[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 160 (Tuesday, October 17, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H10113-H10116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXTENDING CERTAIN VETERANS' AFFAIRS HEALTH AND MEDICAL CARE EXPIRING 
                              AUTHORITIES

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2353) to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain 
expiring authorities of the Department of Veterans' Affairs relating to 
delivery of health and medical care, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2353

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Hospital Care and Medical Services for Persian Gulf 
     Veterans Exposed to Toxic Substances.--(1) Section 1710(e)(3) 
     of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking out 
     ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``December 31, 1998''.
       (2) Section 1712(a)(1)(D) of such title is amended by 
     striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1998''.
       (b) Contract Authority for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Care.--
     Subsection (e) of section 1720A of such title is amended by 
     striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (c) Nursing Home Care Alternatives.--(1) Section 1720C(a) 
     of such title is amended by striking out ``September 30, 
     1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
     Congress, not later than March 31, 1997, a report on the 
     medical efficacy and cost effectiveness, and disadvantages 
     and advantages, associated with the use by the Secretary of 
     noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care.
       (d) Health Scholarships Program.--(1) Section 7618 of such 
     title is amended by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (2)(A) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
     Congress, not later than March 31, 1997, a report setting 
     forth the results of a study evaluating the operation of the 
     health professional scholarship program under subchapter II 
     of chapter 76 of title 38, United States Code. The study 
     shall evaluate the efficacy of the program with respect to 
     recruitment and retention of health care personnel for the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs and shall compare the costs 
     and benefits of the program with the costs and benefits of 
     alternative methods of ensuring adequate recruitment and 
     retention of such personnel.
       (B) The Secretary shall carry out the study under this 
     paragraph through a private contractor. The report under 
     subparagraph (A) shall include the report of the contractor 
     and the comments, if any, of the Secretary on that report.
       (e) Enhanced-Use Leases of Real Property.--(1) Section 8169 
     of such title is amended by striking out ``December 31, 
     1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
       (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
     Congress, not later than March 31, 1997, a report evaluating 
     the operation of the program under subchapter V of chapter 81 
     of title 38, United States Code.
       (f) Community-Based Residential Care for Homeless 
     Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans.--Section 115(d) of the 
     Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-
     322; 38 U.S.C. 1712 note) is amended by striking out 
     ``September 30, 1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
     ``December 31, 1997''.
       (g) Demonstration Program of Compensated Work Therapy and 
     Therapeutic Transitional Housing.--Section 7 of Public Law 
     102-54 (38 U.S.C. 1718 note) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking out ``During fiscal 
     years 1991 through 1995, the Secretary'' and inserting in 
     lieu thereof ``The Secretary''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(m) Sunset.--The authority for the demonstration program 
     under this section expires on December 31, 1997.''.
       (h) Homeless Veterans Pilot Program.--The Homeless Veterans 
     Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-
     590) is amended as follows:
       (1) Section 2(a) (38 U.S.C. 7721 note) is amended by 
     striking out ``September 30, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``December 31, 1998''.
       (2) Section 3(a) (38 U.S.C. 7721 note) is amended by 
     striking out ``, during fiscal years 1993, 1994, and 1995,''.
       (3) Section 12 (38 U.S.C. 7721 note) is amended by striking 
     out ``each of the fiscal years 1993, 1994, and 1995'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``each fiscal year through 
     1998''.

     SEC. 2. REPORTS.

       (a) Report on Consolidation of Certain Programs.--The 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress, not 
     later than March 1, 1997, a report on the advantages and 
     disadvantages of consolidating into one program the following 
     three programs:
       (1) The alcohol and drug abuse contract care program under 
     section 1720A of title 38, United States Code.
       (2) The program to provide community-based residential care 
     to homeless chronically mentally ill veterans under section 
     115 of the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 (38 
     U.S.C. 1712 note).
       (3) The demonstration program under section 7 of Public Law 
     102-54 (38 U.S.C. 1718 note).
       (b) Report on Scientific Evidence Concerning Health 
     Consequences of Military Service in Persian Gulf War.--(1) 
     The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, in consultation with 
     the National Academy of Sciences and with officials of other 
     appropriate Federal departments and agencies, review the 
     scientific evidence, and assess the strength of such 
     evidence, concerning association between military service in 
     the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian 
     Gulf War and any disease that may be associated with such 
     service.
       (2) The Secretary shall, not later than March 1, 1998, 
     submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
     and the House of Representatives a report on the findings of 
     the review and assessment under paragraph (1).

     SEC. 3. REPEAL OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS 
                   MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER IN THE PHILIPPINES.

       (a) Repeal.--Section 1732 of title 38, United States Code, 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking out subsection (b);
       (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b) and 
     striking out ``or grant'' both places it appears in that 
     subsection; and
       (3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c) and 
     striking out ``and to make grants'' in that subsection.
       (b) Clerical Amendments.--(1) The heading of such section 
     is amended by striking out ``and grants''.
       (2) The item relating to such section in the table of 
     sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is 
     amended by striking out ``and grants''.

     SEC. 4. DISPLAY OF POW/MIA FLAG AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTERS.

       (a) Daily Display of Flag.--Subsection (a) of section 1084 
     of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 
     1992 and 1993 (Public Law 102-190; 36 U.S.C. 189 note) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking out ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
       (2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (2) 
     and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) on, or on the grounds of, each Department of Veterans 
     Affairs medical center (except as provided in subsection 
     (e)), on every day on which the flag of the United States is 
     displayed.''.
       (b) Exception for Certain Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Medical Centers.--Such section is further amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new 
     subsection (e):
       ``(e) Special Rule for Display at Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Medical Centers.--(1) Upon a determination by the 
     director of a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center 
     that the daily display of the POW/MIA flag at that medical 
     center may be detrimental to the treatment of patients at 
     that center, the provisions of subsection (a)(3) shall be 
     inapplicable with respect to that medical center.
       ``(2) Whenever the director of a Department of Veterans 
     Affairs medical center makes a determination described in 
     paragraph (1), that officer shall submit a report on such 
     determination, including the basis for the determination, to 
     the Under Secretary for Health of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs.''.
       (c) Procurement and Distribution of Flags.--(1) Subsection 
     (c) of such section is amended by striking out ``Within 30 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Administrator'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``The 
     Administrator''.
       (2) The Administrator of General Services shall carry out 
     subsection (c) of section 1084 of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 (Public Law 
     102-190; 36 U.S.C. 189 note) with respect to the procurement 
     and distribution of POW/MIA flags for the purposes of 
     paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of such section (as added by 
     subsection (a) of this section) within 30 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
     
[[Page H 10114]]


     SEC. 5. CONTRACTS FOR UTILITIES, AUDIE L. MURPHY MEMORIAL 
                   HOSPITAL.

       (a) Authority To Contract.--Subject to subsection (b), the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into contracts for 
     the provision of utilities (including steam and chilled 
     water) to the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Hospital in San 
     Antonio, Texas. Each such contract may--
       (1) be for a period not to exceed 35 years;
       (2) provide for the construction and operation of a 
     production facility on or near property under the 
     jurisdiction of the Secretary;
       (3) require capital contributions by the parties involved 
     for the construction of such a facility, such contribution to 
     be in the form of cash, equipment, or other in-kind 
     contribution; and
       (4) provide for a predetermined formula to compute the cost 
     of providing such utilities to the parties for the duration 
     of the contract.
       (b) Funds.--A contract may be entered into under subsection 
     (a) only to the extent as provided for in advance in 
     appropriations Acts.
       (c) Additional Terms.--The Secretary may include in a 
     contract under subsection (a) such additional provisions as 
     the Secretary considers necessary to secure the provision of 
     utilities and to protect the interests of the United States.

     SEC. 6. NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL 
                   CENTER, WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON.

       The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center located 
     at 77 Wainwright Drive, Walla Walla, Washington, shall after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act be known and designated 
     as the ``Jonathan M. Wainwright Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Medical Center''. Any reference to that medical 
     center in any law, regulation, map, document, paper, or other 
     record of the United States shall be considered to be a 
     reference to the Jonathan M. Wainwright Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona [Mr. Stump] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Montgomery] will be recognized for 20 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump].


                             general leave

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 2353.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2353 would extend various authorities of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to delivery of health care 
for eligible veterans.
  These include: Hospital care and medical services for Persian Gulf 
veterans; use of nursing home care alternatives; care for homeless 
veterans; and extension of the VA Health Scholarship program.
  H.R. 2353 would also: Provide for the daily display of the POW/MIA 
flag at VA medical centers; authorize VA to contract for utilities at 
the Audie Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, TX; and, 
change the name of the Walla Walla, Washington VA Medical Center to the 
Jonathan M. Wainwright VA Medical Center.
  As with all VA medical care authorizations, these provisions would be 
subject to annual appropriation levels.
  The Congressional Budget Office has stated this bill would not affect 
direct spending or receipts; thus it would have no pay-as-you-go 
implications under budget rules.
  As always, I want to thank the VA Committee's ranking member, my 
distinguished colleague Sonny Montgomery for his cooperation and 
assistance on this bill.
  I also want to thank Chris Smith, vice-chairman of the VA Committee, 
the chairman of the Hospital and Health Care Subcommittee, Tim 
Hutchinson, and the subcommittee's ranking member, Chet Edwards, for 
their bipartisan work on this measure.
  They worked in a very constructive fashion with other members of the 
committee to resolve differences of opinion and accommodate Members 
desires in regard to this legislation.
  Mr. Fox, a member of the Hospitals and Health Care Subcommittee 
should be acknowledged for his instruction of the provision regarding 
flying the POW/MIA flag at VA medical centers.
  Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Mr. 
Nethercutt of Washington, for his leadership in renaming the VA medical 
center in Walla Walla, in honor of Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright.
  General Wainwright was an extremely distinguished military and civic 
leader, so it is very fitting that we take this action in his memory.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from New Jersey [Mr. Smith], the vice chairman of the committee, for an 
explanation of the bill.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 2353, 
legislation to extend eight needed expiring authorities for the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, including other important provisions. 
Before I summarize the bill I would like to express my sincere 
appreciation for the bipartisan effort and the outstanding work by 
those who brokered the compromises reflected in the bill. Through the 
efforts of Chairman Hutchinson and Chairman Stump, along with full 
committee ranking member Montgomery, and Chet Edwards, the ranking 
member of the subcommittee, we were able to reach a compromise that 
reflects not only the specific concerns of each of the members but also 
the needs of our veteran constituents. We were also, in the spirit of 
compromise, able to address the concerns of Mr. Nethercutt and the 
entire Washington State delegation to rename the Walla Walla VA Medical 
Center for a Great Washingtonian, Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright.
  Under this bill, hospital and medical care services for Persian Gulf 
veterans will be extended for 3 years, until December 31, 1998.
  This bill also extends the following seven authorities: Contract 
authority for alcohol and drug abuse care through December 31, 1997; 
the nursing home care alternatives program through December 31, 1997 
with an evaluation due to Congress March 31, 1997; The Health 
Scholarships program to December 31, 1997, with a report by a private 
contractor due to Congress March 31, 1997; enhanced-use lease of real 
property authority to December 31, 1997 with a report due to Congress 
March 31, 1997; the community-based residential care for homeless 
chronically mentally ill veterans to December 31, 1997; the 
demonstration program of compensated work therapy and therapeutic 
transitional housing to December 31, 1997; and the homeless veterans 
pilot program to December 31, 1998.

  Section 2 of the bill requires the VA to submit to Congress by March 
1, 1997 a report on the advantages and disadvantages of consolidating 
the following programs: Alcohol and drug abuse contract care, 
community-based residential care to homeless chronically mentally ill 
veterans, and compensated work therapy and therapeutic transitional 
housing.
  Section 2 also includes a compromise provision which authorizes a 
report on the scientific evidence concerning the health consequences of 
military service in the Persian Gulf war.
  Section 3 of the bill repeals the authority of the VA to provide 
grants to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines.
  Section 4 of the bill permits the daily display of the POW/MIA flag 
at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.
  Section 5 authorizes contract authority for utilities at the Audie L. 
Murphy Memorial Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas.
  Finally, Section 6 authorizes the name change of the Walla Walla VA 
Medical Center to the Jonathan M. Wainwright Department of Veterans 
Affairs Medical Center, a great American hero and son of the State of 
Washington.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is strongly supported by the 
Department, professional organizations representing the affected 
groups, and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Both the Subcommittee 
on Hospitals and Health Care and the full committee unanimously 
reported this measure. I strongly support passage of this legislation.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking the gentleman from Arizona 
[Mr. Stump], the chairman of the committee, for bringing this bill to 
the 

[[Page H 10115]]
floor. I also want to commend the gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. 
Hutchinson], and also the gentleman from New Jersey, [Mr. Chris Smith], 
who handled the bill today. The gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. 
Hutchinson] is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Hospitals and Health 
Care, and also, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Chet Edwards], the 
ranking member on this side, for their work in moving this measure to 
the House today.
  As the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Edwards] said last week, along with 
the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump], we like to do things that 
affect veterans in a nonpartisan fashion, and this bill demonstrates 
our commitment to that principle.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a minute or two to talk about two 
important areas of this legislation. The first is the authority to 
provide health care on a priority basis to Persian Gulf veterans. 
Although the vast majority of these veterans do not have health 
concerns, there has been a great deal of attention paid to those with 
undiagnosed illnesses.

  I would like to point out, Mr. Speaker, that in fact we passed 
historic legislation last year that if there is an undiagnosed illness 
of a veteran who was in the Persian Gulf, who served over in that 
faraway land, that that veteran can draw disability either for his or 
her family on a temporary basis until the research gets forward and 
helps us decide what the cause of that illness is. Both the Congress 
and the President are determined to get answers for those undiagnosed 
illnesses.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to assure those veterans that if they need health 
care, I would hope they would go to the veterans hospital where they 
are, and they can try and we will try to search out the answers to some 
of these cases that have not been solved on the illness.
  The second topic that I would like to briefly touch upon is the 
extension of the authorization for programs addressing the problems of 
veterans with mental illnesses. This bill authorizes the VA to continue 
to help veterans who are homeless or who have been recently discharged 
from the hospital.
  The VA has a number of different programs to provide medical care, 
transitional housing and work therapy for these veterans. These are 
very important programs because they provide hope and dignity to 
veterans who have served their country and who are now suffering from 
the most invisible pain of mental illness. These veterans are very 
dependent on the Government for basic human needs and we have a special 
duty to continue to care for them.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from Florida [Mrs. Thurman].

                              {time}  1615

  Mrs. THURMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Mississippi 
[Mr. Montgomery] for yielding me this time, and I stand here ready to 
support H.R. 2353 and commend the work that has been done on this by 
the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump], the chairman of the committee. 
However, Members will hear me more than once on this issue for the 
next, at least for the 104th Congress, because I think there is 
something that needs to continue to be pointed out about veterans 
health care.
  Mr. Speaker, in the U.S. Senate there was a Member that actually 
brought this up as well. I think the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] 
might be well aware because he and I actually share some similar 
problems with Arizona and Florida.
  As most of you know, Florida is a very popular veteran's destination. 
Between 1980 and 1990, the veterans population within my district 
increased immensely. For example, in Pasco County the number of 
veterans increased 56 percent; for Gilchrist County, it increased 63 
percent; and in Marion County, the number of veterans increased 76 
percent.
  In the past, the VA has attempted to better allocate limited 
resources through the resource planning and management system [RPM]. 
Unfortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs is reluctant to 
implement the proposals and findings of the RPM and rellocate resources 
to meet this shifting demand. According to a July 19, 1995, GAO report, 
the Department has failed to fully implement the new budgeting method 
known as the resource planning and management system.
  The GAO stated:

       Because VHA lacked resources to fund all facilities' 
     expected needs, it chose to limit the resources given to 
     facilities with growing workloads. . . . For facilities with 
     decreasing workloads, VHA chose not to reduce their funding 
     in proportion to the expected decreases in workload. These 
     decisions led only to small adjustments in the funding for 
     the projected cost of increased workload, while facilities 
     with decreasing workloads received more resources than they 
     were projected to need.

  In other words, those that were decreasing in workload actually were 
getting almost the same amount, while we that were increasing were 
getting less, or at least not meeting our needs.
  Throughout the country, as well as in my home State of Florida, 
inequities exist in veterans health funding which need to be addressed. 
For example, the national average cost per veteran for medical services 
and administration as contained in the Department of Veterans Affairs 
Summary of Expenditures by State for fiscal year 1993 was $574. 
Florida, however, was allocating $405 per veteran for a veteran 
population of 1,719,022, the second largest veteran population in the 
Nation. Earlier in the summer, I pointed out that the total VA health 
care expenditures in Florida for fiscal year 1994 were the same as 
total expenditure levels in Illinois and Pennsylvania, even though 
Florida's veteran population is 620,000 greater than Illinois and 
330,000 greater than Pennsylvania's. In short, I would just like the 
chairman and the ranking member to know, I really believe we need to 
push for the Department of Veterans Affairs to allocate funding to 
ensure that veterans have equal access to quality health care 
regardless of what region they live in or which facility provides them 
services.
  I think that is something all of us in this Congress believe we need 
to do to make sure that those men and women who fought for this 
country, some which have lost their lives, but those that returned, are 
given the same opportunities no matter where they live.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. 
Montgomery] very much for his giving me the opportunity to bring this 
to the Congress' attention.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman 
for her comments. It is a problem we certainly will take a look at, and 
I think the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] has about the same 
problem as she does as far as veterans moving into your area.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Texas [Mr. Edwards], the ranking member on the Subcommittee on 
Hospitals and Health Care. The gentleman from Texas has done a splendid 
job on that subcommittee and as a committee member of the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. 
Montgomery] and I rise in support of H.R. 2353, as amended.
  This bill, H.R. 2353, as amended, would extend VA's authority to 
provide needed services to veterans. Of particular importance, the bill 
would extend the period during which VA may furnish priority care to 
Persian Gulf veterans, without regard to whether health problems from 
which they suffer have been adjudicated as service incurred.
  The bill would also permit VA to continue several high-visibility 
programs which help in rehabilitating homeless and chronically mentally 
ill veterans. These and other extensions in the bill are needed because 
in each instance the underlying legal authority to furnish care will 
expire on or before January 1, 1996.
  H.R. 2353, as amended, would also underscore our commitment to 
achieving a full accounting of the status of American prisoners of war 
and missing in action by providing for display of the POW/MIA flag at 
VA medical centers.
  Mr. Speaker, I especially want to pay tribute to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania [Mr. Fox] for his leadership effort and fighting so that 
all Americans can be reminded of the fact that we do still have 
American MIA's and that we should never forget either our MIA's or our 
American POW's who have served this country. Had it not been for that 
gentleman's particular 

[[Page H 10116]]
leadership on this effort, I do not think this provision would be in 
the bill and he deserves our credit and our support for that 
leadership.
  This bill also provides a framework for VA to achieve cost savings at 
the Audie Murphy VA Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, through 
contracts with a non-Federal institution for construction and shared 
use of an energy production facility.
  I would like to commend my friend and colleague, the gentleman from 
Texas [Mr. Tejeda], for his hard work on this provision. While Mr. 
Tejeda is not here on the floor today because of a recent operation, 
our debt of thanks goes out to him. And if he happens to be watching 
this today, I know I speak on behalf of all of my colleagues in this 
House in saying we wish him well and appreciate his leadership and 
input on this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, it must be either a Monday or a Tuesday and 
it must once again be veterans legislation, because the chairman of the 
committee, the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump], and the ranking 
member, the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Montgomery], have done 
their business one more time. They have crafted, with the help of the 
gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. Hutchinson], a bipartisan piece of 
legislation that is important to our Nation's veterans and they have 
brought it to the floor without discord, without fighting.
  Mr. Speaker, there will not be anyone in the press gallery reporting 
on this, but, hopefully, once again, as happened last week and so many 
times before, the cooperative efforts of Mr. Stump and Mr. Montgomery 
have resulted in positive, good, constructive legislation coming 
through this House that will benefit millions of our Nation's veterans 
who have served our country.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman, yield?
  Mr. EDWARDS. I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's mentioning 
the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Tejeda], who is a member of the 
committee, and we are certainly pulling for him.
  One thing I talked to the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] about 
is, usually veterans bills are always up first in number. This time we 
are at the bottom, but I am sure that correction will be looked into, 
and I appreciate the gentleman's yielding.
  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I am sure they just 
saved the best for last.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to congratulate the gentleman from 
Mississippi, [Mr. Montgomery] and the gentleman from Arizona, [Mr. 
Stump] and I urge support of this bill.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the very diligent work of 
the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Edwards]. He is always there, always 
willing to compromise, and stays right there. I thank both he and the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Fox] for resolving the issues of the 
POW-MIT problem of flying the flag at the VA centers and in working out 
their differences, and I commend both of them.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania [Mr. Fox].
  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I too want to thank very much 
the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump], the chairman of the committee, 
and the ranking member, the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. 
Montgomery], and, of course, my colleague who has worked with me on 
this bill, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Edwards], for his help in 
making this day possible, and also to the gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. 
Hutchinson], the chairman of the subcommittee, and to my good friend, 
the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Smith], for his efforts in moving 
ahead this important veterans legislation.
  In addition to extending expiring health care authorities, we act 
today to honor our commitment to the 2,202 brave American soldiers who 
are still missing or unaccounted for, and to their families.
  It is our duty to remember these proud warriors and their families 
and to do everything within our power to obtain a full accounting. 
Particularly in light of the President's recent normalization of 
relations with Vietnam, we must ensure that we remain vigilant, Mr. 
Speaker, in our duty to American POW and MIA's. Today I am proud to 
join my colleagues on the Veterans' Affairs Committee in offering H.R. 
2353, which includes a provision to have the POW/MIA flag flown daily 
at each Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center until the 
President determines that the fullest possible accounting has been 
made.
  As you know, Mr. Speaker, the National League of Families POW/MIA 
flag has been recognized by law as the Symbol of the Nation's concern 
and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the data on Americans 
still prisoner, missing, and unaccounted for. It is appropriate that 
this flag be flown at the institutions which we have established to 
care for those who have served our great country.
  The POW/MIA flag is already flown daily at the Coatesville VA Medical 
Center in Coatesville, PA. Veterans there are grateful for this visible 
symbol of the concern and commitment of the U.S. Government to their 
missing brethren.
  I would like to thank again Chairman Stump, ranking member 
Montgomery, Chairman Hutchinson, ranking member Edwards, with whom I 
have worked with so long, the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Smith, the 
American Legion, and the national POW/MIA legislative network for their 
support and I urge my colleagues to fully support H.R. 2353.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Riggs). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. Stump] that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2353, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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