[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 3230, PAY OUR GUARD AND RESERVE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2014

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Conference Report on H.R. 3230, the Veterans' Access to Care through 
Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014. I also want to 
commend Chairman Sanders, Chairman Miller, Ranking Member Burr, and 
Ranking Member Michaud for their work on crafting a bipartisan bill 
that not only provides for our veterans but addresses many of the 
systemic problems within the Veteran Health Administration.
  The final conference agreement provides over $17 billion in funding 
for the Department of Veteran Affairs. This includes $10 billion in 
funding to allow veterans who live more than 40 miles away from a VA 
facility, or who have waited more than 30 days for an appointment at a 
VA medical center, to seek care with an outside provider. In addition, 
it provides the VA with $6.5 billion in funding to address its critical 
shortage of doctors and nurses and to allow the VA to enter into 27 new 
medical facility leases. By expanding access to care, increasing 
staffing needs, and authorizing new clinics, this bill is a great first 
step in tackling many of the ongoing problems that have surfaced at the 
VA in recent years.
  The Conference Report strengthens a number of other programs to help 
support our veterans and their families. It expands eligibility and 
provides veterans who experienced military sexual trauma while on 
inactive duty the opportunity to seek sexual trauma counseling. It also 
modifies the Post 9/11 GI Bill and allows veterans to receive in-state 
tuition rates at any public university, if they decide to relocate. 
Finally, today's legislation extends an important program set to expire 
later this year to provide housing for veterans struggling with 
traumatic brain injuries.
  I do, however, have reservations about a provision in this bill which 
gives the VA Secretary broad authority to fire Senior Executive Service 
(SES) employees even though the VA already has tools to remove SES 
employees who are rated unsatisfactory. However, I am encouraged that--
unlike legislation that passed the House earlier this year--the 
conference agreement does provide SES employees with an expedited 
appeals process through a Merit Systems Protection Board.
  Mr. Speaker, there is nothing more important than providing for those 
who have sacrificed so much for our country. I encourage my colleagues 
to join me in support of this bill.

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