[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.

                          ____________________