[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 76 (Monday, May 18, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H3258-H3259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HOMELESS VETERANS' REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2015

  Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 474) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a 
five-year extension to the homeless veterans reintegration programs and 
to provide clarification regarding eligibility for services under such 
programs.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 474

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

[[Page H3259]]

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Homeless Veterans' 
     Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 2. FIVE-YEAR EXTENSION OF HOMELESS VETERANS 
                   REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.

       Section 2021(e)(F) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``2015'' and inserting ``2020''.

     SEC. 3. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES UNDER 
                   HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.

       Subsection (a) of section 2021 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking ``reintegration of homeless 
     veterans into the labor force.'' and inserting the following: 
     ``reintegration into the labor force of--''
       ``(1) homeless veterans;
       ``(2) veterans participating in the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs supported housing program for which rental assistance 
     provided pursuant to section 8(o)(19) of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)); and
       ``(3) veterans who are transitioning from being 
     incarcerated.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
add extraneous material on H.R. 474.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 474, the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs 
Reauthorization Act of 2015 would extend this very good job training 
and placement program for homeless veterans.
  This bill would also make some commonsense changes to the program's 
eligibility rules by making veterans housed under the HUD-VA supported 
housing program and formerly incarcerated veterans eligible for HVRP.
  Mr. Speaker, by making those eligibility changes, we will be offering 
training and placement services to groups of veterans who are largely 
unemployed and have significant barriers to employment. The program's 
history of a job placement rate of 70 percent has been recognized by 
many as among the best in the Federal Government and I believe warrants 
its continuation.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of H.R. 474, the Homeless 
Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015. This 
bipartisan bill reauthorizes the highly successful Homeless Veterans' 
Reintegration Program, HVRP, which provides grants to train and 
reintegrate homeless veterans into meaningful employment.
  H.R. 474 also clarifies that in addition to homeless veterans, those 
participating in the HUD-VASH voucher program and those transitioning 
from being incarcerated are also eligible to participate in HVRP. HVRP 
is unique among Federal programs, as it is dedicated to providing 
employment assistance to homeless veterans. Other programs that we hear 
much about focus on needs such as emergency shelter, food, and abuse 
treatment.
  Homeless veterans often face a variety of problems that can bar them 
from traditional employment pathways, including severe PTSD, histories 
of substance abuse, and encounters with the criminal justice system. 
HVRP service providers give our homeless veterans specialized intensive 
counseling and services to help them find a positive pathway forward, 
resulting in gainful employment.
  This bill will not incur any direct spending costs, nor will 
discretionary costs be beyond the minimal.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Wenstrup for his hard work on 
this bill, as well as Ranking Member Takano for his efforts to advance 
this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to 
support my bill, H.R. 474. I have no further speakers at this time, and 
I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, I, too, urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
474. It is a good bill that will reauthorize and clarify the Homeless 
Veterans' Reintegration Program, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. WENSTRUP. Again, Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support 
my bill, H.R. 474, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 474.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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