[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 1718, TO REPEAL TERMS SPECIFIED BY LAW FOR CERTAIN 
                              VA OFFICIALS

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing a bill to 
repeal the four-year terms specified by law for certain officials of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and to add a provision that 
addresses the appointment of directors of principal geographic service 
areas.
  Fourteen years ago, when the Veterans Administration was established 
as an executive department and redesignated the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, Public Law 100-527 also established a Chief Medical Director 
(CMD), a Chief Benefits Director (CBD) and a Director of the National 
Cemetery Services (the Director). The CMD and the CBD were to be 
appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, 
while the Director was to report to the Office of the Secretary.
  Subsequent laws further restated and reorganized the three key 
executive positions in the Department as the Under Secretaries for 
Health, Benefits and Memorial Affairs. Under current law, the Under 
Secretaries for Health and Benefits are appointed for four-year terms, 
with reappointment permissible for successive-like periods. There is no 
such restriction or term provision established in law for the Under 
Secretary for Memorial Affairs.
  I am introducing H.R. 1718 to repeal term appointments for the Under 
Secretaries for Health and Benefits. This bill will align all three 
Under Secretary positions as Presidential appointments, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, and allow the President maximum 
flexibility in the appointment of these primary executive positions. 
Current incumbents would not be affected by the enactment of this 
legislation. The President would also be required to notify Congress 
concerning the reasons for removal if the President should choose to 
terminate or remove one of the Under Secretaries of the Department.
  These term appointments likewise would be repealed for key officials 
assigned to the Office of the Under Secretary for Health, who are 
appointed by the Secretary subject to reassignment at the Secretary's 
discretion. With this bill, the designation of directors of principal 
geographic service areas are added to the group of key agency officials 
appointed by the Secretary and serving at the Secretary's discretion 
without term restrictions.
  As with the three under secretaries, H.R. 1718 requires that the 
Secretary notify the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House and 
Senate when one of these key officials is removed from one of these 
subsidiary positions. These officials may be entitled to reassignment, 
if they held a previous career position within the Department.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation would allow the President and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs maximum flexibility to hold senior 
officials accountable and to align the agency's top leadership with the 
vision and goals of the Secretary and the Administration. I urge prompt 
House action on this important measure.

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