[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 130 (Saturday, August 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page E1688]]


  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

                                 ______


                         HON. DAVID M. McINTOSH

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 2, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2127) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
     Services, and Education, and related agencies, for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 1996, and for other purposes:

  Mr. McINTOSH. Mr. Chairman, the Disabled American Veterans [DAV] has 
sent a letter to every member of the House expressing their concerns 
with the language contained in title VI of H.R. 2127, the ``Taxpayer 
Funded Political Advocacy'' legislation, and its adverse impact upon 
their ability to provide veterans with the necessary services to 
present the veteran's claim for benefits to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs [VA]. It is their concern that this bill would preclude their 
giving claims assistance to veterans because the DAV benefits from free 
Government office space and other VA services. They are also concerned 
that this bill would adversely impact upon their ability to act as 
veterans' advocate in Congress because they receive this assistance.
  It was never the intention of this legislation to interfere, in any 
manner, with the services provided by veterans' service organizations 
[VSOs] to veterans either in pursuit of VA benefits or as veterans' 
advocates. It was not our intention to include the assistance VSOs 
received from the VA to assist them in providing necessary services to 
veterans and their families within the definition of ``grant,'' 
including the reference to the term ``other thing of value.''
  The services provided by VSOs under the provision of Title 38, United 
States Code, to America's veterans lessens the burden on VA to provide 
the assistance to veterans and are performed in partnership with a 
grateful nation.
  In order to ensure that these services continue unencumbered by the 
provisions of this bill, it is my intention to have the language of 
this bill modified in conference to clarify that these provisions do 
not interfere with the services provided to veterans by veterans' 
service organizations.
  We have talked with the Disabled American Veterans representatives 
here in Washington and in Indiana about this issue and they have 
indicated that DAV does not oppose the legislation. I have a letter 
signed by DAV's National Commander, Thomas McMasters, to that effect 
and ask that it be made part of the record of this hearing.
  I would also like to clarify a concern raised by some members about 
the scope of the exclusion for loans. Loans made by the Government are 
expressly excluded from the definition of ``grant'' in title VI. 
Despite this exclusive, some members of Congress have expressed concern 
about whether this exclusion covers those who service or administer 
such loans. In sponsoring this title, I intended this exclusion for 
loans to include compensation paid to those who provide services 
related to the making and administering of loans. I hope that this 
clarifies any confusion, and resolves those concerns.
                                   Disabled American Veterans,

                                   Washington, DC, August 2, 1995.
     Congressman David N. McIntosh,
     Chairman, Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Natural Resources, 
         and Regulatory Affairs, House of Representatives, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman McIntosh: My staff has informed me of your 
     assurance that attempts will be made either by floor 
     amendment or in conference to clarify the language in the 
     ``Taxpayer Funded Political Advocacy'' legislation so that 
     the DAV and other veterans service organizations would not be 
     considered a ``grantee'' based on the use of Department of 
     Veterans' Affairs facilities and equipment. This action is 
     necessary to ensure that this legislation does not, in any 
     manner, interfere with DAV's ability to provide assistance to 
     veterans in filing and prosecuting claims for benefits from 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       Based on the assurance that the above corrective action 
     will be forthcoming, I can assure you that DAV will not 
     oppose this modified legislation.
       My staff and I look forward to working with you and your 
     staff on this matter and on other matters concerning our 
     nation's service-connected disabled veterans. We look forward 
     to your continued support.
           Sincerely,
                                         Thomas A. McMasters, III,
                                               National Commander.
     

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