[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H603-H614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     VETERANS EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENT ACT

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3016) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
clarify the role of podiatrists in the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3016

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans 
     Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

                     TITLE I--VETERANS HEALTH CARE

Sec. 101. Role of podiatrists in Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 102. Priority of medal of honor recipients in health care system 
              of Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 103. Improvement of care provided to newborn children.
Sec. 104. Comptroller General audit of budget of Veterans Health 
              Administration.
Sec. 105. Outreach to veterans regarding effect of certain delayed 
              payments by Department of Veterans Affairs Chief Business 
              Office.
Sec. 106. Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program on dog training 
              therapy.

 TITLE II--VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION ADMINISTRATION

Sec. 201. Establishment of Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
              Administration.
Sec. 202. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
              Transition.

     TITLE III--EDUCATION ASSISTANCE AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

Sec. 301. Modification and improvement of transfer of unused education 
              benefits to family members under Department of Veterans 
              Affairs Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program.
Sec. 302. Clarification of eligibility for Marine Gunnery Sergeant John 
              David Fry Scholarship.
Sec. 303. Approval of courses of education and training for purposes of 
              the vocational rehabilitation program of the Department 
              of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 304. Authority to prioritize vocational rehabilitation services 
              based on need.
Sec. 305. Recodification and improvement of election process for Post-
              9/11 Educational Assistance Program.
Sec. 306. Clarification of assistance provided for certain flight 
              training and other programs of education.
Sec. 307. Consideration of certain time spent receiving medical care 
              from Secretary of Defense as active duty for purposes of 
              eligibility for post-9/11 educational assistance.
Sec. 308. Work-study allowance.
Sec. 309. Vocational rehabilitation and education action plan.
Sec. 310. Reduction in redundancy and inefficiencies in vocational 
              rehabilitation claims processing.

           TITLE IV--ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

Sec. 401. Centralized reporting of veteran enrollment by certain 
              groups, districts, and consortiums of educational 
              institutions.
Sec. 402. Provision of information regarding veteran entitlement to 
              educational assistance.
Sec. 403. Role of State approving agencies.
Sec. 404. Criteria used to approve courses.
Sec. 405. Compliance surveys.

[[Page H604]]

Sec. 406. Survey of individuals using their entitlement to educational 
              assistance under the educational assistance programs 
              administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 407. Improvement of information technology of the Veterans 
              Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans 
              Affairs.
Sec. 408. Technical amendment relating to in-State tuition rate for 
              individuals to whom entitlement is transferred under All-
              Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program and Post-
              9/11 Educational Assistance.

                         TITLE V--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 501. Amount of loan guaranteed under home loan program of 
              Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 502. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement 
              service for veterans.
Sec. 503. Limitations on subcontracts under contracts with small 
              business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.
Sec. 504. Procedures for provision of certain information to State 
              veterans agencies to facilitate the furnishing of 
              assistance and benefits to veterans.

                     TITLE I--VETERANS HEALTH CARE

     SEC. 101. ROLE OF PODIATRISTS IN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       (a) Inclusion as Physician.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 74 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 7413. Treatment of podiatrists

       ``For purposes of this chapter, the term `physician' 
     includes a podiatrist.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 7412 the following new item:

``7413. Treatment of podiatrists.''.

       (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 7401(1) of such title is 
     amended by striking ``Physicians, dentists, podiatrists,'' 
     and inserting ``Physicians, dentists,''.
       (b) Qualifications.--Section 7402(b) of such title is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or of doctor of 
     osteopathy'' and inserting ``, doctor of osteopathy, or 
     doctor of podiatric medicine''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``podiatry,'' after 
     ``surgery,'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (5); and
       (3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (14) as 
     paragraphs (5) through (13), respectively.
       (c) Period of Appointment.--Section 7403(a)(2) of such 
     title is amended--
       (1) by striking subparagraph (C); and
       (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (H) as 
     subparagraphs (C) through (G), respectively.
       (d) Modification of Pay Grade.--
       (1) Grade.--The list in section 7404(b) of such title is 
     amended by striking ``CLINICAL PODIATRIST, CHIROPRACTOR, AND 
     OPTOMETRIST SCHEDULE'' and inserting ``CLINICAL CHIROPRACTOR 
     AND OPTOMETRIST SCHEDULE''.
       (2) Application.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall 
     apply with respect to a pay period of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs beginning on or after the date that is 30 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (e) Contracts for Scarce Services.--Section 7409(a) of such 
     title is amended by striking ``podiatrists,''.
       (f) Personnel Administration.--Section 7421(b) of such 
     title is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (3); and
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (8) as 
     paragraphs (3) through (7), respectively.
       (g) Medical Directors.--Section 7306(a)(4) of such title is 
     amended by inserting ``, doctor of podiatric medicine,'' 
     after ``doctor of medicine''.
       (h) Application.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     apply with respect to podiatrists employed by the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs as of the date of the enactment of this 
     Act or who are appointed on or after such date.

     SEC. 102. PRIORITY OF MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS IN HEALTH 
                   CARE SYSTEM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Enrollment Priority.--Section 1705(a) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting the following: ``and veterans who were awarded the 
     medal of honor under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 
     or section 491 of title 14.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``veterans who were 
     awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 
     of title 10 or section 491 of title 14,''.
       (b) Eligibility.--Section 1710(a)(2)(D) of such title is 
     amended by inserting after ``war'' the following: ``, who was 
     awarded the medal of honor under section 3741, 6241, or 8741 
     of title 10 or section 491 of title 14,''.
       (c) Extended Care Services.--Section 1710B(c)(2) of such 
     title is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'';
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal of honor under 
     section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of 
     title 14.''.
       (d) Copayment for Medications.--Section 1722A(a)(3) of such 
     title is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'';
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) to a veteran who was awarded the medal of honor under 
     section 3741, 6241, or 8741 of title 10 or section 491 of 
     title 14.''.
       (e) Application.--The priority of enrollment of medal of 
     honor recipients pursuant to chapter 17 of title 38, United 
     States Code, as amended by this section, shall apply to each 
     such recipient, regardless of the date on which the medal is 
     awarded.

     SEC. 103. IMPROVEMENT OF CARE PROVIDED TO NEWBORN CHILDREN.

       Section 1786 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``seven days'' and 
     inserting ``42 days''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c) Annual Report.--Not later than October 31, 2016, and 
     each year thereafter through 2020, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate a report on the health care 
     services provided under subsection (a) during the fiscal year 
     preceding the date of the report, including the number of 
     newborn children who received such services during such 
     fiscal year.''.

     SEC. 104. COMPTROLLER GENERAL AUDIT OF BUDGET OF VETERANS 
                   HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 7330B. Comptroller General audit of VHA budget

       ``(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall periodically conduct an audit of elements of the 
     budget of the Veterans Health Administration, including the 
     budget formulation, execution, allocation, and use of funds.
       ``(b) Selection of Elements.--(1) In selecting elements of 
     the budget of the Veterans Health Administration for purposes 
     of an audit under subsection (a), the Comptroller General 
     shall take into consideration--
       ``(A) knowledge of the programs of the Veterans Health 
     Administration;
       ``(B) current issues;
       ``(C) national priorities; and
       ``(D) priorities expressed by the appropriate congressional 
     committees.
       ``(2) Not later than 30 days before conducting an audit 
     under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall submit to 
     the appropriate congressional committees notice of the 
     elements selected by the Comptroller General for purposes of 
     the audit.
       ``(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this 
     section, the term `appropriate congressional committees' 
     means--
       ``(1) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee on 
     Appropriations, and the Committee on the Budget of the 
     Senate; and
       ``(2) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee on 
     Appropriations, and the Committee on the Budget of the House 
     of Representatives.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 7330A the following new item:

``7330B. Comptroller General audit of VHA budget.''.

     SEC. 105. OUTREACH TO VETERANS REGARDING EFFECT OF CERTAIN 
                   DELAYED PAYMENTS BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICE.

       (a) Outreach.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     conduct outreach, including through national and local 
     veterans service organizations, to inform veterans of how to 
     resolve credit issues caused by delayed payment of a claim 
     for emergency hospital care, medical services, or other 
     emergency health care furnished through a non-Department of 
     Veterans Affairs provider. The Secretary shall establish a 
     toll-free telephone number for veterans to report such credit 
     issues to the Chief Business Office of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--During the five-year period beginning on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall annually submit to Congress a report 
     on the effectiveness of the Chief Business Office in 
     providing timely payment of proper invoices for emergency 
     hospital care, medical services, or other emergency health 
     care furnished through non-Department of Veterans Affairs 
     providers by the required payment date during both the five-
     year period preceding the date of the report and the one-year 
     period preceding such date. For any part of the period 
     covered by a report under this subsection that occurred 
     before October 1, 2014, the report shall evaluate the 
     provision of such payments by the Veterans Integrated Service 
     Networks.
       (2) Matters included.--The reports under paragraph (1) 
     shall include, for each period covered by the report, the 
     following:
       (A) The number of veterans who contacted the Secretary 
     regarding a delayed payment that negatively affected, or will 
     potentially negatively affect, the credit of the veteran.
       (B) The total amount of interest penalties paid by the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs

[[Page H605]]

     under section 3902 of title 31, United States Code, by reason 
     of a delayed payment.
       (C) The number of proper invoices submitted, listed in a 
     table for each quarter and fiscal year of each such period 
     that includes--
       (i) the total amount owed by the Secretary under the proper 
     invoices;
       (ii) the payment status of each proper invoice, as of the 
     date of the report; and
       (iii) the period that elapsed until each proper invoice was 
     paid, including an explanation of any delayed payment.
       (D) Any comments regarding delayed payments made by medical 
     providers.
       (E) A description of the best practices that the Chief 
     Business Office can carry out to provide timely payment of a 
     proper invoice, including a plan to improve such timely 
     payments.
       (c) Quarterly Reports on Pending Claims.--During the five-
     year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Chief Business Office of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs shall submit to Congress quarterly reports on the 
     number of pending claims for reimbursement for emergency 
     hospital care, medical services, and other emergency health 
     care furnished through non-Department of Veterans Affairs 
     providers. Each such report shall include each of the 
     following:
       (1) The total number of such pending claims for each 
     hospital system of the Department, as of the last day of the 
     quarter covered by the report.
       (2) The total number of veterans who submitted such a 
     pending claim in each State, as of such day.
       (3) The aggregate amount of all such pending claims in each 
     State, as of such day.
       (4) As of such day--
       (A) the number of such pending claims that have been 
     pending for 30 days or longer;
       (B) the number of such pending claims that have been 
     pending for 90 days or longer; and
       (C) the number of such pending claims that have been 
     pending for 365 days or longer.
       (5) For each hospital system, for the quarter covered by 
     the report--
       (A) the number of claims for reimbursement for emergency 
     hospital care, medical services, and other emergency health 
     care furnished through non-Department of Veterans Affairs 
     providers approved during such quarter;
       (B) the number of such claims denied during such quarter; 
     and
       (C) the number of such claims denied listed by each denial 
     reason group.
       (d) Comptroller General Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a study that evaluates the effectiveness 
     of the Chief Business Office in providing timely payment of a 
     proper invoice for emergency hospital care, medical services, 
     or other emergency health care furnished through non-
     Department of Veterans Affairs providers by the required 
     payment date.
       (2) Submittal.--The Comptroller General shall submit to 
     Congress a report on the study conducted under paragraph (1), 
     including the total amount of interest penalties paid by the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs under section 3902 of title 31, 
     United States Code, by reason of a delayed payment.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``delayed payment'' means a proper invoice 
     that is not paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs until 
     after the required payment date.
       (2) The term ``proper invoice'' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 3901(a) of title 31, United States Code.
       (3) The term ``required payment date'' means the date that 
     payment is due for a contract pursuant to section 3903(a) of 
     title 31, United States Code.

     SEC. 106. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM ON DOG 
                   TRAINING THERAPY.

       (a) In General.--Commencing not later than 120 days after 
     the date of the enactment of the Act, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program under which 
     the Secretary shall enter into a contract with one or more 
     appropriate non-government entities for the purpose of 
     assessing the effectiveness of addressing post-deployment 
     mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms 
     through a therapeutic medium of training service dogs for 
     veterans with disabilities.
       (b) Duration of Pilot Program.--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.
       (c) Locations of Pilot Program.--In entering into contracts 
     for purposes of the pilot program, the Secretary shall seek 
     to enter into contracts with appropriate non-government 
     entities located in close proximity to at least three but not 
     more than five medical centers of the Department.
       (d) Appropriate Non-Government Entities.--For purposes of 
     the pilot program, an appropriate non-government entity is an 
     entity that is certified in the training and handling of 
     service dogs and that has a training area that would be 
     appropriate for use in educating veterans with mental health 
     conditions in the art and science of service dog training and 
     handling. Such training area shall--
       (1) include a dedicated space that is suitable for grooming 
     and training dogs indoors;
       (2) be wheelchair accessible;
       (3) include classroom or lecture space;
       (4) include office space for staff;
       (5) include a suitable space for storing training 
     equipment;
       (6) provide for periodic use of other training areas for 
     training the dogs with wheelchairs and conducting other 
     exercises;
       (7) include outdoor exercise and toileting space for dogs; 
     and
       (8) provide transportation for weekly field trips to train 
     dogs in other environments.
       (e) Design of Pilot Program.--Each contract entered into 
     under subsection (a) shall provide that the non-government 
     entity shall--
       (1) ensure that veterans participating in the program 
     receive training from certified service dog training 
     instructors;
       (2) ensure that in selecting assistance dogs for use in the 
     program, dogs residing in animal shelters or foster homes are 
     looked at as an option, if appropriate, and ensure that all 
     dogs used in the program have adequate temperament and health 
     clearances;
       (3) ensure that each service dog in training participating 
     in the pilot program is taught all essential commands 
     pertaining to service dog skills;
       (4) ensure that each service dog in training lives at the 
     pilot program site or a volunteer foster home in the vicinity 
     of such site while receiving training;
       (5) ensure that the pilot program involves both lecture of 
     service dog training methodologies and practical hands-on 
     training and grooming of service dogs; and
       (6) ensure that the pilot program is designed to--
       (A) maximize the therapeutic benefits to veterans 
     participating in the program; and
       (B) provide well-trained service dogs to veterans with 
     disabilities; and
       (7) in hiring service dog training instructors to carry out 
     training under the pilot program, give a preference to 
     veterans who have successfully graduated from post-traumatic 
     stress disorder or other residential treatment programs and 
     who have received adequate certification in service dog 
     training.
       (f) Administration.--In order to carry out the pilot 
     program under section (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall--
       (1) administer the program through the Recreation Therapy 
     Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs under the 
     direction of a certified recreational therapist with 
     sufficient administrative experience to oversee the pilot 
     program; and
       (2) establish a director of service dog training with a 
     background working in social services, experience in teaching 
     others to train service dogs in a vocational setting, and at 
     least one year of experience working with veterans or active 
     duty service members with post-traumatic stress disorder in a 
     clinical setting.
       (g) Veteran Eligibility.--The Secretary shall select 
     veterans for participation in the pilot program. A veteran 
     with post-traumatic stress disorder or other post-deployment 
     mental health condition may volunteer to participate in the 
     pilot program, if the Secretary determines that there are 
     adequate program resources available for such veteran at the 
     pilot program site. Veterans may participate in the pilot 
     program in conjunction with the compensated work therapy 
     program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (h) Collection of Data.--The Secretary shall collect data 
     on the pilot program required under subsection (a) to 
     determine how effective the program is for the veterans 
     participating in the program. Such data shall include data to 
     determine how effectively the program assists veterans in--
       (1) reducing stigma associated with post-traumatic stress 
     disorder or other post-deployment mental health condition;
       (2) improving emotional regulation;
       (3) improving patience;
       (4) instilling or re-establishing a sense of purpose;
       (5) providing an opportunity to help fellow veterans;
       (6) reintegrating into the community;
       (7) exposing the dog to new environments and in doing so, 
     helping the veteran reduce social isolation and withdrawal;
       (8) building relationship skills, including parenting 
     skills;
       (9) relaxing the hyper-vigilant survival state;
       (10) improving sleep patterns; and
       (11) enabling veterans to decrease the use of pain 
     medication.
       (i) Reports to Congress.--Not later than one year after the 
     date of the commencement of the pilot program under 
     subsection (a), and each year thereafter for the duration of 
     the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
     report on the pilot program. Each such report shall include--
       (1) the number of veterans participating in the pilot 
     program;
       (2) a description of the services carried out under the 
     pilot program;
       (3) the effects that participating in the pilot program has 
     on the following--
       (A) symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and post-
     deployment adjustment difficulties, including depression, 
     maintenance of sobriety, suicidal ideations, and 
     homelessness;
       (B) potentially relevant physiological markers that 
     possibly relate to the interactions with the service dogs;
       (C) family dynamics;
       (D) insomnia and pain management; and
       (E) overall well-being; and
       (4) the recommendations of the Secretary with respect to 
     the extension or expansion of the pilot program.

[[Page H606]]

       (j) Definition.--For the purposes of this section, the term 
     ``service dog training instructor'' means an instructor who 
     provides the direct training of veterans with post-traumatic 
     stress disorder and other post-deployment issues in the art 
     and science of service dog training and handling.

 TITLE II--VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION ADMINISTRATION

     SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND 
                   TRANSITION ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
     Administration.--
       (1) In general.--Part V of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

      ``CHAPTER 80--VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION 
                             ADMINISTRATION

``Sec.
``8001. Organization of Administration.
``8002. Functions of Administration.

     ``Sec. 8001. Organization of Administration

       ``(a) Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
     Administration.--There is in the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs a Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
     Administration. The primary function of the Veterans Economic 
     Opportunity and Transition Administration is the 
     administration of the programs of the Department that provide 
     assistance related to economic opportunity to veterans and 
     their dependents and survivors.
       ``(b) Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity and 
     Transition.--The Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
     Administration is under the Under Secretary for Veterans 
     Economic Opportunity and Transition, who is directly 
     responsible to the Secretary for the operations of the 
     Administration.

     ``Sec. 8002. Functions of Administration

       ``The Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
     Administration is responsible for the administration of the 
     following programs of the Department:
       ``(1) Vocational rehabilitation and employment programs.
       ``(2) Educational assistance programs.
       ``(3) Veterans' housing loan and related programs.
       ``(4) The verification of small businesses owned and 
     controlled by veterans pursuant to subsection (f) of section 
     8127 of this title, including the administration of the 
     database of veteran-owned businesses described in such 
     subsection.
       ``(5) The Transition Assistance Program under section 1144 
     of title 10.
       ``(6) Any other program of the Department that the 
     Secretary determines appropriate.''.
       (2) Clerical amendments.--The tables of chapters at the 
     beginning of title 38, United States Code, and of part V of 
     title 38, United States Code, are each amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to chapter 79 the following new item:

``80.  Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administ8001''.....

       (b) Effective Date.--Chapter 80 of title 38, United States 
     Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on 
     October 1, 2017.
       (c) Full-Time Employees.--For fiscal years 2017 and 2018, 
     the total number of full-time equivalent employees authorized 
     for the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans 
     Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, as 
     established under chapter 80 of title 38, United States Code, 
     as added by subsection (a), may not exceed 21,913.

     SEC. 202. UNDER SECRETARY FOR VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY 
                   AND TRANSITION.

       (a) Under Secretary.--
       (1) In general.--Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, 
     is amended by inserting after section 306 the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic 
       Opportunity and Transition

       ``(a) Under Secretary.--There is in the Department an Under 
     Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition, 
     who is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
     consent of the Senate. The Under Secretary for Veterans 
     Economic Opportunity and Transition shall be appointed 
     without regard to political affiliation or activity and 
     solely on the basis of demonstrated ability in--
       ``(1) information technology; and
       ``(2) the administration of programs within the Veterans 
     Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration or 
     programs of similar content and scope.
       ``(b) Responsibilities.--The Under Secretary for Veterans 
     Economic Opportunity and Transition is the head of, and is 
     directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of, 
     the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
     Administration.
       ``(c) Vacancies.--(1) Whenever a vacancy in the position of 
     Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
     Transition occurs or is anticipated, the Secretary shall 
     establish a commission to recommend individuals to the 
     President for appointment to the position.
       ``(2) A commission established under this subsection shall 
     be composed of the following members appointed by the 
     Secretary:
       ``(A) Three persons representing education and training, 
     vocational rehabilitation, employment, real estate, mortgage 
     finance and related industries, and survivor benefits 
     activities affected by the Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
     Transition Administration.
       ``(B) Two persons representing veterans served by the 
     Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.
       ``(C) Two persons who have experience in the management of 
     private sector benefits programs of similar content and scope 
     to the economic opportunity and transition programs of the 
     Department.
       ``(D) The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       ``(E) The chairman of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on 
     Education formed under section 3692 of this title.
       ``(F) One person who has held the position of Under 
     Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition, 
     if the Secretary determines that it is desirable for such 
     person to be a member of the commission.
       ``(3) A commission established under this subsection shall 
     recommend at least three individuals for appointment to the 
     position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
     and Transition. The commission shall submit all 
     recommendations to the Secretary. The Secretary shall forward 
     the recommendations to the President and the Committees on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives 
     with any comments the Secretary considers appropriate. 
     Thereafter, the President may request the commission to 
     recommend additional individuals for appointment.
       ``(4) The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs who performs personnel management and 
     labor relations functions shall serve as the executive 
     secretary of a commission established under this subsection.
       ``(d) Qualifications of Recommended Individuals.--Each 
     individual recommended to the President by the commission for 
     appointment to the position of Under Secretary for Veterans 
     Economic Opportunity and Transition shall be an individual 
     who has held a senior level position in the private sector 
     with responsibilities relating to at least one of the 
     following:
       ``(1) Education policy.
       ``(2) Vocational rehabilitation.
       ``(3) Employment.
       ``(4) Job placement.
       ``(5) Home loan finance.
       ``(6) Small business development.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 306 the following new item:

``306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
              Transition.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Title 38, United States Code, 
     is further amended--
       (1) in section 306(c)(2), by striking subparagraphs (A) and 
     (E) and redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (F), 
     as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;
       (2) in section 317(d)(2), by inserting after ``Under 
     Secretary for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under 
     Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
     Transition,'';
       (3) in section 318(d)(2), by inserting after ``Under 
     Secretary for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under 
     Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
     Transition,'';
       (4) in section 516(e)(2)(C), by striking ``Health and the 
     Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, the 
     Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for 
     Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
       (5) in section 541(a)(2)(B), by striking ``Health and the 
     Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, the 
     Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for 
     Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
       (6) in section 542(a)(2)(B)(iii), by striking ``Health and 
     the Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, 
     the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for 
     Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
       (7) in section 544(a)(2)(B)(vi), by striking ``Health and 
     the Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, 
     the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for 
     Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
       (8) in section 709(c)(2)(A), by inserting after ``Under 
     Secretary for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under 
     Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
     Transition,'';
       (9) in section 7701(a), by inserting after ``assistance'' 
     the following: ``, other than assistance related to Economic 
     Opportunity and Transition,''; and
       (10) in section 7703, by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) 
     and redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (2) 
     and (3), respectively.
       (c) Effective Date.--Section 306A of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a), and the amendments 
     made by this section, shall take effect on October 1, 2017.

     TITLE III--EDUCATION ASSISTANCE AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

     SEC. 301. MODIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSFER OF UNUSED 
                   EDUCATION BENEFITS TO FAMILY MEMBERS UNDER 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POST-9/11 
                   EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) Rate of Payment.--Subsection (h)(3)(B) of section 3319 
     of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
     before the period at the end the following: ``, except that 
     the amount of the monthly stipend described in subsection 
     (c)(1)(B) or (g)(3)(A)(ii) of section 3313, as the case may 
     be, shall be payable in an amount equal to 50 percent of

[[Page H607]]

     the amount of such stipend that would otherwise be payable 
     under this chapter to the individual making the transfer''.
       (b) Applicability.--The amendment made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to an election to transfer 
     entitlement under section 3319 of title 38, United States 
     Code, that is made on or after the date that is 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 302. CLARIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR MARINE GUNNERY 
                   SERGEANT JOHN DAVID FRY SCHOLARSHIP.

       (a) In General.--Section 701(d) of the Veterans Access, 
     Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 
     128 Stat. 1796; 38 U.S.C. 3311 note) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(d) Applicability.--
       ``(1) In general.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as 
     applicable, commencing on or after January 1, 2015.
       ``(2) Deaths that occurred between september 11, 2001, and 
     december 31, 2005.--For purposes of section 3311(f)(2) of 
     title 38, United States Code, any member of the Armed Forces 
     who died during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, 
     and ending on December 31, 2005, is deemed to have died on 
     January 1, 2006.''.
       (b) Election on Receipt of Certain Benefits.--Section 
     3311(f) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``A surviving spouse'' 
     and inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (4), a 
     surviving spouse'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
     paragraph (4):
       ``(4) Exception for certain elections.--
       ``(A) In general.--An election made under paragraph (3) by 
     a spouse described in subparagraph (B) may not be treated as 
     irrevocable if such election occurred before the date of the 
     enactment of this paragraph.
       ``(B) Eligible surviving spouse.--A spouse described in 
     this subparagraph is an individual--
       ``(i) who is entitled to assistance under subsection (a) 
     pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection (b); and
       ``(ii) who was the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces 
     who died during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, 
     and ending on December 31, 2005.''.
       (c) Technical Amendment.--Paragraph (5) of subsection (f) 
     of section 3311 of title 38, United States Code, as 
     redesignated by subsection (b)(2), is amended by striking 
     ``that paragraph'' and inserting ``paragraph (9) of 
     subsection (b)''.
       (d) Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program.--
     Section 3317(a) of such title is amended by striking 
     ``paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 3311(b)'' and inserting 
     ``paragraphs (1), (2), and (9) of section 3311(b) of this 
     title''.

     SEC. 303. APPROVAL OF COURSES OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR 
                   PURPOSES OF THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION 
                   PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) In General.--Section 3104(b) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     sentence: ``To the maximum extent practicable, a course of 
     education or training may be pursued by a veteran as part of 
     a rehabilitation program under this chapter only if the 
     course is approved for purposes of chapter 30 or 33 of this 
     title. The Secretary may waive the requirement under the 
     preceding sentence to the extent the Secretary determines 
     appropriate.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to a course of education or training 
     pursued by a veteran who first begins a program of 
     rehabilitation under chapter 31 of title 38, United States 
     Code, on or after the date that is one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 304. AUTHORITY TO PRIORITIZE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION 
                   SERVICES BASED ON NEED.

       Section 3104 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by 
     section 303, is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subsection:
       ``(c)(1) The Secretary shall have the authority to 
     administer this chapter by prioritizing the provision of 
     services under this chapter based on need, as determined by 
     the Secretary. In evaluating need for purposes of this 
     subsection, the Secretary shall consider disability ratings, 
     the severity of employment handicaps, qualification for a 
     program of independent living, income, and any other factor 
     the Secretary determines appropriate.
       ``(2) Not later than 90 days before making any changes to 
     the prioritization of the provision of services under this 
     chapter as authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
     shall submit to Congress a plan describing such changes.''.

     SEC. 305. RECODIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELECTION PROCESS 
                   FOR POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 33 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 3326. Election to receive educational assistance

       ``(a) Individuals Eligible to Elect Participation in Post-
     9/11 Educational Assistance.--An individual may elect to 
     receive educational assistance under this chapter if such 
     individual--
       ``(1) as of August 1, 2009--
       ``(A) is entitled to basic educational assistance under 
     chapter 30 of the title and has used, but retains unused, 
     entitlement under that chapter;
       ``(B) is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 
     107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 and has used, but retains 
     unused, entitlement under the applicable chapter;
       ``(C) is entitled to basic educational assistance under 
     chapter 30 of this title but has not used any entitlement 
     under that chapter;
       ``(D) is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 
     107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10 but has not used any 
     entitlement under such chapter;
       ``(E) is a member of the Armed Forces who is eligible for 
     receipt of basic educational assistance under chapter 30 this 
     title and is making contributions toward such assistance 
     under section 3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title; or
       ``(F) is a member of the Armed Forces who is not entitled 
     to basic educational assistance under chapter 30 of this 
     title by reason of an election under section 3011(c)(1) or 
     3012(d)(1) of this title; and
       ``(2) as of the date of the individual's election under 
     this paragraph, meets the requirements for entitlement to 
     educational assistance under this chapter.
       ``(b) Cessation of Contributions Toward GI Bill.--Effective 
     as of the first month beginning on or after the date of an 
     election under subsection (a) of an individual described by 
     paragraph (1)(E) of that subsection, the obligation of the 
     individual to make contributions under section 3011(b) or 
     3012(c) of this title, as applicable, shall cease, and the 
     requirements of such section shall be deemed to be no longer 
     applicable to the individual.
       ``(c) Revocation of Remaining Transferred Entitlement.--
       ``(1) Election to revoke.--If, on the date an individual 
     described in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(C) of subsection (a) 
     makes an election under that subsection, a transfer of the 
     entitlement of the individual to basic educational assistance 
     under section 3020 of this title is in effect and a number of 
     months of the entitlement so transferred remain unutilized, 
     the individual may elect to revoke all or a portion of the 
     entitlement so transferred that remains unutilized.
       ``(2) Availability of revoked entitlement.--Any entitlement 
     revoked by an individual under this paragraph shall no longer 
     be available to the dependent to whom transferred, but shall 
     be available to the individual instead for educational 
     assistance under chapter 33 of this title in accordance with 
     the provisions of this section.
       ``(3) Availability of unrevoked entitlement.--Any 
     entitlement described in paragraph (1) that is not revoked by 
     an individual in accordance with that paragraph shall remain 
     available to the dependent or dependents concerned in 
     accordance with the current transfer of such entitlement 
     under section 3020 of this title.
       ``(d) Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and except as 
     provided in subsection (e), an individual making an election 
     under subsection (a) shall be entitled to educational 
     assistance under this chapter in accordance with the 
     provisions of this chapter, instead of basic educational 
     assistance under chapter 30 this title, or educational 
     assistance under chapter 107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as 
     applicable.
       ``(2) Limitation on entitlement for certain individuals.--
     In the case of an individual making an election under 
     subsection (a) who is described by paragraph (1)(A) of that 
     subsection, the number of months of entitlement of the 
     individual to educational assistance under this chapter 33 
     shall be the number of months equal to--
       ``(A) the number of months of unused entitlement of the 
     individual under chapter 30 of this title, as of the date of 
     the election, plus
       ``(B) the number of months, if any, of entitlement revoked 
     by the individual under subsection (c)(1).
       ``(e) Continuing Entitlement to Educational Assistance Not 
     Available Under 9/11 Assistance Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the event educational assistance to 
     which an individual making an election under subsection (a) 
     would be entitled under chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 
     107, 1606, or 1607 of title 10, as applicable, is not 
     authorized to be available to the individual under the 
     provisions of this chapter the individual shall remain 
     entitled to such educational assistance in accordance with 
     the provisions of the applicable chapter.
       ``(2) Charge for use of entitlement.--The utilization by an 
     individual of entitlement under paragraph (1) shall be 
     chargeable against the entitlement of the individual to 
     educational assistance under this chapter at the rate of one 
     month of entitlement under this chapter for each month of 
     entitlement utilized by the individual under paragraph (1) 
     (as determined as if such entitlement were utilized under the 
     provisions of chapter 30 of this title, or chapter 107, 1606, 
     or 1607 of title 10, as applicable).
       ``(f) Additional Post-9/11 Assistance for Members Having 
     Made Contributions Toward GI Bill.--
       ``(1) Additional assistance.--In the case of an individual 
     making an election under subsection (a) who is described by 
     subparagraph (A), (C), or (E) of paragraph (1) of that 
     subsection, the amount of educational assistance payable to 
     the individual under this chapter 33 as a monthly stipend 
     payable under paragraph (1)(B) of section 3313(c) of

[[Page H608]]

     this title, or under paragraphs (2) through (7) of that 
     section (as applicable), shall be the amount otherwise 
     payable as a monthly stipend under the applicable paragraph 
     increased by the amount equal to--
       ``(A) the total amount of contributions toward basic 
     educational assistance made by the individual under section 
     3011(b) or 3012(c) of this title, as of the date of the 
     election, multiplied by
       ``(B) the fraction--
       ``(i) the numerator of which is--

       ``(I) the number of months of entitlement to basic 
     educational assistance under chapter 30 of this title 
     remaining to the individual at the time of the election; plus
       ``(II) the number of months, if any, of entitlement under 
     such chapter 30 revoked by the individual under subsection 
     (c)(1); and

       ``(ii) the denominator of which is 36 months.
       ``(2) Months of remaining entitlement for certain 
     individuals.--In the case of an individual covered by 
     paragraph (1) who is described by subsection (a)(1)(E), the 
     number of months of entitlement to basic educational 
     assistance remaining to the individual for purposes of 
     paragraph (1)(B)(i)(II) shall be 36 months.
       ``(3) Timing of payment.--The amount payable with respect 
     to an individual under paragraph (1) shall be paid to the 
     individual together with the last payment of the monthly 
     stipend payable to the individual under paragraph (1)(B) of 
     section 3313(c) of this title, or under subsections (b) 
     through (g) of that section (as applicable), before the 
     exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to educational 
     assistance under this chapter.
       ``(g) Continuing Entitlement to Additional Assistance for 
     Critical Skills or Speciality and Additional Service.--An 
     individual making an election under subsection (a)(1) who, at 
     the time of the election, is entitled to increased 
     educational assistance under section 3015(d) of this title, 
     or section 16131(i) of title 10, or supplemental educational 
     assistance under subchapter III of chapter 30 of this title, 
     shall remain entitled to such increased educational 
     assistance or supplemental educational assistance in the 
     utilization of entitlement to educational assistance under 
     this chapter, in an amount equal to the quarter, semester, or 
     term, as applicable, equivalent of the monthly amount of such 
     increased educational assistance or supplemental educational 
     assistance payable with respect to the individual at the time 
     of the election.
       ``(h) Alternative Election by Secretary.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the case of an individual who, on or 
     after January 1, 2016, submits to the Secretary an election 
     under this section that the Secretary determines is clearly 
     against the interests of the individual, or who fails to make 
     an election under this section, the Secretary may make an 
     alternative election on behalf of the individual that the 
     Secretary determines is in the best interests of the 
     individual.
       ``(2) Notice.--If the Secretary makes an election on behalf 
     of an individual under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
     notify the individual by not later than seven days after 
     making such election and shall provide the individual with a 
     30-day period, beginning on the date of the individual's 
     receipt of such notice, during which the individual may 
     modify or revoke the election made by the Secretary on the 
     individual's behalf. The Secretary shall include, as part of 
     such notice, a clear statement of why the alternative 
     election made by the Secretary is in the best interests of 
     the individual as compared to the election submitted by the 
     individual. The Secretary shall provide the notice required 
     under this paragraph by electronic means whenever possible.
       ``(i) Irrevocability of Elections.--An election under 
     subsection (a) or (c)(1) is irrevocable.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new item:

``3326. Election to receive educational assistance.''.

       (c) Conforming Repeal.--Subsection (c) of section 5003 of 
     the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 
     (Public Law 110-252; 38 U.S.C. 3301 note) is hereby repealed.

     SEC. 306. CLARIFICATION OF ASSISTANCE PROVIDED FOR CERTAIN 
                   FLIGHT TRAINING AND OTHER PROGRAMS OF 
                   EDUCATION.

       (a) Flight Training.--Subsection (c)(1)(A) of section 3313 
     of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in clause (i)--
       (A) by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) 
     and (bb), respectively;
       (B) by striking ``In the case of a program of education 
     pursued at a public institution of higher learning'' and 
     inserting ``(I) Subject to subclause (II), in the case of a 
     program of education pursued at a public institution of 
     higher learning not described in clause (ii)(II)(bb)''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
       ``(II) In determining the actual net cost for in-State 
     tuition and fees pursuant to subclause (I), the Secretary may 
     not pay for tuition and fees relating to flight training.''; 
     and
       (2) in clause (ii)--
       (A) in subclause (I), by redesignating items (aa) and (bb) 
     as subitems (AA) and (BB), respectively;
       (B) in subclause (II), by redesignating items (aa) and (bb) 
     as subitems (AA) and (BB), respectively;
       (C) by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) 
     and (bb), respectively;
       (D) by striking ``In the case of a program of education 
     pursued at a non-public or foreign institution of higher 
     learning'' and inserting ``(I) In the case of a program of 
     education described in subclause (II)''; and
       (E) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
       ``(II) A program of education described in this subclause 
     is any of the following:

       ``(aa) A program of education pursued at a non-public or 
     foreign institution of higher learning.
       ``(bb) A program of education pursued at a public 
     institution of higher learning in which flight training is 
     required to earn the degree being pursued (including with 
     respect to a dual major, concentration, or other element of 
     such a degree).''.

       (b) Certain Programs of Education Carried Out Under 
     Contract.--Section 3313(c)(1)(A)(ii)(II) of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by subsection (a)(2)(E), is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new item:

       ``(cc) A program of education pursued at a public 
     institution of higher learning in which the public 
     institution of higher learning enters into a contract or 
     agreement with an entity (other than another public 
     institution of higher learning) to provide such program of 
     education or a portion of such program of education.''.

       (c) Application.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided by paragraph (2), the 
     amendments made by subsection (a) and (b) shall apply with 
     respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, 
     commencing on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Special rule for current students.--In the case of an 
     individual who, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     is using educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, 
     United States Code, to pursue a course of education that 
     includes a program of education described in item (bb) or 
     (cc) of section 3313(c)(1)(A)(ii)(II) of title 38, United 
     States Code, as added by subsections (a) and (b), 
     respectively, the amendment made by such subsection shall 
     apply with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as 
     applicable, commencing on or after the date that is two years 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 307. CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN TIME SPENT RECEIVING 
                   MEDICAL CARE FROM SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AS 
                   ACTIVE DUTY FOR PURPOSES OF ELIGIBILITY FOR 
                   POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 3301(1)(B) of title 38, United 
     States Code, is amended by inserting ``12301(h),'' after 
     ``12301(g),''.
       (b) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to active duty service by a member 
     of a reserve component covered by section 12301(h) of title 
     10, United States, beginning on or after the date that is 180 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 308. WORK-STUDY ALLOWANCE.

       Section 3485(a)(4) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``June 30, 2013'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``June 30, 2013, or the period beginning on 
     June 30, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2021''.

     SEC. 309. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION ACTION 
                   PLAN.

        Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop and 
     publish an action plan for improving the services and 
     assistance provided under chapter 31 of title 38, United 
     States Code. Such plan shall include each of the following:
       (1) A comprehensive analysis of, and recommendations and a 
     proposed implementation plan for remedying workload 
     management challenges at regional offices of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs, including steps to reduce counselor 
     caseloads of veterans participating in a rehabilitation 
     program under such chapter, particularly for counselors who 
     are assisting veterans with traumatic brain injury and post-
     traumatic stress disorder and counselors with educational and 
     vocational counseling workloads.
       (2) A comprehensive analysis of the reasons for the 
     disproportionately low percentage of veterans with service-
     connected disabilities who served in the Armed Forces after 
     September 11, 2001, who opt to participate in a 
     rehabilitation program under such chapter relative to the 
     percentage of such veterans who use their entitlement to 
     educational assistance under chapter 33 of title 38, United 
     States Code, including an analysis of barriers to timely 
     enrollment in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of 
     such title and of any barriers to a veteran enrolling in the 
     program of that veteran's choice.
       (3) Recommendations and a proposed implementation plan for 
     encouraging more veterans with service-connected disabilities 
     who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, to 
     participate in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of 
     such title.
       (4) A national staff training program for vocational 
     rehabilitation counselors of the Department that includes the 
     provision of--
       (A) training to assist counselors in understanding the very 
     profound disorientation experienced by warriors whose lives 
     and life-plans have been upended and out of their control 
     because of their injury;

[[Page H609]]

       (B) training to assist counselors in working in partnership 
     with veterans on individual rehabilitation plans; and
       (C) training on post-traumatic stress disorder and other 
     mental health conditions and on moderate to severe traumatic 
     brain injury that is designed to improve the ability of such 
     counselors to assist veterans with these conditions, 
     including by providing information on the broad spectrum of 
     such conditions and the effect of such conditions on an 
     individual's abilities and functional limitations.

     SEC. 310. REDUCTION IN REDUNDANCY AND INEFFICIENCIES IN 
                   VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION CLAIMS PROCESSING.

       (a) Vocational Rehabilitation Claims.--The Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall reduce redundancy and inefficiencies 
     in the use of information technology to process claims for 
     rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of title 38, United 
     States Code, by--
       (1) ensuring that all payments for and on behalf of 
     veterans participating in a rehabilitation program under such 
     chapter are only processed and paid out of one corporate 
     information technology system, in order to eliminate the 
     redundancy of multiple information technology payment 
     systems; and
       (2) enhancing the information technology system supporting 
     veterans participating in such a program to support more 
     accurate accounting of services and outcomes for such 
     veterans.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for 
     fiscal year 2016 $10,000,000 to carry out this section.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to Congress a report on the changes made 
     pursuant to subsection (a).

           TITLE IV--ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

     SEC. 401. CENTRALIZED REPORTING OF VETERAN ENROLLMENT BY 
                   CERTAIN GROUPS, DISTRICTS, AND CONSORTIUMS OF 
                   EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 3684(a) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``32, 33,'' after 
     ``31,''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term 
     `educational institution' may include a group, district, or 
     consortium of separately accredited educational institutions 
     located in the same State that are organized in a manner that 
     facilitates the centralized reporting of the enrollments in 
     such group, district, or consortium of institutions.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to reports submitted on or after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 402. PROVISION OF INFORMATION REGARDING VETERAN 
                   ENTITLEMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 36 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 3699. Provision of certain information to educational 
       institutions

       ``For each veteran or other individual pursuing a course of 
     education that has been approved under this chapter using 
     educational assistance to which the veteran or other 
     individual is entitled under chapter 30, 32, 33, or 35 of 
     this title, the Secretary shall make available to the 
     educational institution offering the course information about 
     the amount of such educational assistance to which the 
     veteran or other individual is entitled. Such information 
     shall be provided to such educational institution through a 
     secure information technology system accessible by the 
     educational institution and shall be regularly updated to 
     reflect any amounts used by the veteran or other 
     individual.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 3698 the following new item:

``3699. Provision of certain information to educational 
              institutions.''.

     SEC. 403. ROLE OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES.

       (a) Approval of Certain Courses.--Section 3672(b)(2)(A) of 
     title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``the 
     following'' and all that follows through the colon and 
     inserting the following: ``a program of education is deemed 
     to be approved for purposes of this chapter if a State 
     approving agency determines that the program is one of the 
     following programs:''.
       (b) Approval of Other Courses.--Section 3675 of such title 
     is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``The Secretary or a State approving 
     agency'' and inserting ``A State approving agency, or the 
     Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving 
     agency,''; and
       (B) by striking ``offered by proprietary for-profit 
     educational institutions'' and inserting ``not covered by 
     section 3672 of this title''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``the Secretary or the 
     State approving agency'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``the State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in 
     the role of a State approving agency,''.

     SEC. 404. CRITERIA USED TO APPROVE COURSES.

       (a) Nonaccredited Courses.--Section 3676(c)(14) of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended by inserting before the 
     period the following: ``if the Secretary, in consultation 
     with the State approving agency and pursuant to regulations 
     prescribed to carry out this paragraph, determines such 
     criteria are necessary and treat public, private, and 
     proprietary for-profit educational institutions equitably''.
       (b) Accredited Courses.--Section 3675(b)(3) of such title 
     is amended by striking ``and (3)'' and inserting ``(3), and 
     (14)''.
       (c) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to--
       (1) criteria developed pursuant to paragraph (14) of 
     subsection (c) of section 3676 of title 38, United States 
     Code, on or after January 1, 2013; and
       (2) an investigation conducted under such subsection that 
     is covered by a reimbursement of expenses paid by the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs to a State pursuant to section 
     3674 of such title on or after October 1, 2015.

     SEC. 405. COMPLIANCE SURVEYS.

       (a) In General.--Section 3693 of such title is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following 
     new subsection (a):
       ``(a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
     Secretary shall conduct an annual compliance survey of 
     educational institutions and training establishments offering 
     one or more courses approved for the enrollment of eligible 
     veterans or persons if at least 20 such veterans or persons 
     are enrolled in any such course. The Secretary shall--
       ``(A) design the compliance surveys to ensure that such 
     institutions or establishments, as the case may be, and 
     approved courses are in compliance with all applicable 
     provisions of chapters 30 through 36 of this title;
       ``(B) survey each such educational institution and training 
     establishment not less than once during every two-year 
     period; and
       ``(C) assign not fewer than one education compliance 
     specialist to work on compliance surveys in any year for each 
     40 compliance surveys required to be made under this section 
     for such year.
       ``(2) The Secretary, in consultation with the State 
     approving agencies, shall--
       ``(A) annually determine the parameters of the surveys 
     required under paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) not later than September 1 of each year, make 
     available to the State approving agencies a list of the 
     educational institutions and training establishments that 
     will be surveyed during the fiscal year following the date of 
     making such list available.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c) In this section, the terms `educational institution' 
     and `training establishment' have the meaning given such 
     terms in section 3452 of this title.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Subsection (b) of such section 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``subsection (a) of this section for an 
     annual compliance survey'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(1) 
     for a compliance survey'';
       (2) by striking ``institution'' and inserting ``educational 
     institution or training establishment''; and
       (3) by striking ``institution's demonstrated record of 
     compliance'' and inserting ``record of compliance of such 
     institution or establishment''.

     SEC. 406. SURVEY OF INDIVIDUALS USING THEIR ENTITLEMENT TO 
                   EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE EDUCATIONAL 
                   ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE 
                   SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Survey Required.--By not later than 270 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall enter into a contract with a non-government 
     entity for the conduct of a survey of a statistically valid 
     sample of individuals who have used or are using their 
     entitlement to educational assistance under chapters 30, 32, 
     33, and 35 of title 38, United States Code, to pursue a 
     program of education or training. The contract shall provide 
     that--
       (1) not later than one month before the collection of data 
     under the survey begins, the survey shall be submitted to the 
     Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives;
       (2) the non-government entity shall complete the survey and 
     submit to the Secretary the results of the survey by not 
     later than 180 days after entering into the contract; and
       (3) the survey shall be conducted by electronic means and 
     by any other means the non-government entity determines 
     appropriate.
       (b) Information To Be Collected.--The contract under 
     subsection (a) shall provide that the survey shall be 
     designed to collect the following types of information about 
     each individual surveyed, where applicable:
       (1) Demographic information, including the highest level of 
     education completed by the individual, the military 
     occupational specialty or specialties of the individual while 
     serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces or as 
     a member of the National Guard or of a Reserve Component of 
     the Armed Forces, and whether the individual has a service-
     connected disability.
       (2) The opinion of the individual regarding participation 
     in the transition assistance program under section 1144 of 
     title 10, United States Code, and the effectiveness of the 
     program, including instruction on the use of the benefits 
     under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       (3) The resources the individual used to help the 
     individual--

[[Page H610]]

       (A) decide to use the individual's entitlement to 
     educational assistance to enroll in a program of education or 
     training; and
       (B) choose the program of education or training the 
     individual pursued.
       (4) The individual's goal when the individual enrolled in 
     the program of education or training.
       (5) The nature of the individual's experience with the 
     education benefits processing system of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs.
       (6) The nature of the individual's experience with the 
     school certifying official of the educational institution 
     where the individual pursued the program of education or 
     training who processed the individual's claim.
       (7) Any services or benefits the educational institution or 
     program of education or training provided to veterans while 
     the individual pursued the program of education or training.
       (8) The type of educational institution at which the 
     individual pursued the program of education or training.
       (9) Whether the individual completed the program of 
     education or training or the number of credit hours completed 
     by the individual as of the time of the survey, and, if 
     applicable, any degree or certificate obtained by the 
     individual for completing the program.
       (10) The employment status of the individual and whether 
     such employment status differs from the employment status of 
     the individual prior to enrolling in the program of education 
     or training.
       (11) Whether the individual is or was enrolled in a program 
     of education on a full-time or part-time basis.
       (12) The opinion of the individual on the effectiveness of 
     the educational assistance program of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs under which the individual was entitled to 
     educational assistance.
       (13) Whether the individual was ever entitled to a 
     rehabilitation under chapter 31 of title 38, United States 
     Code, and whether the individual participated in such a 
     program.
       (14) A description of any circumstances that prevented the 
     individual from using the individual's entitlement to 
     educational assistance to pursue a desired career path or 
     degree.
       (15) Whether the individual is using the individual's 
     entitlement to educational assistance to pursue a program of 
     education or training or has transferred such an entitlement 
     to a dependent.
       (16) Such other matters as the Secretary determines 
     appropriate.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 90 days after receiving the 
     results of the survey required under this section, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the 
     results of the survey and any recommendations of the 
     Secretary relating to such results. Such report shall also 
     include an unedited version of the results of the survey 
     submitted by the non-government entity that conducted the 
     study.

     SEC. 407. IMPROVEMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OF THE 
                   VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Processing of Certain Educational Assistance Claims.--
     The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, to the maximum 
     extent possible, make such changes and improvements to the 
     information technology system of the Veterans Benefits 
     Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
     ensure that--
       (1) to the maximum extent possible, all original and 
     supplemental claims for educational assistance under chapter 
     33 of title 38, United States Code, are adjudicated 
     electronically; and
       (2) rules-based processing is used to make decisions with 
     respect to such claims with little human intervention.
       (b) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall submit to Congress a plan to implement the 
     changes and improvements described in subsection (a).
       (c) Report.--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 on the implementation of 
     the changes and improvements described in subsection (a).
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     $30,000,000 to carry out this section during fiscal years 
     2016 and 2017.

     SEC. 408. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT RELATING TO IN-STATE TUITION 
                   RATE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO WHOM ENTITLEMENT IS 
                   TRANSFERRED UNDER ALL-VOLUNTEER FORCE 
                   EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND POST-9/11 
                   EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Technical Amendment.--Section 3679(c)(2)(B) of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``or 3319 of 
     this title'' and all that follows and inserting ``of this 
     title or to whom educational assistance is transferred under 
     section 3319 of this title.''.
       (b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to a course, semester, or term that 
     begins after July 1, 2016.

                         TITLE V--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 501. AMOUNT OF LOAN GUARANTEED UNDER HOME LOAN PROGRAM 
                   OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Adjustment of Loan Limit.--Section 3703(a)(1) of title 
     38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)(i)(IV)--
       (A) by striking ``the lesser of''; and
       (B) by striking ``or 25 percent of the loan''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``Freddie Mac'' and 
     all that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
     ``amount of the loan.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to a loan guaranteed under section 
     3710 of title 38, United States Code, on or after the date 
     that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 502. LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF JOB COUNSELING, TRAINING, AND 
                   PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 41 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 4115. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, 
       and placement service for veterans

       ``(a) Study Required.--(1) The Secretary shall enter into a 
     contract with a non-government entity to conduct a 
     longitudinal study of a statistically valid sample of each of 
     the groups of individuals described in paragraph (2). The 
     contract shall provide for the study of each such group over 
     a period of at least five years.
       ``(2) The groups of individuals described in this paragraph 
     are the following:
       ``(A) Veterans who have received intensive services.
       ``(B) Veterans who did not receive intensive services but 
     who otherwise received services under this chapter.
       ``(C) Veterans who did not seek or receive services under 
     this chapter.
       ``(3) The study required by this subsection shall include 
     the collection of the following information for each 
     individual who participates in the study:
       ``(A) The average number of months such individual served 
     on active duty.
       ``(B) The distribution of disability ratings of such 
     individual.
       ``(C) Any unemployment benefits received by such 
     individual.
       ``(D) The average number of months such individual was 
     employed during the year covered by the report.
       ``(E) The average annual starting and ending salaries of 
     any such individual who was employed during the year covered 
     by the report.
       ``(F) The average annual income of such individual.
       ``(G) The average total household income of such individual 
     for the year covered by the report.
       ``(H) The percentage of such individuals who own their 
     principal residences.
       ``(I) The employment status of such individual.
       ``(J) In the case of such an individual who received 
     services under this chapter, whether the individual believes 
     that any service provided by a disabled veterans' outreach 
     specialist or local veterans' employment representative 
     helped the individual to become employed.
       ``(K) In the case of such an individual who believes such a 
     service helped the individual to become employed, whether--
       ``(i) the individual retained the position of employment 
     for a period of one year or longer; and
       ``(ii) the individual believes such a service helped the 
     individual to secure a higher wage or salary.
       ``(L) The conditions under which such individual was 
     discharged or released from the Armed Forces.
       ``(M) Whether such individual has used any educational 
     assistance to which the individual is entitled under this 
     title.
       ``(N) Whether such individual has participated in a 
     rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of this title.
       ``(O) Demographic information about such individual.
       ``(P) Such other information as the Secretary determines 
     appropriate.
       ``(b) Annual Reports.--(1) By not later than July 1 of each 
     year covered by the study required under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the 
     outcomes of the study during the preceding year.
       ``(2) The Secretary shall include in each annual report 
     submitted under paragraph (1) any information the Secretary 
     determines is necessary to determine the long-term outcomes 
     of the individuals in the groups described in subsection 
     (a)(2).''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new item:

``4115. Longitudinal study of job counseling, training, and placement 
              service for veterans.''.

     SEC. 503. LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTS UNDER CONTRACTS WITH 
                   SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY 
                   VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Section 8127 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (l) as subsection (m); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (k) the following new 
     subsection (l):
       ``(l) Limitations on Subcontracting.--(1)(A) The 
     requirements applicable to a covered small business concern 
     under section 46

[[Page H611]]

     of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657s) shall apply with 
     respect to a small business concern owned and controlled by a 
     veteran with a service-connected disability or a small 
     business concern owned and controlled by a veteran that is 
     awarded a contract that is counted for purposes of meeting 
     the goals under subsection (a).
       ``(B) For purposes of applying the requirements of section 
     46 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657s) pursuant to 
     subparagraph (A), the term `similarly situated entity' used 
     in such section 46 includes a subcontractor for a small 
     business concern owned and controlled by a veteran with a 
     service-connected disability or a small business concern 
     owned and controlled by a veteran described in such 
     subparagraph (A).
       ``(2) Before awarding a contract that is counted for 
     purposes of meeting the goals under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall obtain from an offeror a certification that 
     the offeror will comply with the requirements described in 
     paragraph (1)(A) if awarded the contract. Such certification 
     shall--
       ``(A) specify the exact performance requirements applicable 
     under such paragraph; and
       ``(B) explicitly acknowledge that the certification is 
     subject to section 1001 of title 18.
       ``(3) If the Secretary determines that a small business 
     concern that is awarded a contract that is counted for 
     purposes of meeting the goals under subsection (a) did not 
     act in good faith with respect to the requirements described 
     in paragraph (1)(A), the small business concern shall be 
     subject to the penalties specified in--
       ``(A) section 16(g)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     645(g)(1)); and
       ``(B) section 1001 of title 18.
       ``(4)(A) The Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
     Utilization for the Department, established pursuant to 
     section 15(k) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(k)), 
     and the Chief Acquisition Officer of the Department, 
     established pursuant to section 1702 of title 41, shall 
     jointly implement a process using the systems described in 
     section 16(g)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     645(g)(2)), or any other systems available, to monitor 
     compliance with this subsection. The Chief Acquisition 
     Officer shall refer any violations of this subsection to the 
     Inspector General of the Department.
       ``(B) Not later than November 30 of each year, the 
     Inspector General shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
     Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
     for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year during which 
     the report is submitted that includes, for the fiscal year 
     covered by the report--
       ``(i) the number of referred violations received under 
     subparagraph (A); and
       ``(ii) the disposition of such referred violations, 
     including the number of small business concerns suspended or 
     debarred from Federal contracting or referred to the Attorney 
     General for prosecution.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--Subsection (l) of section 8127 of 
     title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to a contract entered into after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 504. PROCEDURES FOR PROVISION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION TO 
                   STATE VETERANS AGENCIES TO FACILITATE THE 
                   FURNISHING OF ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS TO 
                   VETERANS.

       (a) Procedures Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall develop procedures to share the information described 
     in subsection (b) regarding veterans with State veterans 
     agencies in electronic data format as a means of facilitating 
     the furnishing of assistance and benefits to veterans.
       (b) Covered Information.--The information shared with State 
     veterans agencies under subsection (a) regarding a veteran 
     shall include the following:
       (1) Military service and separation data.
       (2) A personal email address.
       (3) A personal telephone number.
       (4) A mailing address.
       (c) Opt-Out Election.--A veteran may elect to prevent their 
     information from being shared with State veterans agencies 
     under subsection (a) pursuant to a process that the Secretary 
     shall establish for purposes of this subsection.
       (d) Use of Information.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
     the information shared with State veterans agencies in 
     accordance with the procedures developed under subsection (a) 
     is only shared by such agencies with county government 
     veterans service offices for such purposes as the Secretary 
     shall specify for the administration and delivery of 
     assistance and benefits.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and to add any extraneous materials on H.R. 3016, as 
amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection?
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 3016, as amended, the Veterans Employment, 
Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act.
  This bill, which was introduced by the chairman of our Subcommittee 
on Economic Opportunity, Congressman Wenstrup of Ohio, includes a 
number of provisions relating to veterans' health care, education, and 
employment benefits.
  One provision of the bill would authorize the Department of Veterans 
Affairs to create a new fourth administration to streamline the 
oversight of the many VA programs and benefits that assist veterans 
with transition and that promote their economic welfare. These benefits 
include vocational rehabilitation and employment, GI Bill education 
benefits, the verification of veteran-owned small businesses, the VA's 
portion of the Transition Assistance Program, and the home loan 
guaranty program.
  Another provision of the bill would make needed improvements to 
education and vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits by, 
among other things, closing a costly loophole that has allowed some 
contracted-out flight schools to charge the VA hundreds of thousands of 
dollars in excessive tuition and fee payments.
  Still other provisions would improve the administration of benefits 
and expand opportunities for the use of the home loan benefit by 
eliminating the loan limit that caps the amount of money the VA will 
guarantee under the home loan program. This would help tens of 
thousands of veterans who are living in high-cost areas to realize the 
dream that many Americans strive for.
  Health-related provisions of the bill would elevate the role of 
podiatrists in the VA medical facilities, improve care for the newborn 
children of female veterans, create a pilot program on service dog 
training for veterans with post-traumatic stress, and require the 
Government Accountability Office to conduct period audits of the VA's 
budget.
  I am grateful to Dr. Wenstrup, to Dr. Roe, and to the many other 
sponsors of these provisions for their hard work and leadership in 
crafting and in developing this legislation, and I urge all of my 
colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 3016, as amended, the VA Provider Equity 
Act.
  The provisions of title I directly affect the health of veterans by 
making podiatrists equal to other doctors in the VA, by making Medal of 
Honor recipients a top priority in receiving health care at the VA, and 
by making the newborn babies of servicemembers eligible for VA health 
care in the first 6 weeks of life, to follow their mothers' eligibility 
at the VA.
  The legislation authorizes a GAO audit of the Veterans Health 
Administration's budget. I feel that the Veterans Health Administration 
has been more responsive under the leadership of Dr. David Shulkin, but 
I agree that everyone would be better informed of how the VHA is 
working if we are all starting on the same page. I am also pleased that 
a successful dog training program will be expanded to other parts of 
the country to help veterans who are recovering from TBI and PTSD.
  I am particularly pleased to support provisions in H.R. 3016 which 
improve the veterans' education and rehabilitation program and which 
increase limits on the veterans' home loan program while maintaining 
the VA's strict lending requirements.
  H.R. 3016 also contains several important improvements in education 
and employment programs for veterans. Representative Takano will have 
more to say because he has taken the lead on these as the ranking 
member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee.
  I also want to thank Chairman Miller for compromising on the 
establishment of a new administration within the VA, called the 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.
  While I appreciate the chairman's attempt to compromise on another 
key provision, I want to make it clear that I oppose the policy to cut 
in half the living stipend for the children of servicemembers who have 
received their

[[Page H612]]

parents' transferred GI Bill benefits. We promised the men and women 
who signed up to serve in our Nation's military that they would be able 
to transfer their entire GI Bill benefits to a dependent spouse or 
child. It is unfair that we are now breaking part of that promise. 
While I understand that this change pays for the other essential 
provisions in this bill, I would have preferred that we would have kept 
the promise we made to servicemembers while finding other ways to pay 
for this package.
  As this legislation moves forward, I will continue to work with my 
colleagues to find a different way to pay for these provisions that 
does not violate the promise we made to our veterans.
  I had hoped our Republican colleagues would have brought this bill to 
the floor under an open rule so as to have given us the opportunity to 
propose amendments and to debate ways to improve the more controversial 
provisions of this bill. I am disappointed that we are not able to 
offer amendments to improve the bill today. Yet I will support this 
bill overall due to the number of positive improvements.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from the Second District of Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup), the chairman 
of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee and a combat veteran, himself.

  Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3016, the 
Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act, as 
amended.
  I am proud to sponsor this bill and am glad to be joined by veteran 
service organizations in their support, like the VFW and the DAV. It 
will help ensure that the veterans receive the benefits they have 
earned.
  This veterans' legislation contains over 30 provisions from over a 
dozen Members of Congress and is the result of countless hours of work 
amongst the members of the committee. I want to highlight three 
specific provisions in the bill that improve the benefits our veterans 
receive.
  First is the VA Provider Equity Act, which would strengthen access to 
the comprehensive, first-class health care that veterans deserve. We 
all know wait times for health care at the VA remain somewhat 
unacceptable in many places. This is true, in part, because the VA 
struggles to employ enough healthcare specialists to meet the needs of 
veterans.
  The VA Provider Equity Act responds to this issue by aligning 
outdated VA standards more closely with the private sector practices of 
today. When introduced, every doctor on the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs joined as an original cosponsor, understanding that we need to 
make it easier for the VA to recruit and retain the specialists our 
veterans so desperately need.
  The bill also includes H.R. 2344, the Veterans Vocational 
Rehabilitation and Employment Improvement Act of 2015, which I 
introduced earlier this year. The VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and 
Employment program helps disabled veterans to prepare for employment or 
to live as independently as possible. If a veteran chooses to pursue 
education or training through this program, current law does not 
require the courses to be approved for GI benefits. My provision would 
tighten this requirement to provide additional oversight and 
protections for our veterans.
  We also include the GI Bill Quality Enhancement Act. By giving State 
Approving Agencies the increased oversight of GI Bill programs, this 
provision would provide veterans with the information they need to make 
good choices about education and training programs that offer the best 
quality.
  The Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act 
would make important progress in streamlining veterans' access to their 
earned benefits. It is one simple step we can take to ensure that our 
veterans receive the benefits they have earned.
  I thank Representative Takano for his help in moving this forward, 
and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Takano).
  Mr. TAKANO. I thank Ranking Member Corrine Brown for yielding time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3016.
  While there are parts of this bill that I hope to see changed as it 
moves forward, it includes numerous provisions that will have a 
positive impact on our Nation's veteran population, including several 
provisions I authored.
  Section 307 of this bill is the language from my GI Bill Fairness 
Act, bipartisan legislation to close a gap faced by our National 
Guardsmen and Reservists who have been repeatedly called to war 
throughout operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  Currently, members of the Guard and Reserve who are wounded in combat 
are sometimes placed on Active Duty for their recovery, treatment, and 
rehabilitation. Unfortunately, current Federal law does not recognize 
such Active Duty orders as eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill education 
assistance, meaning that, unlike other members of the military, those 
who serve in the Guard and Reserve may actually lose benefits for being 
injured in the line of duty. This provision in H.R. 3016 would end 
unequal treatment and ensure these guardsmen and reservists are able to 
accrue GI Bill benefits, when ordered to Active Duty, for the purposes 
of receiving medical care.
  H.R. 3016 also includes my Work-Study for Student Veterans Act, which 
would reinstate certain VA work-study activities that expired on June 
30, 2013. The VA's Student Work-Study Allowance Program allows 
qualifying student veterans who are in college degree programs or in 
vocational or professional programs to be paid for working in a variety 
of capacities on campus, at VA facilities, or at other veteran-centered 
organizations to assist fellow veterans. The work-study program 
achieves two important goals: offering student veterans a way to earn a 
little extra money and providing transitioning veterans with the 
guidance and assistance of fellow veterans who know firsthand what that 
transition is like.

                              {time}  1530

  I also strongly support section 306 of the bill, which caps the 
amount of post-9/11 GI Bill funds available to flight schools--private 
flight schools--that contract with community colleges at the same 
amount that the GI Bill caps funds available to private universities.
  Due to a current loophole in the GI Bill, student veterans have been 
able to take pilot training classes with questionable job placement 
prospects at exorbitant cost to the taxpayers. According to the Los 
Angeles Times, one flight company charged 12 student veterans over 
$500,000 each in GI Bill funds.
  While it is true that flight training can be more expensive than 
other vocational or academic programs, VA data shows that while the 
number of student veterans taking flight training increased by only 9 
percent between fiscal years '13 and '14, the total cost to taxpayers 
for this program grew by 87 percent during this same period, costing 
$37 million in taxpayer dollars.
  The drafters of the GI Bill never intended to create this windfall 
for the flight school industry. What's more, VFW and the American 
Legion support the cap, agreeing that this loophole is a disservice to 
student veterans who would be better served by one of the many flight 
school programs that cost well under the cap.
  I do have serious reservations about section 301 of this legislation, 
which would cut by half the monthly housing allowance provided to 
children of servicemembers who will have post-9/11 GI Bill benefits 
transferred to them. I don't believe that we should be paying for the 
great provisions in this bill by cutting benefits.
  Furthermore, the bill on the House floor today does not include a 
grandfather clause. That means that some current servicemembers will 
see the terms that they agreed to when they signed up changed. As this 
bill advances, I strongly urge the chairman and ranking member to find 
another pay-for and eliminate section 301.
  With that being said, I believe overall, with some tweaks, this 
legislation will provide valuable support for our veterans, and I urge 
my colleagues to support H.R. 3016.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Abraham), who is

[[Page H613]]

from the Fifth District of Louisiana and is a fine member of our 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Miller, 
Ranking Member Brown, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and 
Memorial Affairs Ranking Member Titus, and all Members who worked so 
hard to bring this bill to the floor.
  There are many provisions in H.R. 677, as amended, that would help 
improve services for veterans and their families, but I want to focus 
my remarks on a section that I am proud to have authored.
  First, the bill would authorize an automatic COLA for beneficiaries 
who receive the VA disability compensation. Although the Congress 
generally approves COLA legislation every year, veterans have to wait 
until Congress actually acts.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman 
from Minnesota (Mr. Walz).
  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, as you have heard, I associate myself with the 
remarks of the positive nature of the provisions in this bill. It has 
been the House Veterans' Affairs Committee that has been in the 
forefront of improving veterans care, from the post-9/11 GI Bill, to 
healthcare changes, to job placements. We have been at the forefront of 
VA improvements, accountability, and reform.
  While this bill continues in that vein, as you have heard here, there 
is one provision in it that, for me personally, I cannot cross. To pay 
for these programs, an offset has to be found. That is a noble and 
correct principle; meaning, if we add anything, we need to find the 
pay-for somewhere else to not add to the debt.
  In the case of this, to pay for these absolutely wonderful programs, 
many which I helped write, we went back and we took a benefit. I am not 
going to debate whether that benefit was overly generous. I am not 
going to debate how many are using it.
  If one veteran signed up, served this Nation, went overseas and 
fought for our defense and they were promised a benefit, to pull it 
back at this time is an egregious breach of trust. At a time when the 
VA is hurting, at a time when the faith in government is hurting, the 
faith in the media, our soldiers need to know there are some things 
that will not be crossed.
  So I want to be very clear on this. The motives of the people who 
worked on this should never be questioned. I have never seen people 
with more integrity and more care for our veterans. Thought goes into 
this. Improvements try to be made. And when the American people are 
frustrated and they see nothing gets done, this committee and the 
bipartisanship of the care of our veterans is absolutely paramount.
  This is a devilish situation. How do we find the pay-for? My question 
is--and, yes, perhaps it is a chip on my shoulder of an enlisted 
soldier--why come to the soldiers first? There is nowhere else in the 
Federal Government that we can find this.
  The chairman rightfully pointed out today another egregious waste of 
money in decorating and bonuses to VA officials who are not fulfilling 
their duty. My question is: can't we find some way to at least get the 
people through who were there and, if we want to make the changes, do 
so? I know every effort in good faith has been made to do that. Yes, it 
can be argued that this was overly generous and should not have been 
there in the first place, but it was. It was signed up for and people 
went. I have stood in front of troops who said: You promised it to me, 
and I am counting on using it.
  It seems to me that as Representatives of the American people, I can 
go back and ask my constituents, and they will agree on almost nothing. 
If I ask them, ``Should we do everything necessary to care for our 
veterans,'' the answer is ``yes.'' If we can't find the offset, then 
let's have the courage to go back and ask them what would they be 
willing to do.
  I myself will be voting ``no'' on this piece of legislation, but I 
just urge my colleagues to have to weigh this. I hope over the years 
that I have proven I am not a person who would get in the way of having 
the perfect get in the way of the good or not trying to work for 
compromises. It is a line that I feel, if we cross, the trust gets 
breached, and it is very difficult to gain it back.

  I thank all Members who worked on this.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers at this 
time.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, to my good friend from Minnesota (Mr. Walz), who is a 
stalwart supporter of veterans on our committee and brings many, many 
good issues to the forefront for both sides of the aisle to be able to 
work on together, I do not question his motives in his negative vote 
against this bill.
  I would say that any child who has already had their parents' post-9/
11 child benefits transferred to them will not be affected by this 
change. They would still receive 100 percent of their current living 
stipend.
  It also gives 180 days after enactment before it begins to take 
effect. So any servicemembers who are eligible to transfer their 
benefits but have not done so would have 180 days to do so, so their 
child would still receive 100 percent of their monthly stipend.
  I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from the 15th Congressional 
District of Ohio (Mr. Stivers).
  Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the folks on the 
committee for their great work on this bill. I stand today to support 
the bill and also to recognize one of the sections is the Veterans Dog 
Therapy Act, which was rolled into H.R. 3016.
  We lose 22 of our former servicemembers every day to suicide. This 
legislation will create a pilot program at three to five of our VA 
facilities, which is modeled on the Warrior Canine Connection program 
for getting access to service dogs for our veterans.
  Veterans enrolled in this program with service dogs have seen 
improvements in their PTSD and TBI-related symptoms. Additionally, it 
is shown that veterans who own service dogs have fewer symptoms of 
depression, better interpersonal skills, a lowered risk of substance 
abuse, and better overall mental health. While no one thing can help 
cure our suicide epidemic among veterans, this is a good start.
  I want to thank Tim Walz for being my cosponsor on this bill. I am 
glad it is rolled in.
  I urge my colleagues to support this provision as well as the entire 
bill.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from the Ninth Congressional District of Georgia (Mr. 
Collins).
  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 
3016, the Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement 
Act.
  I want to thank the chairman for yielding and his leadership. As we 
have heard today, this is something that truly does bring us together. 
As someone who continues to serve in the Air Force and looking at my 
brothers and sisters in arms, this is something we should be about.
  I want to thank my colleague from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup) for bringing 
this important legislation to the floor, including language from my 
legislation, H.R. 423, concerning VA post-delivery care services.
  I also want to thank Dr. Roe from Tennessee for his amendment that 
would extend the coverage for a female veteran's post-delivery care to 
42 days.
  Female veterans face unique challenges, especially when many of the 
services available to them are designed for males. One of the most 
significant problems female veterans face is access to health care.
  Currently, the VA is authorized to provide up to 7 days of post-
delivery care for a female veteran's newborn baby. Mr. Roe's amendment 
will expand coverage to 42 days, the length that the VA currently 
provides for mothers.
  Females represent the fastest growing group of veterans who are 
enrolling in VA health care, and many of them are mothers or soon will 
be. It is past time for the VA to expand its care and services to meet 
the needs of the female veteran. These women have risked their lives to 
protect our Nation, and our responsibility to them doesn't end when 
they are no longer serving on Active Duty. In fact, their service to 
our country may jeopardize the very lives of their future children, 
meaning our responsibility to them is even greater.
  Research shows that having PTSD in the year before delivery increases 
a

[[Page H614]]

woman's risk of premature delivery by 35 percent. Premature infants 
typically need longer hospitalizations after they are born. I know what 
it is like to be the parent of a little baby who needed intensive 
medical care for an extended period of time from the moment she was 
born. By the way, she is getting ready to turn 24 right now.
  Any new mother who has given selflessly to her country shouldn't have 
to worry about Congress standing in her way as she tries to give 
selflessly to her own child.
  I thank my colleague and Chairman Miller for their leadership on this 
issue, and I would urge the passage of this bill.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers at this 
time.
  I would encourage all my colleagues to support H.R. 3016, as amended.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
3016, ``Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement.''
  I support this bill because it will benefit our veterans who have 
suffered debilitating injuries to their lower extremities as a result 
of their service to the United States.
  Specifically, this bill clarifies the role of podiatrists in the 
Department of Veteran Affairs and increases their pay grade to match 
other VA physician compensation.
  There is a need in the Department of Veteran Affairs to classify 
podiatrists as physicians.
  Our veterans continue to suffer from a variety of foot and lower leg 
conditions as a direct result of their honorable service which can 
result from both traumatic and progressive etiologies.
  A growing number of our veterans have diabetes, which puts them at 
risk for other disorders and even amputation.
  The VA Podiatry Program Office spends a great deal of its time 
collaborating with a number of other programs developing and 
implementing initiatives relative to the prevention and treatment of 
diabetes and disorders related to diabetes.
  Houston, Texas is home to the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center, in one of the nation's greatest medical centers; the 
MEDMC has 837 medical providers, but no board certified podiatrists.
   Our veterans need and deserve specialized treatment and assistance 
for foot injuries.
  My congressional district is home to over 25,000 veterans and as an 
avid supporter of Veteran Affairs I strongly support this bill.
  As a supporter and co-sponsor of numerous bills to assist veterans, 
such as H.R. 90, the Healthcare Improvement Act, I strongly believe it 
is our duty to give our veterans the best care when they return home.
  It is important we recognize podiatrists, who change the lives of our 
veterans, to be defined as physicians by the Department of Veteran 
Affairs, and increase their pay grade to reflect other VA physician 
compensation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3016, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws 
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to health 
care, educational assistance, and vocational rehabilitation, to 
establish the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
Administration, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________