[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 151 (Monday, October 28, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H6794-H6800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2013
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 2481) to amend title 38, United States Code, to
codify and improve the election requirements for the receipt of
educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance
program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2481
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans
Economic Opportunity Act of 2013''.
(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.
Sec. 4. Establishment of Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration
of Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 5. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity.
Sec. 6. Five-year extension of homeless veterans reintegration
programs.
Sec. 7. Entitlement of children of certain deceased veterans to
educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational
Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 8. Recodification and improvement of election process for Post-9/
11 Educational Assistance Program.
Sec. 9. Centralized reporting of veteran enrollment by certain groups,
districts, and consortiums of educational institutions.
Sec. 10. Extension of loan guaranty fee for certain subsequent loans.
Sec. 11. Mortgage protection for members of the Armed Forces, surviving
spouses, and certain veterans.
Sec. 12. Treatment of relocation for active duty for purposes of
mortgage refinancing.
Sec. 13. Requirements for lending institutions that are creditors for
obligations and liabilities covered by the Servicemembers
Civil Relief Act.
Sec. 14. Protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are
members of the Armed Forces.
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.
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 House Budget Committee, provided that such
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
ADMINISTRATION OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) Economic Opportunity Administration.--
(1) In general.--Part V is amended by adding at the end the
following new chapter:
``CHAPTER 80--VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ADMINISTRATION
``8001. Organization of Administration.
``8002. Functions of Administration.
``Sec. 8001. Organization of Administration
``(a) Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration.--There
is in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Economic
Opportunity Administration. The primary function of the
Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration is the
administration of the programs of the Department which
provide assistance related to economic opportunity to
veterans and their dependents and survivors.
``(b) Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity.--The
Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration is under the
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity, who is
directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of
the Administration.
``Sec. 8002. Functions of Administration
``The Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration is
responsible for the administration of the following programs
of the Department:
``(1) Vocational rehabilitation and employment programs.
``(2) Educational assistance programs.
``(3) Veterans' housing loan and related programs.
``(4) The veterans small business program under section
8127 of this title.''.
(2) Clerical amendments.--The tables of chapters at the
beginning of title 38, United States Code, and of part V of
title 38, United States Code, are each amended by inserting
after the item relating to chapter 79 the following new item:
``80. Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration.........8001''.....
(b) Effective Date.--Chapter 80 of title 38, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a) shall take effect on October
1, 2014.
SEC. 5. UNDER SECRETARY FOR VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.
(a) Under Secretary.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 3 is amended by inserting after
section 306 the following new section:
``Sec. 306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic
Opportunity
``(a) Under Secretary.--There is in the Department an Under
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity, who is appointed
by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate. The Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity
shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation or
activity and solely on the basis of demonstrated ability in--
``(1) information technology; and
``(2) the administration of programs within the Veterans
Economic Opportunity Administration or programs of similar
content and scope.
``(b) Responsibilities.--The Under Secretary for Veterans
Economic Opportunity is the head of, and is directly
responsible to the Secretary for the operations of, the
Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration.
``(c) Vacancies.--(1) Whenever a vacancy in the position of
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity occurs or
is anticipated, the Secretary shall establish a commission to
recommend individuals to the President for appointment to the
position.
``(2) A commission established under this subsection shall
be composed of the following members appointed by the
Secretary:
``(A) Three persons representing education and training,
vocational rehabilitation, employment, real estate, mortgage
finance and related industries, and survivor benefits
activities affected by the Veterans Economic Opportunity
Administration.
``(B) Two persons representing veterans served by the
Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration.
``(C) Two persons who have experience in the management of
private sector benefits programs of similar content and scope
to the economic opportunity programs of the Department.
``(D) The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
``(E) The chairman of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on
Education formed under section 3692 of this title.
``(F) One person who has held the position of Under
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity, if the Secretary
determines that it is desirable for such person to be a
member of the commission.
``(3) A commission established under this subsection shall
recommend at least three individuals for appointment to the
position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic
Opportunity. The commission shall submit all recommendations
to the Secretary. The Secretary shall forward the
recommendations to the President and the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives
with any comments the Secretary considers appropriate.
Thereafter, the President may request the commission to
recommend additional individuals for appointment.
``(4) The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Veterans Affairs who performs personnel management and
labor relations functions shall serve as the executive
secretary of a commission established under this subsection.
``(d) Qualifications of Recommended Individuals.--Each
individual recommended to the President by the commission for
appointment to the position of Under Secretary for Veterans
Economic Opportunity shall be an individual who has held a
senior level position in the private sector with
responsibilities relating to at least one of the following:
``(1) Education policy.
``(2) Vocational rehabilitation.
``(3) Employment.
``(4) Home loan finance.
``(5) Small business development.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 306 the following new item:
``306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Title 38, United States Code,
is further amended--
(1) in section 306(c)(2), by striking subparagraphs (A) and
(E) and redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (F),
as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;
(2) in section 317(d), by inserting after ``Under Secretary
for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under Secretary for
Veterans Economic Opportunity,'';
(3) in section 318(d)(2), by inserting after ``Under
Secretary for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity,'';
[[Page H6795]]
(4) in section 516(e)(2)(C), by striking ``Health and the
Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, the
Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for
Veterans Economic Opportunity'';
(5) in section 541(a)(2)(B), by striking ``Health and the
Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, the
Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for
Veterans Economic Opportunity'';
(6) in section 542(a)(2)(B)(iii), by striking ``Health and
the Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health,
the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for
Veterans Economic Opportunity'';
(7) in section 544(a)(2)(B)(vi), by striking ``Health and
the Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health,
the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for
Veterans Economic Opportunity'';
(8) in section 709(c)(2)(A), by inserting after ``Under
Secretary for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity,''.
(9) in section 7701(a), by inserting after ``assistance''
the following: ``, other than assistance related to economic
opportunity,''; and
(10) in section 7703, by striking paragraphs (2) and (3)
and redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (2)
and (3), respectively.
(c) Full-Time Employees.--For fiscal years 2014 and 2015,
the aggregate number of full-time equivalent employees
authorized for the Veterans Benefit Administration and the
Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration, as established
under chapter 80 of title 38, United States Code, as added by
section 2, may not exceed 20,851.
(d) Effective Date.--Section 306A of title 38, United
States Code, as added by subsection (a), and the amendments
made by this section, shall take effect on October 1, 2014.
SEC. 6. FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION OF HOMELESS VETERANS
REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.
Section 2021(e)(F) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``2013'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 7. ENTITLEMENT OF CHILDREN OF CERTAIN DECEASED VETERANS
TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE POST-9/11
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--Section 3311(b)(9) is amended--
(1) by striking ``2001, dies in line of duty while serving
on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces.'' and
inserting ``2001--''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
``(A) dies in line of duty while serving on active duty as
a member of the Armed Forces; or
``(B) is awarded the Purple Heart for an injury and dies as
a result of that injury during the 31-day period beginning on
the date of the person's discharge or release from active
duty service in the Armed Forces.''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to a person who dies on or after
September 11, 2001.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on October 1, 2014, and apply to payments
of educational assistance for programs of education pursued
after that date.
SEC. 8. RECODIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELECTION PROCESS
FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 33 is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 3326. Election to receive educational assistance
``(a) Individuals Eligible To Elect Participation in Post-
9/11 Educational Assistance.--An individual may elect to
receive educational assistance under this chapter if such
individual--
``(1) as of August 1, 2009--
``(A) is entitled to basic educational assistance under
chapter 30 of the title and has used, but retains unused,
entitlement under that chapter;
``(B) is entitled to educational assistance under chapter
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 and has used, but retains
unused, entitlement under the applicable chapter;
``(C) is entitled to basic educational assistance under
chapter 30 of this title but has not used any entitlement
under that chapter;
``(D) is entitled to educational assistance under chapter
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 but has not used any
entitlement under such chapter;
``(E) is a member of the Armed Forces who is eligible for
receipt of basic educational assistance under chapter 30 this
title and is making contributions toward such assistance
under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title; or
``(F) is a member of the Armed Forces who is not entitled
to basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of this
title by reason of an election under section 3011(c)(1) or
3012(d)(1) of this title; and
``(2) as of the date of the individual's election under
this paragraph, meets the requirements for entitlement to
educational assistance under this chapter.
``(b) Cessation of Contributions Toward GI Bill.--Effective
as of the first month beginning on or after the date of an
election under subsection (a) of an individual described by
paragraph (1)(E) of that subsection, the obligation of the
individual to make contributions under section 3011(b) or
3012(c) of this title, as applicable, shall cease, and the
requirements of such section shall be deemed to be no longer
applicable to the individual.
``(c) Revocation of Remaining Transferred Entitlement.--
``(1) Election to revoke.--If, on the date an individual
described in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(C) of subsection (a)
makes an election under that subsection, a transfer of the
entitlement of the individual to basic educational assistance
under section 3020 of this title is in effect and a number of
months of the entitlement so transferred remain unutilized,
the individual may elect to revoke all or a portion of the
entitlement so transferred that remains unutilized.
``(2) Availability of revoked entitlement.--Any entitlement
revoked by an individual under this paragraph shall no longer
be available to the dependent to whom transferred, but shall
be available to the individual instead for educational
assistance under chapter 33 of this title in accordance with
the provisions of this section.
``(3) Availability of unrevoked entitlement.--Any
entitlement described in paragraph (1) that is not revoked by
an individual in accordance with that paragraph shall remain
available to the dependent or dependents concerned in
accordance with the current transfer of such entitlement
under section 3020 of this title.
``(d) Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and except as
provided in subsection (e), an individual making an election
under subsection (a) shall be entitled to educational
assistance under this chapter in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter, instead of basic educational
assistance under chapter 30 this title, or educational
assistance under chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as
applicable.
``(2) Limitation on entitlement for certain individuals.--
In the case of an individual making an election under
subsection (a) who is described by paragraph (1)(A) of that
subsection, the number of months of entitlement of the
individual to educational assistance under this chapter 33
shall be the number of months equal to--
``(A) the number of months of unused entitlement of the
individual under chapter 30 of this title, as of the date of
the election, plus
``(B) the number of months, if any, of entitlement revoked
by the individual under subsection (c)(1).
``(e) Continuing Entitlement to Educational Assistance Not
Available Under 9/11 Assistance Program.--
``(1) In general.--In the event educational assistance to
which an individual making an election under subsection (a)
would be entitled under chapter 30 of this title, or chapter
107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable, is not
authorized to be available to the individual under the
provisions of this chapter the individual shall remain
entitled to such educational assistance in accordance with
the provisions of the applicable chapter.
``(2) Charge for use of entitlement.--The utilization by an
individual of entitlement under paragraph (1) shall be
chargeable against the entitlement of the individual to
educational assistance under this chapter at the rate of one
month of entitlement under this chapter for each month of
entitlement utilized by the individual under paragraph (1)
(as determined as if such entitlement were utilized under the
provisions of chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 107, 1606,
or 1607 of title 10, as applicable).
``(f) Additional Post-9/11 Assistance for Members Having
Made Contributions Toward GI Bill.--
``(1) Additional assistance.--In the case of an individual
making an election under subsection (a) who is described by
subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that
subsection, the amount of educational assistance payable to
the individual under this chapter 33 as a monthly stipend
payable under paragraph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of this
title, or under paragraphs (2) through (7) of that section
(as applicable), shall be the amount otherwise payable as a
monthly stipend under the applicable paragraph increased by
the amount equal to--
``(A) the total amount of contributions toward basic
educational assistance made by the individual under section
3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as of the date of the
election, multiplied by
``(B) the fraction--
``(i) the numerator of which is--
``(I) the number of months of entitlement to basic
educational assistance under chapter 30 of this title
remaining to the individual at the time of the election; plus
``(II) the number of months, if any, of entitlement under
such chapter 30 revoked by the individual under subsection
(c)(1); and
``(ii) the denominator of which is 36 months.
``(2) Months of remaining entitlement for certain
individuals.--In the case of an individual covered by
paragraph (1) who is described by subsection (a)(1)(E), the
number of months of entitlement to basic educational
assistance remaining to the individual for purposes of
paragraph (1)(B)(i)(II) shall be 36 months.
``(3) Timing of payment.--The amount payable with respect
to an individual under paragraph (1) shall be paid to the
individual together with the last payment of the monthly
stipend payable to the individual under paragraph (1)(B) of
section 3313(c) of
[[Page H6796]]
this title, or under subsections (b) through (g) of that
section (as applicable), before the exhaustion of the
individual's entitlement to educational assistance under this
chapter.
``(g) Continuing Entitlement to Additional Assistance for
Critical Skills or Speciality and Additional Service.--An
individual making an election under subsection (a)(1) who, at
the time of the election, is entitled to increased
educational assistance under section 3015(d) of this title,
or section 16131(i) of title 10, or supplemental educational
assistance under subchapter III of chapter 30 of this title,
shall remain entitled to such increased educational
assistance or supplemental educational assistance in the
utilization of entitlement to educational assistance under
this chapter, in an amount equal to the quarter, semester, or
term, as applicable, equivalent of the monthly amount of such
increased educational assistance or supplemental educational
assistance payable with respect to the individual at the time
of the election.
``(h) Alternative Election by Secretary.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of an individual who, on or
after October 1, 2014, submits to the Secretary an election
under this section that the Secretary determines is clearly
against the interests of the individual, the Secretary may
make an alternative election on behalf of the individual that
the Secretary determines is in the best interests of the
individual.
``(2) Notice.--If the Secretary makes an election on behalf
of an individual under this subsection, the Secretary shall
notify the individual by not later than seven days after
making such election and shall provide the individual with a
30-day period, beginning on the date of the individual's
receipt of such notice, during which the individual may
modify or revoke the election made by the Secretary on the
individual's behalf. The Secretary shall include, as part of
such notice, a clear statement of why the alternative
election made by the Secretary is in the best interests of
the individual as compared to the election submitted by the
individual. The Secretary shall provide the notice required
under this paragraph by electronic means whenever possible.
``(i) Irrevocability of Elections.--An election under
subsection (a) or (c)(1) is irrevocable.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:
``3326. Election to receive educational assistance.''.
(c) Conforming Repeal.--Subsection (c) of section 5003 of
the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008
(Public Law 110-252; 38 U.S.C. 3301 note) is hereby repealed.
SEC. 9. CENTRALIZED REPORTING OF VETERAN ENROLLMENT BY
CERTAIN GROUPS, DISTRICTS, AND CONSORTIUMS OF
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 3684(a) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``32, 33,'' after
``31,''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term
`educational institution' may include a group, district, or
consortium of separately accredited educational institutions
located in the same State that are organized in a manner that
facilitates the centralized reporting of the enrollments in
such group, district, or consortium of institutions.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall apply with respect to reports submitted on or after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 10. EXTENSION OF LOAN GUARANTY FEE FOR CERTAIN
SUBSEQUENT LOANS.
(a) Extension.--Section 3729(b)(2)(B) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2017'' and
inserting ``October 1, 2018''; and
(2) in clause (ii), by striking ``October 1, 2017'' and
inserting ``October 1, 2018''.
SEC. 11. MORTGAGE PROTECTION FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES,
SURVIVING SPOUSES, AND CERTAIN VETERANS.
(a) Members of the Armed Forces, Surviving Spouses, and
Certain Disabled Veterans.--
(1) In general.--Title III of the Servicemembers Civil
Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 501 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 303 the following new section:
``SEC. 303A. MORTGAGES AND TRUST DEEDS OF CERTAIN
SERVICEMEMBERS, SURVIVING SPOUSES, AND DISABLED
VETERANS.
``(a) Mortgage as Security.--This section applies only to
an obligation on real or personal property owned by a covered
individual that--
``(1) originated at any time and for which the covered
individual is still obligated; and
``(2) is secured by a mortgage, trust deed, or other
security in the nature of a mortgage.
``(b) Stay of Proceedings.--
``(1) In general.--In accordance with subsection (d)(1), in
a judicial action pending or in a nonjudicial action
commenced during a covered time period to enforce an
obligation described in subsection (a), a court--
``(A) may, after a hearing and on its own motion, stay the
proceedings until the end of the covered time period; and
``(B) shall, upon application by a covered individual, stay
the proceedings until the end of the covered time period.
``(2) Obligation to stop proceedings.--Upon receipt of
notice provided under subsection (d)(1), a mortgagee,
trustee, or other creditor seeking to foreclose on real
property secured by an obligation covered by this section
using any judicial or nonjudicial proceedings shall
immediately stop any such proceeding until the end of the
covered time period.
``(c) Sale or Foreclosure.--A sale, judicial or nonjudicial
foreclosure, or seizure of property for a breach of an
obligation described in subsection (a) that is not stayed
under subsection (b) shall not be valid during a covered time
period except--
``(1) upon a court order granted before such sale, judicial
or nonjudicial foreclosure, or seizure with a return made and
approved by the court; or
``(2) if made pursuant to an agreement as provided in
section 107.
``(d) Notice Required.--
``(1) In general.--To be covered under this section, a
covered individual shall provide to the mortgagee, trustee,
or other creditor written notice that such individual is so
covered.
``(2) Manner.--Written notice under paragraph (1) may be
provided electronically.
``(3) Time.--Notice provided under paragraph (1) shall be
provided during the covered time period.
``(4) Contents.--With respect to a servicemember described
in subsection (g)(1)(A), notice shall include--
``(A) a copy of the servicemember's official military
orders, or any notification, certification, or verification
from a servicemember's commanding officer that provides
evidence of servicemember's eligibility for special pay as
described in subsection (g)(1)(A); or
``(B) an official notice using a form designed under
paragraph (5).
``(5) Official forms.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary of Defense shall design
and distribute an official Department of Defense form that
can be used by an individual to give notice under paragraph
(1).
``(B) Use of official form not required.--Failure by any
individual to use a form designed or distributed under
subparagraph (A) to provide notice shall not make such
provision of notice invalid.
``(e) Aggregate Duration.--The aggregate duration for which
a covered individual (except a servicemember described in
subsection (g)(1)(A)) may be covered under this section is
one year.
``(f) Misdemeanor.--A person who knowingly makes or causes
to be made a sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property that
is prohibited by subsection (c), or who knowingly attempts to
do so, shall be fined as provided in title 18, United States
Code, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered individual.--The term `covered individual'
means the following individuals:
``(A) A servicemember who is or was eligible for hostile
fire or imminent danger special pay under section 310 of
title 37, United States Code, during a period of military
service.
``(B) A servicemember placed on convalescent status,
including a servicemember transferred to the temporary
disability retired list under section 1202 or 1205 of title
10, United States Code.
``(C) A veteran who was medically discharged and retired
under chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code, except for
a veteran described in section 1207 of such title.
``(D) A surviving spouse (as defined in section 101(3) of
title 38, United States Code, and in accordance with section
103 of such title) of a servicemember who died while in
military service if such spouse is the successor in interest
to property covered under subsection (a).
``(2) Covered time period.--The term `covered time period'
means the following time periods:
``(A) With respect to a servicemember who is or was
eligible for hostile fire or imminent danger special pay
under section 310 of title 37, United States Code, during a
period of military service, during the period beginning on
the first day on which the servicemember is or was eligible
for such special pay during such period of military service
and ending on the date that is one year after the last day of
such period of military service.
``(B) With respect to a servicemember described in
paragraph (1)(B), during the one-year period beginning on the
date on which the servicemember is placed on convalescent
status or transferred to the temporary disability retired
list under section 1202 or 1205 of title 10, United States
Code.
``(C) With respect to a veteran described in paragraph
(1)(C), during the one-year period beginning on the date of
the retirement of such veteran.
``(D) With respect to a surviving spouse of a servicemember
as described in paragraph (1)(D), during the one-year period
beginning on the date on which the spouse receives notice of
the death of the servicemember.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 303 the following new item:
``Sec. 303A. Mortgages and trust deeds of certain servicemembers,
surviving spouses, and disabled veterans.''.
(3) Conforming amendment.--Section 107 of the
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 517) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
[[Page H6797]]
``(e) Other Individuals.--For purposes of this section, the
term `servicemember' includes any covered individual under
section 303A.''.
(b) Increased Civil Penalties for Mortgage Violations.--
Paragraph (3) of section 801(b) of the Servicemembers Civil
Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 597(b)(3)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(3) to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil
penalty--
``(A) with respect to a violation of section 207, 303, or
303A regarding real property--
``(i) in an amount not exceeding $110,000 for a first
violation; and
``(ii) in an amount not exceeding $220,000 for any
subsequent violation; and
``(B) with respect to any other violation of this Act--
``(i) in an amount not exceeding $55,000 for a first
violation; and
``(ii) in an amount not exceeding $110,000 for any
subsequent violation.''.
(c) Credit Discrimination.--Section 108 of such Act (50
U.S.C. App. 518) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Application by'' and inserting ``(a)
Application or Receipt.--Application by''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Eligibility.--In addition to the protections under
subsection (a), an individual who is entitled to any right or
protection provided under this Act may not be denied or
refused credit or be subject to any other action described
under paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (a) solely by
reason of such entitlement.''.
(d) Effective Date.--Section 303A of the Servicemembers
Civil Relief Act, as added by subsection (a), and the
amendments made by this section, shall take effect on October
1, 2014.
SEC. 12. TREATMENT OF RELOCATION FOR ACTIVE DUTY FOR PURPOSES
OF MORTGAGE REFINANCING.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Servicemembers Civil
Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 531 et seq.) is amended by
inserting after section 303A, as added by section 11(a)(1),
the following new section:
``SEC. 303B. TREATMENT OF RELOCATION FOR ACTIVE DUTY FOR
PURPOSES OF MORTGAGE REFINANCING.
``(a) Treatment of Absence From Residence Due to Active
Duty.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), if, at any
time that a servicemember who is the mortgagor under an
existing mortgage does not reside in the residence that
secures the existing mortgage because of relocation described
in subsection (c)(1)(B), such servicemember inquires about or
applies for a covered refinancing mortgage, such
servicemember shall be, for all purposes relating to the
covered refinancing mortgage, including such inquiry or
application and eligibility for and compliance with any
underwriting criteria and standards regarding such covered
refinancing mortgage, considered to occupy the residence that
secures the existing mortgage to be paid or prepaid by such
covered refinancing mortgage as the principal residence of
the servicemember during the period of any such relocation.
``(2) Limitation.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply with
respect to a servicemember at any time if, during the five-
year period preceding such time, the servicemember entered
into a covered refinancing mortgage pursuant to this section.
``(b) Mortgages Originated Before Period Military
Service.--If a covered refinancing mortgage is entered into
pursuant to this section with respect to an existing mortgage
that originated before the period of the servicemember's
military service, such covered refinancing mortgage shall be
deemed to be an obligation that originated before the period
of the servicemember's military service and for which the
servicemember is still obligated for purposes of section
303(a)(1).
``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Existing mortgage.--The term `existing mortgage'
means a mortgage that is secured by a 1- to 4-family
residence, including a condominium or a share in a
cooperative ownership housing association, that was the
principal residence of a servicemember for a period that--
``(A) had a duration of 13 consecutive months or longer;
and
``(B) ended upon the relocation of the servicemember caused
by the servicemember receiving military orders for a
permanent change of station or to deploy with a military
unit, or as an individual in support of a military operation,
for a period of not less than 90 days that did not allow the
servicemember to continue to occupy such residence as a
principal residence.
``(2) Covered refinancing mortgage.--The term `covered
refinancing mortgage' means any mortgage--
``(A) that is made for the purpose of paying or prepaying,
and extinguishing, the outstanding obligations under an
existing mortgage or mortgages; and
``(B) that is secured by the same residence that secured
such existing mortgage or mortgages.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for such Act
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
303A the following new item:
``Sec. 303B. Treatment of relocation for active duty for purposes of
mortgage refinancing.''.
(c) Effective Date.--Section 303B of the Servicemembers
Civil Relief Act, as added by subsection (a), and the
amendments made by this section, shall take effect on October
1, 2014.
SEC. 13. REQUIREMENTS FOR LENDING INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE
CREDITORS FOR OBLIGATIONS AND LIABILITIES
COVERED BY THE SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT.
Section 207 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50
U.S.C. App. 527) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections
(e) and (f), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new
subsection (d):
``(d) Lending Institution Requirements.--
``(1) Compliance officers.--Each lending institution
subject to the requirements of this section shall designate
an employee of the institution as a compliance officer who is
responsible for ensuring the institution's compliance with
this section and for distributing information to
servicemembers whose obligations and liabilities are covered
by this section.
``(2) Toll-free telephone number.--During any fiscal year,
a lending institution subject to the requirements of this
section that had annual assets for the preceding fiscal year
of $10,000,000,000 or more shall maintain a toll-free
telephone number and shall make such telephone number
available on the primary Internet website of the
institution.''.
SEC. 14. PROTECTION OF CHILD CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS FOR PARENTS
WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
(a) Child Custody Protection.--Title II of the
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 521 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 208. CHILD CUSTODY PROTECTION.
``(a) Restriction on Temporary Custody Order.--If a court
renders a temporary order for custodial responsibility for a
child based solely on a deployment or anticipated deployment
of a parent who is a servicemember, then the court shall
require that, upon the return of the servicemember from
deployment, the custody order that was in effect immediately
preceding the temporary order shall be reinstated, unless the
court finds that such a reinstatement is not in the best
interest of the child, except that any such finding shall be
subject to subsection (b).
``(b) Limitation on Consideration of Member's Deployment in
Determination of Child's Best Interest.--If a motion or a
petition is filed seeking a permanent order to modify the
custody of the child of a servicemember, no court may
consider the absence of the servicemember by reason of
deployment, or the possibility of deployment, as the sole
factor in determining the best interest of the child.
``(c) No Federal Jurisdiction or Right of Action or
Removal.--Nothing in this section shall create a Federal
right of action or otherwise give rise to Federal
jurisdiction or create a right of removal.
``(d) Preemption.--In any case where State law applicable
to a child custody proceeding involving a temporary order as
contemplated in this section provides a higher standard of
protection to the rights of the parent who is a deploying
servicemember than the rights provided under this section
with respect to such temporary order, the appropriate court
shall apply the higher State standard.
``(e) Deployment Defined.--In this section, the term
`deployment' means the movement or mobilization of a
servicemember to a location for a period of longer than 60
days and not longer than 540 days pursuant to temporary or
permanent official orders--
``(1) that are designated as unaccompanied;
``(2) for which dependent travel is not authorized; or
``(3) that otherwise do not permit the movement of family
members to that location.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items
relating to title II the following new item:
``208. Child custody protection.''.
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.
General Leave
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and add any extraneous material they may have on H.R.
2481, as amended.
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.
H.R. 2481 represents the collective work of our Economic Opportunity
Subcommittee. Provisions of this bill streamline eligibility for
veterans' GI Bill benefits that would ensure that surviving loved ones
of servicemembers who die as a result of service have all the
educational assistance benefits that they are entitled to and makes
improvements to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
[[Page H6798]]
I know other Members are here today to speak on provisions of this
bill that they have authored, so at this time, I will focus on just a
few areas.
Sections 4 and 5 of the bill would establish, within existing
resources, a Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration at the
Department of Veterans Affairs as an Under Secretary to head the
effort. The purpose of creating a parallel administration is to serve
alongside VA's Veterans Benefits Administration, the Veterans Health
Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration; it is to
raise in importance the issues affecting veterans' readjustment to
civilian life.
Too often these issues, such as education, job training, and
vocational counseling, do not receive the focus that they deserve
because they are subsumed within an administration that also has
responsibility for disability claims processing. Highlighting and
emphasizing the importance of jobs and careers for veterans was an
important reason why the Committee on Veterans' Affairs created for
itself a separate Economic Opportunity Subcommittee several years ago.
These provisions would advance the same model within the Department of
Veterans Affairs. It is my hope that the new Under Secretary for
Economic Opportunity would be a powerful advocate serving veterans'
readjustment interests, whether at school, during TAP transition
classes for departing servicemembers, or as a liaison with the
Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service.
The second provision I would like to touch on was authored by the
late C.W. Bill Young. It would permit the children of certain severely
disabled servicemembers, who die shortly after their military service
and who have received a Purple Heart, to be eligible for the Fry
Educational Scholarship. The Fry Scholarship provides certain post-9/11
GI Bill benefits for the children of servicemembers, but only those who
die on Active Duty.
Chairman Young rightly believed that the kids of those who may have
been mortally wounded in service but who died shortly thereafter ought
to be eligible for this benefit as well. I am honored to say that
section 7 of the bill carries forward Bill's provision and that his
memory lives on in our work today in this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2481, as amended,
the Veterans Economic Opportunity Act of 2013, and yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2481, as amended, makes several significant
improvements to VA's structure as well as several benefits programs.
This bill represents the work of Members, both on and off the Veterans'
Affairs Committee, to improve veterans lives. I want to take a few
minutes to highlight two of the key provisions of this measure.
Mr. Cummings of Maryland originally introduced H.R. 1842, the
Military Family Home Protection Act. Language from this measure is
included in H.R. 2481, as amended, and aims to strengthen the
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act foreclosure protections for
servicemembers and their families during the course of deployment,
regardless of when the home was purchased. Military homeowners deserve
these protections so they can have peace of mind while they serve. We
all have heard the horror stories of families fighting for their homes
and, sadly, losing their homes while the family members were in harm's
way in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The 5-year extension of the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program
in this bill is vital to veterans. There are still approximately 62,000
homeless veterans on the streets each night. This program provides
services to assist in reintegrating them into meaningful employment in
the labor force. The HVRP is the only nationwide program that focuses
on assisting homeless veterans by connecting them to employment. If we
are to meet the goal of ending homeless veterans by 2015, we need to
extend the help that is included in this bill.
I strongly support H.R. 2481, as amended, and I urge my colleagues to
do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores), the chairman of the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity.
Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2481,
as amended, and I thank Chairman Miller for allowing me to express my
support for this bill today.
This bill contains the original text of the Veterans GI Bill
Enrollment Clarification Act of 2013, which I introduced in June, as
well as the collective work of the subcommittee that I am honored to
chair, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
I want to thank the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic
Opportunity, Mr. Takano, as well as Chairman Miller and ranking member
of the full committee, Mr. Michaud, for bringing this bill to the
floor. Finally, I also thank the other members of the committee who
authored the provisions that are included in this bill for their
thoughtful legislation.
Mr. Speaker, sections 4 and 5, originally authored by Chairman
Miller, would authorize using existing VA resources for the creation of
a fourth administration at VA, which will improve oversight over VA's
education, vocational rehabilitation, and home loan programs, and the
Center for Veterans Enterprise. Too often, these programs are
overshadowed by VA's efforts to reduce the disability claims backlog,
and I am hopeful that this new fourth administration will streamline
oversight over these important VA programs that will help veterans
reach economic success.
Section 6 includes Mr. Cook's bill that would extend the Homeless
Veterans Reintegration Program, which provides grant funding for job
training services for homeless veterans.
Section 7 includes a bill authored by our late colleague, Mr. Young
of Florida. This section would modify the Fry Scholarship program to
include the children of certain veterans who die within 31 days of
discharge from a service-connected cause. This is an issue that I know
Mr. Young was personally passionate about, and I am thankful that we
are able to include it in this bill that is being considered today.
Section 8 includes the original text of my bill, H.R. 2481, that
would clarify the process to assist veterans in choosing the best GI
Bill benefit to meet their unique education needs. I believe that, by
making this one small change, we can reduce veterans' wait times and
streamline their use of the benefits that they have earned.
Section 9 reflects a bill introduced by Mr. Calvert and cosponsored
by Mr. Takano to streamline the reporting of student data by college
consortiums.
Section 10 would extend several existing VA loan guarantee funding
fees to provide CutGo funding offsets for the costs of the bill.
Sections 11 and 12 contain the provisions of Mr. Cummings' bill to
expand several mortgage foreclosure and refinancing-related protections
and rights in the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to surviving spouses
and Active Duty members. The section would also clarify refinancing
options available for servicemembers, as well as penalties for
violations of the SCRA law.
I want to thank Mr. Cummings and his staff for working with us on
this section over the past year. I believe these provisions would go a
long way in protecting servicemembers and their families.
The final section would amend SCRA to protect child custody
agreements of servicemembers while they are deployed. This provision,
sponsored by Mr. Turner, has passed the House multiple times in the
last few Congresses, and it is designed to ensure that military service
doesn't impact existing child custody agreements unless it is in the
best interests of the child.
Once again, I thank all of the Members for their thoughtful
contributions to this bill, and I encourage its passage.
Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Takano).
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maine, the
ranking member of our committee, for yielding time, and I thank
Chairman Flores of the subcommittee for his hard work.
I am pleased to see that the Veterans Economic Opportunity Act of
2013 is receiving a vote today on the floor, as every Member of this
distinguished
[[Page H6799]]
body has servicemembers in his or her congressional district, and all
of us believe that taking care of these heroes, when they complete
their service, should be a top priority.
Bipartisanship in this Congress is rare, but Republicans and
Democrats all agree that Congress should be making it easier for our
servicemembers as they transition back to civilian life.
{time} 1715
The House Veterans' Affairs Committee has a strong track record of
being the least partisan committee in Congress, and this very bill is
consistent with that record, as it passed in committee unanimously this
past September.
I am especially proud that H.R. 331, which I originally introduced
with my Republican colleague from California, Representative Calvert,
was included in the final legislation. With Riverside Community College
District campuses in both of our congressional districts and with
Riverside County having the eighth largest veterans population in the
country, I am proud that Representative Calvert and I joined forces to
make it easier for veterans to receive their veterans education
benefits.
Our legislation will help decrease education benefit processing times
by eliminating unnecessary and duplicative paperwork for individual
community colleges that are part of a group, district, or consortium.
Specifically, it will allow a multicollege system, such as the
Riverside Community College District, to verify a student's class
enrollment number with the Department of Veterans Affairs instead of
requiring each individual constituent college to do so. Centralizing
the reporting for veterans enrollment at multicollege systems will be a
great benefit to veterans in the Inland Empire, as unnecessary and
duplicative paperwork delays benefits, increases processing times, and
increases costs to the Department of Veterans Affairs and multicollege
systems, such as the Riverside Community College District.
I am also pleased to see the Military Family Home Protection Act, of
which I was a lead cosponsor, included in the final bill. This portion
of the legislation will expand foreclosure protections to all
servicemembers regardless of when they purchased their home and will
stay home foreclosures for servicemembers who are receiving hostile or
imminent danger pay. It will also prohibit banks from discriminating
against servicemembers, veterans, and surviving spouses who are looking
for home loans and mortgages. Finally, it will double civil penalties
for mortgage-related violations.
The veterans who so bravely served this country deserve every
opportunity for success and every protection possible.
I thank my Republican colleagues from the Veterans' Affairs Committee
for pushing this legislation, and I look forward to its passage.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Calvert).
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Veterans
Economic Opportunity Act of 2013.
As our servicemembers return home from war, it is incumbent on all of
us and all Americans to ensure that they are receiving the support and
opportunities they need to succeed in civilian life. This bill
establishes the Economic Opportunity Administration, which would focus
its efforts entirely on veteran education, employment, small business,
and housing. The bill also contains the text of legislation I
introduced earlier this year along with my colleague from California,
Representative Takano, which is vital to my and his congressional
districts.
For community college districts that have multiple colleges as part
of the district, the Department of Veterans Affairs requires each
campus to certify that their veteran students are enrolled for a
specific number of classes before the VA will disburse student
benefits. Under current regulations, each of the colleges in the
district must write letters to other colleges within the district to
verify their classes and meet regulations. For the Riverside Community
College District in Riverside, California, this unnecessary paperwork
delays benefits to veterans and increases processing times and the
costs to college districts as well as the VA.
This bill, which was wrapped into H.R. 2481, corrects that problem by
permitting each college in the district to verify and certify veterans
for all classes attended within the district rather than just for
classes attended at that particular college. H.R. 331 would update the
rules, which would mean veterans would receive their benefits sooner,
and the VA would have less paperwork to process.
I would like to thank subcommittee Chairman Flores and his staff,
Ranking Member Takano, full committee Chairman Miller, and full
committee Ranking Member Michaud for their efforts to support our
veterans, and specifically for the Veterans Economic Opportunity Act.
Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding; and I
want to thank Chairman Miller, Congressman Flores, Ranking Member
Michaud, Congressman Takano, and members of the House Veterans' Affairs
Committee for working together in a truly bipartisan way to include
provisions in this legislation to extend home foreclosure provisions to
our servicemembers, veterans with disabilities, and surviving spouses.
For the last 2 years, I have aggressively investigated illegal
foreclosures, inflated fees, and other abuses by banks against our
servicemembers, veterans, and their families. In my opinion, no one is
more deserving of our help than our servicemembers who have sacrificed
so much, who have given their blood, sweat, tears, and sometimes their
lives. Yet under current law, certain servicemembers, veterans with
disabilities, and surviving spouses are not receiving the critical
protections they need and truly deserve. As a result, banks are
foreclosing on homes at the very moment when our heroes and their
families deserve our support.
As a country, we can and must do better. That is why I introduced
H.R. 1842, the Military Family Home Protection Act, which the House
Veterans' Affairs Committee included in the bill before us today, and I
am most grateful. These commonsense provisions will better protect
military families and veterans with disabilities by closing loopholes
and providing needed reforms to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
These provisions are supported by the American Legion, Veterans of
Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American
Veterans, Military Officers Association of America, Gold Star Wives of
America, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, all of whom
have written strong letters of support. This legislation has
overwhelming bipartisan support, and I thank every single member of the
committee for their continued support.
With Veterans Day approaching, I believe one of the best ways to
honor our veterans and those that serve is to help keep a roof over
their heads after they have sacrificed so much for our freedom and for
our way of life. I ask every Member to support this effort.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes
to the gentleman from Dayton, Ohio (Mr. Turner), home of the United
States Air Force Museum.
Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for his
diligence on a provision of this bill that would protect the custody
rights of our servicemembers. I also want to thank the ranking member
and the staff of the VA Committee for also being so diligent as to
include this provision.
This provision has passed the House five times as part of the
National Defense Authorization Act and three times as provisions coming
from the VA Committee. It is an essential provision that would provide
servicemembers the confidence and protection of the custody
arrangements once they are deployed.
Unbelievably, across this Nation, family law court judges have been
taking custody away from servicemembers upon their return from
deployment, using their time against them in deciding a custody case.
There are even cases in our Nation where the family law court judge
took custody away based on the potential threat of deployment of
servicemembers. I don't think anyone believes that it is in the best
[[Page H6800]]
interest of the child for them to believe that there is something wrong
with serving your country.
We have a national military that needs a national standard. Men and
women who are serving need to know what standard is going to be
applied. Many of these cases have multiple State provisions. This does
not provide Federal jurisdiction for custody cases. It retains the
State's authority on this, but merely provides a minimum standard upon
which servicemembers can rely that says that their custody decisions
will not be based solely upon the issue of their past or future
deployment. This is the minimum that we could do for our
servicemembers.
This arises in part out of the case of Eva Slusher, who was a
Kentucky National Guard member. Her daughter, Sara, she had raised for
6 years alone after divorce. Upon returning from deployment, the court
awarded her ex-husband custody. She fought for 2 years and spent
$25,000 to get her daughter back. She should be the type of
servicemember who knows that there is a standard so that when she
returns, that her time away will not be used against her.
This is important also so that servicemembers, when they are making
arrangements upon departure, do not have the anxiety, when they are
deployed, that when they return they might not get their families back.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. I yield the gentleman an additional 30
seconds.
Mr. TURNER. Eva Slusher famously said that, under the Servicemembers
Civil Relief Act, she is required to get her job back when she returns.
She believes that, under that act, she should also be able to get her
child back.
Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, once again, I would like to thank Chairman
Miller for bringing this bill to the floor, as well as Chairman Flores
and Ranking Member Takano of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
for their work on this particular bill, and I would encourage my
colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it unanimously.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all the
members of our committee for their bipartisan efforts in bringing this
piece of legislation to the floor.
I would ask all Members here to support this as we go forward with a
vote to pass H.R. 2481, as amended.
I yield back the balance of my time.
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 pass the bill, H.R. 2481, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to make
certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs relating to benefits, and for other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________