[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 130 (Friday, September 27, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H5888-H5890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXPIRING AUTHORITIES ACT OF 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 1412) to improve and 
increase the availability of on-job training and apprenticeship 
programs carried out by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 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.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. EXTENSIONS OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES AFFECTING VETERANS 
                   AND THEIR FAMILIES.

       (a) Extension of Authority To Provide Monthly Assistance 
     Allowance to Veterans With Disability Invited by United 
     States Olympic Committee.--
       (1) In general.--Section 322(d)(4) of title 38, United 
     States Code, is amended by inserting ``and $500,000 for the 
     period beginning October 1, 2013, and ending December 31, 
     2013'' after ``2013''.
       (2) Technical correction.--Section 322 of such title is 
     amended by striking ``United States Paralympics, Inc.,'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``United States Olympic 
     Committee''.
       (b) Extension of Authority To Provide Assistance for United 
     States Olympic Committee.--
       (1) In general.--Section 521A of such title is amended--
       (A) in subsection (g), by inserting ``and $2,000,000 for 
     the period beginning October 1, 2013, and ending December 31, 
     2013'' after ``2013''; and
       (B) in subsection (l), by striking ``The Secretary may only 
     provide assistance under this section during fiscal years 
     2010 through 2013.''

[[Page H5889]]

     and inserting ``The Secretary may not provide assistance 
     under this section after December 31, 2013.''.
       (2) Technical correction.--Such section is further 
     amended--
       (A) except in subsection (d)(4), by striking ``United 
     States Paralympics, Inc.,'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``United States Olympic Committee'';
       (B) in subsection (d)(4), by striking ``United States 
     Paralympics, Inc.'' and inserting ``United States Olympic 
     Committee''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(m) Applicability to Commonwealths and Territories of 
     United States.--The provisions of this section and section 
     322 of this title shall apply with respect to the following 
     in the same manner and to the same degree as the United 
     States Olympic Committee:
       ``(1) The American Samoa National Olympic Committee.
       ``(2) Guam National Olympic Committee.
       ``(3) Comite Olimpico de Puerto Rico.
       ``(4) Such entities as the Secretary considers appropriate 
     to represent the interests of the Northern Mariana Islands 
     and the United States Virgin Islands under this section and 
     section 322 of this title.''.
       (3) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 5 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 521A and inserting the following 
     new item:

``521A. Assistance for United States Olympic Committee.''.

       (c) Extension of Authority for Collection of Copayments for 
     Hospital Care and Nursing Home Care.--Section 1710(f)(2)(B) 
     of such title is amended by striking ``September 30, 2013'' 
     and inserting ``September 30, 2014''.
       (d) Extension of Authority for Recovery From Third Parties 
     of Cost of Care and Services Furnished to Veterans With 
     Health-Plan Contracts for Non-Service-connected Disability.--
     Section 1729(a)(2)(E) of such title is amended by striking 
     ``October 1, 2013'' and inserting ``October 1, 2014''.
       (e) Extensions of Authorities Affecting Homeless 
     Veterans.--
       (1) Homeless veterans reintegration programs.--Section 
     2021(e)(1)(F) of such title is amended by striking ``2013'' 
     and inserting ``2014''.
       (2) Referral and counseling services: veterans at risk of 
     homelessness who are transitioning from certain 
     institutions.--Section 2023(d) of such title is amended--
       (A) by inserting ``to enter into a contract'' before ``to 
     provide''; and
       (B) by striking ``September 30, 2013'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 2014''.
       (f) Extension of Previously Fully-Funded Authorities 
     Affecting Homeless Veterans.--
       (1) Comprehensive service programs.--Section 2013 of such 
     title is amended by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the 
     following new paragraphs:
       ``(6) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.
       ``(7) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 and each subsequent 
     fiscal year.''.
       (2) Financial assistance for supportive services for very 
     low-income veteran families in permanent housing.--Section 
     2044(e)(1)(E) of such title is amended by striking ``for 
     fiscal year 2013'' and inserting ``for each of fiscal years 
     2013 and 2014''.
       (3) Grant program for homeless veterans with special 
     needs.--Section 2061(d)(1) of such title is amended by 
     striking ``through 2013'' and inserting ``through 2014''.
       (g) Extension of Temporary Expansion of Eligibility for 
     Specially Adapted Housing Assistance for Certain Veterans 
     With Disabilities Causing Difficulty With Ambulating.--
     Section 2101(a)(4) of such title is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Secretary's'' and inserting ``(A) 
     Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary's'';
       (2) in subparagraph (A), as designated by paragraph (1), by 
     striking ``September 30, 2013'' and inserting ``September 30, 
     2014''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) In fiscal year 2014, the Secretary may not approve 
     more than 30 applications for assistance under paragraph (1) 
     for disabled veterans described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii).''.
       (h) Extension of Authority To Calculate Net Value of Real 
     Property Securing Defaulted Loan for Purposes of 
     Liquidation.--Section 3732(c)(11) of such title is amended by 
     striking ``October 1, 2013'' and inserting ``October 1, 
     2014''.
       (i) Extension of Pilot Program on Assistance for Child Care 
     for Certain Veterans Receiving Health Care.--Section 205 of 
     the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 
     2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (e), by striking ``2-year'' and inserting 
     ``3-year''; and
       (2) in subsection (h), by striking ``and 2011'' and 
     inserting ``and 2014''.

     SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF USE OF NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF NEW 
                   HIRES FOR INCOME VERIFICATION PURPOSES FOR 
                   CERTAIN VETERANS BENEFITS.

       (a) Secretary of Health and Human Services.--Section 
     453(j)(11) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(j)(11)) 
     is amended by striking subparagraph (G) and inserting the 
     following new subparagraph (G):
       ``(G) Expiration of authority.--The authority under this 
     paragraph shall be in effect as follows:
       ``(i) During the period beginning on December 26, 2007, and 
     ending on November 18, 2011.
       ``(ii) During the period beginning on the date of the 
     enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring 
     Authorities Act of 2013 and ending 180 days after that 
     date.''.
       (b) Secretary of Veterans Affairs.--Section 5317A of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (d) 
     and inserting the following new subsection (d):
       ``(d) Expiration of Authority.--The authority under this 
     section shall be in effect as follows:
       ``(1) During the period beginning on December 26, 2007, and 
     ending on November 18, 2011.
       ``(2) During the period beginning on the date of the 
     enactment of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring 
     Authorities Act of 2013 and ending 180 days after that 
     date.''.

     SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE AND RATIFICATION.

       (a) Effective Date.--This Act shall take effect on October 
     1, 2013, except that Section 2 (a) shall take effect on 
     September 30, 2013.
       (b) Ratification.--If this Act is not enacted on or before 
     September 30, 2013, any actions undertaken by the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs under the authorities extended by this 
     Act during the period beginning on such date and ending on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act shall be deemed 
     ratified.

     SEC. 5. 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.
       Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to amend title 38, 
     United States Code, to extend certain expiring authorities 
     affecting veterans and their families, and for other 
     purposes.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks on Senate amendments to H.R. 1412.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the Senate amendments we are discussing today to H.R. 
1412 would extend a number of expiring authorities affecting the daily 
lives and long-term well-being of our servicemembers, veterans, and 
their families.
  The important initiatives that would be extended through this 
legislation include those that provide adaptive sports programs and 
specially adapted housing grants for disabled veterans and supported 
services--such as housing and employment assistance--for homeless 
veterans.
  The bill would also extend for 1 year the Department's authority to 
provide childcare assistance to certain veterans receiving intensive 
health care services.
  Further, it would extend VA's authority to collect copayments for 
hospital and nursing home care and to recover from third parties the 
cost of care and services that are furnished to veterans with health 
plan contracts for nonservice-connected conditions through September 
30, 2014.
  Needless to say, each of these programs is critical to ensuring the 
efficient and effective delivery of high-quality health care and 
benefits to veterans in communities across our country.
  The committee will continue to be vigorous in our oversight of each 
of these programs to ensure the prompt delivery of needed benefits and 
services to veterans and the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
  This legislation represents a bipartisan, bicameral effort. I want to 
express my gratitude to the ranking member, Mr. Michaud, and to Ms. 
Brown, who is here with us on the floor, the chairman and the ranking 
member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee--Bernie Sanders of 
Vermont and Richard Burr of North Carolina--for their hard work and 
their leadership in this effort.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in the Senate amendments to 
H.R. 1412 and reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 1412, as amended, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Expired Authorities Act of 2013.

                              {time}  0915

  VA would lose the authority to continue a number of critical programs

[[Page H5890]]

that, without action, would expire next week. These programs assist our 
most vulnerable veterans reintegrating back into society and into their 
communities.
  With this legislation, wrap-around services for homeless veterans and 
their families would be authorized to continue. Services such as 
counseling, job training, job referrals, financial assistance, case 
management, housing, and the special needs for the frail, elderly, and 
seriously mentally ill veterans will continue.
  We listened to veterans when they told us that they were busy with 
jobs, school, and families and, as a result, found it difficult to get 
the health care they needed without childcare assistance. This measure 
extended for 1 year VA's authority to provide childcare assistance for 
certain veterans receiving intensive health care services.
  This bill would extend the authority to provide a monthly assistance 
allowance to veterans with disabilities who are invited by the U.S. 
Olympic Committee to participate on the U.S. Paralympics team. More 
than 14,000 veterans with disabilities have benefited from these 
activities. The results for these veteran athletes have been 
astonishing both in terms of athletic accomplishment and personal 
accomplishment.
  This bill extends eligibility for specially adapted housing for our 
most disabled veterans. It would allow them to live more independently 
in their daily lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe we have a moral obligation to ensure that we 
do what needs to be done to help those who have worn the uniform 
receive the benefits and services they have earned. These extensions of 
critical programs we are considering today will help us do all we can.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 3 minutes 
to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Coffman), a gentleman who has worn 
the uniform of this country and served this country well.
  Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Miller and 
Ranking Member Michaud for working with the members of the House and 
Senate Veterans Affairs Committees to pass this important legislation.
  Specifically, I am happy to see the extension of the Veterans 
Paralympic program, which reflects my legislation, H.R. 1402, the 
Veterans Paralympic Act, which passed unanimously out of the Economic 
Opportunity Subcommittee before being combined in an omnibus bill in 
the full committee. This program ensures that disabled veterans in 
local communities throughout the country continue to have opportunities 
for rehabilitation, stress relief, and higher achievement through 
adaptive sports.
  U.S. Olympic Committee's Paralympics Chief Charlie Huebner testified 
at a hearing that ``participation in sports and other athletic 
activities can help speed the rehabilitation process for disabled 
veterans.'' As a Marine Corps combat veteran, I couldn't agree more 
with Mr. Huebner, and I personally understand the importance of 
rehabilitation opportunities for returning veterans.
  Finally, although I fully support the passage of the extenders 
package, I am disappointed that the substance of H.R. 1412 was not 
included in this bill. H.R. 1412, the Improving Job Opportunities for 
Veterans Act, seeks to build on an existing, yet little known and 
underutilized on-the-job training program that assists veterans by 
allowing them to use their educational benefits to learn a trade or 
skill by participation in an approved apprenticeship or on-the-job 
training program.
  Employers in my district have expressed their desire to work with 
this program and hire more veterans because they know how valuable a 
veteran can be to their organization. Additionally, Iraq and 
Afghanistan Veterans of America has endorsed the legislation by saying, 
``IAVA stands ready to support and promote innovative ideas like this 
to end the veterans' unemployment crisis.''
  It is my understanding that the original provisions of H.R. 1412 were 
dropped without prejudice and that they will be part of an upcoming 
negotiation between the House and the Senate. I look forward to seeing 
the substance of that legislation advance, and I will be working with 
Chairman Miller to ensure that happens.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, we have no more speakers at this 
time, so we are prepared to close.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to 
support H.R. 1412, as amended. I want to thank Chairman Miller for 
working in a very bipartisan way for veterans.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I, too, thank my colleague Ms. 
Brown from Jacksonville for her hard work on behalf of veterans and her 
ability to work with us in the committee in a bipartisan fashion.
  I once again encourage all Members to support this legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to express my 
support for the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act 
of 2013. This legislation includes the reauthorization of several 
fundamental programs that serve some of our most vulnerable veterans 
who are overrepresented in our nation's homeless population. These 
programs are the Homeless Veterans Reintegration program, the Grant and 
Per Diem Program for Homeless Veterans with Special Needs program, the 
Supportive Services for Veterans Families programs, and the 
Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program.
   I believe that Congress and the VA must do what it necessary to end 
the homeless veterans problem, which is why I introduced H.R. 2485, the 
Helping Homeless Veterans Act. In addition to the programs that will be 
reauthorized in H.R. 1412, H.R. 2485 would reauthorize several other 
homeless veterans programs, such as the Therapeutic Transitional 
Housing component to the Compensated Work Therapy Program and the 
Acquired Property Sales for Homeless Veterans Program. This important 
legislation has been endorsed by numerous Veteran Service 
Organizations, including the American Legion, the Military Officers 
Association of America, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 
and the Center for American Homeless Veterans. Without Congressional 
action, we will neglect our nation's heroes by letting these programs 
expire at the end of this calendar year.
   These veterans fought for our country and now it is our time to 
fight for them. I commend Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Michaud 
for their leadership on this legislation to reauthorize these programs, 
and I appreciate their effort to end homelessness among veterans.
   With so many men and women returning home and transitioning to 
civilian life, now is not the time to waiver on our resolve.
   I encourage my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 1412, and also 
join me in supporting H.R. 2485, the Helping Homeless Veterans Act.
  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. 1412.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________