by
Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado and was adopted by the Health
Subcommittee by voice vote. H.R. 3106, as amended, passed the
Health Subcommittee and was favorably forwarded to the Full
Committee by voice vote.
On July 22, 2015, the following bills were considered en
bloc and passed the Health Subcommittee by voice vote and were
favorably forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote:
H.R. 272, the Medal of Honor Priority Care Act (Rep. Tim
Walberg of Michigan); H.R. 359, the Veterans Dog Training
Therapy Act (Rep. Steve Stivers of Ohio); H.R. 423, the Newborn
Care Improvement Act (Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia); H.R. 1862,
the Veterans' Credit Protection Act (Rep. Charles Boustany of
Louisiana); H.R. 2464, the Demanding Accountability for
Veterans Act (Rep. Dan Benishek of Michigan); H.R. 2915, the
Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act (Rep. Julia Brownley of
California); and, H.R. 3016, the VA Provider Equity Act (Rep.
Brad Wenstrup of Ohio).
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 1319;
H.R. 1603; H.R. 1904; H.R. 2639; H.R. 3234; H.R. 3471; H.R.
3549; Draft Legislation, the Promoting Responsible Opioid
Management and Incorporating Medical Expertise Act; and, a VA
Legislative Proposal, the VA Purchased Health Care Streamlining
and Modernization Act
On November 17, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health met in
open session to conduct a legislative hearing on: H.R. 1319,
the Ask Veterans Act; H.R. 1603, the Military Sexual Assault
Victims Empowerment Act; H.R. 1904, the Wounded Warrior
Workforce Enhancement Act; H.R. 2639, the Marriage and Family
Therapists for Veterans Act; H.R. 3234, the Failing VA Medical
Center Recovery Act; H.R. 3471, the Veterans Mobility Safety
Act of 2015; H.R. 3549, the VA Billing Accountability Act;
draft legislation, the Promoting Responsible Opioid Management
and Incorporating Medical Expertise Act; and, a VA legislative
proposal, the VA Purchased Health Care Streamlining and
Modernization Act.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Beto O'Rourke, U.S. House of Representatives, 16th
Congressional District of Texas; the Honorable Andy Barr, U.S.
House of Representatives, 6th Congressional District of
Kentucky; the Honorable Matt Cartwright, U.S. House of
Representatives, 17th Congressional District of Pennsylvania;
the Honorable Scott Peters, U.S. House of Representatives, 52nd
Congressional District of California; the Honorable Martha
Roby, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional District
of Alabama; the Honorable Jackie Walorski U.S. House of
Representatives 2nd Congressional District of Indiana; the
Honorable John Kline, U.S. House of Representatives 2nd
Congressional District of Minnesota; the Honorable Gus
Bilirakis, U.S. House of Representatives, 12th Congressional
District of Florida.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Adrian
Atizado, Deputy National Legislative, Director Disabled
American Veterans; LaRanda D. Holt, Assistant Director for
Women and Minority Veterans Outreach, National Veterans Affairs
and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; and, Carlos
Fuentes, Senior Legislative Associate, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by: Janet Murphy
Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and
Management, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Elias Hernandez Chief
Officer, Workforce Management and Consulting Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Harold Kudler, Chief Consultant for Mental
Health Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Susan Blauert,
Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See
``Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 1319; H.R. 1603; H.R. 1904; H.R.
2639; H.R. 3234; H.R. 3471; H.R. 3549; Draft legislation, the
Promoting Responsible Opioid Management and Incorporating
Medical Expertise Act; and, a VA legislative proposal, the VA
Purchased Health Care Streamlining and Modernization Act,''
Serial No. 114-44.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 3262;
H.R. 3484; H.R. 4056; H.R. 4129; A Draft Bill To Amend the
Veterans' Benefits Programs Improvement Act of 1991 To
Authorize VA To Sell Pershing Hall; and, VA's Legislative
Proposal Regarding Fiscal Year 2016 Construction Projects
On Tuesday, December 8, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health
met in open session to conduct a legislative hearing on: H.R.
3262, to provide for the conveyance of land of the Illiana
Health Care System of the Department of Veterans Affairs in
Danville, Illinois; H.R. 3484, the Los Angeles Homeless
Veterans Leasing Act of 2016; H.R. 4056, to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to convey to the Florida
Department of Veterans Affairs all right, title, and interest
of the United States to the property known as ``The Community
Living Center'' at the Lake Baldwin Veterans Affairs Outpatient
Clinic, Orlando, Florida; H.R. 4129, the Jumpstart VA
Construction Act; draft legislation to amend the Veterans'
Benefits Programs Improvement Act of 1991 to authorize VA to
sell Pershing Hall; and, VA's legislative proposal regarding
fiscal year 2016 construction projects.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable John Shimkus, U.S. House of Representatives, 15th
Congressional District of Illinois; the Honorable Ted Lieu,
U.S. House of Representatives, 33rd Congressional District,
California; the Honorable John L. Mica U.S. House of
Representatives, 7th Congressional District of Florida; the
Honorable Jerry McNerney, U.S. House of Representatives, 9th
Congressional District of California; and, the Honorable Mike
Coffman, U.S. House of Representatives, 6th Congressional
District of Colorado.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Raymond C.
Kelley, Director of the National Legislative Service, Veterans
of Foreign Wars of the United States; Howard Trace, Director of
the National Library and Museum Division, The American Legion;
Accompanied by: Louis Celli Jr., Director of the National
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American
Legion.
On the third panel, testimony was provided by: Stella S.
Fiotes, Director of the Office of Construction and Facilities
Management, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Vince
Kane, Special Assistant to the Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. See ``Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 3262; H.R.
3484; H.R. 4056; H.R. 4129; a draft bill to amend the Veterans'
Benefits Programs Improvement Act of 1991 to authorize VA to
sell Pershing Hall; and, VA's legislative proposal regarding
fiscal year 2016 construction projects,'' Serial No. 114-47.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
First Session
Site Visit--Washington, DC
On January 27, 2015, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Health traveled to the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center for
an oversight visit. The purpose of this visit was to tour the
War-related Illness and Injury Study Center and the Women's
Health Pavilion as well as learn about the facility's pain
management program and the Opioid Therapy Risk Report.
Subcommittee Hearing--Examining the Quality and Cost of VA Health Care
On January 28, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session and conducted a hearing examining the quality and cost
of VA health care.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Matthew S. Goldberg, Deputy Assistant Director, National
Security Division, Congressional Budget Office; Carl Blake,
Associate Executive Director for Government Relations,
Paralyzed Veterans of America, on behalf of the Co-Authors of
the Independent Budget; Louis Celli Jr., Director, Veterans
Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; and,
James Tuchschmidt, M.D., Acting Principal Deputy Under
Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See ``Examining the Quality and
Cost of VA Health Care,'' Serial No. 114-5.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Assessing Fertility Challenges for
Veterans with Disabilities
On February 13, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health hosted a
roundtable discussion entitled, ``Assessing Fertility
Challenges for Veterans with Disabilities.''
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Improving the Diagnosis, Treatment,
and Research of Toxic Exposure
On March 3, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health hosted a
roundtable discussion entitled, ``Improving the Diagnosis,
Treatment, and Research of Toxic Exposure.''
Site Visit--Minneapolis, MN
On March 31, 2015, Majority and Minority staff for the
Subcommittee on Health traveled to the Minneapolis VA Health
Care System for an oversight visit. The purpose of this visit
was to assess the operations and management of this full-
service, level 1A facility that houses one of five VA
polytrauma rehabilitation centers.
Subcommittee Hearing--Overcoming Barriers to More Efficient and
Effective VA Staffing
On May 15, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session and held a hearing to examine the ways that VA can
overcome barriers in order to function more efficiently and
effectively with regard to staffing.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Joan
Clifford MSM, RN, FACHE, Immediate Past President, Nurses
Organization of Veterans Affairs; Samuel V. Spagnolo M.D.,
President, National Association of Veterans Affairs Physicians
and Dentists; Rubina DaSilva PA-C, President, Veterans Affairs
Physician Assistant Association; Jeff L. Morris J.D., Director
of Communications and External Affairs, American Board of
Physician Specialties; and, Nichol L. Salvo, D.P.M., Member and
Employee, American Podiatric Medical Association.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Thomas
Lynch, M.D., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Clinical Operations, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Elias
Hernandez, Deputy Chief Officer for Workforce Management and
Consulting, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Donna Gage Ph.D., RN, NE-BC,
Chief Officer of Nursing, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See ``Overcoming Barriers to
More Efficient and Effective VA Staffing,'' Serial No. 114-21.
Subcommittee Hearing--Assessing VA's Ability to Promptly Pay Non-VA
Providers
On June 3, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session and held a hearing to examine and assess VA's ability
to promptly pay non-VA providers.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Asbel Montes, Vice President of Reimbursement and Government
Affairs, Acadian Ambulance Service; Vince Leist, President and
Chief Executive Officer, North Arkansas Regional Medical
Center, American Hospital Association; Sam Cook, President,
National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association; Gene
Migliaccio, Dr. P.H., Deputy Chief Business Officer for
Purchased Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Joseph Enderle, Director,
Purchased Care Operations, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. Statements for the Record were
provided by: the Honorable Charles W. Boustany Jr., M.D.;
American Medical Response; and, Reimbursement Technologies,
Inc.--a subsidiary of EmCare, Inc. See ``Assessing VA's Ability
to Promptly Pay Non-VA Providers,'' Serial No. 114-24.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Leveraging Technology to Improve
Veteran Access to and Quality of Care
On July 16, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health hosted a
roundtable discussion entitled, ``Leveraging Technology to
Improve Veteran Access to and Quality of Care.''
Site Visit--Louisville, KY
On August 20 through August 21, 2015, Majority and Minority
staff for the Subcommittee on Health traveled to Louisville,
Kentucky, to conduct an oversight visit to the existing
Louisville VA Medical Center and the proposed replacement
medical center construction site. Staff met current local VA
employees and toured the existing facility as well as visited
the proposed replacement facility construction site as part of
the Committee's commitment to conducting aggressive oversight
of VA major medical facility construction projects.
Site Visit--West Palm Beach, FL
On August 26 through August 27, 2015, Majority staff for
the Subcommittee on Health and the Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida, for an
oversight visit to the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center and an
educational trip at the direction of the Chairman to the Morse
Life Health System. The West Palm Beach VAMC visit included
tours of the various clinics and an examination of non-VA care
management. The Morse Life Health System recently opened its
Mack Pavilion Rehabilitation Center for patients with cardiac,
neurological, and orthopedic illnesses and injuries.
Furthermore, Morse Life established an Aphasia Center to help
patients with stroke or traumatic brain injuries improve
communication skills.
Subcommittee Field Hearing--Realizing Quality Rural Care Through
Appropriate Staffing and Improved Choice
On September 1, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health met in
open session and held a field hearing at the National Guard
Armory in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to examine and discuss
achieving quality care through appropriate staffing and
improved choice.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Aaron A.
Payment, M.P.A., Chairperson, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of
Chippewa Indians; Anthony Harrington, veteran, Sault Ste.
Marie, Michigan; David W. Pearce, Commander, Post 3676,
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Don Howard,
Commander, American Legion Post 3; and, Jacqueline Haske,
Chippewa County Veteran Service Officer.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Gina Capra,
Director, Office of Rural Health, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: James Rice, Acting Network Director, Veterans
Integrated Service Network 12, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Gail
McNutt, M.D., Chief of Staff, Oscar G. Johnson VAMC, Iron
Mountain, Michigan, Veterans Integrated Service Network 12,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See, ``Realizing Quality Rural Care through
Appropriate Staffing and Improved Choice,'' Serial No. 114-35.
Site Visit--New Orleans, LA
On September 21 through September 22, 2015, Majority and
Minority staff for the Subcommittee on Health traveled to New
Orleans, Louisiana, for an oversight visit to the replacement
VA medical center construction project. The visit was part of
the Committee's commitment to continuous, aggressive oversight
over VA major medical facility construction projects. Staff
also conducted oversight visits to VA facilities in the
surrounding area.
Site Visit--San Antonio, TX
On October 13 through October 15, 2015, Majority and
Minority staff for the Subcommittee on Health traveled to San
Antonio, Texas, to conduct an oversight visit to the San
Antonio VA Polytrauma Center and the Brooks Army Medical Center
to give staff greater insight into the VA/DOD partnership in
the region. The trip also included visits to the U.S. Army
Medical Department Center and School, the Center for the
Intrepid, the Institute for Surgical Research, the Fisher
House, and the Warrior Transition Battalion.
Subcommittee Hearing--Evaluating VA Primary Care Delivery, Workload,
and Cost
On October 22, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session and held a hearing to evaluate and examine the VA
Primary Care Delivery, Workload, and Cost.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Randall B.
Williamson, Director, Health Care, Government Accountability
Office; Thomas Lynch M.D., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for
Health Clinical Operations, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Richard C.
Stark M.D., Director of Primary Care Operations, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Gordon Schectman, M.D., Chief Consultant for
Primary Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``Evaluating VA Primary
Care Delivery, Workload, and Cost,'' Serial No. 114-39.
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Enhancing VA's Use of Emerging
Technologies to Improve Veteran Function, Mobility, and Care
On October 27, 2015, the Subcommittee on Health hosted a
roundtable discussion entitled, ``Enhancing VA's Use of
Emerging Technologies to Improve Veteran Function, Mobility,
and Care.''
Subcommittee Roundtable Discussion--Assessing How to Improve
Recruitment, Retention, and Hiring Practices Across VA
On December 2, 2015, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Health attended and hosted a roundtable discussion, along with
Majority staff for the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity,
entitled, ``Assessing How to Improve Recruitment, Retention,
and Hiring Practices across VA.''
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Joint Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on Draft Legislation to
Improve the Authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
hire and Retain Physicians and other Employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs
On Wednesday, March, 16, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health
and the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity met in open
session to conduct a legislative hearing on draft legislation
to improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
to hire and retain physicians and other employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Max Stier,
President and Chief Executive Officer, the Partnership for
Public Service; Roscoe G. Butler, Deputy Director of Health
Care, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division,
The American Legion; Carlos Fuentes, Senior Legislative
Associate, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States;
Carolyn Clancy M.D., Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Organizational Excellence, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Elias
Hernandez, Chief Officer, Workforce Management and Consulting,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See, ``Legislative Hearing on draft legislation to
improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
hire and retain physicians and other employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs,'' Serial No. 114-60.
Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 2460; H.R. 3956; H.R.
3974; H.R. 3989; Draft Legislation to Ensure that each VA
Medical Facility Complies with Requirements Relating to
Scheduling Veterans for Health Care Appointments and to Improve
the Uniform Application of Directives; and, Draft Legislation
to Direct VA to Establish a List of Drugs that Require an
Increased Level of Informed Consent
On Wednesday April, 20, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health
met in open session to conduct a legislative hearing on: H.R.
2460, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the
provision of adult day health care services for veterans; H.R.
3956, the VA Health Center Management Stability and Improvement
Act; H.R. 3974, the Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant
Employment and Education Act of 2015; H.R. 3989, the Support
Our Military Caregivers Act; draft legislation to ensure that
each VA medical facility complies with requirements relating to
scheduling veterans for health care appointments and to improve
the uniform application of directives; and, draft legislation
to direct VA to establish a list of drugs that require an
increased level of informed consent.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: the
Honorable Lee M. Zeldin, U.S. House of Representatives, 1st
Congressional District of New York; the Honorable Mike Bost,
U.S. House of Representatives, 12th Congressional District of
Illinois; the Honorable Ann M. Kuster, U.S. House of
Representatives, 2nd Congressional District of New Hampshire;
the Honorable Elise M. Stefanik, U.S. House of Representatives,
21st Congressional District of New York; and, the Honorable
Jackie Walorski, U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd
Congressional District of Indiana.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Diane M.
Zumatto, National Legislative Director, AMVETS; Shurhonda Y.
Love, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Fred S. Sganga, Legislative Officer,
National Association of State Veterans Homes; Maureen McCarthy
M.D., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Patient
Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Susan Blauert, Chief
Counsel, Health Care Law Group, Office of General Counsel, on
behalf of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``H.R.
2460; H.R. 3956; H.R. 3974; H.R. 3989; draft legislation to
ensure that each VA medical facility complies with requirements
relating to scheduling veterans for health care appointments
and to improve the uniform application of directives; and,
draft legislation to direct VA to establish a list of drugs
that require an increased level of informed consent,'' Serial
No. 114-66
Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 353, H.R. 3471, H.R. 3974, H.R. 3989, H.R.
4977, H.R. 2460, and H.R. 3956
On April 29, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health met and
marked up: H.R. 353, the Veterans' Access to Hearing Health Act
of 2015, introduced by Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin; H.R. 3471,
the Veterans Mobility Safety Act of 2016, introduced by Rep.
Jackie Walorski of Indiana; H.R. 3974, the Grow Our Own
Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of
2016, introduced by Rep. Ann Kuster of New Hampshire; H.R.
3989, the Support Our Military Caregivers Act, introduced by
Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York; H.R. 4977, the VA Scheduling
Accountability Act, introduced by Rep. Jackie Walorski of
Indiana; H.R. 2460, to amend title 38, United States Code, to
improve the provision of adult day health care services for
veterans, introduced by Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York; and, H.R.
3956, the VA Health Center Management Stability and Improvement
Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois.
On April 29, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 353 was offered by Rep. Dan Benishek of
Michigan. The amendment in the nature of a substitute was
agreed to by the Health Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to
favorably forward H.R. 353, as amended, to the Full Committee
was offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of California and
was adopted by the Health Subcommittee by voice vote.
On April 29, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3471 was offered by Rep. Dan Benishek of
Michigan. The amendment in the nature of a substitute was
agreed to by the Health Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to
favorably forward H.R. 3471, as amended, to the Full Committee
was offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of California and
was adopted by the Health Subcommittee by voice vote.
On April 29, 2016, an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to H.R. 3974 was offered by Rep. Ann Kuster of New
Hamphsire. The amendment in the nature of a substitute was
agreed to by the Health Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to
favorably forward H.R. 3974, as amended, to the Full Committee
was offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of California and
was adopted by the Health Subcommittee by voice vote.
On April 29, 2016, an amendment to H.R. 3989 was offered by
Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida. The amendment was agreed to by
the Health Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 3989, as amended, to the Full Committee was
offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of California and was
adopted by the Health Subcommittee by voice vote.
On April 29, 2016, an amendment to H.R. 4977 was offered by
Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee. The amendment was agreed to by the
Health Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to favorably
forward H.R. 4977, as amended, to the Full Committee was
offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of California and was
adopted by the Health Subcommittee by voice vote.
On April 29, 2016, H.R. 2460 and H.R. 3956 were considered
by the Subcommittee on Health en bloc. H.R. 2460 and H.R. 3956
passed the Health Subcommittee by voice vote. A motion to
favorably forward H.R. 2460 and H.R. 3956 to the Full Committee
was offered by Ranking Member Julia Brownley of California and
was adopted by the Health Subcommittee by voice vote.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Site Visit--Richmond, Virginia
On January 14, 2016, Majority and Minority staff for the
Subcommittee on Health traveled to Richmond, Virginia, for an
oversight visit to the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center
and Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center. During the oversight
visit, Subcommittee staff assessed the operations and
management of the facility, toured the grounds, and met with
local facility leaders and subject matter experts to discuss
issues including: care in the community, the Choice program,
pain and medication management, access and scheduling, patient
advocacy and quality management, homelessness, the Caregiver
program, recruitment and retention, and mental health and
suicide prevention.
Subcommittee Hearing--Choice Consolidation: Evaluating Eligibility
Requirements for Care in the Community
On February 2, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session and conducted a hearing on eligibility requirements for
care in the community under VA's plan to consolidate community
care programs.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Adrian
Atizado, Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Carl Blake, Associate Executive Director for
Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America; and, Duane
Williams, Georgia Leadership Fellow, Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Baligh
Yehia, M.D., Assistant Deputy Undersecretary for Health for
Community Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Kristin Cunningham,
Director, Business Policy, Chief Business Office, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
See, ``Choice Consolidation: Evaluating Eligibility
Requirements for Care in the Community,'' Serial No. 114-51
Subcommittee Hearing--Choice Consolidation: Improving VA Community Care
Billing and Reimbursement
On February 11, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health met in
open session and conducted a hearing on billing and
reimbursement for care in the community under VA's plan to
consolidate community care programs.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Randall B.
Williamson, Health Care Director, Government Accountability
Office; Gary K. Abe, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for
Audits and Evaluations, Office of the Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs: Accompanied by: Larry
Reinkemeyer, Kansas City Audit Office Director; and, Baligh
Yehia, M.D., the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health
for Community Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Gene Migliaccio
M.D., the Deputy Chief Business Officer for Purchased Care,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Roscoe G.
Butler, the Deputy Director, National Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; and, Carlos
Fuentes, Senior Legislative Associate, Veterans of Foreign Wars
of the United States. See, ``Choice Consolidation: Improving VA
Community Care Billing and Reimbursement,'' Serial No. 114-55
Site Visit--West Palm Beach, Florida
On March 8, 2016, Majority staff for the Subcommittee on
Health traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida, to conduct an
oversight visit to the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. The
trip occurred in light of a letter signed by Representatives
Frankel, Hastings, Deutch, and Murphy regarding excessive wait
times, budget issues, and concerns regarding the Choice
program. During the trip, staff met with representatives from
facility leadership and Health Net Federal Services, the Choice
Program third party administrator in South Florida, to discuss
these issues.
Site Visit--Canandaigua, New York
On March 7, 2016, through March 9, 2016, Majority and
Minority staff for the Subcommittee on Health and Majority
staff for the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
traveled to Canandaigua, New York, to conduct an oversight
visit to the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) in light of a VA
Inspector General report detailing serious allegations
concerning caller response and quality assurance at the VCL.
The report detailed at least one instance where a veteran was
transferred to voicemail when calling the VCL. This oversight
visit allowed staff to assess firsthand what progress, if any,
VA has made in responding to these allegations.
Subcommittee Hearing--Choice Consolidation: Leveraging Provider
Networks to Increase Veteran Access
On March 22, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session and conducted a hearing on provider networks under VA's
plan to consolidate care in the community programs.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Billy Maynard, President of Health Net Federal Services; David
J. McIntyre Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, TriWest
Healthcare Alliance; and, Baligh Yehia, M.D., Assistant Deputy
Under Secretary for Health for Community Care, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Gene Migliaccio, M.D., Deputy Chief Business
Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See, ``Choice
Consolidation: Leveraging Provider Networks to Increase Veteran
Access,'' Serial No. 114-61
Subcommittee Hearing--Joint Hearing With Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations: Evaluating VA IT: Scheduling Modernization and
Choice Consolidation
On April 14, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health and the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations met in open
session and conducted a hearing on the current status and
intended direction of VA's efforts to modernize information
technology.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
LaVerne Council, Assistant Secretary for Information and
Technology and Chief Information Officer, Office of Information
and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and, David
Shulkin M.D., Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Alan Constantian, M.D., Deputy Chief
Information Officer. See, ``Joint Hearing with Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations: Evaluating VA IT: Scheduling
Modernization and Choice Consolidation,'' Serial No. 114-63
Subcommittee Field Hearing--Access and Accountability: Examining
Obstacles to High Quality Patient Care in Louisiana
On June 20, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session conducted a field hearing on the provision of care to
veteran patients through the Alexandria VA Health Care System
in Pineville, Louisiana.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by: Charles
Hunter, a local veteran; Gordon Ryder, father of Gerrit Ryder,
a deceased veteran; Caroll Knott, member and former State
Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; and,
Asbel Montes, Vice President of Reimbursement and Government
Affairs, Acadian Ambulance Service.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by: Homer
Rodgers, Under Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
State of Louisiana; and, Janet L. Henderson, M.D., Chief
Medical Officer of the South Central VA Health Care Network,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Accompanied by: Shannon Novotny, Acting Deputy Network
Director of the South Central VA Health Care Network, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
and,. Peter C. Dancy Jr., Medical Center Director of the
Alexandria VA Health Care System. See, ``Access and
Accountability: Examining Obstacles to High Quality Patient
Care in Louisiana,'' Serial No. 114-66
Site Visit--Chicago, Illinois
On June 27, 2016 through June 29, 2016, Majority and
Minority staff for the Subcommittee on Health traveled to
Chicago, Illinois, to conduct oversight visits to the Jesse
Brown VA Medical Center; the Edward Hines Jr. VA Medical
Center; the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center;
and, the VA National Acquisition Center. This oversight trip
allowed Subcommittee staff to assess the management and
operations of three major VA medical facilities. The Capt.
James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago,
Illinois, is operated jointly by VA and the Department of
Defense and was the subject of a February 2016 Government
Accountability Office report, which found ongoing leadership
challenges, workforce management issues, data limitations, and
difficulties integrating clinical and administrative operations
including information technology. Also, in February 2016, the
Subcommittee was contacted by a veteran who was unable to
access care at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and
experienced prompt pay issues as a result. Meanwhile, the
Edward Hines Jr. VA Medical Center in Hines, Illinois, has been
in the media recently for ongoing infestation and sanitation
issues in the facility's food preparation areas and for patient
care concerns. The oversight trip further allowed Subcommittee
staff to oversee the management and operations of the National
Acquisition Center, which is responsible for supporting the
healthcare requirements of VA and other Government Agencies
through the acquisition and delivery of pharmaceuticals;
medical, surgical, dental, and patient mobility equipment/
supplies; and, high-technology medical equipment.
Subcommittee Hearing--Technology and Treatment: Telemedicine in the VA
Healthcare System
On August 9, 2016, the Subcommittee on Health met in open
session and conducted a field hearing on VA's use of
telemedicine techniques to increase access to quality care for
veteran patients.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by:
Zachary Walker, a local veteran;. Herb Rogove M.D., President
and Chief Executive Officer, C30 Telemedicine; Neil Evans M.D.,
Chief Officer, Office of Connected Care, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and,
Scotte Hartronft M.D., Chief of Staff, VA Greater Los Angeles
Healthcare System, VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. See, ``Technology and Treatment: Telemedicine in the
VA Healthcare System,'' Serial No. 114-77.
Site Visit--Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington
On August 9, 2016, through August 11, 2016 Majority and
Minority staff for the Subcommittee on Health traveled to
Portland, Oregon, to conduct an oversight visit to the Portland
VA Medical Center and the VISN 20 Network Office. The oversight
visit focused on VA's research efforts, academic affiliate
partnership, transplant program, and leadership challenges as
well as care in the community, the Choice program, the
Caregiver program, and pain management.
Site Visit--Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan
On October 16, through October 19, 2016, Majority and
Minority staff for the Subcommittee on Health traveled to
Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan, to conduct oversight visits to
the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center and the VA Ann Arbor
Healthcare System. While in Detroit, Subcommittee staff also
visited the Henry Ford Health System, which is mentioned
multiples times throughout the Commission on Care final report
as a healthcare system that is succeeding in areas--like
healthcare equity and leadership development--where VA is
struggling and that could be seen as useful model for VA to
strive toward.
Site Visit--South Bend, Peru, Marion, and Fort Wayne, Indiana
On October 17, 2016, through October 21, 2016, Majority
staff for the Subcommittee on Health and Majority staff for the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations traveled to South
Bend, Peru, Marion, and Fort Wayne, Indiana, to conduct
oversight visits to the Northern Indiana Healthcare System. The
oversight visit focused on issues including the implementation
of the Choice program, staffing shortages, quality of care
concerns, investigations of the facilities by the Drug
Enforcement Administration, pain management and opioid use, and
emergency care.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT & INVESTIGATIONS
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
First Session
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--Legislative Hearing on H.R. 571, H.R.
593, H.R. 1015, H.R. 1016, H.R. 1017, H.R. 1128, and H.R. 1129
On March 19, 2015 the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations met in open session to conduct a legislative
hearing on H.R. 571, Veterans Affairs Retaliation Prevention
Act of 2015; H.R. 593, Aurora VA Hospital Financing and
Construction Reform Act of 2015; H.R. 1015, Protecting Business
Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2015; H.R. 1016, Biological
Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act of 2015; H.R. 1017,
Veterans Information Security Improvement Act; H.R. 1128,
Department of Veterans Affairs Cyber Security Protection Act;
H.R. 1129, Veterans' Whistleblower and Patient Protection Act
of 2015.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Ms. Meghan
Flanz, Director, Office of Accountability Review, Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Dr. Michael Icardi, National
Director of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Services,
Veterans Health Administration; Accompanied by: Mr. Stanley
Lowe, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Information Security and
Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Veteran
Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Dennis Milsten, CCM, Associate
Executive Director, Office of Operations, Office of
Construction and Facilities Management, Department of Veterans
Affairs.
On the second panel, testimony was provided by Ms. Diane
Zumatto, National Legislative Director, AMVETS; Mr. Frank
Wilton, Chief Executive Officer, American Association of Tissue
Banks; Mr. Daimon E. Geopfert, National Leader, Security and
Privacy Consulting, McGladrey, LLP. See ``Legislative Hearing
on H.R. 571, H.R. 593, H.R. 1015, H.R. 1016, H.R. 1017, H.R.
1128, and H.R. 1129,'' Serial No. 114-11.
Subcommittee Markup of H.R. 571; H.R. 1015; H.R. 1016; H.R. 1017
On April 21, 2015 the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations met and marked up H.R. 571, the ``Veterans
Affairs Retaliation Prevention Act of 2015,'' Introduced by
Chairman Miller of Florida; H.R. 1015, the ``Protecting
Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2015,'' Introduced
by Tim Huelskamp of Kansas; H.R. 1016, the ``Biological Implant
Tracking and Veteran Safety Act of 2015,'' Introduced by Rep.
Phil Roe of Tennessee; H.R. 1017, the ``Veterans Information
Security Improvement Act'' Introduced by Rep. Jackie Walorski
of Indiana.
On April 21, 2015 H.R. 571, An Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute to H.R. 571 was offered by Rep. Mike Coffman of
Colorado was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 571, as amended passed
the O&I Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded
to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On April 21, 2015 H.R. 1015, An Amendment in the Nature of
a Substitute to H.R. 1015 was offered by Rep. Tim Huelskamp of
Kansas was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1015, as amended passed
the O&I Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably forwarded
to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On April 21, 2015 H.R. 1016, An Amendment in the Nature of
a Substitute to H.R. 1016 was offered by Rep. Phil Roe of
Tennessee was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1016, as amended
passed the O&I Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
On April 21, 2015 H.R. 1017, An Amendment in the Nature of
a Substitute to H.R. 1017 was offered by Rep. Jackie Walorski
of Indiana was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 1017, as amended
passed the O&I Subcommittee by voice vote and was favorably
forwarded to the Full Committee by voice vote.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
First Session
Subcommittee Hearing--An Examination of Waste and Abuse Associated with
VA's Management of Land-Use Agreements
On February 10, 2015 the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations conducted a hearing examining and evaluating the
waste and abuse associated with VA's management of land-use
agreements.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Ms.
Janet P. Murphy, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health,
Operations and Management, Veterans Health Administration;
Accompanied by: Dr. Skye McDougall, PhD, Acting Director,
Desert Pacific Healthcare Network, Veterans Health
Administration; Mr. Stephen Lord, Managing Director, Forensic
Audits and Investigative Service, U.S. Government
Accountability Office; Mr. Edward Lilley, Assistant Director
for Healthcare, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division, The American Legion.
Subcommittee Hearing--Addressing Continued Whistleblower Retaliation
Within VA
On April 13, 2015 the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations conducted a hearing to address the continued
whistleblower retaliation within the VA.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Ms.
Meghan Flanz, Director, Office of Accountability Review, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; The Honorable Carolyn Lerner,
Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel; Dr. Christian Head,
M.D., Associate Director--Chief of Staff--Legal and Quality
Assurance, Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care System; Dr.
Maryann Hooker, M.D., Neurologist, Wilmington VA Medical Center
President, Local 342, American Federation of Government
Employees; Mr. Richard Tremaine, MBA, Associate Director, VA
Central Alabama Healthcare System. See, ``Addressing Continued
Whistleblower Retaliation Within VA,'' Serial No. 114-13.
Subcommittee Hearing--Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in VA's Purchase Card
Program
On May 14, 2015 the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations conducted a hearing to review and examine the
waste, fraud, and abuse in the VA's Purchase Card Program.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Mr.
Edward J. Murray, Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and
Interim Chief Financial Officer, Office of Management,
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Gregory
Giddens, Principal Executive Director, Office of Acquisition,
Logistics and Construction, Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Jan Frye, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Senior Procurement
Executive, Office of Acquisition and Logistics, Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Norbert Doyle, Chief
Procurement & Logistics Officer, Veterans Health
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Linda A.
Halliday, Assistant Inspector General for Audits and
Evaluations, Office of Inspector General, Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Quentin G. Aucoin, Deputy
Assistant Inspector General for Investigations (Field
Operations), Office of Inspector General, Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Murray Leigh, Director,
Financial Integrity Division, Office of Audits and Evaluations,
Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Mr. Kent Wrathall, Director, Atlanta Office of
Audits and Evaluations, Office of Inspector General, Department
of Veterans Affairs. See, ``Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in VA's
Purchase Card Program,'' Serial No. 114-20.
Subcommittee Hearing--Circumvention of Contracts in the Provision of
Non-VA Healthcare
On June 1, 2015 the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations conducted a hearing to examine the circumvention
of contracts in the provision of non-VA healthcare.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Mr.
Edward J. Murray Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and
Interim Chief Financial Officer Office of Management Department
of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Gregory Giddens
Principal Executive Director Office of Acquisition, Logistics
and Construction Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied
by: Mr. Norbert Doyle Chief Procurement & Logistics Officer
Veterans Health Administration Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Ms. Phillipa Anderson Assistant General
Counsel, Government Contracts Office of General Counsel
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Jan Frye Deputy Assistant
Secretary and Senior Procurement Executive Office of
Acquisition and Logistics Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Christopher LaBonte United States Army Veteran; Mr. Randall
Williamson Director, Healthcare United States Government
Accountability Office. See ``Circumvention of Contracts in the
Provision of Non-VA Healthcare,'' Serial No. 114-22.
Subcommittee Hearing--Prescription Mismanagement and the Risk of
Veteran Suicide
On June 10, 2015 the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations conducted a hearing to assess the prescription
mismanagement and the risk of veteran suicide.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by
Carolyn Clancy, M.D., Interim Under Secretary for Health, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. Michael
Valentino, Chief Consultant, Pharmacy Benefits Management
Service, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Harold Kudler, M.D. Chief
Consultant, Mental Health Services, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Randall Williamson, Director, Health Care Issues, Government
Accountability Office; Jacqueline Maffucci, Ph.D., Research
Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. See
``Prescription Mismanagement and the Risk of Veteran Suicide,''
Serial No. 114-25.
Subcommittee Hearing--Joint Hearing With Small Business Committee,
Subcommittee on Investigations, Regulations, and Oversight:
Manipulation and Fraud in the Reporting of VA Small Business
Goals
On June 23, 2015 the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations conducted a joint hearing with the Small
Business Committee to examine manipulation and fraud in the
reporting of VA small business goals.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Mr.
Jan Frye, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Senior Procurement,
Executive Office of Acquisition and Logistics, Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Thomas J. Leney, Executive Director,
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization,
Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by Mr. Norbert
Doyle, Chief Procurement & Logistics Officer, Veterans Health
Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. John
Shoraka, Associate Administrator, Office of Government
Contracting & Business Development, Small Business
Administration; Mr. Kevin Youel Page, Deputy Commissioner,
Federal Acquisition Service, General Services Administration.
See ``Joint Hearing with Small Business Committee, Subcommittee
on Investigations, Regulations, and Oversight: Manipulation and
Fraud in the Reporting of VA Small Business Goals,'' Serial No.
114-27.
Subcommittee Hearing--Lack of Oversight of Interagency Agreements--VA
Procurement Failures Continued
On July 21, 2015 the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations conducted a hearing to examine the lack of
oversight of interagency agreements and to continue the
assessment on VA procurement failures.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Mr.
C. Ford Heard III, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary,
Procurement Policy, Systems and Oversight, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by: Mr. David A. Orso, Executive
Director, Enterprise Program Management Office, Office of
Policy and Planning, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Ms. Michele R. Foster, Associate Executive
Director, Technology Acquisition Center, Office of Acquisition
Operations, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Michele
Mackin, Director Acquisition and Sourcing Management Team, U.S.
Government Accountability Office. See, ``Lack of Oversight of
Interagency Agreements--VA Procurement Failures Continued,''
Serial No. 114-33.
Site Visit--Louisville, Kentucky
On August 20 and 21, 2015, Majority staff for the Oversight
and Investigations Subcommittee along with Majority staff for
the Health Subcommittee, Minority staff, and Senate Veterans
Affairs Committee staff travelled to Louisville, Kentucky on a
staff delegation for briefings and site visits regarding the
planned replacement Robley Rex medical center. The Oversight
and Investigations Subcommittee Majority staff also met with
local stakeholders about the project. The Health Subcommittee
Majority and Minority staff and Senate Veterans Affairs
Committee staff met with VA personnel at the existing Robley
Rex medical center about healthcare.
Subcommittee Hearing--Joint Subcommittee Hearing of the HVAC
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and OGR
Subcommittee on Information Technology: VA and DOD IT:
Electronic Health Records Interoperability
On October 27, 2015, the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations conducted a joint hearing with the OGR
Subcommittee on Information Technology to examine VA and DOD IT
in relation to the interoperability of electronic health
records.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by The
Honorable LaVerne Council, Assistant Secretary for Information
Technology, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. David DeVries, Principal Deputy Chief
Information Officer U.S. Department of Defense; Mr. Christopher
Miller, Program Executive Officer, U.S. Department of Defense;
Ms. Valarie Melvin, Director of Information Management and
Technology Resources Issues, U.S. Government Accountability
Office. See, ``Joint Subcommittee Hearing of the HVAC
Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations & OGR Subcommittee
on Information Technology: VA and DOD IT: Electronic Health
Records Interoperability,'' this hearing was hosted by the OGR
Subcommittee on Information and technology and therefore does
not have a House Veterans' Affairs Committee serial number.
Subcommittee Hearing--Joint Subcommittee Hearing: Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations and Small Business Committee,
Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce, ``An Examination of
Continued Challenges in VA's Vets First Verification Process''
On November 4, 2015, the Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations held a joint hearing with the Small Business
Committee and Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce to
assess and examine the challenges within the VA's Vets First
Verification Process.
On the first panel, testimony was provided by Mr. William
Shear, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment,
United States Government Accountability Office; Mr. Quentin
Aucoin, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, United
States Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Tom Leney, Executive
Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization, United States Department of Veterans Affairs. See
``Joint Subcommittee Hearing: Subcommittee on Oversight &
Investigations and Small Business Committee, Subcommittee on
Contracting and Workforce, ``An Examination of Continued
Challenges in VA's Vets First Verification Process,'' Serial
No. 114-43.
Site Visit--Frederick, Maryland
On November 13, 2015, Majority staff for the Oversight and
Investigations Subcommittee traveled to Frederick, Maryland to
tour and receive briefings on the VA Acquisition Academy,
Warriors to Workforce program, and other recruitment and
training programs.
ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT & INVESTIGATIONS
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Second Session
Site Visit--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On January 11-15, 2016, Majority staff for the Oversight
and Investigations Subcommittee travelled to the Philadelphia
VA Medical Center to review suicide prevention, tracking of
controlled substances, privacy policies, patient safety
concerns, and utilization of choice programs.
Site Visit--Fredericksburg, Virginia
On January 28, 2016, Majority staff for the Oversight and
Investigations Subcommittee travelled to Fredericksburg,
Virginia to visit the VA Strategic Acquisition Center and
receive a briefing on its activities.
Site Visit--Marion, Indiana
On February 16-18, 2016, Majority staff for the Oversight
and Investigations Subcommittee travelled to the Marion VA
Medical Center after receiving complaints about the current
provider shortages and patient care concerns. Staff toured the
facility and met with whistleblowers.
Subcommittee Hearing--Persian Gulf War: An Assessment of Health
Outcomes on the 25th Anniversary
On Tuesday, February 23, 2016, the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations held a hearing to evaluate VA's
treatment of--and health outcomes for--veterans suffering from
Gulf War Illness.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by
Carolyn Clancy, M.D., Deputy Under Secretary for Health for
Organizational Excellence, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Accompanied by: Stephen Hunt, M.D., M.P.H. Director, Post-
Deployment Integrated Care Initiative, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs and Victor Kalasinsky, Ph.D, Senior Program
Manager, Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Research, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Deborah Cory-Slechta, Ph.D, Professor of
Environmental Medicine, Pediatrics and Public Health Sciences,
Acting Chair, Department of Environmental Medicine, University
of Rochester School of Medicine; Roberta F. White, Ph.D, Chair,
Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of
Public Health; Accompanied by: Mr. James H. Binns, Gulf War
Researcher, Former Chairman, Research Advisory Committee on
Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses; Mr. Anthony Hardie, Gulf War
Veteran, Director, Veterans for Common Sense; Accompanied by:
Mr. David K. Winnett, II, Gulf War Veteran. See, ``Persian Gulf
War: An Assessment of Health Outcomes on the 25th
Anniversary,'' Serial No. 114-57.
Site Visit--Evansville and Vincennes, Indiana
On March 1-4, 2016, Majority staff for the Oversight and
Investigations Subcommittee travelled to the Evansville Health
Care Center and the Vincennes Community Based Outpatient
Clinic. During these site visits, staff met with whistleblowers
regarding the provider shortage and high turnover rates at the
Health Care Center and met with pharmacy staff, Choice program
champions, and toured each facility.
Subcommittee Field Hearing--Addressing VA Opioid Prescriptions and Pain
Management Practices
On Friday, March 4, 2016, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a field hearing in Concord, New Hampshire
to examine VA's opioid prescription management for mental
health and chronic pain issues.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Mr.
Peter Kelleher, Chief Executive Officer, Harbor Homes; Ms.
Christine Weber, Director of Substance Abuse Services, Easter
Seals Farnum Center; Mr. Joseph Foster, Attorney General, New
Hampshire Department of Justice; Julie Franklin, M.D., Pain
Medicine Practitioner, White River Junction, VT VA Medical
Center; Accompanied by: Grigory Chernyak, M.D., Chief of
Anesthesiology, Manchester, NH VA Medical Center. See,
``Addressing VA Opioid Prescriptions and Pain Management
Practices,'' Serial No. 114-58.
Site Visit--Canandaigua, New York
On March 7-9, 2016, Majority and Minority staff for the
Oversight and Investigations and Health Subcommittees travelled
to Canandaigua VA Medical Center to meet with staff from the VA
crisis call center. Staff also met with Choice program
champions and pharmacy staff.
Subcommittee Hearing--Joint Subcommittee Hearing of the Subcommittee on
Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations: Twenty-Five Years After the
Persian Gulf War: An Assessment of VA's Disability Claim
Process With Respect to Gulf War Illness
On Tuesday, March 15, 2016, the Subcommittee on Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs Oversight and Subcommittee on
Investigations held a hearing to evaluate VA's handling of
claims processing and appeals for veterans who suffer from
service connected disabilities related to the war, specifically
Gulf War Illness.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Mr.
David R. McLenachen, Deputy Under Secretary for Disability
Assistance, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied
by: Mr. Bradley Flohr, Senior Advisor, Compensation Service,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Zachary Hearn, Deputy Director for Claims, Veteran
Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion; Mr.
Aleksandr Morosky, Deputy Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Rick Weidman, Executive
Director for Policy and Government Affairs, Vietnam Veterans of
America; Mr. Richard V. Spataro, Director of Training and
Publications, National Veterans Legal Services Program. See,
``Twenty Five Years After the Persian Gulf War: An Assessment
of VA's Disability Claim Process with Respect to Gulf War
Illness,'' Serial No. 114-59.
Site Visit--Denver, Colorado
On March 18-21, 2016, Majority staff for the Oversight and
Investigations Subcommittee travelled to the Denver VA Medical
Center to review VA's tracking of controlled substances, Choice
program implementation, academic affiliations relationship, and
the facility's research program. Findings from this site visit
led to communication with the DEA regarding VA monitoring of
controlled substances stored on site. Also, staff toured the
new Aurora, Colorado Medical Center and met with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers to discuss construction progress.
Subcommittee Hearing--Evaluating VA IT: Scheduling Modernization and
Choice Consolidation
On April 14, 2016, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations met in open session to conduct a hearing to
evaluate scheduling modernization and choice consolidation at
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by the
Honorable David Shulkin, M.D., Under Secretary for Health,
Veterans Health Administration; and the Honorable LaVerne
Council, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and
Chief Information Office of the Office of Information and
Technology within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Honorable
Council was accompanied by Mr. Alan Constantian, Deputy Chief
Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, on
behalf of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See ``Evaluating
VA IT: Scheduling Modernization and Choice Consolidation,''
Serial No. 114-63.
Subcommittee Field Hearing--Assessing VA Oversight of Drug Prescription
Practices and Proper Use of Medical Facilities
On Friday, May 20, 2016, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a field hearing in Denver, Colorado to
address numerous issues regarding VA's, prescription, and
oversight practices for controlled substances as well as its
appropriate use of medical facilities to benefit veterans.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Mr.
Ralph Gigliotti, Network Director, Veterans Integrated Service
Network 19, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied
by: Ms. Sallie Houser-Hanfelder, Director, Eastern Colorado
Health Care System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and
Ellen Mangione, M.D., Chief of Staff, Eastern Colorado Health
Care System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. See,
``Assessing VA Oversight of Drug Prescription Practices and
Proper Use of Medical Facilities,'' Serial No. 114-70.
Site Visit--Baltimore, Maryland
On May 26, 2016, Majority staff for the Oversight and
Investigations Subcommittee traveled to the Baltimore VA
Medical Center to tour and question facility leadership on
certain programs, including pharmacy and drug diversion, mental
health, research and the VA nonprofit corporations, within
their facility.
Site Visit--Boston, Massachusetts
On May 31-June 1, 2016, Majority staff for the Oversight
and Investigations Subcommittee traveled to the VA Boston
Healthcare System to tour and question facility leadership on
certain programs, to include the pharmacy and drug diversion,
mental health, research and the VA nonprofit corporations,
within their facility.
Site Visit--Northfield, New Jersey
On June 5-6, 2016, Majority staff for the Oversight and
Investigations Subcommittee traveled to the Atlantic County
Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Northfield, New Jersey to
review staffing concerns and a veteran suicide outside of the
facility.
Subcommittee Hearing--VA and Academic Affiliates: Who Benefits?
On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations held a hearing to address the relationship
between VA and the academic affiliates, particularly regarding
issues and concerns related to sole-source contracting, billing
issues, research funding, space, data, and equipment.
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by
Robert L. Jesse, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Academic Affiliations
Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by:
David Atkins, M.D., M.P.H., Acting Chief Research and
Development Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and
Ricky L. Lemmon, Acting Chief Procurement and Logistics
Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Janis Orlowski,
MD, MACP, Chief Health Care Officer, Association of American
Medical Colleges; Nancy Watterson-Diorio, Board Member,
National Association of Veterans' Research and Education
Foundations; Mr. Randall Williamson, Director, Health Care
Issues, Government Accountability Office. See, ``VA and
Academic Affiliates: Who Benefits?,'' Serial No. 114-71.
Site Visit--Northport, New York
On August 31-September 2, 2016, Majority staff for the
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee traveled to
Northport, New York to tour and question the VAMC on certain
programs, to include the pharmacy and drug diversion, mental
health, research and the VA nonprofit corporations, within
their facility.
Subcommittee Hearing--VA Procurement: Identifying Obstacles to Reform
On Tuesday, September 20, 2016, the Subcommittee on
Oversight and Investigations held an oversight hearing on root
causes of the procurement problems in the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA).
On the first and only panel, testimony was provided by Mr.
Greg Giddens, Executive Director, Acquisition, Logistics and
Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied
by: Mr. Rick Lemmon, Acting Chief Procurement and Logistics
Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Michele Mackin, Director, Acquisition
and Sourcing Management, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
See, ``VA Procurement: Identifying Obstacles to Reform.''
Serial No. 114-81.
Site Visit--Fort Wayne, Peru, and South Bend, Indiana
On October 17-21, 2016, Majority staff for the Oversight
and Investigations Subcommittee traveled to VA medical
facilities in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Peru, Indiana; and South
Bend, Indiana to question VA officials on certain programs, to
include the pharmacy and drug diversion, mental health, and
scheduling issues at these facilities.
MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT AND OTHER EXECUTIVE BRANCH COMMUNICATIONS
First Session
January 14, 2015: Communication 00071, from the Acting
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel, Veterans Health Administration, Department of
Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's Major final
rule Caregivers Program (RIN: 2900-AN94) received January 12,
2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
February 5, 2015: Communication 00347, from the Director,
National Legislative Division, The American Legion,
transmitting a financial statement and independent audit of The
America Legion, proceedings of the 96th Annual National
Convention of the American Legion, held in Charlotte, North
Carolina from August 22-28, 2014, and a report on the
Organization's activities for the year preceding the
convention.
February 11, 2015: Memorial 0004, Under clause 3 of Rule
XII, a memorial of the following title was presented, as
follows: By the Speaker: A memorial of the House of
Representatives of the State of Ohio, relative to Substitute
House Resolution No. 283, urging the Congress and the
Department of Defense to protect and uphold the religious and
free speech rights of military service members.
February 11, 2015: Communication 00435, from the Assistant
Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of
Justice, transmitting the Attorney General's first quarterly
report of FY 2015 on the Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, pursuant to Pub. L. 110-389.
February 24, 2015: Memorial 0010, Under clause 3 of Rule
XII, a memorial of the following title was presented, as
follows: By the Speaker: A memorial of the House of
Representatives of the State of Ohio, relative to Substitute
House Resolution No. 283, urging the Congress and the
Department of Defense to protect and uphold the religious and
free speech rights of military service members.
February 27, 2015: Communication 00611, from the Acting
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Veterans Benefits Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's
interim final rule--Automobile or Other Conveyance and Adaptive
Equipment Certificate of Eligibility for Veterans or Members of
the Armed Forces with Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (RIN: 2900-
AP26) received February 23, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A).
February 27, 2015: Communication 00612, from the Acting
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Veterans Health Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
(RIN: 2900-AO50) received February 23, 2015, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
March 13, 2015: Communication 00783, from the Deputy
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs; and the Under
Secretary, Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense,
transmitting the FY 2014 report on the activities of the
Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence (EACE),
pursuant to Sec. 723 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense
Authorization Act of FY 2009, Pub. L. 110-417.
March 13, 2015: Communication 00781, from the Chief, Impact
Analyst, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02 REG), Acquisition, Department of Veterans'
Affairs, transmitting the Department's final rule--Department
of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation: Service-Disabled
Veteran-Owned Small Business Status Protests (RIN: 2900-AM92)
received March 10, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
March 18, 2015: Communication 00824, from the Assistant
Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of Defense,
transmitting a draft of proposed legislation titled National
Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2016''.
March 23, 2015: Communication 00853, from the Chief, Impact
Analyst, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Veterans Benefits Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Schedule for Rating Disabilities--Mental Disorders
and Definition of Psychosis for Certain VA Purposes (RIN: 2900-
AO96) received March 19, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A).
April 14, 2015: Communication 01116, from the Staff
performing the duties of the Assistant Secretary, Legislative
Affairs, Department of Defense, transmitting additional
legislative proposals from the Department of Defense as a
follow up to an earlier transmittal of a request for enactment
of proposed legislation titled the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016.
April 16, 2015: Communication 01174, from the Acting
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel, National Cemetery Administration, Department
of Veterans' Affairs, transmitting the Department's final
rule--Reimbursement for Caskets and Urns for Burial of
Unclaimed Remains in a National Cemetery (RIN: 2900-AO99)
received April 13, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
April 30, 2015: Communication 01346, from the Acting
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Technical Corrections
to 38 CFR Part 3 (RIN:2900-AP33) received April 27, 2015,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801 (a)(1)(A).
April 30, 2015: Communication 01347, from the Acting
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Updating Certain
Delegation of Authority in VA Medical Regulations (RIN: 2900-
AP17) received April 27, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A).
May 1, 2015: Communication 01374, from the Chief Impact
Analyst, Regulation Policy Management, Office of the General
Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the
Department's interim final rule--Driving Distance Eligibility
for the Veterans Choice Program (RIN: 2900-AP24) received April
27, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
May 5, 2015: Communication 01391, from the Deputy
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting a draft
bill to authorize $977,600,000 for major medical facility
construction projects for FY 2015, as well as to amend the
Department of Veterans Affairs' Enhanced-Use Lease Authority.
May 8, 2015: Communication 01417, from the Acting Director,
Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General Counsel
(02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Health Care for Homeless Veterans
Program (RIN:2900-AO71) received May 6, 2015, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
May 12, 2015: Communication 01452, from the Deputy
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting a draft
bill, the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Purchased Health
Care Streamlining and Modernizing Act,''.
May 18, 2015: Communication 01516 from Assistant Attorney
General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice,
transmitting the Attorney General's Second Quarterly Report of
FY 2015 on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act of 1994, pursuant to the Veterans' Benefits
Improvement Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-389.
May 22, 2015: Communication 01585 from the Acting Director,
Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General Counsel
(02REG), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans
Affairs, transmitting the Department's final rule--Health Care
for Homeless Veterans Program (RIN:2900-A071/WP2012-028)
received May 20, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
June 2, 2015: Communication 01698, from the Program
Manager, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule Grants for Adaptive
Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of
the Armed Forces (RIN:2900-AP07) received June 1, 2015,
pursuant to U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
June 9, 2015: Memorial 0050, Under Clause 3 of Rule XII, a
memorial of the following title was presented, as follows: By
the Speaker: A memorial of the Legislature of the State of
Arizona, relative to Senate Concurrent Memorial 1008, urging
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to review the
disability rating process.
June 17, 2015: Communication 01862, from the Deputy
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Principal Deputy
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness,
Department of Defense, transmitting the Department of Veterans
Affairs and Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee FY
2014 Annual Report, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8111.
June 18, 2015: Memorial 0065, Under clause 3 of Rule XII, a
memorial of the following title was presented as follows: By
the Speaker: A memorial of the Legislature of the State of
Oregon, relative to the House Joint Memorial 9, urging the
Congress to recognize the presumption of a service connection
for Agent Orange exposure for United States veteran who served
in the waters defined by the combat zone in Vietnam, and in the
airspace over the combat zone.
June 18, 2015: Memorial 0064, Under clause 3 of Rule XII, a
memorial of the following title was presented as follows: By
the Speaker: A memorial of the Legislature of the State of
Oregon, relative to the House Joint Memorial 11, urging the
Congress to support the mission of the Veterans Health
Administration Office of Rural Health and efforts to improve
access health care for veterans in rural areas.
June 25, 2015: Communication 01977, from the Acting
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Delegations of
Authority: Office of the Regulation Policy and Management
(ORPM) (RIN:2900-AP47) received June 22, 2015, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
June 25, 2015: Communication 01978, from the Acting
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's interim final rule--Presumption
of Herbicide Exposure and Presumption of Disability During
Service for Reservists Presumed Exposed to Herbicide (RIN:
2900-AP43) received June 22, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A).
July 7, 2015: Communication 02056, from the Director,
National Legislative Division, The American Legion,
transmitting the consolidated financial statements of the
American Legion as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 with
supplemental data.
July 9, 2015: Memorial 0074, Under Clause 3 of Rule XII, a
memorial of the following title was presented, as follows: By
the Speaker: A memorial of the Senate of State of Hawaii,
relative to Senate Resolution No. 44, urging Congress and the
President of the United States to support the passage of
legislation to expedite family reunification for certain
Filipino veteran of World War II.
July 15, 2015: Communication 02183, from the Acting
Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of
the General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Agency Interpretation
of Prosthetic Replacement of a Joint (RIN:2900-AP38) received
July 14, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub.
L. 104-121, Sec. 251.
July 15, 2015: Communication 02184, from the Acting
Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of
the General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Uniform
Administration Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit
Requirements for Federal Awards; Updating References (RIN:
2900-AP22) received July 14, 2015 pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub. L. 104-121, Sec. 251.
July 21, 2015: Communication 02261, from the Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting pursuant to Sec.
202 of Pub. L. 113-146, the Veterans Access, Choice, and
Accountability Act of 2014, an update on the status of the
Commissioner nominations, the current timeline for convening
the Commission on Care, and a copy of the Commission on Care
charter.
July 28, 2015: Communication 02317, from the Assistant
Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of
Justice, transmitting the Attorney General's Third Quarterly
Report of FY 2015 on the Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, pursuant to the Veterans'
Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-389).
September 8, 2015: Communication 02632, from the Acting
Director, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's interim final rule--Vet Centers
(RIN: 2900-AP21) received August 10, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub. L. 104-121, Sec. 251.
September 8, 2015: Communication 02630, from the Chief
Impact Analyst, Office of Regulation Policy, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Loan Guaranty:
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Notification Requirements and Look-
Back Period (RIN: 2900-AP25) received August 21, 2015, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub. L. 104-121, Sec. 251.
September 8, 2015: Communication 02631, from the Chief
Impact Analyst, Office of Regulation Policy and Management,
Office of the General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans
Affairs, transmitting the Department's final rule--Additional
Compensation on Account of Children Adopted Out of Veteran's
Family (RIN: 2900-AP18) received August 13, 2015, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub. L. 104-121, Sec. 251.
September 11, 2015: Communication 02720, from the
Chairperson, Commission on Care, transmitting an update on the
work of the Commission that was established in Sec. 202 of the
Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014.
September 15, 2015: Communication 02778, from the Chief
Impact Analyst, Regulation Policy and Management Staff, Office
of the General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Animals on VA
Property (RIN:2900-AO39) received September 2, 2015, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub. L. 104-121, Sec. 251.
September 18, 2015: Communication 02867, from the Chief
Impact Analyst, Regulation Policy and Management Staff, Office
of the General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Copayments for
Medications in 2015 (RIN: 2900-AP15) received September 15,
2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub. L. 104-
121, Sec. 251.
September 22, 2015: Communication 02919, from the Chief
Impact Analyst, Office of Regulation Policy and Management,
Office of the General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans
Affairs, transmitting the Department's final rule--Loan
Guarantee--Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant
Program (RIN:2900-AO70) received September 21, 2015, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Pub. L. 104-121, Sec. 251.
October 9, 2015: Communication 03147, from the Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting a letter reporting
the FY 2015 expenditures from the Pershing Hall Revolving Fund
for projects, activities, and facilities that support the
mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs, pursuant to Pub.
L. 102-86, Sec. 403(d)(6)(c).
November 17, 2015: Communication 03480, from the Assistant
Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of
Justice, transmitting legislative proposals which would
significantly strengthen the protections afforded to
servicemembers and their families under existing civil rights
laws received November 16, 2015.
November 19, 2015: A message from the President of the
United States, transmitting the Administration's 2015 National
Drug Control Strategy, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 1705; Pub. L. 109-
469, Sec. 706(a); (120 Stat. 3513).
November 19, 2015: Communication 03525, from the Chief
Impact Analyst, Office of Regulatory Policy, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's Major final rule--Expanded Access
to Non-VA Care through the Veterans Choice Program (RIN:2900-
AP24) received November 17, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121 Sec. 251.
November 30, 2015: Communication 03571, from the Chief
Impact Analyst, Office of Regulation Policy, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's direct final rule--Exempting
Mental Health Peer Support Services from Copayments (RIN:2900-
AP11) received November 20, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121 Sec. 251; (110 Stat.
268).
December 7, 2015: Communication 03687, from the Chief
Impact Analyst, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
general Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Expanded Access to
Non-VA Care through the Veterans Choice Program (RIN: 2900-
AP60) received December 3, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); added by Public Law 101-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.
868)
December 8, 2015: Communication 03727, from the Chief
Impact Analyst, Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Uniform
Administrative Requirement, Cost Principles, and Audit
Requirements for Federal Awards; Updating References (RIN:
2900-AP03) received December 3, 2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); added by Public Law 104-121 Sec. 251 (110 Stat.
868).
December 16, 2015: Communication 03790, from the Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting a draft bill to
authorize major medical facility projects for the Department of
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2016, and other purposes,
pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8104(a)(2).
MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT AND OTHER EXECUTIVE BRANCH COMMUNICATIONS
Second Session
January 5, 2016: Communication 03859 from the National
Adjutant, Chief Executive Officer, Disabled American Veterans,
transmitting the reports and proceeding of the 2015 National
Convention of the Disabled American Veterans, held in Denver,
Colorado, August 8-11, 2015, pursuant to 36 U.S.C. 50308;
Public Law 105-225, Sec. 50308; (112 Stat. 1345). Referred to
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and ordered to be printed
January 5, 2016.
January 11, 2016: Communication 03989 from the Director,
Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02 REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Payment of Emergency
Medication by VA (RIN:2900-AP34) received December 29, 2015,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121,
Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868).
January 12, 2016: Communication 04028 from the Director,
Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02 REG), Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--Removal of
requirement to File Direct-Pay fee Agreements with the Office
of the General Counsel (RIN: 2900-AP28) received December 29,
2015, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law
104-121, Sec 251 (110 Stat. 868).
January 25, 2016: Communication 4115 from the Chief Impact
Analyst, Office of Regulation Policy, Office of the General
Counsel (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting
the Department's final rule--Automobile or Other Conveyance and
Adaptive Equipment Certificate of Eligibility for Veterans or
Members of the Armed Forces with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
connected to Military Service (RIN: 2900-AP26) received January
14, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public
Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868).
February 23, 2016: Memorial 0173 under clause 3 of rule
XII, a memorial of the following title was presented, as
follows: By the Speaker: A memorial of the Legislature of the
State of Michigan, relative to House concurrent Resolution No.
7, urging the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and
the United States Congress to create a pilot program in
Michigan instituting a flexible Veterans Choice Card system
structured similar to a traditional health care program for all
veterans in Michigan.
March 2, 2016: Communication 04549 from the Assistant
Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of
Justice, transmitting the Department's First Quarterly Report
for HY 2016 on the Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, pursuant to 38 U.S.C.
4332(b)(1); Public Law 103-353, Sec. 2(a) (as added by Public
Law 110-389, Sec. 312(c)); (122 Stat. 4165). Referred jointly
to the Committees on the Judiciary and Veterans' Affairs.
March 14, 2016: Communication 04639 from the Director,
Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02 REG), National Cemetery Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, the Department's
final rule--Applicants for VA Memorialization Benefits (RIN:
2900-AO95) received March 10, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.
868).
March 14, 2016: Communication 04640 from the Director,
Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the
General Counsel (02 REG), Veterans Health Administration,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Vet Centers (RIN: 2900-AP21) received March 10,
2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law
104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868).
March 14, 2016: Communication 04641 from the Chief Impact
Analyst, Office of Regulation Policy, Office of the General
Counsel (02 REG), Veterans Health Administration, Department of
Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Veterans Transportation Service (RIN: 2900-A092) received March
10, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public
Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868).
March 15, 2016: Communication 04653 from the Director,
National Legislation Division, The American Legion, a financial
statement and independent audit of The American Legion, and
proceedings of the 97th Annual National Convention of The
American Legion, held in Baltimore, Maryland from September 1-
3, 2015, and a report on the organization's activities for the
year preceding the convention, pursuant to 36 U.S.C.
10101(b)(1); Public Law 105-225, 10101(b)(1); (112 Stat. 1283).
March 21, 2016: Communication 04683 from the Assistant
Secretary for Legislative Affairs, Department of Defense,
transmitting the draft of proposed legislation entitled the
``National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.''
Referred jointly to the Committees on Armed Services, Oversight
and Government Reform, Education and the Workforce, Veterans'
Affairs, Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Transportation
and Infrastructure, Foreign Affairs, House Administration, the
Judiciary, Natural Resources, and Rules.
April 11, 2016: Communication 04993 from the Chief Impact
Analyst, ORPM. Office of the General Counsel (02 REG),
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's
interim final rule--Telephone enrollment in the VA healthcare
system (RIN: 2900-AP68) received March 29, 2016, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Added by Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251;
(110 Stat. 868).
April 11, 2016: Memorial 0194; Under clause 3 of rule XII,
a memorial of the following title was presented, as follows: By
the Speaker: A memorial of the Senate of the State of Colorado,
relative to Senate Resolution 16-002, Concerning Restoring the
Presumption of Service Connection for Agent Orange Exposure for
United States Vietnam Veterans Through the ``Blue Water Navy
Vietnam Veterans Act of 2015.''
April 28, 2016: Communication 05214 from the Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting a draft bill to
authorize major medical facility projects for the Department of
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2017, and for other purposes,
pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8104(a)(2).
April 28, 2016: Memorial 0211, Under clause 3 of rule XII,
a memorial of the following title was presented, as follows: By
the Speaker: A memorial of General Assembly of the State of
Tennessee, relative to House Joint Resolution No. 481, urging
Congress to pass bills for the implementation of the Veterans
Affairs New Veterans Choice Program.
April 29, 2016: Memorial 0213 Under clause 3 of rule XII, a
memorial of the following title was presented, as follows: By
the Speaker: A memorial of the General Assembly of the State of
Tennessee, relative to House Joint Resolution No. 481, urging
Congress to pass bills for the implementation of the Veterans
Affairs New Veterans Choice Program.
May 3, 2016: Communication 05249 from the Director,
Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General Counsel
(02REG), Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of
Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's final rule--
Technical Corrections--VA Vocational Rehabilitation and
Employment Nomenclature Change for Position Title (RIN: 2900-
AP65) received April 29, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868).
May 3, 2016: Communication 05250 from the Acting Director,
Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General Counsel
(02REG), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans
Affairs, transmitting the Department's final rule--Health Care
for Certain Children of Vietnam Veterans and Certain Korea
Veterans--Covered Birth Defects and Spina Bifida (RIN: 2900-
AP09) received April 29, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868).
May 3, 2016: Communication 05251 the Adjutant General, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, transmitting the
proceedings of the 116th National Convention of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States, held in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, July 18-22, 2015, pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1332;
(Public Law 90-620 (as amended by Public Law 105-225, Sec. 3);
(112 Stat. 1498).
May 6, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 05306 from the Assistant Attorney General,
Department of Justice, transmitting the second Quarterly Report
for FY 2016 on the Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, pursuant to 38 U.S.C.
4332(b)(2); Public Law 103-353, Sec. 2(a) (as added by Public
Law 110-389, Sec. 312(c)); (112 Stat. 4165). Referred jointly
to the Committee on the Judiciary and Veterans' Affairs.
May 24, 2016: Memorial 0235 under clause 3 of rule XII, a
memorial of the following title was presented, as follows: By
the Speaker: A memorial of the Legislature of the State of
Arizona, relative to House Concurrent Memorial 2006, urging the
United States Congress to adopt legislation similar to the
Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015. Referred jointly to the
Committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs.
May 25, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 05500 from the Director, Office of Regulation
Policy and Management, Office of the General Council (02REG),
Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs,
transmitting the Department's final rule--General Agency Final
Regulations Implementing Executive Order 13559: Fundamental
Principles and Policymaking Criteria for Partnerships With
Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations (RIN: 2900-
AP05) received May 19, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);
Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868). Referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
June 3, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication from the 05573 from the Acting Director, Office
of Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the Secretary
(00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Mailing Address of the Board of
Veterans' Appeals (RIN: 2900-AP71) received May 26, 2016,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.
251; (110 Stat. 868). Referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
June 3, 2016: Petition 0067 Under clause 3 of rule XII, the
following petition and papers were presented, as follows: By
the speaker: A petition of the Council of the City of New York,
NY, relative to Resolution No. 853, calling on Congress to
pass, and the President to sign, H.R. 1217, also known as the
Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of
2015, which closes loopholes in the current gun background
check system. Referred jointly to the Committees on the
Judiciary and Veterans' Affairs.
June 14, 2016: Petition 0070, Under clause 3 of rule XII,
the following petition and papers were presented, as follows:
By the Speaker: A petition of Delaware County Board of
Supervisors, NY, relative to Resolution No. 68, urging the
Veterans Affairs Administration to streamline requirements in
determining conditions for Non-VA Care when veterans are
seeking emergency care. Referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
June 14, 2016: Memorial 0261, Under clause 3 of rule XII, a
memorial of the following title was presented, as follows: By
the Speaker: A memorial of the General Assembly of the State of
Colorado, relative to Senate Resolution 16-002, to encourage
the United States Congress to restore the presumption of
service connection for Agent Orange exposure to United States
veterans who served on the waters off the coast of the Republic
of Vietnam. Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
July 1, 2016: Memorial 0279, Under clause 3 of rule XII, a
memorial of the following title was presented, as follows: By
the Speaker: A memorial of the Legislature of the States of
Arizona, relative to House Concurrent Memorial 2006, urging the
United States Congress to adopt legislation similar to the
Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015. Referred jointly to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services.
July 12, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 06020 from the Office Program Manager, Office of
Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the Secretary
(00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the
Department's direct final rule--Authority to Solicit Gifts and
Donations (RIN: 2900-AP75) received July 8, 2016, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.
868). Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
July 21, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 06265 from the office Program Manager, Office of
Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the Secretary
(00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Hospital Care and Medical Services for
Camp Lejeune Veterans (RIN: 2900-AP59) received July 15, 2016,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.
251; (110 Stat. 868). Referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
July 21, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 06264 from the Office Program Manager, Office of
Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the Secretary
(00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the
Department's final rule--Prescriptions in Alaska and U.S.
Territories and Possessions (RIN: 2900-AP42) received July 15,
2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121,
Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868). Referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
September 6, 2016: Under Clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 06648 from the Office Program Manager, Office of
Regulation Policy and Management Staff, Office of the General
Counsel (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting
the Department's final rule--Loan Guaranty: Delegation of
Authority (RIN: 2900-AP77) received August 26, 2016, pursuant
to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110
Stat. 868). Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
September 6, 2016: 161--The Final Report of the Commission
on Care. Communication 06649 from the President of the United
States, transmitting a statement supporting many of the
recommendations and the underlying objectives offered by the
Commission on Care in the final report transmitted on July 6,
2016, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 1701 note; Public Law 113-146, Sec.
202(g)(2); (128 Stat. 1776). Referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs and ordered to be printed September 6, 2016.
September 6, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 06684 from the Assistant Attorney General,
Department of Justice, transmitting the Third Quarterly Report
for FY 2016 on the Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, pursuant to 38 U.S.C.
4332(b)(1); Public Law 103-353, Sec. 2(a) (as added by Public
Law 110-389, Sec. 312(c)); (122 Stat. 4165). Referred jointly
to the Committees on the Judiciary and Veterans' Affairs.
September 6, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
communication 06647 from the Office Program Manager, Office of
Regulation Policy and Management, Office of the General Counsel
(00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the
Department's interim final rule--Veterans Employment Pay for
Success Grant Program (RIN: 2900-AP72) received August 15,
2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121,
Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868). Referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
September 7, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
communication 06691 from the Secretary, Department of Veterans
Affairs, transmitting a letter reporting a violation of the
Antideficiency Act, in the Medical Support and Compliance
account (36-0152), pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1351; Public Law 97-
258; (96 Stat. 926). Referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
September 13, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
communication 06817 from the Office Program Manager, Office of
the Secretary (00REG), Office of Regulation Policy and
Management, Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's
final rule--Telephone Enrollment in the VA Healthcare System
(RIN: 2900-AP68) received September 9, 2016, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat.
8687). Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
September 26, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 06979 from the Office of Program Manager, Office
of Regulations Policy and Management, Office of the General
Counsel (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting
the Department's direct final rule--Authority to Solicit Gifts
and Donations (RIN: 2900-AP75) received September 22, 2016,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.
251; (110 Stat. 868). Referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
September 26, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follow:
Communication 06978 from the Office Program Manager, Office of
Regulation Policy Management, Office of the Secretary (00REG),
Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting the Department's
withdrawal of proposed rule--Authority to Solicit Gifts and
Donations (RIN: 2900-AP74) received September 22, 2016,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801 (a)(1)(A); Public Law 104-121, Sec.
251; (110 Stat. 868). Referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
September 27, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 07007 from the Chief Impact Analyst, ORPM, Office
of the General Counsel (02REG), VHA, Department of Veterans
Affairs, transmitting the Department's interim final rule--
Telephone enrollment in the VA healthcare system (RIN: 2900-
AP68) received September 23, 2016, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801 (a)
(1) (A); Public Law 104-121, Sec. 251; (110 Stat. 868).
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
September 28, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 07047 from the Deputy Secretary and Acting Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Department of
Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, transmitting the
Departments' FY 2015 Annual Joint Report, pursuant to 38 U.S.C.
8111 (f) (1); Public Law 96-22, Sec. 301 (a) (as added by
Public Law 97-174, Sec. 3 (a) (3)); (96 Stat. 73). Referred
jointly to the Committees on Armed Services and Veterans'
Affairs.
November 14, 2016: 172-The 2016 National Convention
Proceedings of Disabled American Veterans Communication 07431
from the National Adjutant, Chief Executive Officer, the
Disabled American Veterans, held in Atlanta Georgia, July 31-
August 3, 2016. Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
and ordered to be printed.
November 14, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 07455 from the Policy Officer, Army National
Military Cemeteries, Department of the Army, Department of
Defense transmitting the Department's final rule--Army National
Military Cemeteries [Docket No.:USA-2015-HQ-0046] (RIN: 0702-
AA60) received October 5, 2016. Referred jointly to the
Committees on Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs.
November 14, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 07463 from the Assistant General, Department of
Justice transmitting the Attorney General's Fourth Quarterly
Report for FY 2016 on the Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act of 1994. Referred jointly to the
Committees on the Judiciary and Veterans' Affairs.
November 14, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 07430 from the Office Program Manager, Office of
Regulation Policy and Management (00REG), Office of the
Secretary (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs transmitting
the Department's interim final rule--Extension of the
Presumptive Period for Compensation for Gulf War Veterans (RIN:
2900-AP84) received October 21, 2016. Referred to the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs.
November 14, 2016: Under clause 2 of rule XIV, executive
communications were taken from the Speaker's table as follows:
Communication 07429 from the Office Program Manager, Office of
Regulation Policy and Management (00REG), Office of the
Secretary (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs transmitting
the Department's final rule--Repayment by VA of Educational
Loans for Certain Psychiatrists (RIN: 2900-AP57) received
September 30, 2016. Referred to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
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