[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H7909-H7913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




VETERANS' PROGRAMS EXTENSION AND CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6832) to authorize major medical facility projects and major 
medical facility leases for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
fiscal year 2009, to extend certain authorities of the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6832

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' 
     Programs Extension and Construction Authorization Act of 
     2008''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

 TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS AND MAJOR MEDICAL 
                            FACILITY LEASES

Sec. 101. Authorization for fiscal year 2009 major medical facility 
              projects.
Sec. 102. Modification of authorization amounts for certain major 
              medical facility construction projects previously 
              authorized.
Sec. 103. Authorization of fiscal year 2009 major medical facility 
              leases.
Sec. 104. Authorization of construction of major medical facility, 
              Okaloosa County, Florida.
Sec. 105. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 106. Report on facilities administration.
Sec. 107. Annual report on outpatient clinics.

               TITLE II--EXTENSION OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES

Sec. 201. Repeal of sunset on inclusion of noninstitutional extended 
              care services in definition of medical services.
Sec. 202. Extension of recovery audit authority.
Sec. 203. Permanent authority for provision of hospital care, medical 
              services, and nursing home care to veterans who 
              participated in certain chemical and biological testing 
              conducted by the Department of Defense.
Sec. 204. Extension of expiring collections authorities.
Sec. 205. Extension of nursing home care.
Sec. 206. Extension of authority to carry out income verification.
Sec. 207. Permanent authority to establish research corporations.
Sec. 208. Extension of certain veterans home loan guaranty programs.
Sec. 209. Extension of requirement to submit annual report on the 
              Special Committee on Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder.
Sec. 210. Extension of requirement to submit annual report on the 
              Committee on Care of Severely Chronically Mentally Ill 
              Veterans.
Sec. 211. Permanent requirement for biannual report on Women's Advisory 
              Committee.
Sec. 212. Permanent authority for Advisory Committee on Minority 
              Veterans.
Sec. 213. Extension of temporary increase in maximum loan guaranty 
              amount for certain housing loans guaranteed by the 
              Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

                        TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 301. Increase in cap of number of veterans participating in 
              independent living program.
Sec. 302. Enhancement of refinancing of home loans by veterans.
Sec. 303. Technical amendments.

 TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS AND MAJOR MEDICAL 
                            FACILITY LEASES

     SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 MAJOR MEDICAL 
                   FACILITY PROJECTS.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the 
     following major medical facility projects in fiscal year 2009 
     in the amount specified for each project:
       (1) Seismic corrections, Building 2, at the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto 
     Division Palo Alto, California, in an amount not to exceed 
     $54,000,000.
       (2) Construction of a polytrauma healthcare and 
     rehabilitation center at the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, in an amount not to 
     exceed $66,000,000.
       (3) Seismic corrections, Building 1, at the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico, in an 
     amount not to exceed $225,900,000.

     SEC. 102. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORIZATION AMOUNTS FOR CERTAIN 
                   MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS 
                   PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED.

       (a) Modification of Major Medical Facility 
     Authorizations.--Section 801(a) of the Veterans Benefits, 
     Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public 
     Law 109-461) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``$300,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$625,000,000''; and
       (B) by striking the second sentence; and
       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$98,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$769,200,000''.
       (b) Modification of Authorization for Certain Major Medical 
     Facility Construction Projects Previously Authorized in 
     Connection With Capital Asset Realignment Initiative.--
       (1) Correction of patient privacy deficiencies at the 
     department of veterans affairs medical center, gainesville, 
     florida.--Paragraph (5) of section 802 of the Veterans 
     Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 
     (Public Law 109-461) is amended by striking ``$85,200,000'' 
     and inserting ``$136,700,000''.
       (2) Construction of a new medical center facility at the 
     department of veterans affairs medical center, las vegas, 
     nevada.--Paragraph (7) of such section is amended by striking 
     ``$406,000,000'' and inserting ``$600,400,000''.
       (3) Construction of a new outpatient clinic, lee county, 
     florida.--Paragraph (8) of such section is amended--
       (A) by striking ``ambulatory'' and all that follows through 
     ``purchase,'' and inserting ``outpatient clinic in''; and
       (B) by striking ``$65,100,000'' and inserting 
     ``$131,800,000''.
       (4) Construction of a new medical center facility, orlando, 
     florida.--Paragraph (11) of such section is amended by 
     striking ``$377,700,000'' and inserting ``$656,800,000''.
       (5) Consolidation of campuses at the university drive and 
     h. john heinz iii divisions, pittsburgh, pennsylvania.--
     Paragraph (12) of such section is amended by striking 
     ``$189,205,000'' and inserting ``$295,600,000''.

     SEC. 103. AUTHORIZATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2009 MAJOR MEDICAL 
                   FACILITY LEASES.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the 
     following major medical facility leases in fiscal year 2009 
     at the locations specified, and in an amount for each lease 
     not to exceed the amount shown for such location:

[[Page H7910]]

       (1) For an outpatient clinic, Brandon, Florida, $4,326,000.
       (2) For an outpatient clinic, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 
     $3,995,000.
       (3) For an outpatient clinic, Eugene, Oregon, $5,826,000.
       (4) For the expansion of an outpatient clinic, Green Bay, 
     Wisconsin, $5,891,000.
       (5) For an outpatient clinic, Greenville, South Carolina, 
     $3,731,000.
       (6) For an outpatient clinic, Mansfield, Ohio, $2,212,000.
       (7) For an outpatient clinic, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, 
     $6,276,000.
       (8) For an outpatient clinic, Mesa, Arizona, $5,106,000.
       (9) For interim research space, Palo Alto, California, 
     $8,636,000.
       (10) For the expansion of an outpatient clinic, Savannah, 
     Georgia, $3,168,000.
       (11) For an outpatient clinic, Sun City, Arizona, 
     $2,295,000.
       (12) For a primary care annex, Tampa, Florida, $8,652,000.

     SEC. 104. AUTHORIZATION OF CONSTRUCTION OF MAJOR MEDICAL 
                   FACILITY, OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA.

       (a) Authorization.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     carry out a major medical facility project to construct a new 
     medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
     Okaloosa County, Florida, in an amount not to exceed 
     $54,475,000.
       (b) Facility Location.--The facility authorized to be 
     constructed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be built in 
     accordance with option 2 of the report to Congress dated June 
     26, 2007, required to be submitted under section 823 of the 
     Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology 
     Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-461; 120 Stat. 3449).
       (c) Plan for Sharing of Inpatient and Outpatient 
     Services.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of the Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
     and House of Representatives a plan that sets forth terms and 
     conditions for the sharing of inpatient and outpatient 
     services at the medical facility authorized to be constructed 
     pursuant to subsection (a).

     SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009 
     Major Medical Facility Projects.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal 
     year 2009 for the Construction, Major Projects, account--
       (1) $345,900,000 for the projects authorized in section 
     101;
       (2) $1,694,295,000 for the increased amounts authorized for 
     projects whose authorizations are modified by section 102; 
     and
       (3) $54,475,000 for the project authorized in section 104.
       (b) Authorization For Appropriations For Fiscal Year 2009 
     Major Medical Facility Leases.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal 
     year 2009 for the Medical Facilities account, $60,114,000, 
     for the leases authorized in section 103.

     SEC. 106. REPORT ON FACILITIES ADMINISTRATION.

       Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
     the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
     of Representatives a report updating the progress of the 
     Secretary in complying with section 312A of title 38, United 
     States Code.

     SEC. 107. ANNUAL REPORT ON OUTPATIENT CLINICS.

       (a) Annual Report Required.--Subchapter I of chapter 81 of 
     title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:

     ``Sec. 8119. Annual report on outpatient clinics

       ``(a) Annual Report Required.--The Secretary shall submit 
     to the committees an annual report on community-based 
     outpatient clinics and other outpatient clinics of the 
     Department. The report shall be submitted each year not later 
     than the date on which the budget for the next fiscal year is 
     submitted to the Congress under section 1105 of title 31.
       ``(b) Contents of Report.--Each report required under 
     subsection (a) shall include the following:
       ``(1) A list of each community-based outpatient clinic and 
     other outpatient clinic of the Department, and for each such 
     clinic, the type of clinic, location, size, number of health 
     professionals employed by the clinic, workload, whether the 
     clinic is leased or constructed and operated by the 
     Secretary, and the annual cost of operating the clinic.
       ``(2) A list of community-based outpatient clinics and 
     other outpatient clinics that the Secretary opened during the 
     fiscal year preceding the fiscal year during which the report 
     is submitted and a list of clinics the Secretary proposes 
     opening during the fiscal year during which the report is 
     submitted and the subsequent fiscal year, together with the 
     cost of activating each such clinic and the information 
     required to be provided under paragraph (1) for each such 
     clinic and proposed clinic.
       ``(3) A list of proposed community-based outpatient clinics 
     and other outpatient clinics that are, as of the date of the 
     submission of the report, under review by the National Review 
     Panel and a list of possible locations for future clinics 
     identified in the Department's strategic planning process, 
     including any identified locations in rural and underserved 
     areas.
       ``(4) A prioritized list of sites of care identified by the 
     Secretary that the Secretary could establish without carrying 
     out construction or entering into a lease, including--
       ``(A) any such sites that could be expanded by hiring 
     additional staff or allocating staff to Federal facilities or 
     facilities operating in collaboration with the Federal 
     Government; and
       ``(B) any sites established, or able to be established, 
     under sections 8111 and 8153 of this title.''.
       (b) Deadline for First Annual Report.--The Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall submit the first report required under 
     section 8119(a) of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
     subsection (a), by not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end of 
     the items relating to subchapter I the following new item:

``8119. Annual report on outpatient clinics.''.

               TITLE II--EXTENSION OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES

     SEC. 201. REPEAL OF SUNSET ON INCLUSION OF NONINSTITUTIONAL 
                   EXTENDED CARE SERVICES IN DEFINITION OF MEDICAL 
                   SERVICES.

       Section 1701 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (10); and
       (2) in paragraph (6)--
       (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as 
     subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new 
     subparagraph (E):
       ``(E) Noninstitutional extended care services, including 
     alternatives to institutional extended care that the 
     Secretary may furnish directly, by contract, or through 
     provision of case management by another provider or payer.''.

     SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF RECOVERY AUDIT AUTHORITY.

       Section 1703(d)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``September 30, 2008'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 2013''.

     SEC. 203. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR PROVISION OF HOSPITAL CARE, 
                   MEDICAL SERVICES, AND NURSING HOME CARE TO 
                   VETERANS WHO PARTICIPATED IN CERTAIN CHEMICAL 
                   AND BIOLOGICAL TESTING CONDUCTED BY THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

       (a) Permanent Authority.--Subsection (e)(3) of section 1710 
     of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``; and'' and 
     inserting a period; and
       (3) by striking subparagraph (D).
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (e)(1)(E) of such 
     section is amended by striking ``paragraphs (2) and (3)'' and 
     inserting ``paragraph (2)''.

     SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING COLLECTIONS AUTHORITIES.

       (a) Health Care Copayments.--Section 1710(f)(2)(B) of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``September 
     30, 2008'' and inserting ``September 30, 2010''.
       (b) Medical Care Cost Recovery.--Section 1729(a)(2)(E) of 
     title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``October 1, 2008'' and inserting ``October 1, 2010''.

     SEC. 205. EXTENSION OF NURSING HOME CARE.

       Section 1710A(d) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``December 31, 2008'' and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2013''.

     SEC. 206. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT INCOME 
                   VERIFICATION.

       Section 5317(g) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``September 30, 2008'' and inserting ``September 
     30, 2010''.

     SEC. 207. PERMANENT AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH RESEARCH 
                   CORPORATIONS.

       (a) Repeal.--Title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking section 7368.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 73 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 7368.

     SEC. 208. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN VETERANS HOME LOAN GUARANTY 
                   PROGRAMS.

       (a) Extension of Demonstration Project on Adjustable Rate 
     Mortgages.--Section 3707(a) of title 38, United States Code, 
     is amended by striking ``2008'' and inserting ``2012''.
       (b) Extension of Demonstration Project on Hybrid Adjustable 
     Rate Mortgages.--Section 3707A(a) of such title is amended by 
     striking ``2008'' and inserting ``2012''.

     SEC. 209. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORT ON 
                   THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON POST-TRAUMATIC-STRESS 
                   DISORDER.

       Section 110(e)(2) of the Veterans' Health Care Act of 1984 
     (38 U.S.C. 1712A note; Public Law 98-528) is amended by 
     striking ``through 2008'' and inserting ``through 2012''.

     SEC. 210. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORT ON 
                   THE COMMITTEE ON CARE OF SEVERELY CHRONICALLY 
                   MENTALLY ILL VETERANS.

       Section 7321(d)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``through 2008'' and inserting ``through 
     2012''.

     SEC. 211. PERMANENT REQUIREMENT FOR BIANNUAL REPORT ON 
                   WOMEN'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       Section 542(c)(1) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``through 2008''.

     SEC. 212. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                   MINORITY VETERANS.

       Section 544 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking subsection (e).

[[Page H7911]]

     SEC. 213. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY INCREASE IN MAXIMUM LOAN 
                   GUARANTY AMOUNT FOR CERTAIN HOUSING LOANS 
                   GUARANTEED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       Section 2201 of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 
     2008 (Public Law 110-289) is amended by striking ``December 
     31, 2008'' and inserting ``December 31, 2011''.

                        TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 301. INCREASE IN CAP OF NUMBER OF VETERANS PARTICIPATING 
                   IN INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM.

       Section 3120(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``2,500 veterans'' and inserting ``2,600 
     veterans''.

     SEC. 302. ENHANCEMENT OF REFINANCING OF HOME LOANS BY 
                   VETERANS.

       (a) Inclusion of Refinancing Loans Among Loans Subject to 
     Guaranty Maximum.--Section 3703(a)(1)(A)(i)(IV) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting ``(5),'' after 
     ``(3),''.
       (b) Increase in Maximum Percentage of Loan To-Value of 
     Refinancing Loans Subject to Guaranty.--Section 3710(b)(8) of 
     such title is amended by striking ``90 percent'' and 
     inserting ``100 percent''.

     SEC. 303. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Title 38.--Title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 1712A--
       (A) by striking subsection (g);
       (B) by redesignating subsections (d) through (i) as 
     subsections (c) through (f), respectively; and
       (C) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``(including a Resource Center designated under subsection 
     (h)(3)(A) of this section)'';
       (2) in section 2065(b)(3)(C), by striking ``)'';
       (3) in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 
     36, by striking the item relating to section 3684A and 
     inserting the following new item:

``3684A. Procedures relating to computer matching program.'';

       (4) in section 4110(c)(1), by striking ``15'' and inserting 
     ``16'';
       (5) in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 
     51, by striking the item relating to section 5121 and 
     inserting the following new item:

``5121. Payment of certain accrued benefits upon death of a 
              beneficiary.'';

       (6) in section 7458(b)(2), by striking ``pro rated'' and 
     inserting ``pro-rated'';
       (7) in section 8117(a)(1), by striking ``such such'' and 
     inserting ``such''; and
       (8) in each of sections 1708(d), 7314(f), 7320(j)(2), 
     7325(i)(2), and 7328(i)(2), by striking ``medical care 
     account'' and inserting ``medical services account''.
       (b) Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information 
     Technology Act of 2006.--Section 807(e) of the Veterans 
     Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 
     (Public Law 109-461) is amended by striking ``Medical Care'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``Medical Facilities''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.

                              {time}  1700

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a very important bill that we simply must pass 
this year because it extends authorities for a whole number of veterans 
programs. And I want to thank my ranking member, Mr. Buyer of Indiana, 
for his cooperation and support to get this bill on the floor today 
because, as I said, we have got to get this done before the end of this 
congressional session.
  H.R. 6832 includes the text of several other pieces of legislation; 
for example, the text of H.R. 5856, the Department of Veterans Medical 
Facility Authorization and Lease Act of 2008, that we passed on this 
floor by a vote of 416-0 back in May. As the new fiscal year begins on 
October 1, it is essential that the VA have the legal authorities it 
needs to move forward in providing world-class facilities and better 
access for our veterans.
  In addition to providing these authorizations, we extend a number of 
expiring authorities, including the authority to collect from insurance 
companies and third parties for the cost of certain health care. These 
provisions were slated to expire at the end of this month. It also 
extends the VA authority to receive data from the IRS and the Social 
Security Administration to verify income levels for veterans in certain 
programs.
  We extend here also the authority of the VA to conduct recovery 
audits of fee basis and other medical service contracts when a veteran 
receives care at a non-VA facility, such as the bill we just passed 
with Mr. Moran.
  We make permanent here the VA authority to treat veterans who 
participated in tests conducted by the Department of Defense at the 
Deseret Test Center from 1962 to 1973, which included the program known 
as Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense, or Project SHAD. This 
authority expired last year. We have to do more for those who have been 
subject to those tests, and we will look at legislation, especially by 
Mr. Thompson of California, in the near future.
  We extend the reporting requirements for the Special Committee on 
PTSD, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and the Committee on Care of 
Severely Chronically Mentally Ill Veterans. These committees are 
vitally important as we seek to provide the best care for our veterans 
in dealing with these mental health issues.
  We repeal the sunset on inclusion of noninstitutional extended care 
services as part of the health care provided to our veterans, and 
extend the authority of the VA to provide nursing home care for certain 
veterans, which was also slated to expire at the end of this year.
  We increase the number of veterans among our most severely disabled 
veterans who would be able to participate in the VA's Independent 
Living Program. Long-term care services are a vital component of our 
health care for veterans, and will only increase in importance in the 
years ahead.
  H.R. 6832 also makes permanent the authority of the Advisory 
Committee on Minority Veterans and reporting requirements for the 
Women's Advisory Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I have often stressed the importance of the housing 
provisions in the original GI bill that was enacted in 1944. This act, 
of which over 8 million veterans took advantage of, probably created 
the prosperous and stable middle-class in our Nation. We recently 
passed an update of the GI bill that we called the 21st Century GI 
Bill, which brought education benefits up to the standards that this 
century requires, but we did not reform and improve the VA home loan 
program in that GI bill that would have in fact remained true to the 
spirit of the original GI bill. The housing crisis that is affecting 
all of our society in all areas of our country would be helped by 
broadening authority of the VA in this area.
  Both my ranking member, Mr. Buyer, and I have introduced legislation 
to reform the home loan program, and H.R. 6832 brings both of our 
pieces of legislation together. We were able to provide temporary 
authority for the VA to make loans at levels that matched other Federal 
housing programs in an earlier bill this year, but that authority 
expires at the end of the year and VA will be forced once again to 
essentially limit its guarantee to a maximum loan amount of $417,000. 
What we do here is to extend that authority until 2011 to guarantee 
loan amounts up to $729,750 in certain parts of the country. We also 
extend the authority of the VA to make so-called hybrid adjustable rate 
and adjustable rate mortgages in their program, which also expires this 
year.
  Finally, H.R. 6832 will make it easier for veterans to refinance 
their home loans with the VA. We authorize the VA to provide the same 
maximum loan guarantee for veterans, refinancing non-VA loans, as it 
currently provides for loans guaranteed by the VA. It will enable 
veterans to refinance the loan at up to 100 percent of the value of the 
underlying property. Currently, the VA is only able to finance up to 90 
percent.
  I know that I speak for Mr. Buyer in that we wish we could do more 
right at this moment to help our veterans weather this housing crisis, 
but this bill provides real help, and will make a real difference in 
the lives of thousands of veterans facing the housing crisis and our 
economic slowdown. It is extremely important that we pass H.R. 6832, 
and meet our responsibilities to our Nation's veterans.
  I thank the minority side for its great cooperation on this.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 6832, the Department 
of Veterans Affairs Construction and Extensions Act of 2008. I again 
thank Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer for bringing this bill 
forward today. And I also want to thank the leaders of the Subcommittee 
on Health, the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) and the ranking 
member, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) for their bipartisan 
efforts in crafting this important legislation.

[[Page H7912]]

  The construction authorization provisions in title I of this bill are 
identical to previously passed legislation here in the House, the 
construction authorization bill H.R. 5856, and they would authorize 
major VA medical facility projects and leases for the fiscal year 2009. 
This legislation is similar to what we have done in the past on an 
annual basis. The Veterans' Affairs Committee report for that bill H.R. 
5856 with further explanation of the legislation background and intent 
of these construction authorizations.
  Collectively, the provisions authorize approximately $2.2 billion 
over the next 5 years to improve access to health care for our Nation's 
veterans. The extension portion of this bill, the extension authorities 
in title III include a number of important authorizations. Ranking 
Member Buyer introduced a bill to extend the expiring authorities, H.R. 
6802, on August 1 of this year, and this bill incorporates those 
extensions and others.
  Among those that are significant and important are: Repeal of sunset 
on inclusion of non-institutional extended care services; permanent 
authority for provision of hospital care, medical services, and nursing 
home care to veterans who participated in certain chemical and 
biological testing; extension of nursing home care; and, extension of 
certain home loan guaranty programs.
  The bill, in title III, would also increase the number of veterans 
participating in the independent living program and enhance refinancing 
of home loans by veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, with House action on this construction authorization and 
the extension of authorities, as well as the veterans' COLA we just 
passed a few moments ago in the form of Senate bill 2617, the House 
will have taken what many consider the must-pass bills for the 2008 
session for the 110th Congress. Our hope is that our Senate colleagues 
will take up H.R. 6832 promptly, so that we may complete the actions on 
these legislative items that are of great importance to veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6832.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to one 
of the most passionate advocates for veterans in our country, Ms. Brown 
of Florida.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank the 
chairman for his leadership on this issue and for his tireless work on 
the committee and on behalf of the Nation's veterans.
  I rise in support of H.R. 6832, the Veterans' Programs Extension and 
Construction Authorization Act of 2008. I am pleased at the 
construction that has occurred in the State of Florida. My State has 
the largest elderly veterans population in the country. Everyone enjoys 
the warm weather, and veterans are no different. It is high time that 
we build the facilities that will take care of the heroes and sheroes.
  In addition, this bill increases the authorization for the 
construction of a new VA medical center in Orlando. We have waited over 
25 years for this facility, and we have construction delays. We cannot 
allow construction delays because of the lack of money due to increased 
energy costs or inflation. It would be criminal to do this.
  In addition, this bill increases the authorization by $51 million to 
fund patient privacy at the Gainesville Medical Center. We need to make 
sure our veterans are treated with respect.
  Earlier this year, this Congress passed the Military Construction and 
Veterans Affairs Appropriation under the leadership of Chairman Chet 
Edwards. I appreciate him including funds for these projects in the 
bill, along with the continuing development of the medical centers in 
Florida.
  I urge the passing of the bill and continued support for our Nation's 
veterans. May God continue to bless America.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. 
Rodriguez of Texas.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this specific 
legislation.
  Let me just indicate that the language that is on there regarding 
Project 112 efforts, those are studies that were supposedly conducted 
during the 1960s and 1970s on our own soldiers. There was a variety of 
studies that were conducted where, basically, we used nerve gas and 
other things with our own soldiers to see how they would react, and we 
have prioritized in terms of trying to provide the services and health 
care needs of these soldiers and to ID them. This allows extension of 
that language that is needed for us to continue to do the right thing 
when it comes to our veterans now that suffered under those studies.
  Let me also say that this is a comprehensive piece of legislation 
that begins to fund a variety of different programs throughout the 
country, and including, Mr. Speaker, in your beloved area of Puerto 
Rico, which you know a large number of soldiers that served our country 
reside in and will have an opportunity to get extended health care 
needs there through the clinics.
  In addition, I am proud to announce that we have four major 
polytrauma centers in this country, and the fifth one is located in San 
Antonio. This allows the opportunity for funding of that particular 
polytrauma center that will allow services to be extended to those 
soldiers coming both from Afghanistan and Iraq that are seriously 
injured.
  So, once again, I want to take this opportunity to thank the 
leadership for their efforts, and I thank Mr. Filner for the dedicated 
work he has providing these resources to our veterans throughout the 
country.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I would add to what the gentleman from Texas 
said. You know better than anybody the problems with the facilities in 
San Juan, Puerto Rico. This does a seismic correction for one of the 
major buildings on the order of $225 million, and establishes an 
outpatient clinic in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. So we are taking some 
steps, we have a long way to go, for our citizens there in Puerto Rico.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, providing for our nation's veterans--the 
brave men and women who risk their lives to ensure our freedom--has 
always been a top priority for me in my service to the people of the 
sixth district of Florida. I am pleased that we are here today to pass 
legislation that will authorize much-needed funding for improvements to 
new and existing VA facilities throughout our country.
  Included in this legislation is funding for a new Bed Tower at the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida. 
For years I have been working on securing funding for an addition to 
the Malcom Randall VA Hospital in my district, which will help to 
correct some of the patient privacy deficiencies this hospital has been 
experiencing over the years.
  This facility will address the acute needs of our local veterans by 
providing them with state-of-the-art, private patient rooms, and the 
convenience of high quality VA medical care. The funding authorized by 
this legislation will go toward a five-story, 245,000 square foot 
facility consisting of four floors of new patient beds and one floor of 
supporting medical services. This new Bed Tower will have 228 new beds, 
and will also house a 10-bed ER, Chest Pain Unit, and ENT, 
Ophthalmology, Urology, and Hematology Clinics.
  The Malcom Randall VA Hospital is one of the busiest and efficient VA 
facilities in the country, and the veterans in my district will benefit 
greatly from this new Bed Tower. I thank my colleague, Mr. Filner, for 
introducing this important legislation, and I look forward to the 
completion of this new Bed Tower in Gainesville.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6832, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Construction and Extensions Act of 2008.
  This legislation, which I am cosponsoring along with Chairman Filner 
is a bipartisan measure consisting of the construction bill the House 
of Representatives passed on May 21, 2008, as well as language from the 
bill I introduced on August 1, 2008, H.R. 6802, the Veterans 
Authorities Extension Act of 2008, and additional authorizations.
  The provisions included from the Committee reported and House passed 
construction bill, H.R. 5856, would authorize major VA medical facility 
projects and leases for fiscal year 2009. Included in this legislation 
is an authorization of $66 million for construction of a fifth 
Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center in San Antonio, Texas. VA's four 
existing Polytrauma Centers are located in Richmond, Virginia; Tampa, 
Florida; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Palo Alto, California.
  Mr. Speaker, this past February, I had the pleasure of visiting the 
Audie Murphy VA Medical Center in San Antonio for a briefing on

[[Page H7913]]

this new project, which will provide state-of-the-art care to our 
severely injured heroes. The VA Polytrauma Centers are designed to 
provide comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services for individuals 
with complex, severe and disabling traumas. By creating a fifth 
Polytrauma Center in San Antonio, our commitment to veterans and 
servicemembers is reinforced by expanding access to the southwestern 
United States.
  H.R. 6832 also will provide the extension of a number of important 
authorizations. These include: Repeal of the sunset on inclusion of 
non-institutional extended care services; Extension of recovery audit 
authority; Permanent authority for provision of hospital care, medical 
services, and nursing home care to veterans who participated in certain 
chemical and biological testing; Extension of expiring collections 
authorities; Extension of nursing home care; Extension of authority to 
carry out income verification; Extension of certain home loan guaranty 
programs; Extension of requirement to submit an annual report on the 
Special Committee on PTSD; Permanent requirement for the biannual 
report on the Women's Advisory Committee; and Permanent authority for 
VA's Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans (which was previously 
passed this last July in H.R. 674).
  The bill will also increase the number of veterans participating in 
the VA's Independent Living Program, and will enhance the refinancing 
of home loans by veterans.
  I would like to thank Chairman Filner, as well as Health Subcommittee 
Chairman Michael Michaud of Maine and Ranking Member Jeff Miller of 
Florida, for their efforts to bring this legislation through the 
Committee and on to the House floor for consideration. I would also 
like to commend the Committee staff for their hard work and bipartisan 
efforts throughout this Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6832, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Construction and Extensions Act of 2008.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 
legislation days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H.R. 6832.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FILNER. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 6832.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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