[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 56 (Monday, April 29, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4317-S4318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DOLE:
  S. 1711. A bill to establish a commission to evaluate the programs of 
the Federal Government that assist members of the Armed Forces and 
veterans in readjusting to civilian life, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


                TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE LEGISLATION

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I am pleased today to introduce legislation 
establishing a commission to review the various programs administered 
by the Federal Government to assist service members transitioning from 
military to civilian life.


                   Current System Lacks Coordination

  Currently, several Federal departments and agencies offer programs to 
assist military men and women, veterans and reserve component members 
in their transition back to civilian life. Offices in the Departments 
of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Labor, and others, sponsor programs 
offering such services as education assistance, job-training, job 
placement, and home loans. These are all useful and valuable services. 
However, changes in the labor market are challenging today's veteran 
readjustment programs. Unemployment rates for recently separated 
veterans may be as high as 17 percent, compared with a national average 
of about 5.7 percent. This is extremely troubling when one stops to 
think about the experience, discipline, and work ethic veterans bring 
to the workplace.
  By better focusing these resources, we can make the existing programs 
more accessible to a greater number of veterans; we can streamline 
programs and make them more user-friendly; we can minimize overlap and 
improve cost-effectiveness. That would be a big improvement over the 
current situation, and would ultimately better serve our service men 
and women.
  Let me emphasize, the purpose of this commission is not to create new 
programs and make a large bureaucracy. Rather it is to review the range 
of existing programs and determine how we can better coordinate our 
efforts on behalf of veterans. Both the House and Senate Veterans' 
Affairs Committees, as well as several veterans service organizations 
support this concept and agree that such a review is both appropriate 
and timely. There is real opportunity here to repeat the success of 
General Bradley's 1955 commission, which make significant improvements 
in transition programs with fresh concepts and approaches.


                      Improved Service to Veterans

  In my view, establishing this commission is the first step toward 
providing more accessible and more practical assistance to service 
members who are facing fundamental changes in their personal and 
professional lives. These are brave men and women who committed 
precious years of their lives to defending their Nation. Now they are 
ready and willing to become productive members of their civilian 
communities. It is my hope that this legislation will help these very 
deserving individuals make better use of the opportunities and 
resources available to them.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1711

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

     SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be 
     known as the Commission on Service Members and Veterans 
     Transition Assistance (hereafter in this Act referred to as 
     the ``Commission'').
       (b) Membership.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 12 
     members appointed from among private United States citizens 
     with appropriate and diverse veterans, military, 
     organizational, and management experiences and historical 
     perspectives, of whom--
       (A) four shall be appointed by the Chairman of the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, in consultation 
     with the Ranking Member of that committee;
       (B) four shall be appointed by the Chairman of the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives, in consultation with the Ranking Member of 
     that committee;
       (C) two shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee 
     on Armed Services of the Senate, in consultation with the 
     Ranking Member of that committee; and
       (D) two shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee 
     on National Security of the House of Representatives, in 
     consultation with the Ranking Member of that committee.
       (2) VSO members.--One member of the Commission appointed 
     under each of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) 
     shall be a representative of a veterans service organization.
       (3) Date.--The appointments of the members of the 
     Commission shall be made not later than 45 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       (c) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.--Members shall be 
     appointed for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the 
     Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled 
     in the same manner as the original appointment.
       (d) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
     on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, 
     the Commission shall hold its first meeting.
       (e) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
     shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold 
     hearings.
       (f) Chairman and Vice-Chairman.--The Commission shall 
     select a Chairman and Vice Chairman from among its members.
       (g) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
     Chairman.
       (h) Panels.--The Commission may establish panels composed 
     of less than the full membership of the Commission for the 
     purpose of carrying out the Commission's duties under this 
     Act. The actions of such panels shall be subject to the 
     review and control of the Commission. Any findings and 
     determinations made by such a panel shall not be considered 
     the findings and determinations of the Commission unless 
     approved by the Commission.
       (i) Authority of Individuals To Act for Commission.--Any 
     member or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the 
     Commission, take any action which the Commission is 
     authorized to take under this Act.

     SEC. 2. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

       (a) In General.--The Commission shall--
       (1) review the efficacy and appropriateness of veterans 
     transition and assistance programs in providing assistance to 
     members of the Armed Forces in making the transition and 
     adjustment to civilian life upon their separation from the 
     Armed Forces and in providing assistance to veterans in 
     adjusting to civilian life;
       (2) evaluate proposals for improving such programs, 
     including proposals to consolidate, streamline, and enhance 
     the provision of such assistance and proposals for 
     alternative means of providing such assistance; and
       (3) make recommendations to Congress regarding means of 
     ensuring the continuing utility of such programs and 
     assistance and of otherwise improving such programs and the 
     provision of such assistance.
       (b) Review of Programs To Assist Members of the Armed 
     Forces at Separation.--
       (1) In general.--While carrying out the general duties 
     specified in subsection (a), the members of the Commission 
     appointed under subparagraphs (C) and (D) of section 1(b)(1) 
     shall review primarily programs intended to assist members of 
     the Armed Forces at the time of their separation from service 
     in the Armed Forces, including programs designed to assist 
     families of such members in preparing for the transition of 
     such members from military life to civilian life and to 
     facilitate that transition.
       (2) Specific requirements.--In carrying out the review, 
     such members of the Commission shall determine--
       (A) the adequacy of the programs referred to in paragraph 
     (1) for their purposes;
       (B) the adequacy of the support of the Armed Forces for 
     such programs;
       (C) the effect, if any, of the existence of such programs 
     on combat readiness;
       (D) the extent to which such programs provide members of 
     the Armed Forces with job-search skills;
       (E) the extent to which such programs prepare such members 
     for employment in the private sector and in the public 
     sector;
       (F) the effectiveness of such programs in assisting such 
     members in finding employment in the public sector; and

[[Page S4318]]

       (G) the means by which such programs could be improved in 
     order to assist such members in securing meaningful 
     employment in the private sector upon their separation from 
     service.
       (c) Review of Programs To Assist Veterans.--
       (1) In general.--While carrying out the general duties 
     specified in subsection (a), the members of the Commission 
     appointed under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 1(b)(1) 
     shall review primarily the adequacy of programs intended to 
     assist veterans (including disabled veterans, homeless 
     veterans, and economically disadvantaged veterans), including 
     the programs referred to in paragraph (2).
       (2) Covered programs.--The programs referred to in 
     paragraph (1) are the following:
       (A) Educational assistance programs.
       (B) Job counseling, job training, and job placement 
     services programs.
       (C) Rehabilitation and training programs.
       (D) Housing loan programs.
       (E) Small business loan and small business assistance 
     programs.
       (F) Employment and employment training programs for 
     employment in the public sector and the private sector.
       (G) Federal Government personnel policies (including 
     veterans' preference policies) and the enforcement of such 
     policies.
       (H) Programs that prepare the families of veterans for 
     their transition from military life to civilian life and 
     facilitate that transition.
       (d) Reports.--
       (1) Implementing plan.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date on which all members of the Commission have been 
     appointed, the Commission shall submit to the Committees on 
     Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services of the Senate and the 
     Committees on Veterans' Affairs and National Security of the 
     House of Representatives a report setting forth a plan for 
     the work of the Commission. The Commission shall develop the 
     plan in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the heads of other 
     appropriate departments and agencies of the Federal 
     Government.
       (2) Final report.--
       (A) Requirement.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the first meeting of the Commission, the Commission shall 
     submit to the committees referred to in paragraph (1), and to 
     the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
     the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Education, a 
     report setting forth the activities, findings, and 
     recommendations of the Commission, including any 
     recommendations for legislative action and administrative 
     action as the Commission considers appropriate.
       (B) Executive comment.--Not later than 90 days after 
     receiving the report referred to in subparagraph (A), the 
     Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall jointly submit to Congress a report setting forth the 
     comments of such Secretaries with respect to the report.

     SEC. 3. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

       (a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit 
     and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
     receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable 
     to carry out the purposes of this Act.
       (b) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may 
     secure directly from the Department of Defense, the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, and any other department or 
     agency of the Federal Government such information as the 
     Commission considers necessary to carry out its duties under 
     this Act. Upon request of the Chairman of the Commission, the 
     head of such department or agency shall furnish such 
     information expeditiously to the Commission.

     SEC. 4. MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

       (a) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United 
     States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
     as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
       (b) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use and dispose of 
     gifts or donations of services or property.
       (c) Miscellaneous Administrative Support.--The Secretary of 
     Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, upon the 
     request of the Chairman of the Commission, furnish the 
     Commission, on a reimbursable basis, any administrative and 
     support services as the Commission may require.

     SEC. 5. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

       (a) Compensation of Members.--Each member of the Commission 
     who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government 
     shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent 
     of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of 
     the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
     States Code, for each day (including travel time) during 
     which such member is engaged in performing the duties of the 
     Commission. All members of the Commission who are officers or 
     employees of the United States shall serve without 
     compensation in addition to that received for their services 
     as officers or employees of the United States.
       (b) Travel and Travel Expenses.--
       (1) Travel.--Members and personnel of the Commission may 
     travel on military aircraft, military vehicles, or other 
     military conveyances when travel is necessary in the 
     performance of a responsibility of the Commission except when 
     the cost of commercial transportation is less expensive.
       (2) Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall be 
     allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
     business in the performance of services for the Commission.
       (c) Staff.--
       (1) In general.--The Chairman of the Commission may, 
     without regard to civil service laws and regulations, appoint 
     and terminate an executive director and such other additional 
     personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to 
     perform its duties. In appointing an individual as executive 
     director, the Chairman shall, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, attempt to appoint an individual who is a 
     veteran. The employment of an executive director shall be 
     subject to confirmation by the Commission.
       (2) Compensation.--The Chairman of the Commission may fix 
     the compensation of the executive director and other 
     personnel without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and 
     subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, 
     relating to classification of positions and General Schedule 
     pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive 
     director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable 
     for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of 
     such title.
       (d) Detail of Government Employees.--Upon request of the 
     Chairman of the Commission, the head of any department or 
     agency of the Federal Government may detail, on a 
     nonreimbursable basis, any personnel of the department or 
     agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying 
     out its duties.
       (e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--
     The Chairman of the Commission may procure temporary and 
     intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, 
     United States Code, at rates for individuals which do not 
     exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
     prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under 
     section 5316 of such title.

     SEC. 6. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.

       The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on 
     which the Commission submits its report under section 
     2(d)(2).

     SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

       For the purposes of this Act--
       (1) The term ``veterans transition and assistance program'' 
     means any program of the Federal Government, including the 
     Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
     the Department of Labor, and the Department of Education, the 
     purpose of which is--
       (A) to assist, by rehabilitation or other means, members of 
     the Armed Forces in readjusting or otherwise making the 
     transition to civilian life upon their separation from 
     service in the Armed Forces; or
       (B) to assist veterans in civilian life.
       (2) The term ``members of the Armed Forces'' includes 
     individuals serving in the reserve components of the Armed 
     Forces.
       (3) The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given such term in 
     section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.
       (4) The term ``veterans service organization'' means any 
     organization covered by section 5902(a) of title 38, United 
     States Code.

     SEC. 8. FUNDING.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall, upon the 
     request of the Chairman of the Commission, make available to 
     the Commission such amounts as the Commission may require to 
     carry out its duties under this Act. The Secretary shall make 
     such amounts available from amounts appropriated for the 
     Department of Defense.
       (b) Availability.--Any sums made available to the 
     Commission under subsection (a) shall remain available, 
     without fiscal year limitation, until the termination of the 
     Commission.
                                 ______