[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 8, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3259-S3260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SANDERS:
  S. 894. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend 
expiring authority for work-study allowances for individuals who are 
pursuing programs of rehabilitation, education, or training under laws 
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to expand such 
authority to certain outreach services provided through congressional 
offices, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, as the Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs 
Committee, I am committed to ensuring we provide our Nation's veterans 
the opportunities they need to successfully transition back to civilian 
life. One of the programs afforded to veterans to assist them during 
this difficult time is the Department of Veterans Affairs' work-study 
program.
  VA's work-study program provides veterans participating in several VA 
educational, vocational, and rehabilitation programs the opportunity to 
work alongside school certifying officials and State and Federal 
employees to assist veterans with VA benefits and services. In fiscal 
year 2012, this program assisted more than 10,000 veterans, who 
received approximately $25.7 million in work study payments. Under 
current law, this program is set to expire this year.
  I am proud to introduce legislation that would extend VA's work-study 
program for three more years. This legislation would allow veterans to 
continue doing such important activities as conducting outreach 
programs with State Approving Agencies; working with a National 
Cemetery or a State Veteran's Cemetery; assisting in caring for 
veterans in State Homes; and working with school certifying officials, 
claims processors, and other state and federal employees to provide 
much needed benefits and services to our Nation's heroes.
  VA has determined work-study participants do not have the authority 
to work in congressional offices, despite their successful service in 
such offices in the past. These veterans were critical to Congress' 
efforts to understand the needs of our Nation's veterans. They used 
congressional resources and personal experience to help veterans access 
earned benefits and services. This legislation would allow veterans to 
work in congressional offices to assist other veterans with casework 
issues, help congressional staff address the unique challenges facing 
our newest generation of veterans, and develop the knowledge and 
experience needed to successfully transition into the civilian 
workforce.
  Our veterans have sacrificed so much in defense of this country. They 
deserve a seamless transition when they look to return to civilian 
life. This legislation would expand a program that has been so vital in 
preparing veterans to succeed in the civilian workforce.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 894

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

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN 
                   QUALIFYING WORK-STUDY ACTIVITIES FOR PURPOSES 
                   OF THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Extension of Expiring Current Authority.--Section 
     3485(a)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking ``June 30, 2013'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``June 30, 2016''.
       (b) Expansion to Outreach Services Provided Through 
     Congressional Offices.--Such section is further amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(K) During the period beginning on June 30, 2013, and 
     ending on June 30, 2016, the following activities carried out 
     at the offices of Members of Congress for such Members:
       ``(i) The distribution of information to members of the 
     Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents about the 
     benefits and services under laws administered by the 
     Secretary and other appropriate governmental and non-
     governmental programs.
       ``(ii) The preparation and processing of papers and other 
     documents, including documents to assist in the preparation 
     and presentation of claims for benefits under laws 
     administered by the Secretary.''.
       (c) Annual Reports.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than June 30 each year, 
     beginning with 2014 and ending with 2016, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the 
     work-study allowances paid under paragraph (1) of section 
     3485(a) of title 38, United States Code, during the most 
     recent one-year period for qualifying work-study activities 
     described in paragraph (4) of such section, as amended by 
     subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
       (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall include, for the year covered by such report, the 
     following:
       (A) A description of the recipients of such work-study 
     allowances.
       (B) A list of the locations where qualifying work-study 
     activities were carried out.

[[Page S3260]]

       (C) A description of the outreach conducted by the 
     Secretary to increase awareness of the eligibility of such 
     work-study activities for such work-study allowances.
                                 ______