[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 45 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H1568-H1571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXTENDING AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO ENHANCED-USE LEASES, AND RENAMING
U.S. COURT OF VETERANS APPEALS AND NATIONAL CEMETERY SYSTEM
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 1092) to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the
authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into enhanced-
use leases for Department of Veterans Affairs property, to rename the
U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals and the National Cemetery System, and
for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 1092
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this
Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to be made to a section or
other provision of title 38, United States Code.
TITLE I--ENHANCED-USE LEASES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REAL
PROPERTY
SEC. 101. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ENHANCED-USE LEASES OF
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REAL PROPERTY.
(a) Five-Year Extension of Authority.--Section 8169 is
amended by striking out ``December 31, 1997'' and inserting
in lieu thereof ``December 31, 2002''.
(b) Repeal of Limitation on Number of Agreements.--(1)
Section 8168 is repealed.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 81 is
amended by striking out the item relating to section 8168.
TITLE II--RENAMING PROVISIONS
SEC. 201. RENAMING OF THE COURT OF VETERANS APPEALS.
(a) In General.--(1) The United States Court of Veterans
Appeals shall hereafter be known and designated as the United
States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
(2) Section 7251 is amended by striking out ``United States
Court of Veterans Appeals'' and inserting in lieu thereof
``United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) The following sections are amended by striking out
``Court of Veterans Appeals''
[[Page H1569]]
each place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``Court
of Appeals for Veterans Claims'': sections 5904, 7101(b),
7252(a), 7253, 7254, 7255, 7256, 7261, 7262, 7263, 7264,
7266(a)(1), 7267(a), 7268(a), 7269, 7281(a), 7282(a), 7283,
7284, 7285(a), 7286, 7291, 7292, 7296, 7297, and 7298.
(2)(A)(i) The heading of section 7286 is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 7286. Judicial Conference of the Court of Appeals for
Veterans Claims''.
(ii) The item relating to section 7286 in the table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 72 is amended to read as
follows:
``7286. Judicial Conference of the Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims.''.
(B)(i) The heading of section 7291 is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 7291. Date when United States Court of Appeals for
Veterans Claims decision becomes final''.
(ii) The item relating to section 7291 in the table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 72 is amended to read as
follows:
``7291. Date when United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
decision becomes final.''.
(C)(i) The heading of section 7298 is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 7298. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Retirement
Fund''.
(ii) The item relating to section 7298 in the table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 72 is amended to read as
follows:
``7298. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Retirement Fund.''.
(3) The item relating to chapter 72 in the table of
chapters at the beginning of title 38 and the item relating
to such chapter in the table of chapters at the beginning of
part V are amended to read as follows:
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims..............7251''.
(c) Conforming Amendments to Other Laws.--
(1) The following provisions of law are amended by striking
out ``Court of Veterans Appeals'' each place it appears and
inserting in lieu thereof ``Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims'':
(A) Section 8440d of title 5, United States Code.
(B) Section 2412 of title 28, United States Code.
(C) Section 906 of title 44, United States Code.
(D) Section 109 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5
U.S.C. App.).
(2)(A) The heading of section 8440d of title 5, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 8440d. Judges of the United States Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims''.
(B) The item relating to such section in the table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 84 of such title is
amended to read as follows:
``8440d. Judges of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims.''.
(d) Other Legal References.--Any reference in a law,
regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United
States to the United States Court of Veterans Appeals shall
be deemed to be a reference to the United States Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims.
SEC. 202. REDESIGNATION OF NATIONAL CEMETERY SYSTEM.
(a) Redesignation as National Cemetery Administration.--(1)
The National Cemetery System of the Department of Veterans
Affairs shall hereafter be known and designated as the
National Cemetery Administration. The position of Director of
the National Cemetery System is hereby redesignated as
Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs.
(2) Section 301(c)(4) is amended by striking out ``National
Cemetery System'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``National
Cemetery Administration''.
(3) Section 307 of such title is amended--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking out ``a Director of
the National Cemetery System'' and inserting in lieu thereof
``an Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs''; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking out ``The
Director'' and all that follows through ``National Cemetery
System'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``The Assistant
Secretary is the head of the National Cemetery
Administration''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1)(A) The heading of section 307 is amended to read as
follows:
``Sec. 307. Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs''.
(B) The item relating to section 307 in the table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 3 is amended to read as
follows:
``307. Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs.''.
(2) Section 308 is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by inserting before the period at
the end of the first sentence ``, in addition to the
Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs'';
(B) in subsection (b), by inserting ``other than the
Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs'' after ``Assistant
Secretaries''; and
(C) in subsection (c), by inserting ``pursuant to
subsection (b)'' after ``Assistant Secretary''.
(3) Section 2306(d) is amended by striking out ``within the
National Cemetery System'' each place such term appears and
inserting in lieu thereof ``under the control of the National
Cemetery Administration''.
(4) Section 2400 is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking out ``National Cemetery System'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ``National Cemetery Administration
responsible''; and
(ii) in the second sentence, by striking out ``Such
system'' and all that follows through ``National Cemetery
System'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``The National
Cemetery Administration shall be headed by the Assistant
Secretary for Memorial Affairs'';
(B) in subsection (b), by striking out ``National Cemetery
System'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``national cemeteries
and other facilities under the control of the National
Cemetery Administration''; and
(C) by amending the heading to read as follows:
``Sec. 2400. Establishment of National Cemetery
Administration; composition of Administration''.
(5) The item relating to section 2400 in the table of
sections at the beginning of chapter 24 is amended to read as
follows:
``2400. Establishment of National Cemetery Administration; composition
of Administration.''.
(6) Section 2402 is amended in the matter preceding
paragraph (1) by striking out ``in the National Cemetery
System'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``under the control of
the National Cemetery Administration''.
(7) Section 2403(c) is amended by striking out ``in the
National Cemetery System created by this chapter'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ``under the control of the National
Cemetery Administration''.
(8) Section 2405(c) is amended--
(A) by striking out ``within the National Cemetery System''
and inserting in lieu thereof ``under the control of the
National Cemetery Administration''; and
(B) by striking out ``within such System'' and inserting in
lieu thereof ``under the control of such Administration''.
(9) Section 2408(c)(1) is amended by striking out ``in the
National Cemetery System'' and inserting in lieu thereof
``under the control of the National Cemetery
Administration''.
(10) Section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking out ``(6)'' after ``Assistant Secretaries,
Department of Veterans Affairs'' and inserting in lieu
thereof ``(7)''; and
(B) by striking out ``Director of the National Cemetery
System.''.
(c) Savings Provisions.--
(1) Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document,
paper, or other record of the United States to the National
Cemetery System shall be deemed to be a reference to the
National Cemetery Administration.
(2) Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document,
paper, or other record of the United States to the Director
of the National Cemetery System shall be deemed to be a
reference to the Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for
Memorial Affairs.
(d) Initial Appointment.--The initial appointment of an
individual to the position of Assistant Secretary of Veterans
Affairs for Memorial Affairs may be made by the President
alone if the individual appointed is the individual who was
serving as the Director of the National Cemetery System on
the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.
TITLE III--CODIFICATION OF PRIOR COMPENSATION RATE INCREASES
SEC. 301. DISABILITY COMPENSATION.
Section 1114 is amended--
(1) by striking out ``$87'' in subsection (a) and inserting
in lieu thereof ``$94'';
(2) by striking out ``$166'' in subsection (b) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$179'';
(3) by striking out ``$253'' in subsection (c) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$274'';
(4) by striking out ``$361'' in subsection (d) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$391'';
(5) by striking out ``$515'' in subsection (e) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$558'';
(6) by striking out ``$648'' in subsection (f) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$703'';
(7) by striking out ``$819'' in subsection (g) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$887'';
(8) by striking out ``$948'' in subsection (h) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,028'';
(9) by striking out ``$1,067'' in subsection (i) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,157'';
(10) by striking out ``$1,774'' in subsection (j) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,924'';
(11) in subsection (k)--
(A) by striking out ``$70'' each place it appears and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$74''; and
(B) by striking out ``$2,207'' and ``$3,093'' and inserting
in lieu thereof ``$2,393'' and ``$3,356'', respectively;
(12) by striking out ``$2,207'' in subsection (l) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$2,393'';
(13) by striking out ``$2,432'' in subsection (m) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$2,639'';
(14) by striking out ``$2,768'' in subsection (n) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$3,003'';
(15) by striking out ``$3,093'' each place it appears in
subsections (o) and (p) and inserting in lieu thereof
``$3,356'';
(16) by striking out ``$1,328'' and ``$1,978'' in
subsection (r) and inserting in lieu thereof ``$1,441'' and
``$2,145'', respectively; and
(17) by striking out ``$1,985'' in subsection (s) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$2,154''.
SEC. 302. ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR DEPENDENTS.
Section 1115(1) is amended--
(1) by striking out ``$105'' in clause (A) and inserting in
lieu thereof ``$112'';
[[Page H1570]]
(2) by striking out ``$178'' and ``$55'' in clause (B) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$191'' and ``$59'', respectively;
(3) by striking out ``$72'' and ``$55'' in clause (C) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$77'' and ``$59'', respectively;
(4) by striking out ``$84'' in clause (D) and inserting in
lieu thereof ``$91'';
(5) by striking out ``$195'' in clause (E) and inserting in
lieu thereof ``$211''; and
(6) by striking out ``$164'' in clause (F) and inserting in
lieu thereof ``$177''.
SEC. 303. CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS.
Section 1162 is amended by striking out ``$478'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$518.''
SEC. 304. DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR SURVIVING
SPOUSES.
Section 1311 is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking out ``$769'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$833'';
(2) in subsection (a)(2), by striking out ``$169'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$182'';
(3) in subsection (a)(3), by striking out the table therein
and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``Pay grade Monthly rate
E-7............................................... $861
E-8............................................... 909
E-9............................................... \1\ 949
W-1............................................... 880
W-2............................................... 915
W-3............................................... 943
W-4............................................... 997
O-1............................................... 880
O-2............................................... 909
O-3............................................... 972
O-4............................................... 1,028
O-5............................................... 1,132
O-6............................................... 1,276
O-7............................................... 1,378
O-8............................................... 1,510
O-9............................................... 1,618
O-10.............................................. \2\ 1,774
``\1\If the veteran served as sergeant major of the Army, senior
enlisted advisor of the Navy, chief master sergeant of the Air Force,
sergeant major of the Marine Corps, or master chief petty officer of
the Coast Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 1302 of
this title, the surviving spouse's rate shall be $1,023.
``\2\If the veteran served as Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Naval
Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commandant of the Marine
Corps, or Commandant of the Coast Guard, at the applicable time
designated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse's rate
shall be $1,902.'';
(4) in subsection (b), by striking out ``$100 for each such
child'' and all that follows through ``thereafter'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$211 for each such child'';
(5) in subsection (c), by striking out ``$195'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$211''; and
(6) in subsection (d), by striking out ``$95'' and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$102''.
SEC. 305. DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR CHILDREN.
(a) DIC for Orphan Children.--Section 1313(a) is amended--
(1) by striking out ``$327'' in clause (1) and inserting in
lieu thereof ``$354'';
(2) by striking out ``$471'' in clause (2) and inserting in
lieu thereof ``$510'';
(3) by striking out ``$610'' in clause (3) and inserting in
lieu thereof ``$662''; and
(4) by striking out ``$610'' and ``$120'' in clause (4) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$662'' and ``$130'',
respectively.
(b) Supplemental DIC for Disabled Adult Children.--Section
1314 is amended--
(1) by striking out ``$195'' in subsection (a) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$211'';
(2) by striking out ``$327'' in subsection (b) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$354''; and
(3) by striking out ``$166'' in subsection (c) and
inserting in lieu thereof ``$179''.
SEC. 306. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by this title shall take effect as of
December 1, 1996.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona [Mr. Stump] and the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans] each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump].
(Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
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. 1092.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
(Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1092 has several provisions which, one, extends the
authority of the VA to enter into enhanced-use leases for VA property,
renames the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals, renames the National
Cemetery System, codifies the increased compensation rates authorized
in last year's COLA bill.
Enhanced-use leasing is a tool with which the VA can work with the
private sector to develop VA property for mutual beneficial uses. This
authority has proven effective in developing child care centers,
parking facilities, and regional offices on VA campuses. We want to
encourage the Department to continue and expand these efforts.
The bill also changes the name of the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals
to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. According to Chief
Judge Nebeker, this will clarify that the court is independent of the
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Changing the name of the National Cemetery System to the National
Cemetery Administration would make it consistent with other
administrations within the VA.
Finally, the bill codfies the compensation and D-I-C increase we
enacted in last year's COLA bill. This will make the correct rates
available to more people, and has no effect on the amounts actually
paid.
I would like to thank all the members of the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs, and in particular the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans], the
ranking member, for their willingness to move these provisions through
the committee very expeditiously.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This legislation is an important measure for our Nation's veterans. I
encourage all of our colleagues to support its approval today by the
House.
In the interests of time, Mr. Speaker, I would limit my comments on
H.R. 1092 to title II of the bill. Title II of this bill renames the
Court of Veterans Appeals. This title of the bill incorporates the
provisions of H.R. 1089, which I introduced on March 18, 1997.
Too often veterans and others have been confused with the Court of
Veterans Appeals and with the Board of Veterans Appeals. I understand
this confusion has caused the court to record a message advising
callers that they had reached the Court of Veterans Appeals. The caller
is then instructed to dial a different number if he or she is inquiring
about the status of a case before the Board of Veterans Appeals.
This change was requested and recommended by the chief judge of the
court, Judge Nebeker, in recent testimony before the committee. The new
name, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, is consistent with
the name of other similar appellate courts and should help end this
widespread confusion.
Title II also changes the name of the National Cemetery System to the
National Cemetery Administration, and designates the head of the
National Cemetery Administration as the Assistant Secretary for
Memorial Affairs. The reference to Memorial Affairs reflects the
broader functions assigned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary.
Title III of this bill will simply codify the fiscal year 1997
compensation rate increase previously adopted. Mr. Speaker, I am
pleased to have joined with Chairman Stump in the introduction of this
legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Stearns], chairman of the Subcommittee on
Hospitals and Health Care.
Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the full committee
for yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1092, and commend my chairman
for bringing this bill to the floor for consideration early in this
session. I believe we are sending the VA an important signal today in
taking early action on this legislation.
With this bill, we are not only extending a good program but
expanding it to encourage highly productive public-private
partnerships. This bill would extend for 5 years the VA's authority to
enter into long-term leases of underutilized VA property in order to
foster development of projects which will benefit the VA as well as the
lessee.
This authority has been effective in encouraging development of
construction projects that have proven both directly and monetarily
beneficial to the Department. Mr. Speaker, existing law imposes certain
limits on this authority, which I believe have outlived their
usefulness. It limits to 10 the number
[[Page H1571]]
of enhanced-use leases that the VA may execute in any year, and caps at
20 the total number of such projects under this authority. In lifting
these limitations, H.R. 1092 should help spark an expansion of an
important partnership concept.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of the Members to support H.R. 1092.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from California [Mr. Filner].
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me, and the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Arizona
[Mr. Stump] for his leadership, and the chairman of the subcommittee,
the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Stearns] for helping bring this to the
floor.
Mr. Speaker, I, too, support H.R. 1092. As we have heard from the
chairman, it will expand the ability of the Veterans Administration to
enter into what is called enhanced-use leases. These leases, with both
private and public entities, require that underused VA property be
improved to contribute to the VA mission. The leases that have been
established in the past under this authority have, without any
exception, helped the VA to better serve our Nation's veterans.
So not only are we leasing for revenue, but we are improving the
ability of the VA to serve our veterans in the future. I am looking
forward to an expansion of this important and very successful program.
As the ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Evans] said,
H.R. 1092 would rename the Court of Veterans Appeals as the U.S. Court
of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
The committee has been told by veterans and attorneys representing
them that the court, an independent judicial body, is frequently
confused with the Board of Veterans Appeals, which is an administrative
arm of the VA. We expect this name change to eliminate the widespread
confusion. This renaming would also be consistent with recent changes
in the names of other courts.
Last, Mr. Speaker, the National Cemetery System would be redesignated
as the National Cemetery Administration under this legislation. The
cemetery system would thus have the same organizational status within
the VA as the other VA major components responsible for delivering
benefits; that is, the Veterans Benefit Administration and the Veterans
Health Administration.
The bill would also redesignate the director of the National Cemetery
System as the assistant secretary for memorial affairs, thus assuring
that this position has the status which reflects its responsibilities.
There is a provision also in H.R. 1092 that would protect our
veterans by putting into law the increase in veterans compensation
benefits that took effect December 1, 1996. H.R. 1092 is supported by
the entire Committee on Veterans Affairs, under the leadership of the
gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump], as well as the major veterans
service organizations. I, too, urge my colleagues to approve this
measure.
Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1092, a bill
to extend the VA's authority to enter into enhanced use leases; rename
the U.S. Court of Veterans' Appeals the U.S. Court of Appeals for
Veterans Claims; and codify the fiscal year 1997 VA compensation rates
to reflect cost-of-living adjustments effective December 1, 1996.
Additionally, I support H.R. 1090, a bill to allow veterans to appeal
certain claims which may have been erroneously denied by the VA. Both
of these bills will assist us with our efforts to provide a suitable
quality of life for our Nation's veterans. I want to commend Chairman
Stump, Congressman Evans, and the Veterans Committee for continued
leadership and hard work on these measures and others affecting the
veterans community.
America owes its freedom and prosperity to its veterans. So many of
them put their lives on the line so that the guiding principles we hold
so dear remain protected. Just as they fought on the front lines
protecting the security of our great Nation, we must be on the front
lines fighting for their well-being and security.
The two veterans bills on the floor today will assist us in this
endeavor. H.R. 1092 will extend the authority of the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to enter into enhanced use leases for underutilized VA
property. The public-private partnerships created as a result of these
leases has proven to be worthwhile. Enhanced use leasing authority has
led to the development of a number of beneficial projects: child care
centers, parking facilities, and VA office space. These projects and
others currently in the development stage greatly contribute to the
strength of the VA and its mission. Also, additional revenue received
from these leases is used for critical medical care services and
nursing homes.
I also support provisions of the bill renaming the U.S. Court of
Veterans Appeals. Because of its name, many veterans and attorneys have
been highly confused about the jurisdiction and authority of this body.
The name change established by the bill will prove beneficial by
clarifying that this is an independent judicial body and not an
administrative tribunal within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Additionally, the bill codifies fiscal year 1997 VA compensation
rates to reflect cost-of-living adjustments effective December 1, 1996.
This is important so that we can protect veterans compensation by
locking in rates established by the adjustment.
Again, I want to commend the committee for passing H.R. 1090. This
bill would make an important change by allowing veterans to appeal
decisions by the Board of Veterans Appeals for clear and unmistakable
errors. The veterans' community has been pointing out for some time
that the restrictions against appealing VA decisions for clear and
unmistakable error are grossly unfair. This bill is very important
because it gives veterans an adequate recourse when there has been
grave error by the VA. More importantly, it ensures that if the VA
makes an error, veterans will not be denied compensation benefits.
H.R. 1092 and H.R. 1090 are tools to be used in the tireless fight on
behalf of the veterans community. Again, I express my support and thank
the Veterans Committee for its work. I urge my colleagues to support
these bills.
Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1092 eliminates the current cap on
enhanced use leases for the VA. These leases are models of how Federal
agencies may enter into agreements with developers and other entities
to get the most out of VA-owned real property. These leases allow
developers to build on VA property to provide space to both the VA and
private concerns. The result is a lower cost VA infrastructure for the
taxpayers and quality commercial space for local businesses.
The bill also changes the name of the National Cemetery System to the
National Cemetery Administration and the title of the Director to the
Assistant Secretary for Memorial Affairs to more accurately describe
the scope of the position's responsibilities.
Additionally, the bill changes the name of the Court of Veterans
Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Finally, the bill codifies the increased rates of veterans service-
connected compensation resulting from the cost-of-living allowance
effective last December.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1092.
Mr. EVANS. 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. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona [Mr. Stump] that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 1092.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________