[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H5416-H5432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING AMERICA'S VETERANS AND CARING FOR CAMP LEJEUNE FAMILIES ACT OF 
                                  2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 1627) to amend title 
38, United States Code, to provide for certain requirements for the 
placement of monuments in Arlington National Cemetery, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the Senate amendments is as follows:

       Senate amendments:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Honoring 
     America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act 
     of 2012''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects.

                      TITLE I--HEALTH CARE MATTERS

Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Hospital care and medical services for veterans stationed at 
              Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Sec. 103. Authority to waive collection of copayments for telehealth 
              and telemedicine visits of veterans.
Sec. 104. Temporary expansion of payments and allowances for 
              beneficiary travel in connection with veterans receiving 
              care from Vet Centers.
Sec. 105. Contracts and agreements for nursing home care.
Sec. 106. Comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault 
              incidents and other safety incidents.
Sec. 107. Rehabilitative services for veterans with traumatic brain 
              injury.
Sec. 108. Teleconsultation and telemedicine.
Sec. 109. Use of service dogs on property of the Department of Veterans 
              Affairs.
Sec. 110. Recognition of rural health resource centers in Office of 
              Rural Health.
Sec. 111. Improvements for recovery and collection of amounts for 
              Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections 
              Fund.
Sec. 112. Extension of authority for copayments.
Sec. 113. Extension of authority for recovery of cost of certain care 
              and services.

                       TITLE II--HOUSING MATTERS

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Temporary expansion of eligibility for specially adapted 
              housing assistance for certain veterans with disabilities 
              causing difficulty with ambulating.
Sec. 203. Expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing 
              assistance for veterans with vision impairment.
Sec. 204. Revised limitations on assistance furnished for acquisition 
              and adaptation of housing for disabled veterans.
Sec. 205. Improvements to assistance for disabled veterans residing in 
              housing owned by a family member.
Sec. 206. Department of Veterans Affairs housing loan guarantees for 
              surviving spouses of certain totally disabled veterans.
Sec. 207. Occupancy of property by dependent child of veteran for 
              purposes of meeting occupancy requirement for Department 
              of Veterans Affairs housing loans.
Sec. 208. Making permanent project for guaranteeing of adjustable rate 
              mortgages.
Sec. 209. Making permanent project for insuring hybrid adjustable rate 
              mortgages.
Sec. 210. Waiver of loan fee for individuals with disability ratings 
              issued during pre-discharge programs.
Sec. 211. Modification of authorities for enhanced-use leases of real 
              property.

                      TITLE III--HOMELESS MATTERS

Sec. 301. Enhancement of comprehensive service programs.
Sec. 302. Modification of authority for provision of treatment and 
              rehabilitation to certain veterans to include provision 
              of treatment and rehabilitation to homeless veterans who 
              are not seriously mentally ill.
Sec. 303. Modification of grant program for homeless veterans with 
              special needs.
Sec. 304. Collaboration in provision of case management services to 
              homeless veterans in supported housing program.
Sec. 305. Extensions of previously fully funded authorities affecting 
              homeless veterans.

                      TITLE IV--EDUCATION MATTERS

Sec. 401. Aggregate amount of educational assistance available to 
              individuals who receive both survivors' and dependents' 
              educational assistance and other veterans and related 
              educational assistance.
Sec. 402. Annual reports on Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program 
              and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance 
              Program.

                       TITLE V--BENEFITS MATTERS

Sec. 501. Automatic waiver of agency of original jurisdiction review of 
              new evidence.
Sec. 502. Authority for certain persons to sign claims filed with 
              Secretary of Veterans Affairs on behalf of claimants.
Sec. 503. Improvement of process for filing jointly for social security 
              and dependency and indemnity compensation.
Sec. 504. Authorization of use of electronic communication to provide 
              notice to claimants for benefits under laws administered 
              by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 505. Duty to assist claimants in obtaining private records.
Sec. 506. Authority for retroactive effective date for awards of 
              disability compensation in connection with applications 
              that are fully-developed at submittal.
Sec. 507. Modification of month of death benefit for surviving spouses 
              of veterans who die while entitled to compensation or 
              pension.
Sec. 508. Increase in rate of pension for disabled veterans married to 
              one another and both of whom require regular aid and 
              attendance.
Sec. 509. Exclusion of certain reimbursements of expenses from 
              determination of annual income with respect to pensions 
              for veterans and surviving spouses and children of 
              veterans.

            TITLE VI--MEMORIAL, BURIAL, AND CEMETERY MATTERS

Sec. 601. Prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members or former 
              members of the Armed Forces.
Sec. 602. Codification of prohibition against reservation of gravesites 
              at Arlington National Cemetery.
Sec. 603. Expansion of eligibility for presidential memorial 
              certificates to persons who died in the active military, 
              naval, or air service.
Sec. 604. Requirements for the placement of monuments in Arlington 
              National Cemetery.

                        TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 701. Assistance to veterans affected by natural disasters.
Sec. 702. Extension of certain expiring provisions of law.
Sec. 703. Requirement for plan for regular assessment of employees of 
              Veterans Benefits Administration who handle processing of 
              claims for compensation and pension.
Sec. 704. Modification of provision relating to reimbursement rate for 
              ambulance services.
Sec. 705. Change in collection and verification of veteran income.
Sec. 706. Department of Veterans Affairs enforcement penalties for 
              misrepresentation of a business concern as a small 
              business concern owned and controlled by veterans or as a 
              small business concern owned and controlled by service-
              disabled veterans.
Sec. 707. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences sponsored by the 
              Department.
Sec. 708. Publication of data on employment of certain veterans by 
              Federal contractors.
Sec. 709. VetStar Award Program.
Sec. 710. Extended period of protections for members of uniformed 
              services relating to mortgages, mortgage foreclosure, and 
              eviction.

     SEC. 2. 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.

[[Page H5417]]

     SEC. 3. SCORING OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

                      TITLE I--HEALTH CARE MATTERS

     SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Janey Ensminger Act''.

     SEC. 102. HOSPITAL CARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR VETERANS 
                   STATIONED AT CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA.

       (a) Hospital Care and Medical Services for Veterans.--
       (1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 1710(e) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(F) Subject to paragraph (2), a veteran who served on 
     active duty in the Armed Forces at Camp Lejeune, North 
     Carolina, for not fewer than 30 days during the period 
     beginning on January 1, 1957, and ending on December 31, 
     1987, is eligible for hospital care and medical services 
     under subsection (a)(2)(F) for any of the following illnesses 
     or conditions, notwithstanding that there is insufficient 
     medical evidence to conclude that such illnesses or 
     conditions are attributable to such service:
       ``(i) Esophageal cancer.
       ``(ii) Lung cancer.
       ``(iii) Breast cancer.
       ``(iv) Bladder cancer.
       ``(v) Kidney cancer.
       ``(vi) Leukemia.
       ``(vii) Multiple myeloma.
       ``(viii) Myleodysplasic syndromes.
       ``(ix) Renal toxicity.
       ``(x) Hepatic steatosis.
       ``(xi) Female infertility.
       ``(xii) Miscarriage.
       ``(xiii) Scleroderma.
       ``(xiv) Neurobehavioral effects.
       ``(xv) Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.''.
       (2) Limitation.--Paragraph (2)(B) of such section is 
     amended by striking ``or (E)'' and inserting ``(E), or (F)''.
       (b) Family Members.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter VIII of chapter 17 is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1787. Health care of family members of veterans 
       stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

       ``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), a family 
     member of a veteran described in subparagraph (F) of section 
     1710(e)(1) of this title who resided at Camp Lejeune, North 
     Carolina, for not fewer than 30 days during the period 
     described in such subparagraph or who was in utero during 
     such period while the mother of such family member resided at 
     such location shall be eligible for hospital care and medical 
     services furnished by the Secretary for any of the illnesses 
     or conditions described in such subparagraph, notwithstanding 
     that there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude that 
     such illnesses or conditions are attributable to such 
     residence.
       ``(b) Limitations.--(1) The Secretary may only furnish 
     hospital care and medical services under subsection (a) to 
     the extent and in the amount provided in advance in 
     appropriations Acts for such purpose.
       ``(2) Hospital care and medical services may not be 
     furnished under subsection (a) for an illness or condition of 
     a family member that is found, in accordance with guidelines 
     issued by the Under Secretary for Health, to have resulted 
     from a cause other than the residence of the family member 
     described in that subsection.
       ``(3) The Secretary may provide reimbursement for hospital 
     care or medical services provided to a family member under 
     this section only after the family member or the provider of 
     such care or services has exhausted without success all 
     claims and remedies reasonably available to the family member 
     or provider against a third party (as defined in section 
     1725(f) of this title) for payment of such care or services, 
     including with respect to health-plan contracts (as defined 
     in such section).''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1786 the following new item:
``1787. Health care of family members of veterans stationed at Camp 
              Lejeune, North Carolina.''.
       (c) Annual Reports.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than December 31 of each of 
     2013, 2014, and 2015, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the care and services provided 
     under sections 1710(e)(1)(F) and 1787 of title 38, United 
     States Code (as added by subsections (a) and (b)(1), 
     respectively).
       (2) Elements.--Each report under paragraph (1) shall set 
     forth the following:
       (A) The number of veterans and family members provided 
     hospital care and medical services under the provisions of 
     law specified in paragraph (1) during the period beginning on 
     October 1, 2012, and ending on the date of such report.
       (B) The illnesses, conditions, and disabilities for which 
     care and services have been provided such veterans and family 
     members under such provisions of law during that period.
       (C) The number of veterans and family members who applied 
     for care and services under such provisions of law during 
     that period but were denied, including information on the 
     reasons for such denials.
       (D) The number of veterans and family members who applied 
     for care and services under such provisions of law and are 
     awaiting a decision from the Secretary on eligibility for 
     such care and services as of the date of such report.
       (d) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The provisions of this section and the 
     amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Applicability.--Subparagraph (F) of section 1710(e)(1) 
     of such title, as added by subsection (a), and section 1787 
     of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
     (b)(1), shall apply with respect to hospital care and medical 
     services provided on or after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 103. AUTHORITY TO WAIVE COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR 
                   TELEHEALTH AND TELEMEDICINE VISITS OF VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 is amended by 
     inserting after section 1722A the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1722B. Copayments: waiver of collection of copayments 
       for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans

       ``The Secretary may waive the imposition or collection of 
     copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans 
     under the laws administered by the Secretary.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1722A the following new item:
``1722B. Copayments: waiver of collection of copayments for telehealth 
              and telemedicine visits of veterans.''.

     SEC. 104. TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS AND ALLOWANCES FOR 
                   BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN CONNECTION WITH VETERANS 
                   RECEIVING CARE FROM VET CENTERS.

       (a) In General.--Beginning one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall commence a three-year initiative to assess the 
     feasibility and advisability of paying under section 111(a) 
     of title 38, United States Code, the actual necessary 
     expenses of travel or allowances for travel from a residence 
     located in an area that is designated by the Secretary as 
     highly rural to the nearest Vet Center and from such Vet 
     Center to such residence.
       (b) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the completion of the initiative, the Secretary shall submit 
     to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with 
     respect to the initiative required by subsection (a).
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) A description of the individuals who benefitted from 
     payment under the initiative.
       (B) A description of any impediments to the Secretary in 
     paying expenses or allowances under the initiative.
       (C) A description of any impediments encountered by 
     individuals in receiving such payments.
       (D) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of 
     paying such expenses or allowances.
       (E) An assessment of any fraudulent receipt of payment 
     under the initiative and the recommendations of the Secretary 
     for legislative or administrative action to reduce such 
     fraud.
       (F) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative 
     action as the Secretary considers appropriate with respect to 
     the payment of expenses or allowances as described in 
     subsection (a).
       (c) Vet Center Defined.--In this section, the term ``Vet 
     Center'' means a center for readjustment counseling and 
     related mental health services for veterans under section 
     1712A of title 38, United States Code.

     SEC. 105. CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS FOR NURSING HOME CARE.

       (a) Contracts.--Section 1745(a) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The Secretary shall pay 
     each State home for nursing home care at the rate determined 
     under paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``The Secretary shall 
     enter into a contract (or agreement under section 1720(c)(1) 
     of this title) with each State home for payment by the 
     Secretary for nursing home care provided in the home''; and
       (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following 
     new paragraph (2):
       ``(2) Payment under each contract (or agreement) between 
     the Secretary and a State home under paragraph (1) shall be 
     based on a methodology, developed by the Secretary in 
     consultation with the State home, to adequately reimburse the 
     State home for the care provided by the State home under the 
     contract (or agreement).''.
       (b) Agreements.--Section 1720(c)(1)(A) is amended--
       (1) in clause (i), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (2) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(iii) a provider of services eligible to enter into a 
     contract pursuant to section 1745(a) of this title that is 
     not otherwise described in clause (i) or (ii).''.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     apply to care provided on or after the date that is 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Maintenance of prior methodology of reimbursement for 
     certain state homes.--In the case of a State home that 
     provided nursing home care on the day before the date of the 
     enactment of this Act for which the State home was eligible 
     for pay under section 1745(a)(1) of title 38, United States 
     Code, at the request of any State home, the Secretary shall 
     offer to enter into a contract (or agreement described in 
     such section) with such State home under such

[[Page H5418]]

     section, as amended by subsection (a), for payment for 
     nursing home care provided by such State home under such 
     section that reflects the overall methodology of 
     reimbursement for such care that was in effect for such State 
     home on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 106. COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON REPORTING AND TRACKING 
                   SEXUAL ASSAULT INCIDENTS AND OTHER SAFETY 
                   INCIDENTS.

       (a) Policy.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 1709. Comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking 
       sexual assault incidents and other safety incidents

       ``(a) Policy Required.--(1) Not later than September 30, 
     2012, the Secretary shall develop and implement a centralized 
     and comprehensive policy on the reporting and tracking of 
     sexual assault incidents and other safety incidents that 
     occur at each medical facility of the Department, including--
       ``(A) suspected, alleged, attempted, or confirmed cases of 
     sexual assault, regardless of whether such assaults lead to 
     prosecution or conviction;
       ``(B) criminal and purposefully unsafe acts;
       ``(C) alcohol or substance abuse related acts (including by 
     employees of the Department); and
       ``(D) any kind of event involving alleged or suspected 
     abuse of a patient.
       ``(2) In developing and implementing a policy under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the effects of 
     such policy on--
       ``(A) the use by veterans of mental health care and 
     substance abuse treatments; and
       ``(B) the ability of the Department to refer veterans to 
     such care or treatment.
       ``(b) Scope.--The policy required by subsection (a) shall 
     cover each of the following:
       ``(1) For purposes of reporting and tracking sexual assault 
     incidents and other safety incidents, definitions of the 
     terms--
       ``(A) `safety incident';
       ``(B) `sexual assault'; and
       ``(C) `sexual assault incident'.
       ``(2)(A) The development and use of specific risk-
     assessment tools to examine any risks related to sexual 
     assault that a veteran may pose while being treated at a 
     medical facility of the Department, including clear and 
     consistent guidance on the collection of information related 
     to--
       ``(i) the legal history of the veteran; and
       ``(ii) the medical record of the veteran.
       ``(B) In developing and using tools under subparagraph (A), 
     the Secretary shall consider the effects of using such tools 
     on the use by veterans of health care furnished by the 
     Department.
       ``(3) The mandatory training of employees of the Department 
     on security issues, including awareness, preparedness, 
     precautions, and police assistance.
       ``(4) The mandatory implementation, use, and regular 
     testing of appropriate physical security precautions and 
     equipment, including surveillance camera systems, computer-
     based panic alarm systems, stationary panic alarms, and 
     electronic portable personal panic alarms.
       ``(5) Clear, consistent, and comprehensive criteria and 
     guidance with respect to an employee of the Department 
     communicating and reporting sexual assault incidents and 
     other safety incidents to--
       ``(A) supervisory personnel of the employee at--
       ``(i) a medical facility of the Department;
       ``(ii) an office of a Veterans Integrated Service Network; 
     and
       ``(iii) the central office of the Veterans Health 
     Administration; and
       ``(B) a law enforcement official of the Department.
       ``(6) Clear and consistent criteria and guidelines with 
     respect to an employee of the Department referring and 
     reporting to the Office of Inspector General of the 
     Department sexual assault incidents and other safety 
     incidents that meet the regulatory criminal threshold 
     prescribed under sections 901 and 902 of this title.
       ``(7) An accountable oversight system within the Veterans 
     Health Administration that includes--
       ``(A) systematic information sharing of reported sexual 
     assault incidents and other safety incidents among officials 
     of the Administration who have programmatic responsibility; 
     and
       ``(B) a centralized reporting, tracking, and monitoring 
     system for such incidents.
       ``(8) Consistent procedures and systems for law enforcement 
     officials of the Department with respect to investigating, 
     tracking, and closing reported sexual assault incidents and 
     other safety incidents.
       ``(9) Clear and consistent guidance for the clinical 
     management of the treatment of sexual assaults that are 
     reported more than 72 hours after the assault.
       ``(c) Updates to Policy.--The Secretary shall review and 
     revise the policy required by subsection (a) on a periodic 
     basis as the Secretary considers appropriate and in 
     accordance with best practices.
       ``(d) Annual Report.--(1) Not later than 60 days after the 
     date on which the Secretary develops the policy required by 
     subsection (a) and not later than October 1 of each year 
     thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on 
     the implementation of the policy.
       ``(2) The report required by paragraph (1) shall include--
       ``(A) the number and type of sexual assault incidents and 
     other safety incidents reported by each medical facility of 
     the Department;
       ``(B) a detailed description of the implementation of the 
     policy required by subsection (a), including any revisions 
     made to such policy from the previous year; and
       ``(C) the effectiveness of such policy on improving the 
     safety and security of the medical facilities of the 
     Department, including the performance measures used to 
     evaluate such effectiveness.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item 
     relating to section 1708 the following new item:
``1709. Comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault 
              incidents and other safety incidents.''.
       (c) Interim Report.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     House of Representatives a report on the development of the 
     policy required by section 1709 of title 38, United States 
     Code, as added by subsection (a).

     SEC. 107. REHABILITATIVE SERVICES FOR VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC 
                   BRAIN INJURY.

       (a) Rehabilitation Plans and Services.--Section 1710C is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting before the semicolon 
     the following: ``with the goal of maximizing the individual's 
     independence'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by inserting ``(and sustaining improvement in)'' after 
     ``improving'';
       (ii) by inserting ``behavioral,'' after ``cognitive,'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``rehabilitative 
     services and'' before ``rehabilitative components''; and
       (C) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by striking ``treatments'' the first place it appears 
     and inserting ``services''; and
       (ii) by striking ``treatments and'' the second place it 
     appears; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(h) Rehabilitative Services Defined.--For purposes of 
     this section, and sections 1710D and 1710E of this title, the 
     term `rehabilitative services' includes--
       ``(1) rehabilitative services, as defined in section 1701 
     of this title;
       ``(2) treatment and services (which may be of ongoing 
     duration) to sustain, and prevent loss of, functional gains 
     that have been achieved; and
       ``(3) any other rehabilitative services or supports that 
     may contribute to maximizing an individual's independence.''.
       (b) Rehabilitation Services in Comprehensive Program for 
     Long-term Rehabilitation.--Section 1710D(a) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``and rehabilitative services (as defined 
     in section 1710C of this title)'' after ``long-term care''; 
     and
       (2) by striking ``treatment''.
       (c) Rehabilitation Services in Authority for Cooperative 
     Agreements for Use of Non-Department Facilities for 
     Rehabilitation.--Section 1710E(a) is amended by inserting ``, 
     including rehabilitative services (as defined in section 
     1710C of this title),'' after ``medical services''.
       (d) Technical Amendment.--Section 1710C(c)(2)(S) of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended by striking 
     ``opthamologist'' and inserting ``ophthalmologist''.

     SEC. 108. TELECONSULTATION AND TELEMEDICINE.

       (a) Teleconsultation.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17, as amended by 
     section 106(a), is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1709A. Teleconsultation

       ``(a) Teleconsultation.--(1) The Secretary shall carry out 
     an initiative of teleconsultation for the provision of remote 
     mental health and traumatic brain injury assessments in 
     facilities of the Department that are not otherwise able to 
     provide such assessments without contracting with third-party 
     providers or reimbursing providers through a fee basis 
     system.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall, in consultation with appropriate 
     professional societies, promulgate technical and clinical 
     care standards for the use of teleconsultation services 
     within facilities of the Department.
       ``(3) In carrying out an initiative under paragraph (1), 
     the Secretary shall ensure that facilities of the Department 
     are able to provide a mental health or traumatic brain injury 
     assessment to a veteran through contracting with a third-
     party provider or reimbursing a provider through a fee basis 
     system when--
       ``(A) such facilities are not able to provide such 
     assessment to the veteran without--
       ``(i) such contracting or reimbursement; or
       ``(ii) teleconsultation; and
       ``(B) providing such assessment with such contracting or 
     reimbursement is more clinically appropriate for the veteran 
     than providing such assessment with teleconsultation.
       ``(b) Teleconsultation Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `teleconsultation' means the use by a health care specialist 
     of telecommunications to assist another health care provider 
     in rendering a diagnosis or treatment.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1709, as added by section 106(b), 
     the following new item:
``1709A. Teleconsultation.''.
       (b) Training in Telemedicine.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, 
     to the extent feasible, offer medical residents opportunities 
     in training in telemedicine for medical residency programs. 
     The Secretary shall consult with the Accreditation Council 
     for Graduate Medical Education and

[[Page H5419]]

     with universities with which facilities of the Department 
     have a major affiliation to determine the feasibility and 
     advisability of making telehealth a mandatory component of 
     medical residency programs.
       (2) Telemedicine defined.--In this subsection, the term 
     ``telemedicine'' means the use by a health care provider of 
     telecommunications to assist in the diagnosis or treatment of 
     a patient's medical condition.

     SEC. 109. USE OF SERVICE DOGS ON PROPERTY OF THE DEPARTMENT 
                   OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       Section 901 is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(f)(1) The Secretary may not prohibit the use of a 
     covered service dog in any facility or on any property of the 
     Department or in any facility or on any property that 
     receives funding from the Secretary.
       ``(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered service 
     dog is a service dog that has been trained by an entity that 
     is accredited by an appropriate accrediting body that 
     evaluates and accredits organizations which train guide or 
     service dogs.''.

     SEC. 110. RECOGNITION OF RURAL HEALTH RESOURCE CENTERS IN 
                   OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH.

       Section 7308 is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(d) Rural Health Resource Centers.--(1) There are, in the 
     Office, veterans rural health resource centers that serve as 
     satellite offices for the Office.
       ``(2) The veterans rural health resource centers have 
     purposes as follows:
       ``(A) To improve the understanding of the Office of the 
     challenges faced by veterans living in rural areas.
       ``(B) To identify disparities in the availability of health 
     care to veterans living in rural areas.
       ``(C) To formulate practices or programs to enhance the 
     delivery of health care to veterans living in rural areas.
       ``(D) To develop special practices and products for the 
     benefit of veterans living in rural areas and for 
     implementation of such practices and products in the 
     Department systemwide.''.

     SEC. 111. IMPROVEMENTS FOR RECOVERY AND COLLECTION OF AMOUNTS 
                   FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CARE 
                   COLLECTIONS FUND.

       (a) Development and Implementation of Plan for Recovery and 
     Collection.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall develop and implement a plan to ensure the recovery and 
     collection of amounts under the provisions of law described 
     in section 1729A(b) of title 38, United States Code, for 
     deposit in the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care 
     Collections Fund.
       (2) Elements.--The plan required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) An effective process to identify billable fee claims.
       (B) Effective and practicable policies and procedures that 
     ensure recovery and collection of amounts described in 
     section 1729A(b) of such title.
       (C) The training of employees of the Department, on or 
     before September 30, 2013, who are responsible for the 
     recovery or collection of such amounts to enable such 
     employees to comply with the process required by subparagraph 
     (A) and the policies and procedures required by subparagraph 
     (B).
       (D) Fee revenue goals for the Department.
       (E) An effective monitoring system to ensure achievement of 
     goals described in subparagraph (D) and compliance with the 
     policies and procedures described in subparagraph (B).
       (b) Monitoring of Third-party Collections.--The Secretary 
     shall monitor the recovery and collection of amounts from 
     third parties (as defined in section 1729(i) of such title) 
     for deposit in such fund.

     SEC. 112. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COPAYMENTS.

       Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking ``September 
     30, 2012'' and inserting ``September 30, 2013''.

     SEC. 113. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY OF COST OF 
                   CERTAIN CARE AND SERVICES.

       Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended by striking ``October 1, 
     2012'' and inserting ``October 1, 2013''.

                       TITLE II--HOUSING MATTERS

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Andrew Connelly Veterans 
     Housing Act''.

     SEC. 202. TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY 
                   ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
                   WITH DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY WITH 
                   AMBULATING.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2101(a) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(2)(A) A veteran is described in this paragraph if the 
     veteran--
       ``(i) is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of this 
     title for a permanent and total service-connected disability 
     that meets any of the criteria described in subparagraph (B); 
     or
       ``(ii) served in the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 
     2001, and is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of 
     this title for a permanent service-connected disability that 
     meets the criterion described in subparagraph (C).
       ``(B) The criteria described in this subparagraph are as 
     follows:
       ``(i) The disability is due to the loss, or loss of use, of 
     both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without 
     the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
       ``(ii) The disability is due to--
       ``(I) blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, 
     plus (ii) loss or loss of use of one lower extremity.
       ``(iii) The disability is due to the loss or loss of use of 
     one lower extremity together with--
       ``(I) residuals of organic disease or injury; or
       ``(II) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity,
     which so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to 
     preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, 
     canes, or a wheelchair.
       ``(iv) The disability is due to the loss, or loss of use, 
     of both upper extremities such as to preclude use of the arms 
     at or above the elbows.
       ``(v) The disability is due to a severe burn injury (as 
     determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by the 
     Secretary).
       ``(C) The criterion described in this subparagraph is that 
     the disability--
       ``(i) was incurred on or after September 11, 2001; and
       ``(ii) is due to the loss or loss of use of one or more 
     lower extremities which so affects the functions of balance 
     or propulsion as to preclude ambulating without the aid of 
     braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2012.
       (c) Sunset.--Subsection (a) of section 2101 is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``to paragraph (3)'' and 
     inserting ``to paragraphs (3) and (4)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) The Secretary's authority to furnish assistance under 
     paragraph (1) to a disabled veteran described in paragraph 
     (2)(A)(ii) shall apply only with respect to applications for 
     such assistance approved by the Secretary on or before 
     September 30, 2013.''.

     SEC. 203. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED 
                   HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS WITH VISION 
                   IMPAIRMENT.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2101(b) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) A veteran is described in this paragraph if the 
     veteran is entitled to compensation under chapter 11 of this 
     title for a service-connected disability that meets any of 
     the following criteria:
       ``(A) The disability is due to blindness in both eyes, 
     having central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better 
     eye with the use of a standard correcting lens. For the 
     purposes of this subparagraph, an eye with a limitation in 
     the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the 
     visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees 
     shall be considered as having a central visual acuity of 20/
     200 or less.
       ``(B) A permanent and total disability that includes the 
     anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.
       ``(C) A permanent and total disability that is due to a 
     severe burn injury (as so determined).''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2012.

     SEC. 204. REVISED LIMITATIONS ON ASSISTANCE FURNISHED FOR 
                   ACQUISITION AND ADAPTATION OF HOUSING FOR 
                   DISABLED VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (d) of section 2102 is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(d)(1) The aggregate amount of assistance available to an 
     individual under section 2101(a) of this title shall be 
     limited to $63,780.
       ``(2) The aggregate amount of assistance available to an 
     individual under section 2101(b) of this title shall be 
     limited to $12,756.
       ``(3) No veteran may receive more than three grants of 
     assistance under this chapter.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to 
     assistance provided under sections 2101(a), 2101(b), and 
     2102A of title 38, United States Code, after such date.
       (c) Maintenance of Higher Rates.--The amendment made by 
     subsection (a) shall not be construed to decrease the 
     aggregate amount of assistance available to an individual 
     under the sections described in subsection (b), as most 
     recently increased by the Secretary pursuant to section 
     2102(e) of such title.

     SEC. 205. IMPROVEMENTS TO ASSISTANCE FOR DISABLED VETERANS 
                   RESIDING IN HOUSING OWNED BY A FAMILY MEMBER.

       (a) Increased Assistance.--Subsection (b) of section 2102A 
     is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$14,000'' and inserting 
     ``$28,000''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$2,000'' and inserting 
     ``$5,000''.
       (b) Indexing of Levels of Assistance.--Such subsection is 
     further amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
       (2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated 
     by paragraph (1), by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph (2):
       ``(2) Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 
     2012), the Secretary shall use the same percentage calculated 
     pursuant to section 2102(e) of this title to increase the 
     amounts described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.''.
       (c) Extension of Authority for Assistance.--Subsection (e) 
     of such section is amended by striking ``December 31, 2012'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2022''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act 
     and shall apply with respect to assistance furnished in 
     accordance with section 2102A of title 38, United States 
     Code, on or after that date.

[[Page H5420]]

     SEC. 206. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOUSING LOAN 
                   GUARANTEES FOR SURVIVING SPOUSES OF CERTAIN 
                   TOTALLY DISABLED VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Section 3701(b) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) The term `veteran' also includes, for purposes of 
     home loans, the surviving spouse of a veteran who died and 
     who was in receipt of or entitled to receive (or but for the 
     receipt of retired or retirement pay was entitled to receive) 
     compensation at the time of death for a service-connected 
     disability rated totally disabling if--
       ``(A) the disability was continuously rated totally 
     disabling for a period of 10 or more years immediately 
     preceding death;
       ``(B) the disability was continuously rated totally 
     disabling for a period of not less than five years from the 
     date of such veteran's discharge or other release from active 
     duty; or
       ``(C) the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died 
     after September 30, 1999, and the disability was continuously 
     rated totally disabling for a period of not less than one 
     year immediately preceding death.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to a loan guaranteed after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Clarification With Respect to Certain Fees.--Fees shall 
     be collected under section 3729 of title 38, United States 
     Code, from a person described in paragraph (6) of section 
     3701(b) of such title, as added by subsection (a) of this 
     section, in the same manner as such fees are collected from a 
     person described in paragraph (2) of section 3701(b) of such 
     title.

     SEC. 207. OCCUPANCY OF PROPERTY BY DEPENDENT CHILD OF VETERAN 
                   FOR PURPOSES OF MEETING OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENT 
                   FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HOUSING 
                   LOANS.

       Paragraph (2) of section 3704(c) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(2) In any case in which a veteran is in active-duty 
     status as a member of the Armed Forces and is unable to 
     occupy a property because of such status, the occupancy 
     requirements of this chapter shall be considered to be 
     satisfied if--
       ``(A) the spouse of the veteran occupies or intends to 
     occupy the property as a home and the spouse makes the 
     certification required by paragraph (1) of this subsection; 
     or
       ``(B) a dependent child of the veteran occupies or will 
     occupy the property as a home and the veteran's attorney-in-
     fact or legal guardian of the dependent child makes the 
     certification required by paragraph (1) of this 
     subsection.''.

     SEC. 208. MAKING PERMANENT PROJECT FOR GUARANTEEING OF 
                   ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES.

       Section 3707(a) is amended by striking ``demonstration 
     project under this section during fiscal years 1993 through 
     2012'' and inserting ``project under this section''.

     SEC. 209. MAKING PERMANENT PROJECT FOR INSURING HYBRID 
                   ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES.

       Section 3707A(a) is amended by striking ``demonstration 
     project under this section during fiscal years 2004 through 
     2012'' and inserting ``project under this section''.

     SEC. 210. WAIVER OF LOAN FEE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITY 
                   RATINGS ISSUED DURING PRE-DISCHARGE PROGRAMS.

       Paragraph (2) of section 3729(c) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(2)(A) A veteran described in subparagraph (B) shall be 
     treated as receiving compensation for purposes of this 
     subsection as of the date of the rating described in such 
     subparagraph without regard to whether an effective date of 
     the award of compensation is established as of that date.
       ``(B) A veteran described in this subparagraph is a veteran 
     who is rated eligible to receive compensation--
       ``(i) as the result of a pre-discharge disability 
     examination and rating; or
       ``(ii) based on a pre-discharge review of existing medical 
     evidence (including service medical and treatment records) 
     that results in the issuance of a memorandum rating.''.

     SEC. 211. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITIES FOR ENHANCED-USE LEASES 
                   OF REAL PROPERTY.

       (a) Supportive Housing Defined.--Section 8161 is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) The term `supportive housing' means housing that 
     engages tenants in on-site and community-based support 
     services for veterans or their families that are at risk of 
     homelessness or are homeless. Such term may include the 
     following:
       ``(A) Transitional housing.
       ``(B) Single-room occupancy.
       ``(C) Permanent housing.
       ``(D) Congregate living housing.
       ``(E) Independent living housing.
       ``(F) Assisted living housing.
       ``(G) Other modalities of housing.''.
       (b) Modification of Limitations on Enhanced Use Leases.--
       (1) In general.--Paragraph (2) of section 8162(a) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) The Secretary may enter into an enhanced-use lease 
     only for the provision of supportive housing and the lease is 
     not inconsistent with and will not adversely affect the 
     mission of the Department.''.
       (2) Effective date.--
       (A) In general.--Paragraph (2) of section 8162(a) of title 
     38, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (1), shall 
     take effect on January 1, 2012, and shall apply with respect 
     to enhanced-use leases entered into on or after such date.
       (B) Previous leases.--Any enhanced-use lease that the 
     Secretary has entered into prior to the date described in 
     subparagraph (A) shall be subject to the provisions of 
     subchapter V of chapter 81 of such title, as in effect on the 
     day before the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (c) Consideration for and Terms of Enhanced-use Leases.--
       (1) In general.--Section 8162(b) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(A) If the Secretary'' 
     and all that follows through ``under subparagraph (A).'' and 
     inserting the following: ``If the Secretary has determined 
     that a property should be leased to another party through an 
     enhanced-use lease, the Secretary shall, at the Secretary's 
     discretion, select the party with whom the lease will be 
     entered into using such selection procedures as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate.'';
       (B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
       ``(3)(A) For any enhanced-use lease entered into by the 
     Secretary, the lease consideration provided to the Secretary 
     shall consist solely of cash at fair value as determined by 
     the Secretary.
       ``(B) The Secretary shall receive no other type of 
     consideration for an enhanced-use lease besides cash.
       ``(C) The Secretary may enter into an enhanced-use lease 
     without receiving consideration.'';
       (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``Secretary to'' and all 
     that follows through ``use minor'' and inserting ``Secretary 
     to use minor''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(5) The terms of an enhanced-use lease may not provide 
     for any acquisition, contract, demonstration, exchange, 
     grant, incentive, procurement, sale, other transaction 
     authority, service agreement, use agreement, lease, or lease-
     back by the Secretary or Federal Government.
       ``(6) The Secretary may not enter into an enhanced-use 
     lease without certification in advance in writing by the 
     Director of the Office of Management and Budget that such 
     lease complies with the requirements of this subchapter.''.
       (2) Effective date.--Paragraph (3) of section 8162(b), as 
     amended by paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection, shall take 
     effect on January 1, 2012, and shall apply with respect to 
     enhanced-use leases entered into on or after such date.
       (d) Prohibited Enhanced-use Leases.--Section 8162(c) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (2); and
       (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1) Subject to 
     paragraph (2), the'' and inserting ``The''.
       (e) Disposition of Leased Property.--Subsection (b) of 
     section 8164 is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) A disposition under this section may be made in 
     return for cash at fair value as the Secretary determines is 
     in the best interest of the United States and upon such other 
     terms and conditions as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.''.
       (f) Use of Amounts Received for Disposition of Leased 
     Property.--Section 8165(a)(2) is amended by striking ``in the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund established 
     under section 8118 of this title'' and inserting ``into the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Construction, Major Projects 
     account or Construction, Minor Projects account, as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate''.
       (g) Construction Standards.--Section 8166 is amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``Sec. 8166. Construction standards

       ``The construction, alteration, repair, remodeling, or 
     improvement of a property that is the subject of an enhanced-
     use lease shall be carried out so as to comply with all 
     applicable provisions of Federal, State, and local law 
     relating to land use, building standards, permits, and 
     inspections.''.
       (h) Exemption From State and Local Taxes.--Section 8167 is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 8167. Exemption from State and local taxes

       ``(a) Improvements and Operations Not Exempted.--The 
     improvements and operations on land leased by a person with 
     an enhanced-use lease from the Secretary shall be subject to 
     all applicable provisions of Federal, State, or local law 
     relating to taxation, fees, and assessments.
       ``(b) Underlying Fee Title Interest Exempted.--The 
     underlying fee title interest of the United States in any 
     land subject to an enhanced-use lease shall not be subject, 
     directly or indirectly, to any provision of State or local 
     law relating to taxation, fees, or assessments.''.
       (i) Annual Reports.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter V of chapter 81 is amended by 
     inserting after section 8167 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 8168. Annual reports

       ``(a) Report on Administration of Leases.--Not later than 
     120 days after the date of the enactment of the Honoring 
     America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act 
     of 2012 and not less frequently than once each year 
     thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
     identifying the actions taken by the Secretary to implement 
     and administer enhanced-use leases.
       ``(b) Report on Lease Consideration.--Each year, as part of 
     the annual budget submission of the President to Congress 
     under section 1105(a) of title 31, the Secretary shall submit 
     to Congress a detailed report of the consideration received 
     by the Secretary for each enhanced-use lease under this 
     subchapter, along with an overview of how the Secretary is 
     utilizing such consideration to support veterans.''.
       (2) Elements of initial report.--The first report submitted 
     by the Secretary under section 8168(a) of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall include a 
     summary of those measures the Secretary is taking to address 
     the following recommendations from the February 9, 2012, 
     audit report of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of 
     Inspector General on enhanced-use leases under subchapter V 
     of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code:

[[Page H5421]]

       (A) Improve standards to ensure complete lease agreements 
     are negotiated in line with strategic goals of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs.
       (B) Institute improved policies and procedures to govern 
     activities such as monitoring enhanced-use lease projects and 
     calculating, classifying, and reporting on enhanced-use lease 
     benefits and expenses.
       (C) Recalculate and update enhanced-use lease expenses and 
     benefits reported in the most recent Enhanced-Use Lease 
     Consideration Report of the Department.
       (D) Establish improved oversight mechanisms to ensure major 
     enhanced-use lease project decisions are documented and 
     maintained in accordance with policy.
       (E) Establish improved criteria to measure timeliness and 
     performance in enhanced-use lease project development and 
     execution.
       (F) Establish improved criteria and guidelines for 
     assessing projects to determine whether they are or remain 
     viable candidates for enhanced-use leases.
       (3) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 81 is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 8167 the following new item:
``8168. Annual reports.''.
       (j) Expiration of Authority.--Section 8169 is amended by 
     striking ``December 31, 2011'' and inserting ``December 31, 
     2023''.
       (k) Effective Date.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     section, the amendments made by this section shall take 
     effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

                      TITLE III--HOMELESS MATTERS

     SEC. 301. ENHANCEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS.

       (a) Enhancement of Grants.--Section 2011 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking ``expansion, 
     remodeling, or alteration of existing buildings, or 
     acquisition of facilities,'' and inserting ``new construction 
     of facilities, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of 
     existing facilities, or acquisition of facilities,''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``A grant'' and 
     inserting ``(1) A grant'';
       (B) in the second sentence of paragraph (1), as designated 
     by subparagraph (A), by striking ``The amount'' and inserting 
     the following:
       ``(2) The amount''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3)(A) The Secretary may not deny an application from an 
     entity that seeks a grant under this section to carry out a 
     project described in subsection (b)(1)(A) solely on the basis 
     that the entity proposes to use funding from other private or 
     public sources, if the entity demonstrates that a private 
     nonprofit organization will provide oversight and site 
     control for the project.
       ``(B) In this paragraph, the term `private nonprofit 
     organization' means the following:
       ``(i) An incorporated private institution, organization, or 
     foundation--
       ``(I) that has received, or has temporary clearance to 
     receive, tax-exempt status under paragraph (2), (3), or (19) 
     of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
       ``(II) for which no part of the net earnings of the 
     institution, organization, or foundation inures to the 
     benefit of any member, founder, or contributor of the 
     institution, organization, or foundation; and
       ``(III) that the Secretary determines is financially 
     responsible.
       ``(ii) A for-profit limited partnership or limited 
     liability company, the sole general partner or manager of 
     which is an organization that is described by subclauses (I) 
     through (III) of clause (i).
       ``(iii) A corporation wholly owned and controlled by an 
     organization that is described by subclauses (I) through 
     (III) of clause (i).''.
       (b) Grant and Per Diem Payments.--
       (1) Study and development of fiscal controls and payment 
     method.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall--
       (A) complete a study of all matters relating to the method 
     used by the Secretary to make per diem payments under section 
     2012(a) of title 38, United States Code, including changes 
     anticipated by the Secretary in the cost of furnishing 
     services to homeless veterans and accounting for costs of 
     providing such services in various geographic areas;
       (B) develop more effective and efficient procedures for 
     fiscal control and fund accounting by recipients of grants 
     under sections 2011, 2012, and 2061 of such title; and
       (C) develop a more effective and efficient method for 
     adequately reimbursing recipients of grants under section 
     2011 of such title for services furnished to homeless 
     veterans.
       (2) Consideration.--In developing the method required by 
     paragraph (1)(C), the Secretary may consider payments and 
     grants received by recipients of grants described in such 
     paragraph from other departments and agencies of Federal and 
     local governments and from private entities.
       (3) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
     a report on--
       (A) the findings of the Secretary with respect to the study 
     required by subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1);
       (B) the methods developed under subparagraphs (B) and (C) 
     of such paragraph; and
       (C) any recommendations of the Secretary for revising the 
     method described in subparagraph (A) of such paragraph and 
     any legislative action the Secretary considers necessary to 
     implement such method.

     SEC. 302. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR PROVISION OF 
                   TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION TO CERTAIN 
                   VETERANS TO INCLUDE PROVISION OF TREATMENT AND 
                   REHABILITATION TO HOMELESS VETERANS WHO ARE NOT 
                   SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL.

       Section 2031(a) is amended in the matter before paragraph 
     (1) by striking ``, including'' and inserting ``and to''.

     SEC. 303. MODIFICATION OF GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS 
                   WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

       (a) Inclusion of Entities Eligible for Comprehensive 
     Service Program Grants and Per Diem Payments for Services to 
     Homeless Veterans.--Subsection (a) of section 2061 is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``to grant and per diem providers'' and 
     inserting ``to entities eligible for grants and per diem 
     payments under sections 2011 and 2012 of this title''; and
       (2) by striking ``by those facilities and providers'' and 
     inserting ``by those facilities and entities''.
       (b) Inclusion of Male Homeless Veterans With Minor 
     Dependents.--Subsection (b) of such section is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, including women who 
     have care of minor dependents'';
       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``or'';
       (3) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; or''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(5) individuals who have care of minor dependents.''.
       (c) Authorization of Provision of Services to Dependents.--
     Such section is further amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
     subsection (c):
       ``(c) Provision of Services to Dependents.--A recipient of 
     a grant under subsection (a) may use amounts under the grant 
     to provide services directly to a dependent of a homeless 
     veteran with special needs who is under the care of such 
     homeless veteran while such homeless veteran receives 
     services from the grant recipient under this section.''.

     SEC. 304. COLLABORATION IN PROVISION OF CASE MANAGEMENT 
                   SERVICES TO HOMELESS VETERANS IN SUPPORTED 
                   HOUSING PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     consider entering into contracts or agreements, under 
     sections 513 and 8153 of title 38, United States Code, with 
     eligible entities to collaborate with the Secretary in the 
     provision of case management services to covered veterans as 
     part of the supported housing program carried out under 
     section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
     U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) to ensure that the homeless veterans 
     facing the most significant difficulties in obtaining 
     suitable housing receive the assistance they require to 
     obtain such housing.
       (b) Covered Veterans.--For purposes of this section, a 
     covered veteran is any veteran who, at the time of receipt of 
     a housing voucher under such section 8(o)(19)--
       (1) requires the assistance of a case manager in obtaining 
     suitable housing with such voucher; and
       (2) is having difficulty obtaining the amount of such 
     assistance the veteran requires, including because--
       (A) the veteran resides in an area that has a shortage of 
     low-income housing and because of such shortage the veteran 
     requires more assistance from a case manager than the 
     Secretary otherwise provides;
       (B) the location in which the veteran resides is located at 
     such distance from facilities of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs as makes the provision of case management services by 
     the Secretary to such veteran impractical; or
       (C) the veteran resides in an area where veterans who 
     receive case management services from the Secretary under 
     such section have a significantly lower average rate of 
     successfully obtaining suitable housing than the average rate 
     of successfully obtaining suitable housing for all veterans 
     receiving such services.
       (c) Eligible Entities.--For purposes of this section, an 
     eligible entity is any State or local government agency, 
     tribal organization (as such term is defined in section 4 of 
     the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act 
     (25 U.S.C. 450b)), or nonprofit organization that--
       (1) under a contract or agreement described in subsection 
     (a), agrees--
       (A) to ensure access to case management services by covered 
     veterans on an as-needed basis;
       (B) to maintain referral networks for covered veterans for 
     purposes of assisting covered veterans in demonstrating 
     eligibility for assistance and additional services under 
     entitlement and assistance programs available for covered 
     veterans, and to otherwise aid covered veterans in obtaining 
     such assistance and services;
       (C) to ensure the confidentiality of records maintained by 
     the entity on covered veterans receiving services through the 
     supported housing program described in subsection (a);
       (D) to establish such procedures for fiscal control and 
     fund accounting as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     considers appropriate to ensure proper disbursement and 
     accounting of funds under a contract or agreement entered 
     into by the entity as described in subsection (a);
       (E) to submit to the Secretary each year, in such form and 
     such manner as the Secretary may require, a report on the 
     collaboration undertaken by the entity under a contract or 
     agreement described in such subsection during the most recent 
     fiscal year, including a description of, for the year covered 
     by the report--
       (i) the services and assistance provided to covered 
     veterans as part of such collaboration;
       (ii) the process by which covered veterans were referred to 
     the entity for such services and assistance;

[[Page H5422]]

       (iii) the specific goals jointly set by the entity and the 
     Secretary for the provision of such services and assistance 
     and whether the entity achieved such goals; and
       (iv) the average length of time taken by a covered veteran 
     who received such services and assistance to successfully 
     obtain suitable housing and the average retention rate of 
     such a veteran in such housing; and
       (F) to meet such other requirements as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate for purposes of providing assistance to 
     covered veterans in obtaining suitable housing; and
       (2) has demonstrated experience in--
       (A) identifying and serving homeless veterans, especially 
     those who have the greatest difficulty obtaining suitable 
     housing;
       (B) working collaboratively with the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs or the Department of Housing and Urban Development;
       (C) conducting outreach to, and maintaining relationships 
     with, landlords to encourage and facilitate participation by 
     landlords in supported housing programs similar to the 
     supported housing program described in subsection (a);
       (D) mediating disputes between landlords and veterans 
     receiving assistance under such supported housing program; 
     and
       (E) carrying out such other activities as the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs considers appropriate.
       (d) Consultation.--In considering entering into contracts 
     or agreements as described in subsection (a), the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs shall consult with--
       (1) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and
       (2) third parties that provide services as part of the 
     Department of Housing and Urban Development continuum of 
     care.
       (e) Technical Assistance for Collaborating Entities.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may provide training and 
     technical assistance to entities with whom the Secretary 
     collaborates in the provision of case management services to 
     veterans as part of the supported housing program described 
     in subsection (a).
       (2) Grants.--The Secretary may provide training and 
     technical assistance under paragraph (1) through the award of 
     grants or contracts to appropriate public and nonprofit 
     private entities.
       (3) Funding.--From amounts appropriated or otherwise made 
     available to the Secretary in the Medical Services account in 
     a year, $500,000 shall be available to the Secretary in that 
     year to carry out this subsection.
       (f) Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 545 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act and not less frequently than once 
     each year thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     submit to Congress a report on the collaboration between the 
     Secretary and eligible entities in the provision of case 
     management services as described in subsection (a) during the 
     most recently completed fiscal year.
       (2) Elements.--Each report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include, for the period covered by the report, the following:
       (A) A discussion of each case in which a contract or 
     agreement described in subsection (a) was considered by the 
     Secretary, including a description of whether or not and why 
     the Secretary chose or did not choose to enter into such 
     contract or agreement.
       (B) The number and types of eligible entities with whom the 
     Secretary has entered into a contract or agreement as 
     described in subsection (a).
       (C) A description of the geographic regions in which such 
     entities provide case management services as described in 
     such subsection.
       (D) A description of the number and types of covered 
     veterans who received case management services from such 
     entities under such contracts or agreements.
       (E) An assessment of the performance of each eligible 
     entity with whom the Secretary entered into a contract or 
     agreement as described in subsection (a).
       (F) An assessment of the benefits to covered veterans of 
     such contracts and agreements.
       (G) A discussion of the benefits of increasing the ratio of 
     case managers to recipients of vouchers under the supported 
     housing program described in such subsection to veterans who 
     reside in rural areas.
       (H) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative 
     action as the Secretary considers appropriate for the 
     improvement of collaboration in the provision of case 
     management services under such supported housing program.

     SEC. 305. EXTENSIONS OF PREVIOUSLY FULLY FUNDED AUTHORITIES 
                   AFFECTING HOMELESS VETERANS.

       (a) Comprehensive Service Programs.--Section 2013 is 
     amended by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following 
     new paragraphs:
       ``(5) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
       ``(6) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent 
     fiscal year.''.
       (b) Homeless Veterans Reintegration Programs.--Section 
     2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting 
     ``2013''.
       (c) Financial Assistance for Supportive Services for Very 
     Low-income Veteran Families in Permanent Housing.--Section 
     2044(e)(1) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(E) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.''.
       (d) Grant Program for Homeless Veterans With Special 
     Needs.--Section 2061(c)(1) is amended by striking ``through 
     2012'' and inserting ``through 2013''.

                      TITLE IV--EDUCATION MATTERS

     SEC. 401. AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
                   AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVE BOTH 
                   SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' EDUCATIONAL 
                   ASSISTANCE AND OTHER VETERANS AND RELATED 
                   EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Aggregate Amount Available.--Section 3695 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ``35,''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c) The aggregate period for which any person may receive 
     assistance under chapter 35 of this title, on the one hand, 
     and any of the provisions of law referred to in subsection 
     (a), on the other hand, may not exceed 81 months (or the 
     part-time equivalent thereof).''.
       (b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2013, and shall not operate 
     to revive any entitlement to assistance under chapter 35 of 
     title 38, United States Code, or the provisions of law 
     referred to in section 3695(a) of such title, as in effect on 
     the day before such date, that was terminated by reason of 
     the operation of section 3695(a) of such title, as so in 
     effect, before such date.
       (c) Revival of Entitlement Reduced by Prior Utilization of 
     Chapter 35 Assistance.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), in the case of 
     an individual whose period of entitlement to assistance under 
     a provision of law referred to in section 3695(a) of title 
     38, United States Code (other than chapter 35 of such title), 
     as in effect on September 30, 2013, was reduced under such 
     section 3695(a), as so in effect, by reason of the 
     utilization of entitlement to assistance under chapter 35 of 
     such title before October 1, 2013, the period of entitlement 
     to assistance of such individual under such provision shall 
     be determined without regard to any entitlement so utilized 
     by the individual under chapter 35 of such title.
       (2) Limitation.--The maximum period of entitlement to 
     assistance of an individual under paragraph (1) may not 
     exceed 81 months.

     SEC. 402. ANNUAL REPORTS ON POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
                   PROGRAM AND SURVIVORS' AND DEPENDENTS' 
                   EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) Reports Required.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter III of chapter 33 is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 3325. Reporting requirement

       ``(a) In General.--For each academic year--
       ``(1) the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a 
     report on the operation of the program provided for in this 
     chapter; and
       ``(2) the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on 
     the operation of the program provided for in this chapter and 
     the program provided for under chapter 35 of this title.
       ``(b) Contents of Secretary of Defense Reports.--The 
     Secretary of Defense shall include in each report submitted 
     under this section--
       ``(1) information--
       ``(A) indicating the extent to which the benefit levels 
     provided under this chapter are adequate to achieve the 
     purposes of inducing individuals to enter and remain in the 
     Armed Forces and of providing an adequate level of financial 
     assistance to help meet the cost of pursuing a program of 
     education;
       ``(B) indicating whether it is necessary for the purposes 
     of maintaining adequate levels of well-qualified active-duty 
     personnel in the Armed Forces to continue to offer the 
     opportunity for educational assistance under this chapter to 
     individuals who have not yet entered active-duty service; and
       ``(C) describing the efforts under section 3323(b) of this 
     title to inform members of the Armed Forces of the active 
     duty service requirements for entitlement to educational 
     assistance under this chapter and the results from such 
     efforts; and
       ``(2) such recommendations for administrative and 
     legislative changes regarding the provision of educational 
     assistance to members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and 
     their dependents, as the Secretary of Defense considers 
     appropriate.
       ``(c) Contents of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Reports.--
     The Secretary shall include in each report submitted under 
     this section--
       ``(1) information concerning the level of utilization of 
     educational assistance and of expenditures under this chapter 
     and under chapter 35 of this title;
       ``(2) appropriate student outcome measures, such as the 
     number of credit hours, certificates, degrees, and other 
     qualifications earned by beneficiaries under this chapter and 
     chapter 35 of this title during the academic year covered by 
     the report; and
       ``(3) such recommendations for administrative and 
     legislative changes regarding the provision of educational 
     assistance to members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and 
     their dependents, as the Secretary considers appropriate.
       ``(d) Termination.--No report shall be required under this 
     section after January 1, 2021.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 3324 the following new item:
``3325. Reporting requirement.''.
       (3) Deadline for submittal of first report.--The first 
     reports required under section 3325 of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by paragraph (1), shall be submitted by 
     not later than November 1, 2013.
       (b) Repeal of Report on All Volunteer-Force Educational 
     Assistance Program.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 30 is amended by striking section 
     3036.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 3036.

[[Page H5423]]

                       TITLE V--BENEFITS MATTERS

     SEC. 501. AUTOMATIC WAIVER OF AGENCY OF ORIGINAL JURISDICTION 
                   REVIEW OF NEW EVIDENCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 7105 is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new subsection:
       ``(e)(1) If, either at the time or after the agency of 
     original jurisdiction receives a substantive appeal, the 
     claimant or the claimant's representative, if any, submits 
     evidence to either the agency of original jurisdiction or the 
     Board of Veterans' Appeals for consideration in connection 
     with the issue or issues with which disagreement has been 
     expressed, such evidence shall be subject to initial review 
     by the Board unless the claimant or the claimant's 
     representative, as the case may be, requests in writing that 
     the agency of original jurisdiction initially review such 
     evidence.
       ``(2) A request for review of evidence under paragraph (1) 
     shall accompany the submittal of the evidence.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--Subsection (e) of such section, as 
     added by subsection (a), shall take effect on the date that 
     is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
     shall apply with respect to claims for which a substantive 
     appeal is filed on or after the date that is 180 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 502. AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN PERSONS TO SIGN CLAIMS FILED 
                   WITH SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ON BEHALF OF 
                   CLAIMANTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 5101 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``A specific'' and inserting ``(1) A 
     specific''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) If an individual has not attained the age of 18 
     years, is mentally incompetent, or is physically unable to 
     sign a form, a form filed under paragraph (1) for the 
     individual may be signed by a court-appointed representative, 
     a person who is responsible for the care of the individual, 
     including a spouse or other relative, or an attorney in fact 
     or agent authorized to act on behalf of the individual under 
     a durable power of attorney. If the individual is in the care 
     of an institution, the manager or principal officer of the 
     institution may sign the form.'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by inserting ``, signs a form on behalf of an 
     individual to apply for,'' after ``who applies for'';
       (ii) by inserting ``, or TIN in the case that the person is 
     not an individual,'' after ``of such person''; and
       (iii) by striking ``dependent'' and inserting ``claimant, 
     dependent,''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or TIN'' after 
     ``social security number'' each place it appears; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(d) In this section:
       ``(1) The term `mentally incompetent' with respect to an 
     individual means that the individual lacks the mental 
     capacity--
       ``(A) to provide substantially accurate information needed 
     to complete a form; or
       ``(B) to certify that the statements made on a form are 
     true and complete.
       ``(2) The term `TIN' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 7701(a)(41) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.''.
       (b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to claims filed on or after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 503. IMPROVEMENT OF PROCESS FOR FILING JOINTLY FOR 
                   SOCIAL SECURITY AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY 
                   COMPENSATION.

       Section 5105 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``shall'' the first place it appears and 
     inserting ``may''; and
       (B) by striking ``Each such form'' and inserting ``Such 
     forms''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``on such a form'' and 
     inserting ``on any document indicating an intent to apply for 
     survivor benefits''.

     SEC. 504. AUTHORIZATION OF USE OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION TO 
                   PROVIDE NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS FOR BENEFITS UNDER 
                   LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Section 5103 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``Upon receipt of a complete or 
     substantially complete application, the'' and inserting 
     ``The'';
       (B) by striking ``notify'' and inserting ``provide to''; 
     and
       (C) by inserting ``by the most effective means available, 
     including electronic communication or notification in 
     writing, notice'' before ``of any information''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraphs:
       ``(4) Nothing in this section shall require the Secretary 
     to provide notice for a subsequent claim that is filed while 
     a previous claim is pending if the notice previously provided 
     for such pending claim--
       ``(A) provides sufficient notice of the information and 
     evidence necessary to substantiate such subsequent claim; and
       ``(B) was sent within one year of the date on which the 
     subsequent claim was filed.
       ``(5)(A) This section shall not apply to any claim or issue 
     where the Secretary may award the maximum benefit in 
     accordance with this title based on the evidence of record.
       ``(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term `maximum 
     benefit' means the highest evaluation assignable in 
     accordance with the evidence of record, as long as such 
     evidence is adequate for rating purposes and sufficient to 
     grant the earliest possible effective date in accordance with 
     section 5110 of this title.''.
       (b) Construction.--Nothing in the amendments made by 
     subsection (a) shall be construed as eliminating any 
     requirement with respect to the contents of a notice under 
     section 5103 of title 38, United States Code, that is 
     required under regulations prescribed pursuant to subsection 
     (a)(2) of such section as of the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to 
     notification obligations of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     on or after such date.
       (2) Construction regarding applicability.--Nothing in this 
     section or the amendments made by this section shall be 
     construed to require the Secretary to carry out notification 
     procedures in accordance with requirements of section 5103 of 
     title 38, United States Code, as in effect on the day before 
     the effective date established in paragraph (1) on or after 
     such effective date.

     SEC. 505. DUTY TO ASSIST CLAIMANTS IN OBTAINING PRIVATE 
                   RECORDS.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 5103A is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(b) Assistance in Obtaining Private Records.--(1) As part 
     of the assistance provided under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant 
     private records that the claimant adequately identifies to 
     the Secretary.
       ``(2)(A) Whenever the Secretary, after making such 
     reasonable efforts, is unable to obtain all of the relevant 
     records sought, the Secretary shall notify the claimant that 
     the Secretary is unable to obtain records with respect to the 
     claim. Such a notification shall--
       ``(i) identify the records the Secretary is unable to 
     obtain;
       ``(ii) briefly explain the efforts that the Secretary made 
     to obtain such records; and
       ``(iii) explain that the Secretary will decide the claim 
     based on the evidence of record but that this section does 
     not prohibit the submission of records at a later date if 
     such submission is otherwise allowed.
       ``(B) The Secretary shall make not less than two requests 
     to a custodian of a private record in order for an effort to 
     obtain relevant private records to be treated as reasonable 
     under this section, unless it is made evident by the first 
     request that a second request would be futile in obtaining 
     such records.
       ``(3)(A) This section shall not apply if the evidence of 
     record allows for the Secretary to award the maximum benefit 
     in accordance with this title based on the evidence of 
     record.
       ``(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term `maximum 
     benefit' means the highest evaluation assignable in 
     accordance with the evidence of record, as long as such 
     evidence is adequate for rating purposes and sufficient to 
     grant the earliest possible effective date in accordance with 
     section 5110 of this title.
       ``(4) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the 
     Secretary--
       ``(A) shall encourage claimants to submit relevant private 
     medical records of the claimant to the Secretary if such 
     submission does not burden the claimant; and
       ``(B) in obtaining relevant private records under paragraph 
     (1), may require the claimant to authorize the Secretary to 
     obtain such records if such authorization is required to 
     comply with Federal, State, or local law.''.
       (b) Public Records.--Subsection (c) of such section is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(c) Obtaining Records for Compensation Claims.--(1) In 
     the case of a claim for disability compensation, the 
     assistance provided by the Secretary under this section shall 
     include obtaining the following records if relevant to the 
     claim:
       ``(A) The claimant's service medical records and, if the 
     claimant has furnished the Secretary information sufficient 
     to locate such records, other relevant records pertaining to 
     the claimant's active military, naval, or air service that 
     are held or maintained by a governmental entity.
       ``(B) Records of relevant medical treatment or examination 
     of the claimant at Department health-care facilities or at 
     the expense of the Department, if the claimant furnishes 
     information sufficient to locate those records.
       ``(C) Any other relevant records held by any Federal 
     department or agency that the claimant adequately identifies 
     and authorizes the Secretary to obtain.
       ``(2) Whenever the Secretary attempts to obtain records 
     from a Federal department or agency under this subsection, 
     the efforts to obtain those records shall continue until the 
     records are obtained unless it is reasonably certain that 
     such records do not exist or that further efforts to obtain 
     those records would be futile.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and 
     (b) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply with 
     respect to assistance obligations of the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs on or after such date.
       (2) Construction.--Nothing in this section or the 
     amendments made by this section shall be construed to require 
     the Secretary to carry out assistance in accordance with 
     requirements of section 5103A of title 38, United States 
     Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date 
     established in paragraph (1) on or after such effective date.

     SEC. 506. AUTHORITY FOR RETROACTIVE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR AWARDS 
                   OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION IN CONNECTION WITH 
                   APPLICATIONS THAT ARE FULLY-DEVELOPED AT 
                   SUBMITTAL.

       Section 5110(b) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), respectively; and

[[Page H5424]]

       (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraph (2):
       ``(2)(A) The effective date of an award of disability 
     compensation to a veteran who submits an application therefor 
     that sets forth an original claim that is fully-developed (as 
     determined by the Secretary) as of the date of submittal 
     shall be fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall 
     not be earlier than the date that is one year before the date 
     of receipt of the application.
       ``(B) For purposes of this paragraph, an original claim is 
     an initial claim filed by a veteran for disability 
     compensation.
       ``(C) This paragraph shall take effect on the date that is 
     one year after the date of the enactment of the Honoring 
     America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act 
     of 2012 and shall not apply with respect to claims filed 
     after the date that is three years after the date of the 
     enactment of such Act.''.

     SEC. 507. MODIFICATION OF MONTH OF DEATH BENEFIT FOR 
                   SURVIVING SPOUSES OF VETERANS WHO DIE WHILE 
                   ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION OR PENSION.

       (a) Surviving Spouse Benefit for Month of Veteran's 
     Death.--Subsections (a) and (b) of section 5310 are amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(a) In General.--(1) A surviving spouse of a veteran is 
     entitled to a benefit for the month of the veteran's death 
     if--
       ``(A) at the time of the veteran's death, the veteran was 
     receiving compensation or pension under chapter 11 or 15 of 
     this title; or
       ``(B) the veteran is determined for purposes of section 
     5121 or 5121A of this title as having been entitled to 
     receive compensation or pension under chapter 11 or 15 of 
     this title for the month of the veteran's death.
       ``(2) The amount of the benefit under paragraph (1) is the 
     amount that the veteran would have received under chapter 11 
     or 15 of this title, as the case may be, for the month of the 
     veteran's death had the veteran not died.
       ``(b) Claims Pending Adjudication.--If a claim for 
     entitlement to compensation or additional compensation under 
     chapter 11 of this title or pension or additional pension 
     under chapter 15 of this title is pending at the time of a 
     veteran's death and the check or other payment issued to the 
     veteran's surviving spouse under subsection (a) is less than 
     the amount of the benefit the veteran would have been 
     entitled to for the month of death pursuant to the 
     adjudication of the pending claim, an amount equal to the 
     difference between the amount to which the veteran would have 
     been entitled to receive under chapter 11 or 15 of this title 
     for the month of the veteran's death had the veteran not died 
     and the amount of the check or other payment issued to the 
     surviving spouse shall be treated in the same manner as an 
     accrued benefit under section 5121 of this title.''.
       (b) Month of Death Benefit Exempt From Delayed Commencement 
     of Payment.--Section 5111(c)(1) is amended by striking 
     ``apply to'' and all that follows through ``death occurred'' 
     and inserting the following: ``not apply to payments made 
     pursuant to section 5310 of this title''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     and shall apply with respect to deaths that occur on or after 
     that date.

     SEC. 508. INCREASE IN RATE OF PENSION FOR DISABLED VETERANS 
                   MARRIED TO ONE ANOTHER AND BOTH OF WHOM REQUIRE 
                   REGULAR AID AND ATTENDANCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 1521(f)(2) is amended by striking 
     ``$30,480'' and inserting ``$32,433''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 509. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENTS OF EXPENSES 
                   FROM DETERMINATION OF ANNUAL INCOME WITH 
                   RESPECT TO PENSIONS FOR VETERANS AND SURVIVING 
                   SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (5) of section 1503(a) of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(5) payments regarding reimbursements of any kind 
     (including insurance settlement payments) for expenses 
     related to the repayment, replacement, or repair of 
     equipment, vehicles, items, money, or property resulting 
     from--
       ``(A) any accident (as defined by the Secretary), but the 
     amount excluded under this subclause shall not exceed the 
     greater of the fair market value or reasonable replacement 
     value of the equipment or vehicle involved at the time 
     immediately preceding the accident;
       ``(B) any theft or loss (as defined by the Secretary), but 
     the amount excluded under this subclause shall not exceed the 
     greater of the fair market value or reasonable replacement 
     value of the item or the amount of the money (including legal 
     tender of the United States or of a foreign country) involved 
     at the time immediately preceding the theft or loss; or
       ``(C) any casualty loss (as defined by the Secretary), but 
     the amount excluded under this subclause shall not exceed the 
     greater of the fair market value or reasonable replacement 
     value of the property involved at the time immediately 
     preceding the casualty loss;''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.

            TITLE VI--MEMORIAL, BURIAL, AND CEMETERY MATTERS

     SEC. 601. PROHIBITION ON DISRUPTIONS OF FUNERALS OF MEMBERS 
                   OR FORMER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) Purpose and Authority.--
       (1) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide 
     necessary and proper support for the recruitment and 
     retention of the Armed Forces and militia employed in the 
     service of the United States by protecting the dignity of the 
     service of the members of such Forces and militia, and by 
     protecting the privacy of their immediate family members and 
     other attendees during funeral services for such members.
       (2) Constitutional authority.--Congress finds that this 
     section is a necessary and proper exercise of its powers 
     under the Constitution, article I, section 8, paragraphs 1, 
     12, 13, 14, 16, and 18, to provide for the common defense, 
     raise and support armies, provide and maintain a navy, make 
     rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval 
     forces, and provide for organizing and governing such part of 
     the militia as may be employed in the service of the United 
     States.
       (b) Amendment to Title 18.--Section 1388 of title 18, 
     United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 1388. Prohibition on disruptions of funerals of 
       members or former members of the Armed Forces

       ``(a) Prohibition.--For any funeral of a member or former 
     member of the Armed Forces that is not located at a cemetery 
     under the control of the National Cemetery Administration or 
     part of Arlington National Cemetery, it shall be unlawful for 
     any person to engage in an activity during the period 
     beginning 120 minutes before and ending 120 minutes after 
     such funeral, any part of which activity--
       ``(1)(A) takes place within the boundaries of the location 
     of such funeral or takes place within 300 feet of the point 
     of the intersection between--
       ``(i) the boundary of the location of such funeral; and
       ``(ii) a road, pathway, or other route of ingress to or 
     egress from the location of such funeral; and
       ``(B) includes any individual willfully making or assisting 
     in the making of any noise or diversion--
       ``(i) that is not part of such funeral and that disturbs or 
     tends to disturb the peace or good order of such funeral; and
       ``(ii) with the intent of disturbing the peace or good 
     order of such funeral;
       ``(2)(A) is within 500 feet of the boundary of the location 
     of such funeral; and
       ``(B) includes any individual--
       ``(i) willfully and without proper authorization impeding 
     or tending to impede the access to or egress from such 
     location; and
       ``(ii) with the intent to impede the access to or egress 
     from such location; or
       ``(3) is on or near the boundary of the residence, home, or 
     domicile of any surviving member of the deceased person's 
     immediate family and includes any individual willfully making 
     or assisting in the making of any noise or diversion--
       ``(A) that disturbs or tends to disturb the peace of the 
     persons located at such location; and
       ``(B) with the intent of disturbing such peace.
       ``(b) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) 
     shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more 
     than 1 year, or both.
       ``(c) Civil Remedies.--
       ``(1) District courts.--The district courts of the United 
     States shall have jurisdiction--
       ``(A) to prevent and restrain violations of this section; 
     and
       ``(B) for the adjudication of any claims for relief under 
     this section.
       ``(2) Attorney general.--The Attorney General may institute 
     proceedings under this section.
       ``(3) Claims.--Any person, including a surviving member of 
     the deceased person's immediate family, who suffers injury as 
     a result of conduct that violates this section may--
       ``(A) sue therefor in any appropriate United States 
     district court or in any court of competent jurisdiction; and
       ``(B) recover damages as provided in subsection (d) and the 
     cost of the suit, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
       ``(4) Estoppel.--A final judgment or decree rendered in 
     favor of the United States in any criminal proceeding brought 
     by the United States under this section shall estop the 
     defendant from denying the essential allegations of the 
     criminal offense in any subsequent civil proceeding brought 
     by a person or by the United States.
       ``(d) Actual and Statutory Damages.--
       ``(1) In general.--In addition to any penalty imposed under 
     subsection (b), a violator of this section is liable in an 
     action under subsection (c) for actual or statutory damages 
     as provided in this subsection.
       ``(2) Actions by private persons.--A person bringing an 
     action under subsection (c)(3) may elect, at any time before 
     final judgment is rendered, to recover the actual damages 
     suffered by him or her as a result of the violation or, 
     instead of actual damages, an award of statutory damages for 
     each violation involved in the action.
       ``(3) Actions by attorney general.--In any action under 
     subsection (c)(2), the Attorney General is entitled to 
     recover an award of statutory damages for each violation 
     involved in the action notwithstanding any recovery under 
     subsection (c)(3).
       ``(4) Statutory damages.--A court may award, as the court 
     considers just, statutory damages in a sum of not less than 
     $25,000 or more than $50,000 per violation.
       ``(e) Rebuttable Presumption.--It shall be a rebuttable 
     presumption that the violation was committed willfully for 
     purposes of determining relief under this section if the 
     violator, or a person acting in concert with the violator, 
     did not have reasonable grounds to believe, either from the 
     attention or publicity sought by the violator

[[Page H5425]]

     or other circumstance, that the conduct of such violator or 
     person would not disturb or tend to disturb the peace or good 
     order of such funeral, impede or tend to impede the access to 
     or egress from such funeral, or disturb or tend to disturb 
     the peace of any surviving member of the deceased person's 
     immediate family who may be found on or near the residence, 
     home, or domicile of the deceased person's immediate family 
     on the date of the service or ceremony.
       ``(f) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `Armed Forces' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 101 of title 10 and includes members and 
     former members of the National Guard who were employed in the 
     service of the United States; and
       ``(2) the term `immediate family' means, with respect to a 
     person, the immediate family members of such person, as such 
     term is defined in section 115 of this title.''.
       (c) Amendment to Title 38.--
       (1) In general.--Section 2413 is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``Sec. 2413. Prohibition on certain demonstrations and 
       disruptions at cemeteries under control of the National 
       Cemetery Administration and at Arlington National Cemetery

       ``(a) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful for any person--
       ``(1) to carry out a demonstration on the property of a 
     cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery 
     Administration or on the property of Arlington National 
     Cemetery unless the demonstration has been approved by the 
     cemetery superintendent or the director of the property on 
     which the cemetery is located; or
       ``(2) with respect to such a cemetery, to engage in a 
     demonstration during the period beginning 120 minutes before 
     and ending 120 minutes after a funeral, memorial service, or 
     ceremony is held, any part of which demonstration--
       ``(A)(i) takes place within the boundaries of such cemetery 
     or takes place within 300 feet of the point of the 
     intersection between--
       ``(I) the boundary of such cemetery; and
       ``(II) a road, pathway, or other route of ingress to or 
     egress from such cemetery; and
       ``(ii) includes any individual willfully making or 
     assisting in the making of any noise or diversion--
       ``(I) that is not part of such funeral, memorial service, 
     or ceremony and that disturbs or tends to disturb the peace 
     or good order of such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; 
     and
       ``(II) with the intent of disturbing the peace or good 
     order of such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; or
       ``(B)(i) is within 500 feet of the boundary of such 
     cemetery; and
       ``(ii) includes any individual--
       ``(I) willfully and without proper authorization impeding 
     or tending to impede the access to or egress from such 
     cemetery; and
       ``(II) with the intent to impede the access to or egress 
     from such cemetery.
       ``(b) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) 
     shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than 
     one year, or both.
       ``(c) Civil Remedies.--(1) The district courts of the 
     United States shall have jurisdiction--
       ``(A) to prevent and restrain violations of this section; 
     and
       ``(B) for the adjudication of any claims for relief under 
     this section.
       ``(2) The Attorney General of the United States may 
     institute proceedings under this section.
       ``(3) Any person, including a surviving member of the 
     deceased person's immediate family, who suffers injury as a 
     result of conduct that violates this section may--
       ``(A) sue therefor in any appropriate United States 
     district court or in any court of competent jurisdiction; and
       ``(B) recover damages as provided in subsection (d) and the 
     cost of the suit, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
       ``(4) A final judgment or decree rendered in favor of the 
     United States in any criminal proceeding brought by the 
     United States under this section shall estop the defendant 
     from denying the essential allegations of the criminal 
     offense in any subsequent civil proceeding brought by a 
     person or by the United States.
       ``(d) Actual and Statutory Damages.--(1) In addition to any 
     penalty imposed under subsection (b), a violator of this 
     section is liable in an action under subsection (c) for 
     actual or statutory damages as provided in this subsection.
       ``(2) A person bringing an action under subsection (c)(3) 
     may elect, at any time before final judgment is rendered, to 
     recover the actual damages suffered by him or her as a result 
     of the violation or, instead of actual damages, an award of 
     statutory damages for each violation involved in the action.
       ``(3) In any action brought under subsection (c)(2), the 
     Attorney General is entitled to recover an award of statutory 
     damages for each violation involved in the action 
     notwithstanding any recovery under subsection (c)(3).
       ``(4) A court may award, as the court considers just, 
     statutory damages in a sum of not less than $25,000 or more 
     than $50,000 per violation.
       ``(e) Rebuttable Presumption.--It shall be a rebuttable 
     presumption that the violation of subsection (a) was 
     committed willfully for purposes of determining relief under 
     this section if the violator, or a person acting in concert 
     with the violator, did not have reasonable grounds to 
     believe, either from the attention or publicity sought by the 
     violator or other circumstance, that the conduct of such 
     violator or person would not--
       ``(1) disturb or tend to disturb the peace or good order of 
     such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony; or
       ``(2) impede or tend to impede the access to or egress from 
     such funeral, memorial service, or ceremony.
       ``(f) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `demonstration' includes--
       ``(A) any picketing or similar conduct;
       ``(B) any oration, speech, use of sound amplification 
     equipment or device, or similar conduct that is not part of a 
     funeral, memorial service, or ceremony;
       ``(C) the display of any placard, banner, flag, or similar 
     device, unless such a display is part of a funeral, memorial 
     service, or ceremony; and
       ``(D) the distribution of any handbill, pamphlet, leaflet, 
     or other written or printed matter other than a program 
     distributed as part of a funeral, memorial service, or 
     ceremony; and
       ``(2) the term `immediate family' means, with respect to a 
     person, the immediate family members of such person, as such 
     term is defined in section 115 of title 18.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 24 is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 2413 and inserting the following new 
     item:
``2413. Prohibition on certain demonstrations and disruptions at 
              cemeteries under control of the National Cemetery 
              Administration and at Arlington National Cemetery.''.

     SEC. 602. CODIFICATION OF PROHIBITION AGAINST RESERVATION OF 
                   GRAVESITES AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 24 is amended by inserting after 
     section 2410 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 2410A. Arlington National Cemetery: other 
       administrative matters

       ``(a) One Gravesite.--(1) Not more than one gravesite may 
     be provided at Arlington National Cemetery to a veteran or 
     member of the Armed Forces who is eligible for interment or 
     inurnment at such cemetery.
       ``(2) The Secretary of the Army may waive the prohibition 
     in paragraph (1) as the Secretary of the Army considers 
     appropriate.
       ``(b) Prohibition Against Reservation of Gravesites.--(1) A 
     gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery may not be reserved 
     for an individual before the death of such individual.
       ``(2)(A) The President may waive the prohibition in 
     paragraph (1) as the President considers appropriate.
       ``(B) Upon waiving the prohibition in paragraph (1), the 
     President shall submit notice of such waiver to--
       ``(i) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee 
     on Armed Services of the Senate; and
       ``(ii) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee 
     on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 2410 the following new item:
``2410A. Arlington National Cemetery: other administrative matters.''.
       (c) Applicability.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     section 2410A of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
     subsection (a), shall apply with respect to all interments at 
     Arlington National Cemetery after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.
       (2) Exception.--Subsection (b) of such section, as so 
     added, shall not apply with respect to the interment of an 
     individual for whom a request for a reserved gravesite was 
     approved by the Secretary of the Army before January 1, 1962.
       (d) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall 
     submit to Congress a report on reservations made for 
     interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) The number of requests for reservation of a gravesite 
     at Arlington National Cemetery that were submitted to the 
     Secretary of the Army before January 1, 1962.
       (B) The number of gravesites at such cemetery that, on the 
     day before the date of the enactment of this Act, were 
     reserved in response to such requests.
       (C) The number of such gravesites that, on the day before 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, were unoccupied.
       (D) A list of all reservations for gravesites at such 
     cemetery that were extended by individuals responsible for 
     management of such cemetery in response to requests for such 
     reservations made on or after January 1, 1962.
       (E) A description of the measures that the Secretary is 
     taking to improve the accountability and transparency of the 
     management of gravesite reservations at Arlington National 
     Cemetery.
       (F) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have for 
     legislative action as the Secretary considers necessary to 
     improve such accountability and transparency.

     SEC. 603. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL 
                   CERTIFICATES TO PERSONS WHO DIED IN THE ACTIVE 
                   MILITARY, NAVAL, OR AIR SERVICE.

       Section 112(a) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``and persons who died in the active 
     military, naval, or air service,'' after ``under honorable 
     conditions,''; and
       (2) by striking ``veteran's'' and inserting ``deceased 
     individual's''.

     SEC. 604. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF MONUMENTS IN 
                   ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.

       Section 2409(b) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Under'' and inserting ``(1) Under'';
       (2) by inserting after ``Secretary of the Army'' the 
     following: ``and subject to paragraph (2)''; and

[[Page H5426]]

       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(2)(A) Except for a monument containing or marking 
     interred remains, no monument (or similar structure, as 
     determined by the Secretary of the Army in regulations) may 
     be placed in Arlington National Cemetery except pursuant to 
     the provisions of this subsection.
       ``(B) A monument may be placed in Arlington National 
     Cemetery if the monument commemorates--
       ``(i) the service in the Armed Forces of the individual, or 
     group of individuals, whose memory is to be honored by the 
     monument; or
       ``(ii) a particular military event.
       ``(C) No monument may be placed in Arlington National 
     Cemetery until the end of the 25-year period beginning--
       ``(i) in the case of the commemoration of service under 
     subparagraph (B)(i), on the last day of the period of service 
     so commemorated; and
       ``(ii) in the case of the commemoration of a particular 
     military event under subparagraph (B)(ii), on the last day of 
     the period of the event.
       ``(D) A monument may be placed only in those sections of 
     Arlington National Cemetery designated by the Secretary of 
     the Army for such placement and only on land the Secretary 
     determines is not suitable for burial.
       ``(E) A monument may only be placed in Arlington National 
     Cemetery if an appropriate nongovernmental entity has agreed 
     to act as a sponsoring organization to coordinate the 
     placement of the monument and--
       ``(i) the construction and placement of the monument are 
     paid for only using funds from private sources;
       ``(ii) the Secretary of the Army consults with the 
     Commission of Fine Arts and the Advisory Committee on 
     Arlington National Cemetery before approving the design of 
     the monument; and
       ``(iii) the sponsoring organization provides for an 
     independent study on the availability and suitability of 
     alternative locations for the proposed monument outside of 
     Arlington National Cemetery.
       ``(3)(A) The Secretary of the Army may waive the 
     requirement under paragraph (2)(C) in a case in which the 
     monument would commemorate a group of individuals who the 
     Secretary determines--
       ``(i) has made valuable contributions to the Armed Forces 
     that have been ongoing and perpetual for longer than 25 years 
     and are expected to continue on indefinitely; and
       ``(ii) has provided service that is of such a character 
     that the failure to place a monument to the group in 
     Arlington National Cemetery would present a manifest 
     injustice.
       ``(B) If the Secretary waives such requirement under 
     subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) make available on an Internet website notification of 
     the waiver and the rationale for the waiver; and
       ``(ii) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
     Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of 
     the House of Representatives written notice of the waiver and 
     the rationale for the waiver.
       ``(4) The Secretary of the Army shall provide notice to the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Armed 
     Services of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
     Representatives of any monument proposed to be placed in 
     Arlington National Cemetery. During the 60-day period 
     beginning on the date on which such notice is received, 
     Congress may pass a joint resolution of disapproval of the 
     placement of the monument. The proposed monument may not be 
     placed in Arlington National Cemetery until the later of--
       ``(A) if Congress does not pass a joint resolution of 
     disapproval of the placement of the monument, the date that 
     is 60 days after the date on which notice is received under 
     this paragraph; or
       ``(B) if Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval 
     of the placement of the monument, and the President signs a 
     veto of such resolution, the earlier of--
       ``(i) the date on which either House of Congress votes and 
     fails to override the veto of the President; or
       ``(ii) the date that is 30 session days after the date on 
     which Congress received the veto and objections of the 
     President.''.

                        TITLE VII--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 701. ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AFFECTED BY NATURAL 
                   DISASTERS.

       (a) Additional Grants for Disabled Veterans for Specially 
     Adapted Housing.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 21 is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:

     ``Sec. 2109. Specially adapted housing destroyed or damaged 
       by natural disasters

       ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding the provisions of 
     section 2102 and 2102A of this title, the Secretary may 
     provide assistance to a veteran whose home was previously 
     adapted with assistance of a grant under this chapter in the 
     event the adapted home which was being used and occupied by 
     the veteran was destroyed or substantially damaged in a 
     natural or other disaster, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(b) Use of Funds.--Subject to subsection (c), assistance 
     provided under subsection (a) shall--
       ``(1) be available to acquire a suitable housing unit with 
     special fixtures or moveable facilities made necessary by the 
     veteran's disability, and necessary land therefor;
       ``(2) be available to a veteran to the same extent as if 
     the veteran had not previously received assistance under this 
     chapter; and
       ``(3) not be deducted from the maximum uses or from the 
     maximum amount of assistance available under this chapter.
       ``(c) Limitations.--The amount of the assistance provided 
     under subsection (a) may not exceed the lesser of--
       ``(1) the reasonable cost, as determined by the Secretary, 
     of repairing or replacing the damaged or destroyed home in 
     excess of the available insurance coverage on such home; or
       ``(2) the maximum amount of assistance to which the veteran 
     would have been entitled under sections 2101(a), 2101(b), and 
     2102A of this title had the veteran not obtained previous 
     assistance under this chapter.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 2108 the following new item:
``2109. Specially adapted housing destroyed or damaged by natural 
              disasters.''.
       (b) Extension of Subsistence Allowance for Veterans 
     Completing Vocational Rehabilitation Program.--Section 
     3108(a)(2) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``In''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) In any case in which the Secretary determines that a 
     veteran described in subparagraph (A) has been displaced as 
     the result of a natural or other disaster while being paid a 
     subsistence allowance under that subparagraph, as determined 
     by the Secretary, the Secretary may extend the payment of a 
     subsistence allowance under such subparagraph for up to an 
     additional two months while the veteran is satisfactorily 
     following a program of employment services described in such 
     subparagraph.''.
       (c) Waiver of Limitation on Program of Independent Living 
     Services and Assistance.--Section 3120(e) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Programs''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) The limitation in paragraph (1) shall not apply in 
     any case in which the Secretary determines that a veteran 
     described in subsection (b) has been displaced as the result 
     of, or has otherwise been adversely affected in the areas 
     covered by, a natural or other disaster, as determined by the 
     Secretary.''.
       (d) Covenants and Liens Created by Public Entities in 
     Response to Disaster-Relief Assistance.--Paragraph (3) of 
     section 3703(d) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(3)(A) Any real estate housing loan (other than for 
     repairs, alterations, or improvements) shall be secured by a 
     first lien on the realty. In determining whether a loan is so 
     secured, the Secretary may either disregard or allow for 
     subordination to a superior lien created by a duly recorded 
     covenant running with the realty in favor of either of the 
     following:
       ``(i) A public entity that has provided or will provide 
     assistance in response to a major disaster as determined by 
     the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
     and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
       ``(ii) A private entity to secure an obligation to such 
     entity for the homeowner's share of the costs of the 
     management, operation, or maintenance of property, services, 
     or programs within and for the benefit of the development or 
     community in which the veteran's realty is located, if the 
     Secretary determines that the interests of the veteran 
     borrower and of the Government will not be prejudiced by the 
     operation of such covenant.
       ``(B) With respect to any superior lien described in 
     subparagraph (A) created after June 6, 1969, the Secretary's 
     determination under clause (ii) of such subparagraph shall 
     have been made prior to the recordation of the covenant.''.
       (e) Automobiles and Other Conveyances for Certain Disabled 
     Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces.--Section 3903(a) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``No'' and inserting ``(1) Except as 
     provided in paragraph (2), no''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) The Secretary may provide or assist in providing an 
     eligible person with a second automobile or other conveyance 
     under this chapter if--
       ``(A) the Secretary receives satisfactory evidence that the 
     automobile or other conveyance previously purchased with 
     assistance under this chapter was destroyed--
       ``(i) as a result of a natural or other disaster, as 
     determined by the Secretary; and
       ``(ii) through no fault of the eligible person; and
       ``(B) the eligible person does not otherwise receive from a 
     property insurer compensation for the loss.''.
       (f) Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--Each year, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the assistance 
     provided or action taken by the Secretary in the last fiscal 
     year pursuant to the authorities added by the amendments made 
     by this section.
       (2) Elements.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall include the following for the fiscal year covered by 
     the report:
       (A) A description of each natural disaster for which 
     assistance was provided or action was taken as described in 
     paragraph (1).
       (B) The number of cases or individuals, as the case may be, 
     in which or to whom the Secretary provided assistance or took 
     action as described in paragraph (1).
       (C) For each such case or individual, a description of the 
     type or amount of assistance or action taken, as the case may 
     be.
       (g) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 702. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING PROVISIONS OF LAW.

       (a) Pool of Mortgage Loans.--Section 3720(h)(2) is amended 
     by striking ``December 31, 2011'' and inserting ``December 
     31, 2016''.
       (b) Loan Fees.--Section 3729(b)(2) is amended--

[[Page H5427]]

       (1) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and 
     inserting ``October 1, 2017''; and
       (B) in clause (iv), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and 
     inserting ``October 1, 2017'';
       (2) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) in clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and 
     inserting ``October 1, 2017''; and
       (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and 
     inserting ``October 1, 2017'';
       (3) in subparagraph (C)--
       (A) in clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and 
     inserting ``October 1, 2017''; and
       (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and 
     inserting ``October 1, 2017''; and
       (4) in subparagraph (D)--
       (A) in clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and 
     inserting ``October 1, 2017''; and
       (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and 
     inserting ``October 1, 2017''.
       (c) Temporary Adjustment of Maximum Home Loan Guaranty 
     Amount.--Section 501 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement 
     Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-389; 122 Stat. 4175; 38 U.S.C. 
     3703 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2011'' and 
     inserting ``December 31, 2014''.

     SEC. 703. REQUIREMENT FOR PLAN FOR REGULAR ASSESSMENT OF 
                   EMPLOYEES OF VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 
                   WHO HANDLE PROCESSING OF CLAIMS FOR 
                   COMPENSATION AND PENSION.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
     the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a plan that describes how the Secretary 
     will--
       (1) regularly assess the skills and competencies of 
     appropriate employees and managers of the Veterans Benefits 
     Administration who are responsible for processing claims for 
     compensation and pension benefits administered by the 
     Secretary;
       (2) provide training to those employees whose skills and 
     competencies are assessed as unsatisfactory by the regular 
     assessment described in paragraph (1), to remediate 
     deficiencies in such skills and competencies;
       (3) reassess the skills and competencies of employees who 
     receive training as described in paragraph (2); and
       (4) take appropriate personnel action if, following 
     training and reassessment as described in paragraphs (2) and 
     (3), respectively, skills and competencies remain 
     unsatisfactory.

     SEC. 704. MODIFICATION OF PROVISION RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT 
                   RATE FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES.

       Section 111(b)(3)(C) is amended by striking ``under 
     subparagraph (B)'' and inserting ``to or from a Department 
     facility''.

     SEC. 705. CHANGE IN COLLECTION AND VERIFICATION OF VETERAN 
                   INCOME.

       Section 1722(f)(1) is amended by striking ``the previous 
     year'' and inserting ``the most recent year for which 
     information is available''.

     SEC. 706. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ENFORCEMENT 
                   PENALTIES FOR MISREPRESENTATION OF A BUSINESS 
                   CONCERN AS A SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN OWNED AND 
                   CONTROLLED BY VETERANS OR AS A SMALL BUSINESS 
                   CONCERN OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY SERVICE-
                   DISABLED VETERANS.

       Subsection (g) of section 8127 is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Any business'' and inserting ``(1) Any 
     business'';
       (2) in paragraph (1), as so designated--
       (A) by inserting ``willfully and intentionally'' before 
     ``misrepresented''; and
       (B) by striking ``a reasonable period of time, as 
     determined by the Secretary'' and inserting ``a period of not 
     less than five years''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(2) In the case of a debarment under paragraph (1), the 
     Secretary shall commence debarment action against the 
     business concern by not later than 30 days after determining 
     that the concern willfully and intentionally misrepresented 
     the status of the concern as described in paragraph (1) and 
     shall complete debarment actions against such concern by not 
     later than 90 days after such determination.
       ``(3) The debarment of a business concern under paragraph 
     (1) includes the debarment of all principals in the business 
     concern for a period of not less than five years.''.

     SEC. 707. QUARTERLY REPORTS TO CONGRESS ON CONFERENCES 
                   SPONSORED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 5 is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:

     ``Sec. 517. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences 
       sponsored by the Department

       ``(a) Quarterly Reports Required.--Not later than 30 days 
     after the end of each fiscal quarter, the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on covered conferences.
       ``(b) Matters Included.--Each report under subsection (a) 
     shall include the following:
       ``(1) An accounting of the final costs to the Department of 
     each covered conference occurring during the fiscal quarter 
     preceding the date on which the report is submitted, 
     including the costs related to--
       ``(A) transportation and parking;
       ``(B) per diem payments;
       ``(C) lodging;
       ``(D) rental of halls, auditoriums, or other spaces;
       ``(E) rental of equipment;
       ``(F) refreshments;
       ``(G) entertainment;
       ``(H) contractors; and
       ``(I) brochures or other printed media.
       ``(2) The total estimated costs to the Department for 
     covered conferences occurring during the fiscal quarter in 
     which the report is submitted.
       ``(c) Covered Conference Defined.--In this section, the 
     term `covered conference' means a conference, meeting, or 
     other similar forum that is sponsored or co-sponsored by the 
     Department and is--
       ``(1) attended by 50 or more individuals, including one or 
     more employees of the Department; or
       ``(2) estimated to cost the Department at least $20,000.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding after the item 
     relating to section 516 the following:
       ``517. Quarterly reports to Congress on conferences 
           sponsored by the Department.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--Section 517 of title 38, United States 
     Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on 
     October 1, 2012, and shall apply with respect to the first 
     quarter of fiscal year 2013 and each quarter thereafter.

     SEC. 708. PUBLICATION OF DATA ON EMPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN 
                   VETERANS BY FEDERAL CONTRACTORS.

       Section 4212(d) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(3) The Secretary of Labor shall establish and maintain 
     an Internet website on which the Secretary of Labor shall 
     publicly disclose the information reported to the Secretary 
     of Labor by contractors under paragraph (1).''.

     SEC. 709. VETSTAR AWARD PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 532 is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Secretary may'' and inserting `` (a) 
     Advertising in National Media.--The Secretary may''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) VetStar Award Program.--(1) The Secretary shall 
     establish an award program, to be known as the `VetStar Award 
     Program', to recognize annually businesses for their 
     contributions to veterans' employment.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall establish a process for the 
     administration of the award program, including criteria for--
       ``(A) categories and sectors of businesses eligible for 
     recognition each year; and
       ``(B) objective measures to be used in selecting businesses 
     to receive the award.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendments.--
       (1) Section heading.--The heading of such section is 
     amended by adding at the end the following: ``; VetStar Award 
     Program''.
       (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 5 is amended by striking the item 
     relating to section 532 and inserting the following new item:
       ``532. Authority to advertise in national media; VetStar 
           Award Program.''.

     SEC. 710. EXTENDED PERIOD OF PROTECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF 
                   UNIFORMED SERVICES RELATING TO MORTGAGES, 
                   MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE, AND EVICTION.

       (a) Stay of Proceedings and Period of Adjustment of 
     Obligations Relating to Real or Personal Property.--Section 
     303(b) of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 
     533(b)) is amended by striking ``within 9 months'' and 
     inserting ``within one year''.
       (b) Period of Relief From Sale, Foreclosure, or Seizure.--
     Section 303(c) of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 533(c)) is amended 
     by striking ``within 9 months'' and inserting ``within one 
     year''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) 
     and (b) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (d) Extension of Sunset.--
       (1) In general.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and 
     (b) shall expire on December 31, 2014.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Subsection (c) of section 2203 
     of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public Law 
     110-289; 50 U.S.C. App. 533 note) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection 
     (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.''.
       (3) Revival.--Effective January 1, 2015, the provisions of 
     subsections (b) and (c) of section 303 of the Servicemembers 
     Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 533), as in effect on July 
     29, 2008, are hereby revived.
       (e) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 540 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to Congress a report on the 
     protections provided under section 303 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 
     App 533) during the five-year period ending on the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include, for the period described in such paragraph, the 
     following:
       (A) An assessment of the effects of such section on the 
     long-term financial well-being of servicemembers and their 
     families.
       (B) The number of servicemembers who faced foreclosure 
     during a 90-day period, 270-day period, or 365-day period 
     beginning on the date on which the servicemembers completed a 
     period of military service.
       (C) The number of servicemembers who applied for a stay or 
     adjustment under subsection (b) of such section.
       (D) A description and assessment of the effect of applying 
     for a stay or adjustment under such subsection on the 
     financial well-being of the servicemembers who applied for 
     such a stay or adjustment.
       (E) An assessment of the Secretary of Defense's 
     partnerships with public and private sector entities and 
     recommendations on how the Secretary should modify such 
     partnerships to

[[Page H5428]]

     improve financial education and counseling for servicemembers 
     in order to assist them in achieving long-term financial 
     stability.
       (3) Period of military service and servicemember defined.--
     In this subsection, the terms ``period of military service'' 
     and ``servicemember'' have the meanings given such terms in 
     section 101 of such Act (50 U.S.C. App. 511).

  Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act A bill to amend title 38, 
United States Code, to furnish hospital care and medical services to 
veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, while the 
water was contaminated at Camp Lejeune, to improve the provision of 
housing assistance to veterans and their families, and for other 
purposes.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I 
might consume.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members would have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and add any extraneous material on the bill under consideration
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. As the chairman of the House Committee on 
Veterans Affairs, I rise in support of the Senate amendments to H.R. 
1627. This is a comprehensive, bipartisan, bicameral legislative 
package to provide for the needs of veterans, their families and 
survivors through improved health care, housing, education, and 
memorial services.
  In addition, the Senate amendments to H.R. 1627 would improve the 
accountability and transparency of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
ensuring that VA is responsible to those it serves, our American 
veterans.
  As the title of this bill implies, this legislation would authorize 
VA health care services for veterans and their families for certain 
illnesses that manifested as a result of exposure to water 
contamination at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, during a 30-year span 
that ended in 1987.
  I want to specifically acknowledge the efforts of retired Marine 
Master Sergeant Jerry Ensminger, whose dogged efforts to seek answers 
from the government and justice for the victims of the water 
contamination inspired this bill. In honor of Jerry's daughter, Janey, 
who died of leukemia at the age of 9 after time spent at Camp Lejeune 
when the water was contaminated, title I of this bill bears her name.
  Finally, I thank Representative Brad Miller and Senator Richard Burr, 
the original sponsors of the Camp Lejeune legislation in the House and 
the Senate, for their leadership. And although this legislation 
represents a hard-fought victory, we must not forget those who are no 
longer with us to see it become law.
  I think when Senator Burr said this, he said it best:

       Unfortunately, many who were exposed have died as a result 
     and are not here to receive the care this bill can provide. 
     While I wish we could have accomplished this years ago, we 
     now have the opportunity to do the right thing for thousands 
     who were harmed during their service to our country.

  And I couldn't agree more.
  In addition to the veterans of Camp Lejeune, section 106 of this bill 
contains legislation the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Health, Ms. 
Buerkle, introduced, H.R. 2074, the Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention 
Act. The section and her bill, which passed the House last year, would 
address the serious failure of the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
prevent and report sexual assault incidents and corresponding flaws in 
the security of their facilities. It creates a fundamentally safer 
environment for our veterans and VA employees by requiring an 
accountable and comprehensive oversight system.
  I want to express my personal appreciation to Ms. Buerkle for her 
advocacy on behalf of women and all of our veterans. In just 2 short 
years, she has proven herself to be a committed and strong voice for 
servicemembers and veterans, not only in the State of New York, but 
across this country.
  Her considerable expertise as a nurse, a lawyer, and a mother of six 
was the reason I chose her to be the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on 
Health, and I can tell you that in the roll that she has played, she 
has never wavered from doing what is right for all of our veterans.
  The bill also includes several worthy legislative proposals to 
improve health care services brought forth from our Members on both 
sides of the aisle and in both Chambers, the House and in the Senate.
  This bill also addresses several other areas where we will be able to 
expand and improve health care for veterans. It would allow for greater 
flexibility in VA payments to State veterans homes, break down barriers 
to care for veterans with traumatic brain injury, clarify the access 
rights of service dogs on VA property, and improve care for rural 
elderly and homeless veterans.
  This bill also addresses several important matters related to 
veterans' housing. Because many of our returning wounded warriors need 
assistance modifying their residences to meet their needs, this bill 
would reauthorize and expand several provisions relating to the 
Specially Adapted Housing Grant Program.
  These grants provide funding to eligible disabled veterans and 
servicemembers who adapt homes that they own or homes that they are 
currently living in to meet their daily needs. Adaptations can include 
grab bars in bathrooms, widening doorways for wheelchairs, or 
constructing a wheelchair ramp. These grants are imperative to 
affording veterans the level of independent living that they were 
accustomed to prior to their injury and that they may not be able to 
otherwise enjoy.
  As many of us are aware, far too many of our veterans have found 
themselves on hard times and are homeless or are at risk for 
homelessness. To combat this problem, this bill would authorize funding 
for additional housing options for homeless veterans to help them gain 
stability and obtain access to other treatment and services that they 
may need from VA.
  The next area of the bill would be in addressing education. We all 
know that we have provided a very generous benefit to the veterans in 
the post-9/11 GI Bill. The problem is that we have never really tracked 
the performance of the bill or if the benefits are effective in 
training veterans to be leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, this 
legislation would increase our oversight of post-9/11 educational 
benefits by requiring annual reports to Congress on the effectiveness 
of these benefits and how they're being utilized.
  I want to thank my friend, Congressman Gus Bilirakis, for introducing 
this provision in H.R. 2274 and for his leadership on improving 
transparency for the post-9/11 GI Bill.
  Another critical area addressed by this legislation is that of 
veteran benefits. Over the last 3 years, we've seen the disability 
claims backlog grow exponentially, with more than 900,000 claims now 
awaiting decisions. Fifty percent of those have been pending for a 
period of 125 days or more. Despite repeated promises from VA to break 
the backlog, it continues to grow.
  Therefore, the provisions of this bill that address benefit matters 
will assist in processing claims more efficiently:
  First, it would allow veterans to automatically waive regional office 
review of evidence submitted directly to the Board of Veterans Appeals 
for claims in appellate status;
  Second, it would allow veterans in need of assistance with claims to 
have a signatory on their behalf assist them with the claims process;
  Third, it would modernize VA's statutory duty to assist by 
authorizing electronic communications, potentially saving weeks in a 
claim's processing time;
  Fourth, to alleviate the burdens of redundant paperwork, veterans 
would now be able to file jointly for Social Security and indemnity 
compensation;
  Finally, to promote accountability of individual claims processors, 
VA would be required to present a plan in 6 months on how it will take 
corrective action when their employees need training to do their jobs 
well.

                              {time}  1620

  I want to thank my friend Mr. Runyan from New Jersey, the chairman of

[[Page H5429]]

the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, for his 
dedication to our Nation's veterans and for his focus on advancing 
legislation such as H.R. 2349, which will achieve measurable results in 
alleviating the backlog of claims.
  While many of these provisions that I have discussed thus far have 
focused on our efforts to honor our commitment to the brave men and 
women who serve our Nation, including those transitioning from the 
recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, we must also continue our 
commitment to our fallen heroes. Accordingly, this bill also sets out 
specific criteria that prohibit disruptions and protests of funerals of 
members of the Armed Forces at VA national cemeteries and at Arlington 
National Cemetery, including the imposition of criminal and civil 
liability for violations of these restrictions.
  In addition, given the sacred nature of Arlington National Cemetery, 
a name synonymous with honoring American freedom, this legislation 
would codify a prohibition on the reservation of grave sites at 
Arlington National Cemetery, with very limited exceptions. I worked 
closely with Mr. Runyan on this prohibition to ensure that many future 
generations of American heroes will be buried and honored at Arlington 
National Cemetery. I want to thank him again for his leadership on this 
issue and for originally introducing H.R. 1484.
  Similarly, I introduced the original measure on H.R. 1627, which 
would place restrictions on the type and placement of monuments at 
Arlington National Cemetery due to the fact that the cemetery, itself, 
is a monument. Arlington National Cemetery is a unique national 
treasure. It is for this reason that this legislation is necessary to 
ensure that the integrity of the cemetery is preserved both in its 
utilization of land with the placement of monuments and with its 
allocation of grave sites.
  Finally, this comprehensive legislative package also contains several 
miscellaneous provisions affecting our Nation's veterans. Although 
these areas may not receive as much attention, such as health care or 
benefits, they are no less important to improving the lives of the 
veterans of this country.
  I want to thank the ranking member, Mr. Filner, as well as the 
chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs, Senator Murray and Senator Burr, for their insight and 
cooperation on advancing this compromise bill today.
  I want to reiterate that this bill is paid for both in its mandatory 
and discretionary costs via offsets that have been used many times by 
this committee and that have historically been supported by both sides 
of the aisle.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert a floor 
colloquy between me and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Once again, I thank all of the members of the 
committee, as well as the staffs of the House and the Senate on 
Veterans' Affairs, for their work on this bill, and I urge all Members 
to support the Senate amendments to H.R. 1627.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, the Committees have prepared an explanation of certain 
provisions contained in the amendment to H.R. 1627, as amended, to 
reflect a Compromise Agreement between the Committees. Differences 
between the provisions contained in the Compromise Agreement and the 
related provisions of the House Bills and the Senate Bills are noted in 
this document, except for clerical corrections, conforming changes made 
necessary by the Compromise Agreement, and minor drafting, technical, 
and clarifying changes. This Explanatory Statement is contained in the 
Congressional Record of July 18, 2012.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1627, as amended, the Honoring 
America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. 
This bill represents the hard work of both Chambers and of both sides 
of the aisle.
  I want to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Filner, as well as 
Senator Murray and Senator Burr and all of my colleagues on the 
Veterans' Affairs Committees in both Chambers, for all of the work that 
went into crafting this legislation.
  This bill provides health care benefits to veterans and family 
members who have suffered illnesses due to exposure to harmful 
chemicals through drinking contaminated water while stationed at Camp 
Lejeune, North Carolina.
  This bill also provides important improvements to enable the VA to 
better care for veterans living in rural areas. These veterans 
constitute 40 percent of the veterans who seek care at VA. These 
improvements include: waiving the collections of copayments for 
veterans who use telehealth or telemedicine services; authorizing VA to 
pay travel benefits to veterans seeking care at vet centers; requiring 
VA to establish and operate Centers of Excellence for rural health 
research, education, and clinical activities; finally, requiring VA to 
create a system for the consultation and assessment of mental health, 
traumatic brain injury, and other conditions through teleconsultation.
  A provision I am particularly proud of will improve the care provided 
to our elderly veterans and to those who are 70-percent disabled or 
higher in our State veterans' nursing homes.
  This bill makes improvements in the area of veterans' benefits and 
the claims process. One such improvement, a provision based on a 
measure introduced by Ranking Member Filner, enables a veteran or a 
family member, on an appeal, to waive the current requirement that new 
evidence be first considered by the VA. This provision would enable the 
Board of Veterans' Appeals to review evidence submitted directly to it 
instead of waiting for a redecision at the agency level.
  This bill includes important housing provisions as well. One 
provision would help veterans with vision impairments and veterans 
residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member by aligning 
VA's definition of ``blindness'' with the definition of ``blindness'' 
under existing Federal laws.
  This bill provides that the amount made available to veterans who 
receive a temporary residence adaptation grant is not counted against 
the maximum allowable under the Specially Adapted Housing program. 
Also, this bill makes permanent the authority of VA to guarantee 
adjustable rate and hybrid rate mortgages.
  Mr. Speaker, I have only highlighted a few of the important parts of 
this bill that were found in H.R. 1627, as amended. I would encourage 
my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this very important 
veterans' measure.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield such time as 
she may consume to the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Health, the 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Buerkle).
  Ms. BUERKLE. I rise in support of the Senate amendments to H.R. 1627, 
the Honoring American Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act 
of 2012.
  Included in this bill are provisions that reflect the oversight work 
of the Subcommittee on Health, which I am honored to chair. Central to 
the health care portion of this legislation is section 106, which would 
require the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a 
comprehensive policy on the prevention, monitoring, reporting, and 
tracking of sexual assaults and other safety incidents that occur at VA 
medical facilities.
  This provision was originally passed in the House last year in H.R. 
2074, as amended, the Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act. I 
introduced this measure last year in response to a disturbing GAO 
report, which found that between 2007 and 2010 some 284 instances of 
alleged sexual assault occurred in VA medical facilities around the 
country. As a former registered nurse and domestic violence counselor, 
I am all too familiar with the corrosive and harmful effects sexual and 
physical violence can have in the lives of its victims. Abusive 
behavior, like the kind documented by the GAO, is unacceptable. For it 
to be found in what should be an environment of healing for our honored 
veterans is simply unforgivable.
  This bill would establish and enforce critically important actions to 
correct the serious safety vulnerabilities, security problems, and 
oversight failures

[[Page H5430]]

by VA leadership that threaten the safety of veterans who seek care 
through the Department and of the hardworking employees who provide 
that care. I am confident that the comprehensive requirements mandated 
in this bill will resolve the deficiencies the GAO uncovered and ensure 
that the VA health care system is a safe and secure place for our 
veterans and their families to seek care.
  I have been working furiously since last October, when this provision 
first passed the House, to get it through the Senate and signed into 
law by the President. I am very pleased and relieved that the day has 
finally come--and not a moment too soon--for those who need it. 
However, my oversight does not stop at the President's desk. With this 
statement, I am putting the VA on notice that I will remain vigilant in 
ensuring that the legislation is implemented swiftly, as intended, to 
protect veterans and employees at VA medical facilities.
  Also included in this bill, Mr. Speaker, is a measure that would 
allow for greater flexibility in establishing rates for reimbursements 
to State homes for nursing home care that is provided to certain 
service-connected veterans. This proposal was also included in H.R. 
2074.

                              {time}  1630

  I want to thank the gentleman from Maine and ranking member of the 
Subcommittee on Health for his very hard work in introducing this 
provision and the manner in which he continues to embody a true 
bipartisan spirit to advance legislation for the benefit of our 
veterans, as well as their families. Additionally, the bill includes a 
measure to expand the ability of worthy nonprofit entities to obtain 
grants to provide services for homeless veterans.
  Our colleague from the State of Washington, Dave Reichert, has been a 
strong advocate for establishing these important enhancements. I am 
pleased that this provision he introduced is included in the bill. I'm 
pleased that this provision for which he has been a strong advocate has 
been included. There are so many other important provisions, including 
improving rehabilitative care to veterans with traumatic brain injury, 
waiving the collection of co-payments for telehealth and telemedicine, 
establishing an initiative to expand beneficiary travel reimbursements 
to veterans, clarifying the access rights of service dogs on VA 
property and VA facilities, and providing medical care for certain 
veterans and their families who were exposed to contaminated water at 
Camp Lejeune.
  It has been an honor for me, Mr. Speaker, to work with my colleagues 
in the House and the Senate on this legislation. In particular, I am 
grateful for the hard work, as well as the leadership, of our chairman, 
Mr. Miller of Florida.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting 
this legislation.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell).
  (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted that we are finally 
addressing the problem before the House, and I rise in strong support 
of H.R. 1627, the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp 
Lejeune Families Act. This is long overdue.
  The most noteworthy thing we can observe about the behavior of the 
military leadership is they have been uncooperative and have been most 
diligent in obfuscating the problem and seeing to it that the matter 
has been unduly dawdled over while our military personnel were both put 
at risk and placed in a position where their families also shared that 
risk and hazard. I want to thank Chairman Miller, Ranking Member 
Filner, the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Miller, and my dear 
friend, Mr. Michaud, for the things that they have done to see to it 
that finally justice is being done.
  The victims of the Camp Lejeune contamination disaster have waited 
too long for justice for themselves and for their families. The passage 
of this legislation today is an important first step in moving forward 
and providing for the victims of what has been a long and ongoing 
tragedy. It is also evidence that there is still a great need for us to 
see to it that the military cooperates in these kinds of investigations 
and see to it that the military goes beyond that and that they conduct 
a cleanup of the military facilities where we send our military 
personnel and their families.
  In 2004, I conducted a series of investigations into this and other 
contamination problems as the ranking member of the House Committee on 
Energy and Commerce. After meeting with the Marine Corps personnel and 
Master Sergeant Jerry Ensminger, whose daughter died of a rare form of 
leukemia at the age of 9, I must confess that I can come to no 
conclusion other than that that was caused by where her father had been 
serving and the fact that the military had not been diligent in 
cleaning up its messes.
  These investigations revealed a great coverup and much foot dragging 
and obfuscation on the part of the Department of the Navy to properly 
deal with the consequences of the contamination. They also showed other 
failures by the Department of Defense in other places, including 
installations in far distant points of service like Japan.
  With the passage of this bill, veterans of Camp Lejeune and their 
families who also served there are going to receive some measure of 
justice and help in addressing the problems they have because of where 
they were compelled to serve and because of lack of diligence on the 
part of the military to see that they were properly cared for. They 
will now be eligible, if they served between 1957 and 1987, to receive 
VA health benefits for illnesses connected with that contamination.
  While the passage of this legislation is a success, we all know 
there's much more to be done. The veterans deserve the presumptions of 
the service connection in the bill to ensure that they receive 
important benefits to which they are due. That is simply a proper 
concern for our veterans and for their safety. They and their families 
should not be put at unnecessary risk by places that they serve solely 
by reason of the fact that they serve at a particular place and because 
of slothful, improper behavior by the Department of Defense higher-ups 
and because of coverups in which they did not cooperate in seeing to 
the proper safeguards of our Federal employees there and our military 
personnel who were serving there involuntarily as a part of their 
superb contribution to the safety of this Nation.
  The fight continues, and I'm hopeful that we can continue to bring 
justice to the victims of Camp Lejeune, and to see to it that others of 
our military are not put at risk because of slothful, improper, and 
dilatory behavior by the Department of Defense.
  I ask my colleagues here to understand our duty in seeing to it that 
the families of our military and our military personnel are not put at 
risk by where they serve or by indifferent and careless behavior of 
their government. The government has a duty not just to see to it that 
our military personnel are made whole, but they do have the duty to see 
to it that our military bases and military service are not put at risk 
by actions which make the points of service of our military 
unnecessarily risky because of contamination in the places where our 
military and their families live and work.
  Here we have another high duty, and that is to see to it that the 
military personnel are kept safe with their families at their side as 
they serve in the military bases.
  The Military leadership must recognize their responsibility not to 
put our soldiers, sailors and airmen at risk by reason of the places 
they serve. They confront enough risk from their duty, without careless 
and indifferent behavior of their superiors, who first disregard safety 
of the facilities, and then expand the risk by reason of cover ups and 
obfuscation of the facts and the need to clean up messes unnecessarily 
caused and improperly denied.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Florida has 5 minutes 
remaining, and the gentleman from Maine has 11\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield 2 minutes to 
the chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, Mr. Stutzman, 
from the great State of Indiana.
  Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and

[[Page H5431]]

for his leadership on the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
  I rise in strong support for the Senate amendments to H.R. 1627. The 
bill is a product of many months of bipartisan work to improve the 
lives of our veterans and their families.
  I'm very proud of sections 706 and 707, which contained provisions I 
introduced in H.R. 1657 and H.R. 2302 respectively. Section 706 would 
tighten the process to debar firms that willfully and intentionally 
misrepresent themselves as veteran or service-disabled veteran-owned 
small businesses by stipulating a 5-year debarment period from 
contracting with the VA for the company and its principals. Section 706 
would also require VA to complete the debarment no later than 90 days 
after such finding.
  Mr. Speaker, section 707 of the underlying bill would require VA to 
provide a quarterly report to Congress on the cost of the Department's 
conferences. Every year, VA spends millions of dollars on conferences. 
While I understand the need for such meetings, recent history is 
sufficient to demand an accounting so Congress can provide proper 
oversight of such spending. Section 707 would require VA to report on 
conferences costing $20,000 or more or on conferences attended by 50 or 
more people, including at least one VA employee. It would also require 
VA to estimate the cost of conferences to be held during the quarter in 
which the report is provided.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, for our veterans and their families, I urge 
my colleagues to support the Senate amendments to H.R. 1627.

                              {time}  1640

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Miller).
  Mr. MILLER of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the Department of the Navy 
has known for 30 years that the drinking water at Camp Lejeune was 
contaminated. They've known for 20 years exactly what chemicals were in 
the water. The science may have been slow to develop on the effects of 
exposure to those chemicals, but they knew better than to say there was 
nothing to worry about, which is what they did.
  The Navy concealed information from Marines and their families who 
drank the water, cooked with it, and bathed in it. They withheld 
information from the Centers for Disease Control and from Congress. And 
they have shamefully failed to take responsibility for the contaminated 
water.
  Senator Burr and I introduced companion bills 2 years ago to provide 
treatment for certain diseases associated with exposure to the water. 
That legislation, the Janey Ensminger Act, is title I of this bill. 
Justice requires at least the benefits the Janey Ensminger Act 
provides.
  I thank Chairman Miller and the Veterans' Affairs Committee for 
bringing this bill to the floor.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. If I might inquire how many further requests 
for time the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) has.
  Mr. MICHAUD. I have one further request for time, and then I am 
prepared to close.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. I will reserve the balance of my time at this 
point.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).
  Mrs. MALONEY. I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his hard 
work on this bill and in so many other areas in our Congress, not just 
for veterans and the military, but in a large array of areas, from 
health to national security, where he has been a leader.
  I rise in strong support today of H.R. 1627, as amended, the Honoring 
America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. 
This represents the hard work of both sides of the aisle. I thank 
Chairman Miller, Ranking Member Filner, as well as the gentleman from 
Maine (Mr. Michaud) and Representative Miller from North Carolina on 
our side who have been leaders on this issue.

  I am particularly proud to rise in support of this legislation to 
finally give medical coverage and justice to those military families 
previously stationed at Camp Lejeune where, for three decades--three 
decades--thousands of Marines and their families consumed water 
contaminated with toxic chemicals that likely led to very serious 
illnesses.
  Because of travesties like this, I authored an amendment to the 2012 
Defense authorization bill prohibiting the secrecy of information about 
water contamination on our military bases. I asked Secretary Panetta 
for transparency to help strike the necessary balance between 
safeguarding our national interests and preventing another Camp Lejeune 
scandal from happening that endangers the health of our military 
families here on the soil of our country.
  I strongly support this bill because this is a big step in making 
sure that our veterans are continuously cared for throughout their 
deployment and thereafter here at home and are not put at risk for 
their health.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. With respect to the gentleman's earlier 
request to enter a colloquy that was granted earlier, the Chair would 
clarify that a colloquy may not be inserted into the Record but that 
two statements may be inserted independently under general leave.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have one other speaker that had 
a late train that I was trying to wait on, but apparently he is not 
going to be able to make it. So I am prepared to close after Mr. 
Michaud closes.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I am particularly pleased with this package 
because it also includes legislation that I have been working on for 
well over 2 years that will ensure that our severely disabled and 
elderly veterans are able to get the care they need. Specifically, my 
bill requires the VA to enter into contracts or provider agreements 
with State Veterans Nursing Homes in order to get the reimbursement 
that they adequately need to take care of our veterans.
  Without this legislation, State Veterans Homes will not get 
reimbursed properly for the services they provide for our veterans. 
According to data from the National Association of State Veterans 
Homes, the average rate for care is roughly $359 per veteran per day, 
while VA only reimburses the homes $235 per day. This difference of 
$124 per day amounts to over $45,000 per year for each covered veteran. 
And with approximately 25,000 beds nationwide, the financial burden on 
State Veterans Homes could become crippling.
  Passing this legislation into law will ensure that our State Veterans 
Homes are paid adequately for the services they provide and can 
continue to serve our veterans that are in need of those services.
  I want to thank Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Filner for their 
support of this bill and for working to bring this legislation to the 
floor. Our veterans will be better off as a result.
  I also would like to thank Chairwoman Buerkle for her efforts as 
well, working in a bipartisan manner, and staff on both the majority 
and minority sides for bringing this bill forward,
  Mr. Speaker, I have a question for Mr. Miller. He had mentioned 
earlier about a colloquy. If those colloquies are entered separately, 
will that be made a part of the Record?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman is correct.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, if we could go ahead and do the 
colloquy at this time, that way we'll make sure it's in the Record.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleague about 
section 102 of the bill. That provides medical care for certain medical 
conditions for veterans and their families who lived at Camp Lejeune 
from 1957 through 1987.
  There is one provision applicable to family members where VA would 
reimburse family members for health care services provided under this 
section but only after they exhaust reasonably available alternative 
reimbursements.
  I want to ensure that this language is not read to mean that family 
members must actually file suit under the Federal Tort Claims Act or 
even come to end of litigation under a suit filed under the Federal 
Tort Claims Act to ensure the medical care offered by this provision. 
Can my colleague confirm this?
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. I thank the gentleman for the question. It 
allows me to reassure those veterans and family members in the 
strongest terms possible that this language, which does

[[Page H5432]]

appear in section 1787(b)(3) of title 38 of the U.S. Code, absolutely 
does not--does not--require that any suit be filed under the Federal 
Tort Claims Act in order to secure this medical care as long as they 
meet the other requirements of the bill.
  As you have noticed, that provision only requires exhaustion of 
``reasonably available'' remedies. In the legislation, we are explicit 
that we want this care to be provided for family members even though at 
the present time, there is insufficient medical evidence to conclude 
that the illnesses or conditions listed in the bill are attributable to 
those exposures.
  For this and other reasons surrounding litigation under the Federal 
Tort Claims Act, such an FTCA remedy can't be considered to be 
``reasonably available.'' To require exhaustion under the Federal Tort 
Claims Act would go completely against the intent of this piece of 
legislation to make this medical care available to these family members 
for these conditions so long as VA is considered the final payer as far 
as other third-party health plans.
  Mr. MICHAUD. I thank the gentleman.
  Mr. Speaker, with that, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1650

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I once again encourage all 
Members to support the Senate amendments to H.R. 1627, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. RUNYAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1627, as amended, 
``The Honoring of America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune 
Families Act of 2012.''
  There are several components to this legislation, and they are all 
aimed toward improving veterans' lives after their selfless sacrifice 
to our nation.
  I would like to draw attention to the provisions that ensure the 
Veterans' benefits process is more efficient, accountable, and fair for 
all Veterans and their families.
  Section 703 of H.R. 1627 addresses the minimalist approach the VA has 
adopted in complying with its employee skills certification mandate.
  This provision would address disparities in experience and training, 
while facilitating the individual accountability of employees.
  The VA would conduct testing procedures that indicate basic 
competency of all claims processors and managers.
  Test results indicating less than satisfactory scores on the exam 
would necessitate an individualized remediation program to aid them in 
improving their areas of deficiency.
  Repeated failure after remediation would require the VA to take 
necessary personnel actions.
  Additionally, Section 504 implements the use of electronic 
communication within the VA in providing notices of responsibility to 
claimants.
  It also removes administrative provisions which have slowed down the 
processing of Veteran's disability claims.
  In total, this section would increase efficiency and help modernize 
the VA by authorizing the most effective means available for 
communication while simultaneously removing administrative red tape.
  Lastly, another provision that would reduce the claims backlog is 
Section 505, which clarifies the meaning of the VA's duty to assist 
claimants in obtaining evidence needed to verify a claim.
  As a result, this section establishes a clear and reasonable standard 
for private record requests as ``not less than two requests.''
  In addition, this section will encourage claimants to take a 
proactive role in the claims process.
  I would like to take the remaining time to commend and thank the 
Committee for working with me in addressing the concerns affiliated 
with Arlington National Cemetery.
  As Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Disability Assistance and 
Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, DAMA, I am very pleased that our 
Committee continues to improve the ways in which we honor our veterans 
and preserve Arlington National Cemetery, ANC, as the sacred final 
resting place for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in 
service to our country.
  As a member of both the House Veterans Affairs and House Armed 
Services Committees, with a large veterans population and joint 
military installation in my home District, it has been an honor to join 
my colleagues in support of H.R. 1627, as amended, and to work in a 
bipartisan manner on behalf of veterans.
  I would like to thank each of them for their tireless support on 
behalf of our veterans--the heroes who protect the freedoms we all 
enjoy. I know they share my commitment to ensuring that we take care of 
our veterans and military servicemembers.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules 
and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill, H.R. 1627.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the Senate amendments were concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________