[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 33 (Thursday, February 27, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1240-S1252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 2780. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical services 
and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was ordered to 
lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 207, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following:

     SEC. 446. PILOT PROGRAM ON TRAINING SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS 
                   OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY VETERANS ON FEDERAL 
                   CONTRACTING.

       (a) Pilot Program Required.--Not later than 120 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall commence a pilot program to assess the 
     feasibility and advisability of providing training to 
     eligible small businesses on contracting with the Federal 
     Government for the procurement of property or services.
       (b) Eligible Small Business.--For purposes of this section, 
     an eligible small business is a small business concern owned 
     and controlled by veterans that--
       (1) has operated for not fewer than two years;
       (2) has not fewer than three full-time equivalent 
     employees; and
       (3) has experience providing a property or service to the 
     Federal Government as a contractor or subcontractor.
       (c) Duration.--The pilot program required by subsection (a) 
     shall be carried out during the five-year period beginning on 
     the date of the commencement of the pilot program.
       (d) Grants Required.--The Secretary shall carry out the 
     pilot program required by subsection (a) through the award of 
     one or more grants to one or more nonprofit organizations for 
     the provision of instruction by professional service experts, 
     government officials, and representatives of government 
     agencies to eligible small businesses on contracting 
     described in such subsection.
       (e) Matching Requirement.--The Secretary may not make a 
     grant to a nonprofit organization under this section unless 
     the nonprofit organization agrees that, with respect to the 
     costs to be incurred by the nonprofit organization in 
     carrying out training for which the grant was awarded, the 
     nonprofit organization will make available (directly or 
     through donations from public or private entities) non-
     Federal contributions in an amount that is equal to or great 
     than the amount of the grant awarded.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter through 
     fiscal year 2018.
       (g) Small Business Concern Owned and Controlled by Veterans 
     Defined.--In this section, the term ``small business concern 
     owned and controlled by veterans'' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 8127 of title 38, United States Code.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2781. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical services 
and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was ordered to 
lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 291, after line 21, add the following:

             Subtitle E--Disability Compensation Generally

     SEC. 641. MAKING PERMANENT SPECIAL EFFECTIVE DATE FOR AWARDS 
                   OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR VETERANS WHO 
                   SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR ORIGINAL CLAIMS THAT 
                   ARE FULLY-DEVELOPED.

       Section 5110(b)(2)(C) is amended by striking ``and shall 
     not apply with respect to claims filed after the date that is 
     three years after the date of the enactment of such Act''.

     SEC. 642. PROVISIONAL BENEFITS AWARDED FOR FULLY DEVELOPED 
                   CLAIMS PENDING FOR MORE THAN 180 DAYS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 53 is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``Sec. 5319A. Provisional benefits awarded for fully 
       developed claims pending for extended period

       ``(a) Provisional Awards Required.--For each application 
     for disability compensation that is filed for an individual 
     with the Secretary, that sets forth an original claim that is 
     fully-developed (as determined by the Secretary) as of the 
     date of submittal, and for which the Secretary has not made a 
     decision, beginning on the date that is 180 days after the 
     date on which such application is filed with the Secretary, 
     the Secretary shall award the individual a provisional 
     benefit under this section.
       ``(b) Provisional Awards Established.--A provisional 
     benefit awarded pursuant to subsection (a) for a claim for 
     disability compensation shall be for such monthly amount as 
     the Secretary shall establish for each classification of 
     disability claimed as the Secretary shall establish.
       ``(c) Recovery.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Secretary may recover a payment of a provisional 
     benefit awarded under this section for an application for 
     disability compensation only--
       ``(1) in a case in which the Secretary awards the 
     disability compensation for which the individual filed the 
     application and the Secretary may only recover such 
     provisional benefit by subtracting it from payments made for 
     the disability compensation awarded; or
       ``(2) in a case in which the Secretary determines not to 
     award the disability compensation for which the individual 
     filed the application and the Secretary determines that the 
     application was the subject of intentional fraud, 
     misrepresentation, or bad faith on behalf of the 
     individual.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 53 is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 5319 the following new item:
``5319A. Provisional benefits awarded for fully developed claims 
              pending for extended period.''.

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2782. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical services 
and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was ordered to 
lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 33, after line 18, add the following:

     SEC. 207. ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
                   ON EDUCATION.

       Section 3692 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by inserting ``31,'' after ``30,''; and
       (B) by striking ``and the Persian Gulf War'' and inserting 
     ``the Persian Gulf War, and the post-9/11 operations in Iraq 
     and Afghanistan'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``31,'' after ``30,''; 
     and
       (3) in subsection (c), by striking ``December 31, 2014'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2015''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2783. Mrs. McCASKILL submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by her to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of 
medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; 
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 367, after line 14, add the following:

     SEC. 918. TRAUMATIC SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE 
                   COVERAGE FOR ADVERSE REACTIONS TO VACCINATIONS 
                   ADMINISTERED BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

       (a) In General.--Section 1980A(b)(3) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting ``(A) 
     Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) The Secretary shall not exclude under subparagraph 
     (A) a qualifying loss experienced by a member as a result of 
     an adverse reaction to a vaccination administered by the 
     Department of Defense, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, 
     for the purposes of military accession, training, or 
     deployment.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect as if included in the provisions of and 
     amendments made by section 1032 of the Emergency Supplemental 
     Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and 
     Tsunami Relief, 2005 (Public Law 109-13; 119 Stat. 257).

[[Page S1241]]

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2784. Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 1982, to 
improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 367, after line 14, add the following:

     SEC. 918. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO ENHANCED-USE LEASES FOR 
                   CERTAIN BUILDINGS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS AT THE WEST LOS ANGELES MEDICAL CENTER, 
                   CALIFORNIA.

       (a) Authority.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided by subsection (b), in 
     accordance with subchapter V of chapter 81 of title 38, 
     United States Code, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
     enter into an enhanced-use lease for a covered building for 
     the provision of long-term therapeutic housing for covered 
     veterans.
       (2) Rule of construction.--The authority provided by 
     paragraph (1) is a specific authorization for purposes of 
     section 8162(c) of such title.
       (b) Prohibition on Disposition of Leased Property.--
       (1) In general.--In accordance with section 224(a) of the 
     Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (division I of Public Law 
     110-161; 121 Stat. 2272), section 8164 of title 38, United 
     States Code, shall not apply to a covered building.
       (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to affect the prohibition under such section 224(a) 
     on the disposal of a covered building.
       (c) Quinquennial Review and Report.--
       (1) Review required.--Not less than once during each five-
     year period in which an enhanced-use lease is in effect under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     conduct a review of such lease, including by assessing each 
     party that is entered into such lease and determining whether 
     the terms of the lease are being upheld.
       (2) Report required.--During each five-year period in which 
     an enhanced-use lease is in effect under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the review 
     conducted under paragraph (1) with respect to such lease.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Covered building.--The term ``covered building'' means 
     any of the following buildings located at the West Los 
     Angeles Medical Center, California:
       (A) Building 205.
       (B) Building 208.
       (2) Covered veteran.--The term ``covered veteran'' means a 
     veteran who is--
       (A) homeless; and
       (B) with respect to housing, requires assisted living or 
     other similar form of care.
       (3) Enhanced-use lease.--The term ``enhanced-use lease'' 
     has the meaning given that term in section 8161 of title 38, 
     United States Code.
       (4) Long-term therapeutic housing.--The term ``long-term 
     therapeutic housing'' means supportive housing consisting of 
     clinically supportive living facilities that provide housing 
     to a homeless veteran for a period that is sufficient for the 
     veteran to achieve stability and require a lower level of 
     care than is provided at such facilities.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2785. Mr. REED (for himself and Mr. Johanns) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1982, to 
improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title IX, add the following:

     SEC. 918. PILOT PROGRAM TO REHABILITATE AND MODIFY HOMES OF 
                   DISABLED AND LOW-INCOME VETERANS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Disabled.--The term ``disabled'' means an individual 
     with a disability, as defined by section 12102 of title 42, 
     United States Code.
       (2) Eligible veteran.--The term ``eligible veteran'' means 
     a disabled or low-income veteran.
       (3) Energy efficient features or equipment.--The term 
     ``energy efficient features or equipment'' means features of, 
     or equipment in, a primary residence that help reduce the 
     amount of electricity used to heat, cool, or ventilate such 
     residence, including insulation, weatherstripping, air 
     sealing, heating system repairs, duct sealing, or other 
     measures.
       (4) Low-income veteran.--The term ``low-income veteran'' 
     means a veteran whose income does not exceed 80 percent of 
     the median income for an area, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       (5) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit 
     organization'' means an organization that is--
       (A) described in section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
       (B) exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
       (6) Primary residence.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``primary residence'' means a 
     single family house, a duplex, or a unit within a multiple-
     dwelling structure that is the principal dwelling of an 
     eligible veteran and is owned by such veteran or a family 
     member of such veteran.
       (B) Family member defined.--For purposes of this paragraph, 
     the term ``family member'' includes--
       (i) a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, or sibling;
       (ii) a spouse of such a child, grandchild, parent, or 
     sibling; or
       (iii) any individual related by blood or affinity whose 
     close association with a veteran is the equivalent of a 
     family relationship.
       (7) Qualified organization.--The term ``qualified 
     organization'' means a nonprofit organization that provides 
     nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve 
     veterans or low-income individuals.
       (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Housing and Urban Development.
       (9) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given 
     the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
       (10) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans 
     service organization'' means any organization recognized by 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of 
     veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.
       (b) Establishment of a Pilot Program.--
       (1) Grant.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a pilot 
     program to award grants to qualified organizations to 
     rehabilitate and modify the primary residence of eligible 
     veterans.
       (B) Coordination.--The Secretary shall work in conjunction 
     with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and 
     oversee the pilot program and to ensure that such program 
     meets the needs of eligible veterans.
       (C) Maximum grant.--A grant award under the pilot program 
     to any one qualified organization shall not exceed $1,000,000 
     in any one fiscal year, and such an award shall remain 
     available until expended by such organization.
       (2) Application.--
       (A) In general.--Each qualified organization that desires a 
     grant under the pilot program shall submit an application to 
     the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and, in addition 
     to the information required under subparagraph (B), 
     accompanied by such information as the Secretary may 
     reasonably require.
       (B) Contents.--Each application submitted under 
     subparagraph (A) shall include--
       (i) a plan of action detailing outreach initiatives;
       (ii) the approximate number of veterans the qualified 
     organization intends to serve using grant funds;
       (iii) a description of the type of work that will be 
     conducted, such as interior home modifications, energy 
     efficiency improvements, and other similar categories of 
     work; and
       (iv) a plan for working with the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs and veterans service organizations to identify 
     veterans who are not eligible for programs under chapter 21 
     of title 38, United States Code, and meet their needs.
       (C) Preferences.--In awarding grants under the pilot 
     program, the Secretary shall give preference to a qualified 
     organization--
       (i) with experience in providing housing rehabilitation and 
     modification services for disabled veterans; or
       (ii) that proposes to provide housing rehabilitation and 
     modification services for eligible veterans who live in 
     rural, including tribal, areas (the Secretary, through 
     regulations, shall define the term ``rural areas'').
       (3) Criteria.--In order to receive a grant award under the 
     pilot program, a qualified organization shall meet the 
     following criteria:
       (A) Demonstrate expertise in providing housing 
     rehabilitation and modification services for disabled or low-
     income individuals for the purpose of making the homes of 
     such individuals accessible, functional, and safe for such 
     individuals.
       (B) Have established outreach initiatives that--
       (i) would engage eligible veterans and veterans service 
     organizations in projects utilizing grant funds under the 
     pilot program;
       (ii) ensure veterans who are disabled receive preference in 
     selection for assistance under this program; and
       (iii) identify eligible veterans and their families and 
     enlist veterans involved in skilled trades, such as 
     carpentry, roofing, plumbing, or HVAC work.
       (C) Have an established nationwide or statewide network of 
     affiliates that are--
       (i) nonprofit organizations; and
       (ii) able to provide housing rehabilitation and 
     modification services for eligible veterans.
       (D) Have experience in successfully carrying out the 
     accountability and reporting requirements involved in the 
     proper administration of grant funds, including funds 
     provided by private entities or Federal, State, or local 
     government entities.
       (4) Use of funds.--A grant award under the pilot program 
     shall be used--
       (A) to modify and rehabilitate the primary residence of an 
     eligible veteran, and may include--
       (i) installing wheelchair ramps, widening exterior and 
     interior doors, reconfigurating and re-equipping bathrooms 
     (which includes installing new fixtures and grab bars), 
     removing doorway thresholds, installing special lighting, 
     adding additional electrical outlets and electrical service, 
     and installing appropriate floor coverings to--

       (I) accommodate the functional limitations that result from 
     having a disability; or

[[Page S1242]]

       (II) if such residence does not have modifications 
     necessary to reduce the chances that an elderly, but not 
     disabled person, will fall in their home, reduce the risks of 
     such an elderly person from falling;

       (ii) rehabilitating such residence that is in a state of 
     interior or exterior disrepair; and
       (iii) installing energy efficient features or equipment 
     if--

       (I) an eligible veteran's monthly utility costs for such 
     residence is more than 5 percent of such veteran's monthly 
     income; and
       (II) an energy audit of such residence indicates that the 
     installation of energy efficient features or equipment will 
     reduce such costs by 10 percent or more; and

       (B) in connection with modification and rehabilitation 
     services provided under the pilot program, to provide 
     technical, administrative, and training support to an 
     affiliate of a qualified organization receiving a grant under 
     such pilot program.
       (5) Oversight.--The Secretary shall direct the oversight of 
     the grant funds for the pilot program so that such funds are 
     used efficiently until expended to fulfill the purpose of 
     addressing the adaptive housing needs of eligible veterans.
       (6) Matching funds.--
       (A) In general.--A qualified organization receiving a grant 
     under the pilot program shall contribute towards the housing 
     modification and rehabilitation services provided to eligible 
     veterans an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of the 
     grant award received by such organization.
       (B) In-kind contributions.--In order to meet the 
     requirement under subparagraph (A), such organization may 
     arrange for in-kind contributions.
       (7) Limitation cost to the veterans.--A qualified 
     organization receiving a grant under the pilot program shall 
     modify or rehabilitate the primary residence of an eligible 
     veteran at no cost to such veteran (including application 
     fees) or at a cost such that such veteran pays no more than 
     30 percent of his or her income in housing costs during any 
     month.
       (8) Reports.--
       (A) Annual report.--The Secretary shall submit to Congress, 
     on an annual basis, a report that provides, with respect to 
     the year for which such report is written--
       (i) the number of eligible veterans provided assistance 
     under the pilot program;
       (ii) the socioeconomic characteristics of such veterans, 
     including their gender, age, race, and ethnicity;
       (iii) the total number, types, and locations of entities 
     contracted under such program to administer the grant 
     funding;
       (iv) the amount of matching funds and in-kind contributions 
     raised with each grant;
       (v) a description of the housing rehabilitation and 
     modification services provided, costs saved, and actions 
     taken under such program;
       (vi) a description of the outreach initiatives implemented 
     by the Secretary to educate the general public and eligible 
     entities about such program;
       (vii) a description of the outreach initiatives instituted 
     by grant recipients to engage eligible veterans and veteran 
     service organizations in projects utilizing grant funds under 
     such program;
       (viii) a description of the outreach initiatives instituted 
     by grant recipients to identify eligible veterans and their 
     families; and
       (ix) any other information that the Secretary considers 
     relevant in assessing such program.
       (B) Final report.--Not later than 6 months after the 
     completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit 
     to Congress a report that provides such information that the 
     Secretary considers relevant in assessing the pilot program.
       (C) Inspector general report.--Not later than March 31, 
     2019, the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development shall submit to the Chairmen and Ranking 
     Members of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
     Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services 
     of the House of Representatives a report containing a review 
     of--
       (i) the use of appropriated funds by the Secretary and by 
     grantees under the pilot program; and
       (ii) oversight and accountability of grantees under the 
     pilot program.
       (9) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated for carrying out this section $4,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2786. Mr. WHITEHOUSE submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by him to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of 
medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; 
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Beginning on page 310, strike line 21 and all that follows 
     through page 311, line 13, and insert the following:
       (b) Making Permanent Extended Period of Protections for 
     Members of Uniformed Services Relating to Mortgages, Mortgage 
     Foreclosure, and Eviction.--Section 710(d) of the Honoring 
     America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act 
     of 2012 (Public Law 112-154; 126 Stat. 1208) is amended by 
     striking paragraphs (1) and (3).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2787. Mr. THUNE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical services 
and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was ordered to 
lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 76, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following:

     SEC. 330. COMPTROLLER GENERAL CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BEFORE 
                   CLOSURE OF MEDICAL CENTERS OF DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not 
     close any medical center of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs unless and until the Comptroller General of the 
     United States makes the certification described in subsection 
     (b) with respect to such medical center and submits such 
     certification to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (b) Certification.--The certification described in this 
     subsection is a certification that the Comptroller General 
     has determined, pursuant to subsection (c), that the effect 
     of the closure of the medical center described in subsection 
     (a) on the provision of care to veterans in the catchment 
     area of such medical center does not outweigh the budget 
     savings to the Department resulting from such closure.
       (c) Determination.--
       (1) In general.--With respect to a proposed closure of a 
     medical center of the Department, the Comptroller General 
     shall determine whether the effect of such closure on the 
     provision of care to veterans in the catchment area of such 
     medical center outweighs the budget savings to the Department 
     resulting from such closure.
       (2) Considerations.--In making the determination described 
     in paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall consider the 
     potential effect of such closure on the following:
       (A) The quality of care provided to veterans in the 
     catchment area of such medical center.
       (B) The access of such veterans to specialized health care 
     services.
       (C) The access of such veterans to residential 
     rehabilitation treatment programs of the Department and other 
     inpatient care.
       (D) Distances required to be traveled by such veterans to 
     receive inpatient and outpatient care.
       (E) The access of such veterans that are members of Indian 
     tribes (as that term is defined in section 4 of the Indian 
     Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     450b)) to medical care.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2788. Mr. THUNE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical services 
and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was ordered to 
lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 38, after line 22, add the following:
       (d) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made 
     by this section shall take effect on the date that the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits to Congress a 
     certification that--
       (1) during the 180-day period ending on the date on which 
     the Secretary submits such certification to Congress, no 
     individual who has filed a claim with the Secretary for 
     compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States 
     Code--
       (A) is currently waiting for an adjudication of such claim; 
     and
       (B) has been waiting for an adjudication of such claim for 
     a period of 125 days or more; and
       (2) the Secretary has carried out the major medical 
     facility leases described in section 381.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2789. Ms. KLOBUCHAR submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical 
services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 161, after line 25, insert the following:

     SEC. 407. GRANTS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL 
                   TRAINING FOR VETERANS.

       Section 330J(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     254c-15(c)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) furnish coursework and training to veterans to enable 
     such veterans to satisfy emergency medical services personnel 
     certification requirements, as determined by the appropriate 
     State regulatory entity, except that in providing such 
     coursework and training, such entity shall take into account 
     previous medical coursework and training received when such 
     veterans were members of the Armed Forces on active duty.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2790. Ms. KLOBUCHAR submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical 
services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 76, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following:

[[Page S1243]]

     SEC. 330. DESIGNATION OF MEDICAL FACILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT 
                   OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AS HEALTH PROFESSIONAL 
                   SHORTAGE AREAS.

       (a) Designation as Health Professional Shortage Area.--
     Section 332(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     254e(a)(1)) is amended in the second sentence by inserting 
     ``and medical facilities of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs (including State homes, as defined in section 101(19) 
     of title 38, United States Code)'' after ``(42 U.S.C. 
     1395x(aa)),''.
       (b) Concurrent Benefit.--
       (1) Scholarship program.--Section 338A(b) of the Public 
     Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254l(b)) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'';
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(5) not be participating in the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program 
     under chapter 76 of title 38, United States Code.''.
       (2) Debt reduction program.--Section 338B(b) of the Public 
     Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 2541-1(b)) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'';
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) not be participating in the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Health Professionals Educational Assistance Program 
     under chapter 76 of title 38, United States Code.''.
       (c) Consultation.--In carrying out the National Health 
     Service Corps Program under subpart II of part D of title III 
     of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254d et seq.), 
     the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consult with 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with respect to health 
     professional shortage areas that are medical facilities of 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs (including State homes, as 
     defined in section 101(19) of title 38, United States Code).
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2791. Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself and Ms. Ayotte) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 1982, to 
improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 76, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following:

     SEC. 329A. REPORT ON ABILITY OF VETERANS HEALTH 
                   ADMINISTRATION TO MEET PATIENT ACCESS STANDARDS 
                   FOR NORTHERN MARKET OF NEW ENGLAND HEALTH CARE 
                   SYSTEM.

       Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Veterans affairs shall submit to 
     Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with 
     respect to the Secretary's review of the ability of the 
     Veterans Health Administration to meet patient access 
     standards for the northern market of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs New England Health Care System, particularly 
     with respect to Coos County, New Hampshire.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2792. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical 
services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 291, after line 21, add the following:

     SEC. 633. MINIMUM NUMBER OF DECISION REVIEW OFFICERS 
                   STATIONED AT REGIONAL OFFICES.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that at 
     least two decision review officers of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs are stationed at each regional office of the 
     Veterans Benefits Administration.

     SEC. 634. EXPANSION OF PROGRAM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR 
                   SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS THAT FURNISH LEGAL 
                   ASSISTANCE.

       The Dire Emergency Supplemental Appropriations and 
     Transfers for Relief From the Effects of Natural Disasters, 
     for Other Urgent Needs, and for Incremental Cost of 
     ``Operation Desert Shield/Dessert Storm'' Act of 1992 (Public 
     Law 102-229) is amended under the heading ``salaries and 
     expenses'' under the heading ``Court of Veterans Appeals'' 
     under the heading ``INDEPENDENT AGENCIES'' by inserting ``or 
     in connection with decisions to which section 7104 of such 
     title may apply, or with other proceedings of the Board of 
     Veterans' Appeals,'' after ``proceedings in the Court,''.

     SEC. 635. REPORT ON INCREASING NUMBER OF DECISION REVIEW 
                   OFFICERS.

       Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
     Congress a report on the feasibility and advisability of 
     increasing the number of decision review officers employed by 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs to a number that is equal 
     to or greater than the number that is 25 percent bigger than 
     the number of decision review officers that were employed by 
     the Department on the day before the date of the enactment of 
     this Act. Such report shall include an assessment of the 
     expected cost and effect of such increase on the processing 
     of appeals of decisions of the Secretary with respect to 
     claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary.

     SEC. 636. REPORT ON INCREASING NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF BOARD OF 
                   VETERANS' APPEALS.

       Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
     Congress a report on the feasibility and advisability of 
     increasing the number of members of the Board of Veterans' 
     Appeals to 75. Such report shall include an assessment of the 
     expected cost and effect of such expansion on the processing 
     of appeals of decisions of the Secretary with respect to 
     claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2793. Mrs. SHAHEEN (for herself and Ms. Ayotte) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 1982, to 
improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 76, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following:

     SEC. 330. AVAILABILITY OF FULL-SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTERS IN CERTAIN STATES OR 
                   PROVISION OF COMPARABLE SERVICES THROUGH 
                   CONTRACT WITH OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN 
                   THE STATE.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 17 is amended by inserting after 
     section 1706 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 1706A. Management of health care: access to full-
       service Department medical centers in certain States or 
       comparable services through contract

       ``(a) Requirement.--With respect to each of the 48 
     contiguous States, the Secretary shall ensure that veterans 
     in a State who are eligible for hospital care and medical 
     services under section 1710 of this title have access--
       ``(1) to at least one full-service Department medical 
     center in such State; or
       ``(2) to hospital care and medical services comparable to 
     the services typically provided by full-service Department 
     medical centers through contract with other health care 
     providers in such State.
       ``(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a) 
     shall be construed to limit the ability of the Secretary to 
     provide enhanced care to an eligible veteran who resides in 
     one State in a Department medical center in another State.
       ``(c) Limitation on Requirement.--Subsection (a) shall be 
     effective in any fiscal year only to the extent and in the 
     amount provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
       ``(d) Full-Service Department Medical Center Defined.--In 
     this section, the term `full-service Department medical 
     center' means a facility of the Department that provides 
     medical services, including hospital care, emergency medical 
     services, and surgical care rated by the Secretary as having 
     a surgical complexity level of standard.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 1706 the following new item:
       ``1706A. Management of health care: access to full-service 
           Department medical centers in certain States or 
           comparable services through contract.''.
       (c) Report on Implementation.--Not later than one year 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a report describing 
     the extent to which the Secretary has complied with the 
     requirement imposed by section 1706A of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a), including the effect 
     of compliance with such requirement on improving the quality 
     and standards of care provided to veterans.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2794. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical 
services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle B of title IV, add the following:

     SEC. 416. EMPLOYEE PAYROLL TAX HOLIDAY FOR NEWLY HIRED 
                   VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (d) of section 3111 of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
       ``(d) Special Exemption for Eligible Veterans Hired During 
     Certain Calendar Quarters.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to 50 
     percent of the wages paid by the employer with respect to 
     employment during the holiday period of any eligible veteran 
     for services performed--
       ``(A) in a trade or business of the employer, or
       ``(B) in the case of an employer exempt from tax under 
     section 501(a), in furtherance of the activities related to 
     the purpose or function constituting the basis of the 
     employer's exemption under such section.
       ``(2) Holiday period.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     term `holiday period' means

[[Page S1244]]

     the period of 4 consecutive calendar quarters beginning with 
     the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after 
     the date of the enactment of the Comprehensive Veterans 
     Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration 
     Act of 2014 .
       ``(3) Eligible veteran.--For purposes of this subsection--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `eligible veteran' means a 
     veteran who--
       ``(i) begins work for the employer during the holiday 
     period,
       ``(ii) was discharged or released from the Armed Forces of 
     the United States under conditions other than dishonorable, 
     and
       ``(iii) is not an individual described in section 51(i)(1) 
     (applied by substituting `employer' for `taxpayer' each place 
     it appears).
       ``(B) Veteran.--The term `veteran' means any individual 
     who--
       ``(i) has served on active duty (other than active duty for 
     training) in the Armed Forces of the United States for a 
     period of more than 180 days, or has been discharged or 
     released from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United 
     States for a service-connected disability (within the meaning 
     of section 101 of title 38, United States Code),
       ``(ii) has not served on extended active duty (as such term 
     is used in section 51(d)(3)(B)) in the Armed Forces of the 
     United States on any day during the 60-day period ending on 
     the hiring date, and
       ``(iii) provides to the employer a copy of the individual's 
     DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
     Duty, that includes the nature and type of discharge.
       ``(4) Election.--An employer may elect not to have this 
     subsection apply. Such election shall be made in such manner 
     as the Secretary may require.
       ``(5) Coordination with work opportunity credit.--For 
     coordination with the work opportunity credit, see section 
     51(3)(D).''.
       (b) Coordination With Work Opportunity Credit.--
       (1) In general.--Paragraph (3) of section 51 of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) Denial of credit for veterans subject to 50 percent 
     payroll tax holiday.--If section 3111(d)(1) (as amended by 
     the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military 
     Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014) applies to any wages 
     paid by an employer, the term `qualified veteran' does not 
     include any individual who begins work for the employer 
     during the holiday period (as defined in section 3111(d)(2)) 
     unless the employer makes an election not to have section 
     3111(d) apply.''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Subsection (c) of section 51 of 
     such Code is amended by striking paragraph (5).

       At the end of subtitle E of title IV, add the following:

     SEC. 446. PERMANENT SBA EXPRESS LOAN GUARANTY FEE WAIVER FOR 
                   VETERANS.

       Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) 
     is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (18)(A), by striking ``With respect'' and 
     inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (31), with 
     respect''; and
       (2) in paragraph (31), adding at the end the following:
       ``(G) Guarantee fee waiver for veterans.--The Administrator 
     may not assess a guarantee fee under paragraph (18) in 
     connection with a loan made under this paragraph to a veteran 
     on or after October 1, 2014.''.

     SEC. 447. REPORT ON FINANCIAL PLANNING AND COUNSELING FOR 
                   OWNERS OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN THE 
                   NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small 
     Business Administration shall submit to Congress a report 
     assessing the feasibility of providing financial planning and 
     counseling to owners of small business concerns who are 
     members of a reserve component prior to deployment.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) the term ``reserve component'' means a reserve 
     component of the Armed Forces named in section 10101 of title 
     10, United States Code; and
       (2) the term ``small business concern'' has the meaning 
     given the term under section 3(a) of the Small Business Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 632(a)).

     SEC. 448. REPORT ON THE MILITARY RESERVISTS ECONOMIC INJURY 
                   DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration 
     shall submit to Congress a report on the Military Reservists 
     Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (in this section 
     referred to as the ``program'') authorized under section 
     7(b)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(3)), 
     which shall include--
       (1) a discussion of the outreach efforts of the Small 
     Business Administration to increase participation in the 
     program;
       (2) the number of loans made under the program;
       (3) an analysis of the effectiveness of the program; and
       (4) recommendations for improving the program.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2795. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical 
services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 61, between lines 5 and 6, insert the following:

     SEC. 314. SPECIAL CHANGE IN STATUS RULE FOR EMPLOYEES WHO 
                   BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (g) of section 125 of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new paragraph:
       ``(5) Change in status relating to tricare eligibility.--
     For purposes of this section, if a cafeteria plan permits an 
     employee to revoke an election during a period of coverage 
     and to make a new election based on a change in status event, 
     an event that causes the employee to become eligible for 
     coverage under the TRICARE program shall be treated as a 
     change in status event.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section 
     shall apply to events occurring after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2796. Mr. BENNET (for himself and Mr. Johanns) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1982, to 
improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle A of title IV, add the following:

     SEC. 407. AUTHORITY TO INCREASE AVAILABILITY OF PRIVATE 
                   SECTOR ON-JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS.

       During the four-year period beginning on the date that is 
     one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out section 
     3677(b)(1)(A) of title 38, United States Code, by 
     substituting ``75 per centum'' for ``85 per centum''.

     SEC. 408. ON-JOB TRAINING AT FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND 
                   AGENCIES.

       Beginning on the date that is one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall enter into agreements with the heads of other Federal 
     departments and agencies to operate programs of training on 
     the job under section 3677 of title 38, United States Code, 
     to train eligible veterans or persons to perform skills 
     necessary for employment by the department or agency 
     operating the program.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2797. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by him to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of 
medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; 
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 367, after line 14, add the following:

     SEC. 918. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON REVIEW OF DISCHARGE STATUS OF 
                   VIETNAM ERA VETERANS WITH POST TRAUMATIC STRESS 
                   DISORDER WHO WERE DISCHARGED UNDER CONDITIONS 
                   OTHER THAN HONORABLE.

       (a) In General.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     individuals who served in the active military, naval, or air 
     service during the Vietnam era, who have a service-connected 
     post traumatic stress disorder, who were discharged or 
     released from such service under conditions other than 
     honorable, and who are now upstanding members in their 
     communities, should have their less than honorable discharge 
     or release reviewed by the applicable board for the 
     correction of military records.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``active 
     military, naval, or air service'', ``service-connected'', and 
     ``Vietnam era'' have the meanings given such terms in section 
     101 of title 38, United States Code.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2798. Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself and Mr. Murphy) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1982, to 
improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 33, after line 18, add the following:

     SEC. 207. REPEAL OF TIME LIMITATIONS ON USE OF EDUCATIONAL 
                   ASSISTANCE UNDER ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE 
                   EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 3031 is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new subsection:
       ``(i)(1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (g) and 
     any other provision of law, the period during which a covered 
     individual entitled to educational assistance under this 
     chapter may use such covered individual's entitlement shall 
     not end until the date that is 10 years after the date on 
     which such covered individual begins using such benefit.
       ``(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered individual 
     is any individual--
       ``(A) whose basic pay was reduced under paragraph (1) of 
     section 3011(b) of this title; or
       ``(B) with respect to whom an amount was collected under 
     paragraph (2) of such section.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3020(f) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) Subsection (i) of section 3031 of this title shall 
     not apply for purposes of this subsection.''.

[[Page S1245]]

       (c) Effective Date.--Subsection (i) of section 3031, as 
     added by subsection (a), and paragraph (4) of section 
     3020(f), as added by subsection (b), shall apply as if such 
     subsection and such paragraph had been enacted immediately 
     after the enactment of the Veterans' Educational Assistance 
     Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-525; 98 Stat. 2553).

     SEC. 208. VETERANS EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--Chapter 36 is amended by adding at the 
     end of subchapter II the following new section:

     ``Sec. 3697B. Veterans education outreach program

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide funding for 
     offices of veterans affairs at institutions of higher 
     learning (as defined in section 3452(f) of this title) in 
     accordance with this section.
       ``(b) Payments to Institutions of Higher Learning.--(1)(A) 
     The Secretary shall, subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, make payments to any institution of higher 
     learning, under and in accordance with this section, during 
     any fiscal year if the number of persons eligible for 
     services from offices assisted under this section at the 
     institution is at least 50, determined in the same manner as 
     the number of eligible veterans or eligible persons is 
     determined under section 3684(c) of this title.
       ``(B) The persons who are eligible for services from the 
     offices assisted under this section are persons receiving 
     educational assistance administered by the Department, 
     including assistance provided under chapter 1606 of title 10.
       ``(2) To be eligible for a payment under this section, an 
     institution of higher learning or a consortium of 
     institutions of higher learning, as described in paragraph 
     (3), shall submit an application to the Secretary. The 
     application shall--
       ``(A) set forth such policies, assurances, and procedures 
     that will ensure that--
       ``(i) the funds received by the institution, or each 
     institution in a consortium of institutions described in 
     paragraph (3), under this section will be used solely to 
     carry out this section;
       ``(ii) for enhancing the functions of its veterans 
     education outreach program, the applicant will expend, during 
     the academic year for which a payment is sought, an amount 
     equal to at least the amount of the award under this section 
     from sources other than this or any other Federal program; 
     and
       ``(iii) the applicant will submit to the Secretary such 
     reports as the Secretary may require or as are required by 
     this section;
       ``(B) contain such other statement of policies, assurances, 
     and procedures as the Secretary may require in order to 
     protect the financial interests of the United States;
       ``(C) set forth such plans, policies, assurances, and 
     procedures as will ensure that the applicant will maintain an 
     office of veterans' affairs which has responsibility for--
       ``(i) veterans' certification, outreach, recruitment, and 
     special education programs, including the provision of or 
     referral to educational, vocational, and personal counseling 
     for veterans; and
       ``(ii) providing information regarding other services 
     provided veterans by the Department, including the 
     readjustment counseling program authorized under section 
     1712A of this title and the programs carried out under 
     chapters 41 and 42 of this title; and
       ``(D) be submitted at such time or times, in such manner, 
     in such form, and contain such information as the Secretary 
     determines necessary to carry out the functions of the 
     Secretary under this section.
       ``(3) An institution of higher learning which is eligible 
     for funding under this section and which the Secretary 
     determines cannot feasibly carry out, by itself, any or all 
     of the activities set forth in paragraph (2)(C), may carry 
     out such program or programs through a consortium agreement 
     with one or more other institutions of higher learning in the 
     same community.
       ``(4) The Secretary shall not approve an application under 
     this subsection unless the Secretary determines that the 
     applicant will implement the requirements of paragraph (2)(C) 
     within the first academic year during which it receives a 
     payment under this section.
       ``(c) Amount of Payments.--(1)(A) Subject to subparagraph 
     (B), the amount of the payment which any institution shall 
     receive under this section for any fiscal year shall be $100 
     for each person who is described in subsection (b)(1)(B).
       ``(B) The maximum amount of payments to any institution of 
     higher learning, or any branch thereof which is located in a 
     community which is different from that in which the parent 
     institution thereof is located, in any fiscal year is 
     $150,000.
       ``(2)(A)(i) The Secretary shall pay to each institution of 
     higher learning which has had an application approved under 
     subsection (b) the amount which it is to receive under this 
     section.
       ``(ii) If the amount appropriated for any fiscal year is 
     not sufficient to pay the amounts which all such institutions 
     are to receive, the Secretary shall ratably reduce such 
     payments.
       ``(iii) If any amount becomes available to carry out this 
     section for a fiscal year after such reductions have been 
     imposed, such reduced payments shall be increased on the same 
     basis as they were reduced.
       ``(B) In making payments under this section for any fiscal 
     year, the Secretary shall apportion the appropriation for 
     making such payments, from funds which become available as a 
     result of the limitation on payments set forth in paragraph 
     (1)(B), in an equitable manner.
       ``(d) Coordination and Provision of Assistance, Technical 
     Consultation, and Information.--The Secretary, in carrying 
     out the provisions of this section, shall seek to assure the 
     coordination of programs assisted under this section with 
     other programs carried out by the Department pursuant to this 
     title, and the Secretary shall provide all assistance, 
     technical consultation, and information otherwise authorized 
     by law as necessary to promote the maximum effectiveness of 
     the activities and programs assisted under this section.
       ``(e) Best Practices and Administration.--(1) From the 
     amounts made available for any fiscal year under subsection 
     (f), the Secretary shall retain one percent or $20,000, 
     whichever is less, for the purpose of collecting information 
     about exemplary veterans educational outreach programs and 
     disseminating that information to other institutions of 
     higher learning having such programs on their campuses. Such 
     collection and dissemination shall be done on an annual 
     basis.
       ``(2) From the amounts made available under subsection (f), 
     the Secretary may retain not more than two percent for the 
     purpose of administering this section.
       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $6,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 36 is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 3697A the following new item:

       ``3697B. Veterans education outreach program.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2799. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by him to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of 
medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; 
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 367, after line 14, insert the following:

        TITLE X--DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF MILITARY SERVICE

     SEC. 1001. DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF MILITARY SERVICE.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Civil rights definitions.--The terms ``complaining 
     party'', ``demonstrates'', ``employee'', ``employer'', 
     ``employment agency'', ``labor organization'', ``person'', 
     ``respondent'', and ``State'' have the meanings given the 
     terms in section 701 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 
     U.S.C. 2000e).
       (2) Member of the uniformed services.--The term ``member of 
     the uniformed services'' means an individual who--
       (A) is a member of--
       (i) the uniformed services (as defined in section 101 of 
     title 10, United States Code); or
       (ii) the National Guard in State status under title 32, 
     United States Code; or
       (B) was discharged or released from service in the 
     uniformed services (as so defined) or the National Guard in 
     such status under conditions other than dishonorable.
       (3) Military service.--The term ``military service'' means 
     status as a member of the uniformed services.
       (b) Employer Practices.--It shall be an unlawful employment 
     practice for an employer--
       (1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any 
     individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any 
     individual with respect to the individual's compensation, 
     terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of 
     such individual's military service; or
       (2) to limit, segregate, or classify the employer's 
     employees or applicants for employment in any way which would 
     deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment 
     opportunities or otherwise adversely affect the individual's 
     status as an employee, because of such individual's military 
     service.
       (c) Employment Agency Practices.--It shall be an unlawful 
     employment practice for an employment agency to fail or 
     refuse to refer for employment, or otherwise discriminate 
     against, any individual because of the individual's military 
     service, or to classify or refer for employment any 
     individual on the basis of the individual's military service.
       (d) Labor Organization Practices.--It shall be an unlawful 
     employment practice for a labor organization--
       (1) to exclude or to expel from its membership, or 
     otherwise to discriminate against, any individual because of 
     the individual's military service;
       (2) to limit, segregate, or classify its membership or 
     applicants for membership, or to classify or fail or refuse 
     to refer for employment any individual, in any way which 
     would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment 
     opportunities, or would limit such employment opportunities 
     or otherwise adversely affect the individual's status as an 
     employee or as an applicant for employment, because of such 
     individual's military service; or
       (3) to cause or attempt to cause an employer to 
     discriminate against an individual in violation of this 
     section.

[[Page S1246]]

       (e) Training Programs.--It shall be an unlawful employment 
     practice for any employer, labor organization, or joint 
     labor-management committee controlling apprenticeship or 
     other training or retraining, including on-the-job training 
     programs, to discriminate against any individual because of 
     the individual's military service in admission to, or 
     employment in, any program established to provide 
     apprenticeship or other training.
       (f) Businesses or Enterprises With Personnel Qualified on 
     Basis of Military Service.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of this section, it shall not be an unlawful 
     employment practice for an employer to hire and employ 
     employees, for an employment agency to classify, or refer for 
     employment any individual, for a labor organization to 
     classify its membership or to classify or refer for 
     employment any individual, or for an employer, labor 
     organization, or joint labor-management committee controlling 
     apprenticeship or other training or retraining programs to 
     admit or employ any individual in any such program, on the 
     basis of the individual's military service in those certain 
     instances where military service is a bona fide occupational 
     qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of 
     that particular business or enterprise.
       (g) National Security.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
     of this section, it shall not be an unlawful employment 
     practice for an employer to fail or refuse to hire and employ 
     any individual for any position, for an employer to discharge 
     any individual from any position, or for an employment agency 
     to fail or refuse to refer any individual for employment in 
     any position, or for a labor organization to fail or refuse 
     to refer any individual for employment in any position, if--
       (1) the occupancy of such position, or access to the 
     premises in or upon which any part of the duties of such 
     position is performed or is to be performed, is subject to 
     any requirement imposed in the interest of the national 
     security of the United States under any security program in 
     effect pursuant to or administered under any statute of the 
     United States or any Executive order of the President; and
       (2) such individual has not fulfilled or has ceased to 
     fulfill that requirement.
       (h) Seniority or Merit System; Quantity or Quality of 
     Production; Ability Tests.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of this section, it shall not be an unlawful 
     employment practice for an employer to apply different 
     standards of compensation, or different terms, conditions, or 
     privileges of employment pursuant to a bona fide seniority or 
     merit system, or a system which measures earnings by quantity 
     or quality of production or to employees who work in 
     different locations, provided that such differences are not 
     the result of an intention to discriminate because of 
     military service, nor shall it be an unlawful employment 
     practice for an employer to give and to act upon the results 
     of any professionally developed ability test provided that 
     such test, its administration, or action upon the results is 
     not designed, intended, or used to discriminate because of 
     military service.
       (i) Preferential Treatment Not To Be Granted on Account of 
     Existing Number or Percentage Imbalance.--Nothing contained 
     in this section shall be interpreted to require any employer, 
     employment agency, labor organization, or joint labor-
     management committee subject to this section to grant 
     preferential treatment to any individual or to any group 
     because of the military service of such individual or group 
     on account of an imbalance which may exist with respect to 
     the total number or percentage of persons with military 
     service employed by any employer, referred or classified for 
     employment by any employment agency or labor organization, 
     admitted to membership or classified by any labor 
     organization, or admitted to, or employed in, any 
     apprenticeship or other training program, in comparison with 
     the total number or percentage of persons with military 
     service in any community, State, section, or other area, or 
     in the available work force in any community, State, section, 
     or other area.
       (j) Burden of Proof in Disparate Impact Cases.--
       (1) Disparate impact.--
       (A)  Establishment.--An unlawful employment practice based 
     on disparate impact is established under this section only 
     if--
       (i) a complaining party demonstrates that a respondent uses 
     a particular employment practice that causes a disparate 
     impact on the basis of military service and the respondent 
     fails to demonstrate that the challenged practice is job 
     related for the position in question and consistent with 
     business necessity; or
       (ii) the complaining party makes the demonstration 
     described in subparagraph (C) with respect to an alternative 
     employment practice and the respondent refuses to adopt such 
     alternative employment practice.
       (B) Demonstration of causation.--
       (i) Particular employment practices.--With respect to 
     demonstrating that a particular employment practice causes a 
     disparate impact as described in subparagraph (A)(i), the 
     complaining party shall demonstrate that each particular 
     challenged employment practice causes a disparate impact, 
     except that if the complaining party can demonstrate to the 
     court that the elements of a respondent's decisionmaking 
     process are not capable of separation for analysis, the 
     decisionmaking process may be analyzed as one employment 
     practice.
       (ii) Demonstration of noncausation.--If the respondent 
     demonstrates that a specific employment practice does not 
     cause the disparate impact, the respondent shall not be 
     required to demonstrate that such practice is required by 
     business necessity.
       (C) Alternative employment practice.--The demonstration 
     referred to by subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be in accordance 
     with the law as it existed on June 4, 1989, with respect to 
     the concept of ``alternative employment practice''.
       (2) Business necessity no defense to intentional 
     discrimination.--A demonstration that an employment practice 
     is required by business necessity may not be used as a 
     defense against a claim of intentional discrimination under 
     this section.
       (3) Rules concerning controlled substances.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a rule 
     barring the employment of an individual who currently and 
     knowingly uses or possesses a controlled substance, as 
     defined in section 102(6) of the Controlled Substances Act 
     (21 U.S.C. 802(6)) and included in schedule I or II of the 
     schedules specified in that section, other than the use or 
     possession of a drug taken under the supervision of a 
     licensed health care professional, or any other use or 
     possession authorized by the Controlled Substances Act (21 
     U.S.C. 801 et seq.) or any other provision of Federal law, 
     shall be considered an unlawful employment practice under 
     this section only if such rule is adopted or applied with an 
     intent to discriminate because of military service.
       (k) Prohibition of Discriminatory Use of Test Scores.--It 
     shall be an unlawful employment practice for a respondent, in 
     connection with the selection or referral of applicants or 
     candidates for employment or promotion, to adjust the scores 
     of, use different cutoff scores for, or otherwise alter the 
     results of, employment related tests on the basis of military 
     service.
       (l) Impermissible Consideration of Military Service in 
     Employment Practices.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     section, an unlawful employment practice is established when 
     the complaining party demonstrates that military service was 
     a motivating factor for any employment practice, even though 
     other factors also motivated the practice.
       (m) Resolution of Challenges to Employment Practices 
     Implementing Litigated or Consent Judgments or Orders.--
       (1) Practices not challengeable.--
       (A) Practices to implement a litigated or consent judgment 
     or order.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and 
     except as provided in paragraph (2), an employment practice 
     that implements and is within the scope of a litigated or 
     consent judgment or order that resolves a claim of employment 
     discrimination under the Constitution or Federal civil rights 
     laws may not be challenged under the circumstances described 
     in subparagraph (B).
       (B) Circumstances.--A practice described in subparagraph 
     (A) may not be challenged in a claim under the Constitution 
     or Federal civil rights laws--
       (i) by a person who, prior to the entry of the judgment or 
     order described in subparagraph (A), had--

       (I) actual notice of the proposed judgment or order 
     sufficient to apprise such person that such judgment or order 
     might adversely affect the interests and legal rights of such 
     person and that an opportunity was available to present 
     objections to such judgment or order by a future date 
     certain; and
       (II) a reasonable opportunity to present objections to such 
     judgment or order; or

       (ii) by a person whose interests were adequately 
     represented by another person who had previously challenged 
     the judgment or order on the same legal grounds and with a 
     similar factual situation, unless there has been an 
     intervening change in law or fact.
       (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
     be construed to--
       (A) alter the standards for intervention under rule 24 of 
     the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or apply to the rights 
     of parties who have successfully intervened pursuant to such 
     rule in the proceeding in which the parties intervened;
       (B) apply to the rights of parties to the action in which a 
     litigated or consent judgment or order was entered, or of 
     members of a class represented or sought to be represented in 
     such action, or of members of a group on whose behalf relief 
     was sought in such action by the Federal Government;
       (C) prevent challenges to a litigated or consent judgment 
     or order on the ground that such judgment or order was 
     obtained through collusion or fraud, or is transparently 
     invalid or was entered by a court lacking subject matter 
     jurisdiction; or
       (D) authorize or permit the denial to any person of the due 
     process of law required by the Constitution.
       (3) Court for actions that are challengeable.--Any action 
     not precluded under this subsection that challenges an 
     employment consent judgment or order described in paragraph 
     (1) shall be brought in the court, and if possible before the 
     judge, that entered such judgment or order. Nothing in this 
     subsection shall preclude a transfer of such action pursuant 
     to section 1404 of title 28, United States Code.
       (n) Discrimination for Making Charges, Testifying, 
     Assisting, or Participating in Enforcement Proceedings.--It 
     shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer to 
     discriminate against any of the

[[Page S1247]]

     employer's employees or applicants for employment, for an 
     employment agency, or joint labor-management committee 
     controlling apprenticeship or other training or retraining, 
     including on-the-job training programs, to discriminate 
     against any individual, or for a labor organization to 
     discriminate against any member thereof or applicant for 
     membership, because the employee, applicant, individuals, or 
     member involved has opposed any practice made an unlawful 
     employment practice by this section, or has made a charge, 
     testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an 
     investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this section.
       (o) Printing or Publication of Notices or Advertisements.--
     It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer, 
     labor organization, employment agency, or joint labor-
     management committee controlling apprenticeship or other 
     training or retraining, including on-the-job training 
     programs, to print or publish or cause to be printed or 
     published any notice or advertisement relating to employment 
     by such an employer or membership in or any classification or 
     referral for employment by such a labor organization, or 
     relating to any classification or referral for employment by 
     such an employment agency, or relating to admission to, or 
     employment in, any program established to provide 
     apprenticeship or other training by such a joint labor-
     management committee, indicating any preference, limitation, 
     specification, or discrimination, based on military service, 
     except that such a notice or advertisement may indicate a 
     preference, limitation, specification, or discrimination 
     based on military service when military service is a bona 
     fide occupational qualification for employment.
       (p) Exemptions.--
       (1) Inapplicability of title to certain aliens.--This 
     section shall not apply to an employer with respect to the 
     employment of aliens outside any State.
       (2) Compliance with statute as violation of foreign law.--
     It shall not be unlawful under this section for an employer 
     (or a corporation controlled by an employer), labor 
     organization, employment agency, or joint labor-management 
     committee controlling apprenticeship or other training or 
     retraining (including on-the-job training programs) to take 
     any action otherwise prohibited by such section, with respect 
     to an employee in a workplace in a foreign country if 
     compliance with such section would cause such employer (or 
     such corporation), such organization, such agency, or such 
     committee to violate the law of the foreign country in which 
     such workplace is located.
       (3) Control of corporation incorporated in foreign 
     country.--
       (A) In general.--If an employer controls a corporation 
     whose place of incorporation is a foreign country, any 
     practice prohibited by this section engaged in by such 
     corporation shall be presumed to be engaged in by such 
     employer.
       (B) Foreign person not controlled by employer.--This 
     section shall not apply with respect to the foreign 
     operations of an employer that is a foreign person not 
     controlled by an American employer.
       (C) Control.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     determination of whether an employer controls a corporation 
     shall be based on--
       (i) the interrelation of operations;
       (ii) the common management;
       (iii) the centralized control of labor relations; and
       (iv) the common ownership or financial control,

     of the employer and the corporation.
       (4) Claims of no military service.--Nothing in this section 
     shall provide the basis for a claim by an individual without 
     military service that the individual was subject to 
     discrimination because of the individual's lack of military 
     service.
       (q) Posting Notices.--Every employer, employment agency, 
     labor organization, or joint labor-management committee 
     covered under this section shall post notices to applicants, 
     employees, and members describing the applicable provisions 
     of this section, in the manner prescribed by section 711 of 
     the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-10).
       (r) Regulations.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Commission shall issue regulations 
     to carry out this section in accordance with subchapter II of 
     chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code.
       (s) Enforcement.--The powers, remedies, and procedures set 
     forth in sections 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, and 712 of 
     the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-4, 2000e-5, 
     2000e-6, 2000e-7, 2000e-8, 2000e-9, and 2000e-11) shall be 
     the powers, remedies, and procedures this section provides to 
     the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, to the Attorney 
     General, or to any person alleging discrimination on the 
     basis of military service in violation of any provision of 
     this section, or regulations promulgated under subsection 
     (r), concerning employment.

     SEC. 1002. ENDING HOUSING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MEMBERS OF 
                   THE UNIFORMED SERVICES.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 802 of the Fair Housing Act (42 
     U.S.C. 3602) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(p) `Member of the uniformed services' means an 
     individual who--
       ``(1) is a member of--
       ``(A) the uniformed services (as defined in section 101 of 
     title 10, United States Code); or
       ``(B) the National Guard in State status under title 32, 
     United States Code; or
       ``(2) was discharged or released from service in the 
     uniformed services (as so defined) or the National Guard in 
     such status under conditions other than dishonorable.''.
       (b) Discrimination in the Sale or Rental of Housing and 
     Other Prohibited Practices.--Section 804 of the Fair Housing 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 3604) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``or because the person 
     is a member of the uniformed services'' after ``national 
     origin'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``or because the person 
     is a member of the uniformed services'' after ``national 
     origin'';
       (3) in subsection (c), by inserting ``or because a person 
     is a member of the uniformed services,'' after ``national 
     origin,''; and
       (4) in subsection (d), by inserting ``, or because the 
     person is a member of the uniformed services,'' after 
     ``national origin''.
       (c) Discrimination in Residential Real Estate-Related 
     Transactions.--Section 805 of the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 
     3605) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``or because the person 
     is a member of the uniformed services'' after ``national 
     origin''; and
       (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``, or familial status'' 
     and inserting ``familial status, or whether a person is a 
     member of the uniformed services''.
       (d) Discrimination in the Provision of Brokerage 
     Services.--Section 806 of the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 
     3606) is amended by inserting ``or because a person is a 
     member of the uniformed services'' after ``national origin''.
       (e) Religious Organization or Private Club Exemption.--
     Section 807(a) of the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3607(a)) is 
     amended, in the first sentence by inserting ``or to persons 
     who are not members of the uniformed services'' after 
     ``national origin''.
       (f) Administration.--Section 808(e)(6) of the Fair Housing 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 3608(e)(6)) is amended, in the first sentence, 
     by inserting ``(including whether such persons and households 
     are or include a member of the uniformed services)'' after 
     ``persons and households''.
       (g) Prevention of Discrimination.--Section 901 of the Civil 
     Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3631) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``, or because the 
     person is a member of the uniformed services (as such term is 
     defined in section 802 of this Act),'' after ``national 
     origin'';
       (2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``or because a 
     person is a member of the uniformed services (as such term is 
     defined in section 802 of this Act),'' after ``national 
     origin,''; and
       (3) in subsection (c), by inserting ``or because a person 
     is a member of the uniformed services (as such term is 
     defined in section 802 of this Act),'' after ``national 
     origin,''.
       (h) Rule of Construction.--The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 
     3601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 821. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION RELATING TO THE TREATMENT OF 
                   MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES.

       ``(a) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be 
     construed to prohibit any person from--
       ``(1) making available to an individual a benefit with 
     respect to a dwelling, a residential real estate-related 
     transaction (as defined in section 805 of this Act), or a 
     service described in section 806 of this Act because the 
     individual is a member of the uniformed services; or
       ``(2) selling or renting a dwelling only to members of the 
     uniformed services.
       ``(b) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     `benefit' includes a term, condition, privilege, promotion, 
     discount, or other favorable treatment (including an 
     advertisement for such treatment) having the purpose or 
     effect of providing an advantage to a member of the uniformed 
     services.''.

     SEC. 1003. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This title shall become effective 120 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2800. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by him to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of 
medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; 
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 155, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following:

  Subtitle I--Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research on Exposure to Toxic 
                               Substances

     SEC. 391. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) Armed force.--The term ``Armed Force'' means the United 
     States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, 
     including the reserve components thereof.
       (2) Descendant.--The term ``descendant'' means, with 
     respect to an individual, the biological child, grandchild, 
     or great-grandchild of that individual.
       (3) Toxic substance.--The term ``toxic substance'' shall 
     have the meaning given that term by the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs and shall include all substances that have been 
     proven by peer reviewed scientific research or a 
     preponderance of opinion in the medical community to lead to 
     disabilities related to the exposure of an individual to 
     those substances while serving as a member of the Armed 
     Forces.

[[Page S1248]]

       (4) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

     SEC. 392. NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND 
                   RESEARCH OF HEALTH CONDITIONS OF THE 
                   DESCENDANTS OF INDIVIDUALS EXPOSED TO TOXIC 
                   SUBSTANCES DURING SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) National Center.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall select a medical center of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs to serve as the national center for the diagnosis, 
     treatment, and research of health conditions of descendants 
     of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as 
     members of the Armed Forces that are related to that exposure 
     (in this section referred to as the ``Center'').
       (2) Criteria for selection.--The Center shall be selected 
     under paragraph (1) from among medical centers of the 
     Department with expertise in diagnosing and treating 
     functional and structural birth defects and caring for 
     individuals exposed to toxic substances, or that are 
     affiliated with research medical centers or teaching 
     hospitals with such expertise, that seek to be selected under 
     this section.
       (b) Functions.--
       (1) Diagnosis and treatment.--
       (A) In general.--The Center may diagnose and treat, without 
     charge, each patient for whom the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs has made the following determinations:
       (i) The patient is a descendant of an individual who served 
     as a member of the Armed Forces.
       (ii) The individual was exposed to a toxic substance while 
     serving as a member of the Armed Forces.
       (iii) The patient is afflicted with a health condition that 
     is determined by the advisory board established in section 
     393 to be a health condition that results from the exposure 
     of that individual to that toxic substance.
       (B) Treatment.--Treatment under this section is limited to 
     treatment of health conditions for which the advisory board 
     established in section 393 has made a determination described 
     in subparagraph (A)(iii).
       (C) Additional diagnosis and treatment.--Nothing in this 
     section shall preclude a patient from receiving additional 
     diagnosis or treatment at the Center or another facility of 
     the Department in connection with other health conditions or 
     benefits to which the individual is entitled under laws 
     administered by the Secretary.
       (D) Recommendations for future treatment.--Recommendations 
     for future treatment of a patient shall be transmitted to a 
     primary care provider for that patient, with follow-up 
     consultations with the Center scheduled as appropriate.
       (E) Use of records.--
       (i) In general.--The Secretary of Defense or the head of a 
     Federal agency may make available to the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs for review records held by the Department of 
     Defense, an Armed Force, or that Federal agency, as 
     appropriate, that might assist the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs in making the determinations required by subparagraph 
     (A).
       (ii) Mechanism.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the 
     Secretary of Defense or the head of the appropriate Federal 
     agency may jointly establish a mechanism for the availability 
     and review of records by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     under clause (i).
       (2) Research.--The Center may conduct research on the 
     diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of descendants 
     of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as 
     members of the Armed Forces that are related to that 
     exposure.
       (c) Social Workers.--The Center shall employ not less than 
     one licensed clinical social worker to coordinate access of 
     patients to appropriate Federal, State, and local social and 
     healthcare programs and to handle case management.
       (d) Reimbursement for Necessary Travel and Room and 
     Board.--The Center may reimburse any parent, guardian, 
     spouse, or sibling who accompanies a patient diagnosed or 
     treated pursuant to this section for the reasonable cost of--
       (1) travel to the Center for diagnosis or treatment of the 
     patient pursuant to this section; and
       (2) room and board during the period in which the patient 
     is undergoing diagnosis or treatment at the Center pursuant 
     to this section.
       (e) Report.--Not less frequently than annually, the Center 
     shall submit a report to Congress that includes the 
     following:
       (1) A summary of the extent and nature of care provided 
     pursuant to this section.
       (2) A summary of the research efforts of the Center under 
     this section that have been completed within the previous 
     year and that are ongoing as of the date of the submission of 
     the report under this subsection.

     SEC. 393. ADVISORY BOARD.

       (a) Establishment.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall establish an advisory board (in this section 
     referred to as the ``Advisory Board'') to advise the center 
     established under section 392, to determine which health 
     conditions result from exposure to toxic substances, and to 
     study and evaluate cases of exposure of current and former 
     members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances if such 
     exposure is related the service of the member in the Armed 
     Forces.
       (b) Membership.--
       (1) Composition.--Not later than 150 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services and other heads of Federal agencies as the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs determines appropriate, select not less 
     than 13 members of the Advisory Board, of whom--
       (A) not less than three shall be members of organizations 
     exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986;
       (B) not less than one shall be--
       (i) a descendant of an individual who was exposed to toxic 
     substances while serving as a member of the Armed Forces and 
     the descendant has manifested a birth defect or functional 
     disability as a result of the exposure of that individual; or
       (ii) a parent, child, or grandchild of that descendant; and
       (C) additional members may be selected from among--
       (i) health professionals, scientists, and academics with 
     expertise in--

       (I) birth defects;
       (II) developmental disabilities;
       (III) epigenetics;
       (IV) public health;
       (V) the science of environmental exposure or environmental 
     exposure assessment; or
       (VI) the science of toxic substances;

       (ii) social workers; and
       (iii) advocates for veterans or members of the Armed 
     Forces.
       (2) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall select a Chairperson 
     from among the members of the Advisory Board.
       (3) Terms.--Each member of the Advisory Board shall serve a 
     term of two or three years as determined by the Secretary.
       (c) Duties.--
       (1) Advisory role with respect to the center.--With respect 
     to the center established under section 392, the Advisory 
     Board shall--
       (A) oversee and assess the work of the center; and
       (B) advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on--
       (i) issues related to the provision of treatment and care 
     at the center;
       (ii) issues related to the research conducted at the 
     center; and
       (iii) the particular benefits and services required by the 
     descendants of individuals exposed to toxic substances while 
     serving as members of the Armed Forces.
       (2) Determination that health conditions resulted from 
     toxic exposure.--The Advisory Board shall determine which 
     health conditions in descendants of individuals exposed to 
     toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces 
     are health conditions that resulted from the exposure of that 
     individual to that toxic substance for purposes of 
     eligibility for the following:
       (A) Treatment of that descendant at the center established 
     under section 392.
       (B) Medical care for that descendant under section 1781 of 
     title 38, United States Code.
       (C) Support for the family caregiver of that descendant 
     under section 1720G(a) of such title.
       (D) Support for the caregiver of that descendant under 
     section 1720G(b) of such title.
       (3) Study and consideration of toxic substance exposure 
     claims.--
       (A) In general.--The Advisory Board shall study and 
     evaluate claims of exposure to toxic substances by current 
     and former members of the Armed Forces that is related to the 
     service of the member in the Armed Forces.
       (B) Submission of claims.--Claims of exposure described in 
     subparagraph (A) may be submitted to the Advisory Board in 
     such form and in such manner as the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs may require by any of the following individuals or 
     entities:
       (i) A member of the Armed Forces.
       (ii) A veteran.
       (iii) A descendant of a member of the Armed Forces.
       (iv) A descendant of a veteran.
       (v) A veterans advocacy group.
       (vi) An official of the Department of Veterans Affairs with 
     responsibility or experience monitoring the health of current 
     and former members of the Armed Forces.
       (vii) An official of the Department of Defense with 
     responsibility or experience monitoring the health of current 
     and former members of the Armed Forces.
       (C) Consideration of claims.--Not later than 180 days after 
     receiving a claim submitted pursuant to subparagraph (B), the 
     Advisory Board shall consider the claim and take one of the 
     following actions:
       (i) If the Advisory Board determines that exposure to a 
     toxic substance occurred to a degree that an individual 
     exposed to that substance may have or develop a medical 
     condition that would qualify that individual for health care 
     or compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs or 
     the Department of Defense, the Advisory Board shall submit to 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a report described in 
     subparagraph (D).
       (ii) If the Advisory Board determines that further 
     consideration of the claim is necessary to adequately assess 
     the extent of exposure, the Advisory Board shall refer the 
     claim to the Office of Extramural Research

[[Page S1249]]

     established under section 394 to conduct further research and 
     report its findings to the Advisory Board.
       (iii) If the Advisory Board determines that exposure to a 
     toxic substance did not occur or occurred to a negligible 
     extent, the Advisory Board shall report such determination to 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       (D) Report.--If the Advisory Board makes a determination 
     under subparagraph (C)(i), the Advisory Board shall submit to 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs a report that contains the 
     following:
       (i) Evidence used by the Advisory Board in making the 
     determination under subparagraph (C)(i), including, if 
     appropriate, the following:

       (I) Scientific research, including any research conducted 
     by the Office of Extramural Research established under 
     section 394.
       (II) Peer-reviewed articles from scientific journals 
     relating to exposure to toxic substances.
       (III) Medical research conducted by the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or the medical 
     community.

       (ii) Recommendations on the extent to which the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense should 
     provide health care, benefits, or other compensation with 
     respect to exposure to a toxic substance to the following 
     individuals:

       (I) An individual exposed to a toxic substance as 
     determined under subparagraph (C)(i).
       (II) A descendant of that individual.

       (iii) Information on cost and attributable exposure, as 
     defined in regulations prescribed pursuant to this subtitle.
       (E) Publication of evidence.--
       (i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), the 
     Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register the evidence 
     described in clause (i) of subparagraph (D) that is submitted 
     with the report required by that subparagraph.
       (ii) Exception.--Such evidence may not be published if the 
     Secretary determines that preventing such publication--

       (I) is in the national security interest of the United 
     States; or
       (II) protects the privacy interests of individuals exposed 
     to toxic substances.

       (F) Subpoena authority.--The Advisory Board may require by 
     subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses necessary 
     to consider claims of exposure to toxic substances under this 
     paragraph.
       (G) Cooperation of federal agencies.--The head of each 
     relevant Federal agency, including the Administrator of the 
     Environmental Protection Agency, shall cooperate fully with 
     the Advisory Board for purposes of considering claims of 
     exposure to toxic substances under this paragraph.
       (d) Meetings.--The Advisory Board shall meet at the call of 
     the Chair, but not less frequently than semiannually.
       (e) Compensation.--
       (1) In general.--The members of the Advisory Board shall 
     serve without compensation.
       (2) Travel expenses.--The members of the Advisory Board 
     shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu 
     of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
     business in the performance of services for the Advisory 
     Board.
       (f) Personnel.--
       (1) In general.--The Chairperson may, without regard to the 
     civil service laws and regulations, appoint an executive 
     director of the Advisory Board, who shall be a civilian 
     employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and such 
     other personnel as may be necessary to enable the Advisory 
     Board to perform its duties.
       (2) Approval.--The appointment of an executive director 
     under paragraph (1) shall be subject to approval by the 
     Advisory Board.
       (3) Compensation.--The Chairperson may fix the compensation 
     of the executive director and other personnel without regard 
     to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 
     53 of title 5, United States Code, except that the rate of 
     pay for the executive director and other personnel may not 
     exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule 
     under section 5316 of such title.

     SEC. 394. OFFICE OF EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH.

       (a) Office.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall establish an Office of Extramural Research (in this 
     section referred to as the ``Office'')--
       (1) to conduct research on wounds, illnesses, injuries, and 
     other conditions suffered by individuals as a result of 
     exposure to toxic substances while serving as members of the 
     Armed Forces; and
       (2) to assist the Advisory Board established under section 
     393 in the consideration of claims of exposure to toxic 
     substances.
       (b) Director.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     select a Director of the Office.
       (c) Grants.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to approval by the advisory 
     council established under subsection (e), the Director may 
     award grants to reputable scientists and epidemiologists to 
     carry out this section.
       (2) Exception.--The Director may not award grants to 
     individuals or organizations associated with or having an 
     interest in a chemical company or any other organization that 
     the Secretary determines may have an interest in the 
     increased use of toxic substances.
       (d) Support to Advisory Board.--Not later than 180 days 
     after receiving a request from the Advisory Board established 
     under section 393 to review a claim of exposure pursuant to 
     subsection (c)(3)(C)(ii) of that section, the Office shall 
     submit a report to the Advisory Board with one of the 
     following determinations:
       (1) A determination that exposure to a toxic substance 
     occurred to a degree that an individual exposed to that 
     substance may have or develop a medical condition that would 
     qualify that individual for health care or compensation from 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of 
     Defense.
       (2) A determination that further study of the claim is 
     necessary, to be carried out by, or under the direction of, 
     the Office in coordination with the Advisory Board.
       (3) A determination that exposure to a toxic substance did 
     not occur or occurred to a negligible extent.
       (e) Advisory Council.--
       (1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall establish an advisory council (in this section 
     referred to as the ``Council'') for the Office established 
     under this section.
       (2) Membership.--
       (A) Composition.--
       (i) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, 
     in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services and any other heads of Federal agencies as the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines appropriate, select 
     11 members of the Council, of whom--

       (I) not less than three shall be members of organizations 
     exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(19) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986; and
       (II) additional members may be selected from among--

       (aa) environmental epidemiologists;
       (bb) academics; and
       (cc) veterans or the descendants of veterans.
       (ii) Requirements for scientists.--When considering 
     individuals who are members of the scientific community for 
     selection to the Council, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     may select only those individuals--

       (I) who have evidenced expertise in and demonstrate a 
     commitment to research that leads to peer-reviewed scientific 
     evaluation of the wounds, illnesses, injuries, and other 
     conditions that may arise from exposure to toxic substances; 
     and
       (II) who are not associated with and do not have an 
     interest in a chemical company or any other organization that 
     the Secretary determines may have an interest in the 
     increased use of toxic substances.

       (B) Chairperson.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     select a Chairperson from among the members of the Council.
       (C) Terms.--Each member of the Council shall serve a term 
     of two or three years as determined by the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs.
       (3) Duties.--The Council shall--
       (A) approve or disapprove of grants proposed to be awarded 
     by the Director pursuant to subsection (c); and
       (B) advise the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the 
     Director on--
       (i) establishing guidelines for grant proposals and 
     research proposals under this section; and
       (ii) assisting the Advisory Board established under section 
     393 in the consideration of claims of exposure to toxic 
     substances.
       (4) Meetings.--The Council shall meet at the call of the 
     Chairperson, but not less frequently than semiannually.
       (5) Compensation.--
       (A) In general.--The members of the Council shall serve 
     without compensation.
       (B) Travel expenses.--The members of the Council shall be 
     allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
     business in the performance of services for the Council.
       (f) Report.--Not later than two years after the 
     establishment of the Office under this section, the Director 
     and the Chairman of the Council shall jointly submit to the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Congress a report that 
     contains the following:
       (1) A summary of the research efforts conducted and the 
     grants awarded under this section.
       (2) A summary of the effects of exposure to toxic 
     substances studied pursuant to this section.
       (3) Recommendations for steps to be taken to care for and 
     serve--
       (A) individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving 
     as a member of the Armed Forces; and
       (B) the progeny of those individuals.

     SEC. 395. PROVISION OF DEPENDENT CARE AND CAREGIVER 
                   ASSISTANCE TO DESCENDANTS OF VETERANS EXPOSED 
                   TO CERTAIN TOXIC SUBSTANCES DURING SERVICE IN 
                   THE ARMED FORCES.

       (a) Dependent Care.--Section 1781(a) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``, and'' and inserting a 
     comma;
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the semicolon at the end 
     and inserting ``, and''; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(5) an individual who is the biological child, 
     grandchild, or great-grandchild of a

[[Page S1250]]

     veteran who the Secretary has determined was exposed to a 
     toxic substance while serving as a member of the Armed 
     Forces, if--
       ``(A) the individual has a health condition that is 
     determined by the Advisory Board established by section 393 
     of the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and 
     Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014 to be a 
     health condition that results from exposure to that toxic 
     substance,
       ``(B) the individual is homebound as a result of that 
     health condition, and
       ``(C) the Secretary determines that the veteran has or had 
     the same health condition,''.
       (b) Caregiver Assistance.--
       (1) Comprehensive assistance.--Subsection (a) of section 
     1720G is amended--
       (A) by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears (except 
     for paragraph (2)(A)) and inserting ``individual'';
       (B) by striking ``veterans'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``individuals'';
       (C) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A)(i) is a veteran or member of the Armed Forces 
     undergoing medical discharge from the Armed Forces and has a 
     serious injury (including traumatic brain injury, 
     psychological trauma, or other mental disorder) incurred or 
     aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, 
     or air service on or after September 11, 2001; or
       ``(ii) is the biological child, grandchild, or great-
     grandchild of a veteran who the Secretary has determined was 
     exposed to a toxic substance while serving as a member of the 
     Armed Forces, if--
       ``(I) the individual has a health condition that is 
     determined by the Advisory Board established by section 393 
     of the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and 
     Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014 to be a 
     health condition that results from exposure to that toxic 
     substance;
       ``(II) the individual is homebound as a result of that 
     health condition; and
       ``(III) the Secretary determines that the veteran has or 
     had the same health condition; and''; and
       (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B); 
     and
       (D) in paragraph (9)(C)(i), by striking ``veteran's'' and 
     inserting ``individual's''.
       (2) General caregiver support.--Subsection (b) of such 
     section is amended--
       (A) by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``individual'';
       (B) by striking ``veterans'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``individuals'';
       (C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``who are'' and all that 
     follows through ``of this title''; and
       (D) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as 
     clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively; and
       (ii) in the matter preceding clause (i), as redesignated by 
     clause (i), by striking ``any individual who needs'' and 
     inserting ``any individual who--
       ``(A)(i) is enrolled in the health care system established 
     under section 1705(a) of this title; or
       ``(ii) is the biological child, grandchild, or great-
     grandchild of a veteran who the Secretary has determined was 
     exposed to a toxic substance while serving as a member of the 
     Armed Forces, if--
       ``(I) the individual has a health condition that is 
     determined by the Advisory Board established by section 393 
     of the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and 
     Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014 to be a 
     health condition that results from exposure to that toxic 
     substance;
       ``(II) the individual is homebound as a result of that 
     health condition; and
       ``(III) the Secretary determines that the veteran has or 
     had the same health condition; and
       ``(B) needs''.
       (3) Definitions.--Subsection (d) of such section is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking ``eligible veteran'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``eligible individual'';
       (B) by striking ``covered veteran'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``covered individual'';
       (C) in paragraph (1), by striking ``the veteran'' and 
     inserting ``the eligible individual or covered individual'';
       (D) in paragraph (2), by striking ``the veteran'' and 
     inserting ``the eligible individual'';
       (E) in paragraph (3), by striking ``the veteran'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``the eligible individual'';
       (F) in paragraph (4), by striking ``the veteran'' and 
     inserting ``the eligible individual or covered individual''; 
     and
       (G) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) The term `toxic substance' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 391 of the Comprehensive Veterans Health and 
     Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 
     2014.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Beneficiary travel.--Section 111 is amended--
       (A) in subsection (b)(1), by adding at the end the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(G) An individual described in section 1720G(a)(2)(A)(ii) 
     of this title.''; and
       (B) in subsection (e)--
       (i) by striking ``veteran'' each place it appears (except 
     for paragraph (2)(B)) and inserting ``individual''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (2)(B)--

       (I) by striking ``a veteran'' and inserting ``an 
     individual''; and
       (II) by striking ``such veteran'' and inserting ``such 
     individual''.

       (2) Counseling, training, and mental health services.--
     Section 1782(c)(2) is amended by striking ``an eligible 
     veteran or a caregiver of a covered veteran'' and inserting 
     ``a veteran who is an eligible individual or a caregiver of a 
     veteran who is a covered individual''.

     SEC. 396. DECLASSIFICATION BY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF 
                   CERTAIN INCIDENTS OF EXPOSURE OF MEMBERS OF THE 
                   ARMED FORCES TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense may declassify 
     documents related to any known incident in which not less 
     than 100 members of the Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic 
     substance that resulted in at least one case of a disability 
     that a member of the medical profession has determined to be 
     associated with that toxic substance.
       (b) Limitation.--The declassification authorized by 
     subsection (a) shall be limited to information necessary for 
     an individual who was potentially exposed to a toxic 
     substance to determine the following:
       (1) Whether that individual was exposed to that toxic 
     substance.
       (2) The potential severity of the exposure of that 
     individual to that toxic substance.
       (3) Any potential health conditions that may have resulted 
     from exposure to that toxic substance.
       (c) Exception.--The Secretary of Defense is not required to 
     declassify documents if the Secretary determines that 
     declassification of those documents would materially and 
     immediately threaten the security of the United States.

     SEC. 397. NATIONAL OUTREACH CAMPAIGN ON POTENTIAL LONG-TERM 
                   HEALTH EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES 
                   BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND THEIR 
                   DESCENDANTS.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services, and the Secretary of Defense shall 
     jointly conduct a national outreach and education campaign 
     directed towards members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and 
     their family members to communicate the following 
     information:
       (1) Information on--
       (A) incidents of exposure of members of the Armed Forces to 
     toxic substances;
       (B) health conditions resulting from such exposure; and
       (C) the potential long-term effects of such exposure on the 
     individuals exposed to those substances and the descendants 
     of those individuals.
       (2) Information on the national center established under 
     section 392 for individuals eligible for treatment at the 
     center.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2801. Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself, Mr. Udall of New Mexico, and 
Mrs. Gillibrand) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him 
to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical services and 
benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie 
on the table; as follows:

       On page 207, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following:

                Subtitle F--VOW to Hire Heroes Extension

     SEC. 451. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``VOW to Hire Heroes 
     Extension Act of 2014''.

     SEC. 452. EXTENSION OF WORK OPPORTUNITY CREDIT FOR VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Subparagraph (B) of section 51(c)(4) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking 
     ``after December 31, 2013.'' and inserting ``after--
       ``(i) December 31, 2017, in the case of a qualified 
     veteran, and
       ``(ii) December 31, 2013, in the case of any other 
     individual.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section 
     shall apply to individuals who begin work for the employer 
     after December 31, 2013.

     SEC. 453. SIMPLIFIED CERTIFICATION OF VETERAN STATUS.

       (a) In General.--Subparagraph (D) of section 51(d)(13) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(D) Pre-screening of qualified veterans.--
       ``(i) In general.--Subparagraph (A) shall be applied 
     without regard to subclause (II) of clause (ii) thereof in 
     the case of an individual seeking treatment as a qualified 
     veteran with respect to whom the pre-screening notice 
     contains--

       ``(I) qualified veteran status documentation,
       ``(II) qualified proof of unemployment compensation, and
       ``(III) an affidavit furnished by the individual stating, 
     under penalty of perjury, that the information provided under 
     subclauses (I) and (II) is true.

       ``(ii) Qualified veteran status documentation.--For 
     purposes of clause (i), the term `qualified veteran status 
     documentation' means any documentation provided to an 
     individual by the Department of Defense or the National Guard 
     upon release or discharge from the Armed Forces which 
     includes information sufficient to establish that such 
     individual is a veteran.

[[Page S1251]]

       ``(iii) Qualified proof of unemployment compensation.--For 
     purposes of clause (i), the term `qualified proof of 
     unemployment compensation' means, with respect to an 
     individual, checks or other proof of receipt of payment of 
     unemployment compensation to such individual for periods 
     aggregating not less than 4 weeks (in the case of an 
     individual seeking treatment under paragraph (3)(A)(iii)), or 
     not less than 6 months (in the case of an individual seeking 
     treatment under clause (ii)(II) or (iv) of paragraph (3)(A)), 
     during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section 
     shall apply to individuals who begin work for the employer 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 454. CREDIT MADE AVAILABLE AGAINST PAYROLL TAXES IN 
                   CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 52(c) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
       (1) by striking ``qualified tax-exempt organizations'' in 
     the heading and inserting ``certain employers'', and
       (2) by striking ``by qualified tax-exempt organizations'' 
     and inserting ``by certain employers''.
       (b) Credit Allowed to Certain For-Profit Employers.--
     Subsection (e) of section 3111 of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986 is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``or a qualified for-profit employer'' 
     after ``If a qualified tax-exempt organization'' in paragraph 
     (1),
       (2) by striking ``with respect to whom a credit would be 
     allowable under section 38 by reason of section 51 if the 
     organization were not a qualified tax-exempt organization'' 
     in paragraph (1),
       (3) by inserting ``or for-profit employer'' after 
     ``employees of the organization'' each place it appears in 
     paragraphs (1) and (2),
       (4) by inserting ``in the case of a qualified tax-exempt 
     organization,'' before ``by only taking into account'' in 
     subparagraph (C) of paragraph (3),
       (5) by inserting ``or for-profit employer'' after ``the 
     organization'' in paragraph (4),
       (6) by redesignating subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) as 
     subparagraph (C) of such paragraph, by striking ``and'' at 
     the end of subparagraph (A) of such paragraph, and by 
     inserting after subparagraph (A) of such paragraph the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) the term `qualified for-profit employer' means, with 
     respect to a taxable year, an employer not described in 
     subparagraph (A), but only if--
       ``(i) such employer does not have profits for any of the 3 
     taxable years preceding such taxable year, and
       ``(ii) such employer elects under section 51(j) not to have 
     section 51 apply to such taxable year, and'', and
       (7) by striking ``has meaning given such term by section 
     51(d)(3)'' in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (5), as so 
     redesignated, and inserting ``means a qualified veteran 
     (within the meaning of section 51(d)(3)) with respect to whom 
     a credit would be allowable under section 38 by reason of 
     section 51 if the employer of such veteran were not a 
     qualified tax-exempt organization or a qualified for-profit 
     employer''.
       (c) Transfers to Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance 
     Trust Fund.--There are hereby appropriated to the Federal 
     Old-Age and Survivors Trust Fund and the Federal Disability 
     Insurance Trust Fund established under section 201 of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401) amounts equal to the 
     reduction in revenues to the Treasury by reason of the 
     amendments made by subsections (a) and (b). Amounts 
     appropriated by the preceding sentence shall be transferred 
     from the general fund at such times and in such manner as to 
     replicate to the extent possible the transfers which would 
     have occurred to such Trust Fund had such amendments not been 
     enacted.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) 
     and (b) shall apply to individuals who begin work for the 
     employer after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 455. REPORT.

       Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of 
     Internal Revenue, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Labor, shall report to the Congress on the effectiveness and 
     cost-effectiveness of the amendments made by sections 452, 
     453, and 454 in increasing the employment of veterans. Such 
     report shall include the results of a survey, conducted, if 
     needed, in consultation with the Veterans' Employment and 
     Training Service of the Department of Labor, to determine how 
     many veterans are hired by each employer that claims the 
     credit under section 51, by reason of subsection (d)(1)(B) 
     thereof, or section 3111(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986.

     SEC. 456. TREATMENT OF POSSESSIONS.

       (a) Payments to Possessions.--
       (1) Mirror code possessions.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     shall pay to each possession of the United States with a 
     mirror code tax system amounts equal to the loss to that 
     possession by reason of the amendments made by this subtitle. 
     Such amounts shall be determined by the Secretary of the 
     Treasury based on information provided by the government of 
     the respective possession of the United States.
       (2) Other possessions.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
     pay to each possession of the United States which does not 
     have a mirror code tax system the amount estimated by the 
     Secretary of the Treasury as being equal to the loss to that 
     possession that would have occurred by reason of the 
     amendments made by this subtitle if a mirror code tax system 
     had been in effect in such possession. The preceding sentence 
     shall not apply with respect to any possession of the United 
     States unless such possession establishes to the satisfaction 
     of the Secretary that the possession has implemented (or, at 
     the discretion of the Secretary, will implement) an income 
     tax benefit which is substantially equivalent to the income 
     tax credit in effect after the amendments made by this 
     subtitle.
       (b) Coordination With Credit Allowed Against United States 
     Income Taxes.--The credit allowed against United States 
     income taxes for any taxable year under the amendments made 
     by this subtitle to section 51 of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986 to any person with respect to any qualified veteran 
     shall be reduced by the amount of any credit (or other tax 
     benefit described in subsection (a)(2)) allowed to such 
     person against income taxes imposed by the possession of the 
     United States by reason of this section with respect to such 
     qualified veteran for such taxable year.
       (c) Definitions and Special Rules.--
       (1) Possession of the united states.--For purposes of this 
     section, the term ``possession of the United States'' 
     includes American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     and the United States Virgin Islands.
       (2) Mirror code tax system.--For purposes of this section, 
     the term ``mirror code tax system'' means, with respect to 
     any possession of the United States, the income tax system of 
     such possession if the income tax liability of the residents 
     of such possession under such system is determined by 
     reference to the income tax laws of the United States as if 
     such possession were the United States.
       (3) Treatment of payments.--For purposes of section 
     1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, the payments 
     under this section shall be treated in the same manner as a 
     refund due from credit provisions described in such section.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2802. Mr. BOOZMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by him to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical 
services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

     SECTION 918. REPEAL OF CERTAIN REDUCTIONS MADE BY THE 
                   BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT OF 2013.

       Section 403 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 (Public 
     Law 113-67) is repealed as of the date of the enactment of 
     such Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2803. Ms. WARREN (for herself, Mr. Rubio, and Mr. Markey) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 
1982, to improve the provision of medical services and benefits to 
veterans, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

       On page 367, after line 14, insert the following:

     SEC. __. PLACEMENT OF A CHAIR HONORING AMERICAN PRISONERS OF 
                   WAR/MISSING IN ACTION ON THE UNITED STATES 
                   CAPITOL GROUNDS.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) In recent years, commemorative chairs honoring American 
     Prisoners of War/Missing in Action have been placed in 
     prominent locations across the United States.
       (2) The United States Capitol Grounds are an appropriate 
     location to place a commemorative chair honoring American 
     Prisoners of War/Missing in Action.
       (b) Obtaining and Placement of Chair.--
       (1) Obtaining chair.--The Architect of the Capitol shall 
     enter into an agreement to obtain a chair featuring the logo 
     of the National League of POW/MIA Families under such terms 
     and conditions as the Architect considers appropriate and 
     consistent with applicable law.
       (2) Placement.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Architect shall place the 
     chair obtained under paragraph (1) on the United States 
     Capitol Grounds in a suitable permanent location.
       (c) Funding.--
       (1) Donations.--The Architect of the Capitol may--
       (A) enter into an agreement with any organization described 
     in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
     that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that 
     Code to solicit private donations to carry out the purposes 
     of this section; and
       (B) accept donations of funds, property, and services to 
     carry out the purposes of this section.
       (2) Costs.--All costs incurred in carrying out the purposes 
     of this section shall be paid for with private donations 
     received under paragraph (1).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2804. Ms. LANDRIEU submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 1982, to improve the provision of medical 
services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:


[[Page S1252]]


       On page 61, between lines 5 and 6, insert the following:

     SEC. 314. PROGRAM ON ESTABLISHMENT OF SEMI-INDEPENDENT LIVING 
                   COMMUNITIES FOR VETERANS AND CAREGIVERS.

       (a) Program Required.--Commencing not later than 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall implement a pilot program to assess 
     the feasibility and advisability of establishing and 
     promoting semi-independent living communities for covered 
     veterans and their caregivers.
       (b) Covered Veterans.--For purposes of this section, a 
     covered veteran is any veteran who is enrolled in the system 
     of annual patient enrollment established and operated by the 
     Secretary under section 1705 of title 38, United States Code.
       (c) Duration of Program.--The program shall be carried out 
     during the three-year period beginning on the date of the 
     commencement of the pilot program.
       (d) Locations.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot 
     program in not fewer than three sites selected by the 
     Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.
       (2) Considerations.--In selecting locations for the pilot 
     program, the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and 
     advisability of selecting locations in the following areas:
       (A) Areas that provide access to complimentary services, 
     including to services of the Veterans Administration.
       (B) Areas that allow for group and individual interaction 
     to occur through intentional community planning.
       (C) Areas in different geographic locations and regions of 
     the United States.
       (e) Limitation on Expenses.--In establishing and supporting 
     the pilot program, the Secretary may expend amounts as 
     follows:
       (1) For planning and initial implementation of a pilot 
     site, not more than $250,000.
       (2) For establishment and support of a pilot site, not more 
     than $750,000.
       (f) Repurposing of Physical Space.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to subsection (e), the Secretary 
     may, in carrying out the pilot program, authorize the 
     repurposing of existing Federally owned space as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate for purposes of the pilot 
     program.
       (2) Repurposing exception.--Existing physical space used 
     for the direct delivery of health care to patients may not be 
     repurposed under paragraph (1).
       (g) Voluntary Participation.--The participation of a 
     covered veteran in the pilot program shall be at the election 
     of the covered veteran.
       (h) Reports.--
       (1) Periodic reports.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date of the commencement of the pilot program and not less 
     frequently than once every 90 days thereafter until the 
     completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on activities carried out to 
     implement the pilot program, including outreach activities to 
     veterans and community organizations.
       (2) Annual report.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the commencement of the pilot program and not less 
     frequently than once every year thereafter until the 
     completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the pilot program detailing--
       (A) the timeline for completion, the locations selected, 
     and conclusions of the Secretary as a result of the pilot 
     program; and
       (B) recommendations for the continuation or expansion of 
     the pilot program.

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