[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 138 (Tuesday, September 13, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H5387-H5390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXPIRING AUTHORITIES ACT OF 2016
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 5985) to amend title 38, United States Code, to
extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5985
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 ``Department
of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects.
TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE
Sec. 101. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for
hospital care and nursing home care.
Sec. 102. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to
certain veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Sec. 103. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance
and support services for caregivers.
Sec. 104. Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of
cost of care and services furnished to veterans with
health-plan contracts for non-service-connected
disability.
[[Page H5388]]
Sec. 105. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for
child care for certain veterans receiving health care.
Sec. 106. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service
organizations for transportation of highly rural
veterans.
Sec. 107. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in
retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from
service.
Sec. 108. Extension of deadline for report on pilot program on use of
community-based organizations and local and State
government entities to ensure that veterans receive care
and benefits for which they are eligible.
TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS
Sec. 201. Extension of authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee
on Education.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real
property at time of foreclosure.
Sec. 203. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.
Sec. 204. Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and
vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces with
severe injuries or illnesses.
TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS
Sec. 301. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration
programs.
Sec. 302. Extension of authority for homeless women veterans and
homeless veterans with children reintegration program.
Sec. 303. Extension of authority for referral and counseling services
for veterans at risk of homelessness transitioning from
certain institutions.
Sec. 304. Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for
homeless veterans.
Sec. 305. Extension and modification of authority to provide financial
assistance for supportive services for very low-income
veteran families in permanent housing.
Sec. 306. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless
veterans with special needs.
Sec. 307. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless
Veterans.
Sec. 308. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation
services for seriously mentally ill and homeless
veterans.
TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER
MATTERS
Sec. 401. Extension of authority for transportation of individuals to
and from Department facilities.
Sec. 402. Extension of authority for operation of the Department of
Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, the Republic
of the Philippines.
Sec. 403. Extension of authority for monthly assistance allowances
under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and
Special Events.
Sec. 404. Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress
regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative
error.
Sec. 405. Extension of authorization of appropriations for adaptive
sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the
Armed Forces.
Sec. 406. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority
Veterans.
Sec. 407. Modification to authorization of appropriations for
comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.
Sec. 408. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility
for specially adapted housing assistance for certain
veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating.
Sec. 409. Extension of authority for specially adapted housing
assistive technology grant program.
Sec. 410. Extension of authority to guarantee payment of principal and
interest on certificates or other securities.
Sec. 411. Extension of authority to enter into agreement with the
National Academy of Sciences regarding associations
between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other
chemical compounds in herbicides.
Sec. 412. Extension of authority for performance of medical
disabilities examinations by contract physicians.
Sec. 413. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers.
Sec. 414. Extension of requirement for annual report on Department of
Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency
Program Office.
Sec. 415. Extension of authority to approve courses of education in
cases of withdrawal of recognition of accrediting agency
by Secretary of Education.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this
Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an
amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the
reference shall be considered to be made to a section or
other provision of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 3. SCORING OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall
be determined by reference to the latest statement titled
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act,
submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the
Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE
SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS
FOR HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.
Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking ``September
30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME
CARE TO CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED
DISABILITIES.
Section 1710A(d) is amended by striking ``December 31,
2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR
ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS.
Section 1720G(e) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'';
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) $734,628,000 for fiscal year 2017.''.
SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY FROM THIRD
PARTIES OF COST OF CARE AND SERVICES FURNISHED
TO VETERANS WITH HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS FOR NON-
SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY.
Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended, in the matter preceding
clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and inserting
``October 1, 2017''.
SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON
ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS
RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.
(a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (e) of section 205
of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of
2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1144; 38 U.S.C. 1710
note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and
inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of
such section is amended by striking ``and 2016'' and
inserting ``2016, and 2017''.
SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF
HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.
Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus
Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat.
1154; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking ``2016''
and inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON
COUNSELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN
VETERANS NEWLY SEPARATED FROM SERVICE.
(a) Extension.--Subsection (d) of section 203 of the
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010
(Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1143; 38 U.S.C. 1712A) is
amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting
``December 31, 2017''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of
such section is amended by striking ``and 2016'' and
inserting ``2016, and 2017''.
SEC. 108. EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR REPORT ON PILOT PROGRAM
ON USE OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND
LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO ENSURE
THAT VETERANS RECEIVE CARE AND BENEFITS FOR
WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.
Section 506(g)(1) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus
Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C.
523 note) is amended by striking ``180 days after the
completion of the pilot program'' and inserting ``September
30, 2017''.
TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE VETERANS' ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.
Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31,
2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF
REAL PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.
Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1,
2016'' and inserting ``October 1, 2017''.
SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.
Section 3733(a)(7) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017'';
and
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30,
2016,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017,''.
[[Page H5389]]
SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION
AND VOCATIONAL BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED
FORCES WITH SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES.
Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of
Public Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 458; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is
amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting
``December 31, 2017''.
TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS
SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.
Section 2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``2016'' and
inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS
AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN
REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.
Section 2021A(f)(1) is amended by striking ``2016'' and
inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR REFERRAL AND COUNSELING
SERVICES FOR VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS
TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS.
Section 2023(d) is amended by striking ``September 30,
2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING
ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.
Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``September 30,
2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 305. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN
PERMANENT HOUSING.
Subparagraph (E) of section 2044(e)(1) is amended to read
as follows:
``(E) $320,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through
2017.''.
SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR
HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2016'' and
inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 307. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ON HOMELESS VETERANS.
Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31,
2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 308. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND
REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY
ILL AND HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) is amended by
striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30,
2017''.
(b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section
2033(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER
MATTERS
SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPORTATION OF
INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.
Section 111A(a)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31,
2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE
IN MANILA, THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``September 30,
2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR MONTHLY ASSISTANCE
ALLOWANCES UNDER THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL
VETERANS SPORTS PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.
Section 322(d)(4) is amended by striking ``2016'' and
inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE REPORTS TO
CONGRESS REGARDING EQUITABLE RELIEF IN THE CASE
OF ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR.
Section 503(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016''
and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR
ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS
AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
Section 521A is amended--
(1) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``2016'' and
inserting ``2017''; and
(2) in subsection (l), by striking ``2016'' and inserting
``2017''.
SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
MINORITY VETERANS.
Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016''
and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 407. MODIFICATION TO AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS
VETERANS.
Section 2013(7) is amended by striking ``$250,000,000'' and
inserting ``$257,700,000''.
SEC. 408. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF
ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING
ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WITH
DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY AMBULATING.
Section 2101(a)(4) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2016''
and inserting ``September 30, 2017''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2016'' and inserting
``2017''.
SEC. 409. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED
HOUSING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 2108(g) is amended by striking ``September 30,
2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 410. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO GUARANTEE PAYMENT OF
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON CERTIFICATES OR OTHER
SECURITIES.
Section 3720(h)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31,
2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 411. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REGARDING
ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN DISEASES AND EXPOSURE TO
DIOXIN AND OTHER CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN
HERBICIDES.
Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law
102-4; 38 U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ``December
31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 412. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL
DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT
PHYSICIANS.
Subsection (c) of section 704 of the Veterans Benefits Act
of 2003 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking
``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 413. RESTORATION OF PRIOR REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS.
Section 406 of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring
Authorities Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-175; 38 U.S.C. 3684
note) is amended by striking ``two-year'' and inserting
``three-year''.
SEC. 414. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORT ON
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS INTERAGENCY PROGRAM OFFICE.
Section 1635(h)(1) of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071
note) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 415. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO APPROVE COURSES OF
EDUCATION IN CASES OF WITHDRAWAL OF RECOGNITION
OF ACCREDITING AGENCY BY SECRETARY OF
EDUCATION.
Section 3679(a) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking ``Any course'' and inserting ``(1) Except
as provided by paragraph (2), any course''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) In the case of a course of education that would be
subject to disapproval under paragraph (1) solely for the
reason that the Secretary of Education withdraws the
recognition of the accrediting agency that accredited the
course, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation
with the Secretary of Education, and notwithstanding the
withdrawal, may continue to treat the course as an approved
course of education under this chapter for a period not to
exceed 18 months from the date of the withdrawal of
recognition of the accrediting agency, unless the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs or the appropriate State approving agency
determines that there is evidence to support the disapproval
of the course under this chapter. The Secretary shall provide
to any veteran enrolled in such a course of education notice
of the status of the course of education.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hultgren). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentleman from California
(Mr. Takano) 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
Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and add extraneous material on H.R. 5985, 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.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5985, as amended, would extend a number of expiring
authorities and critical programs at both the Department of Veterans
Affairs and the Department of Labor. These include extensions for
veterans' health care and homeless programs, benefits for disabled
veterans and their caregivers, vocational rehabilitative programs for
servicemembers and veterans, home loan programs, and a variety of
advisory committees and pilot programs.
Absent passage of this legislation today, these important and
noncontroversial authorizations and programs are set to expire at the
end of this fiscal or this calendar year. These are not new programs,
and the costs associated with them have either been fully offset or
have been assumed in the baseline budget for fiscal year 2017.
[[Page H5390]]
Furthermore, both the majority and minority of the House and Senate
Committees on Veterans' Affairs have worked on this language and agree
on the need to extend all of these programs.
H.R. 5985, as amended, includes an extension of authority which would
allow VA to continue to approve schools for GI Bill benefits for up to
18 months, even if the school's accreditor loses formal recognition by
the Department of Education.
Mr. Speaker, this change is necessary to provide student veterans
with the same protections that students using title IV funds would
have, and it would ensure that our Nation's veterans don't immediately
have their GI Bill benefits, including their housing allowances, halted
by a DOE decision to no longer recognize an accrediting body.
This provision is a must-pass, as there is possibly an imminent
decision by the Department of Education to do just that and to withdraw
the approval of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and
Schools.
While I am not going to comment today on the Secretary of Education's
decision, we have been told it could come as early as this month, and
it is this body's duty to protect an estimated 18,000 veterans from
losing their benefits instantaneously through absolutely no fault of
their own.
The language in this bill would mirror language that is already
included in the law governing nonveteran student aid and is supported
by numerous veterans service organizations and other stakeholders,
including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States, Student Veterans of America, and the National Association of
State Approving Agencies.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 5985, as
amended.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 5985, a bill to extend certain
expiring provisions related to care at the Department of Veterans
Affairs. This bill makes sure that some of the vital programs we have
in place to take care of our veterans continue past the end of the
fiscal year and continue to help our veterans. Included in this bill
are provisions related to health care, benefits, homeless veterans, and
other related issues.
I am pleased to support extending programs related to support
services for caregivers, child care for certain veterans receiving
health care, and a pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for
women veterans newly separated from the service.
It also has provisions to extend the authority related to
rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the armed services
with severe injuries or illnesses, homeless veterans' reintegration
programs, homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children
and providing housing assistance for homeless veterans.
The final section of the bill deals with the GI Bill and when an
institution of higher education loses its accreditation. This section
aligns GI Bill benefits in law with all other higher education
benefits, such as Pell and Federal student loans.
Now, this provision is crucial because soon the Department of
Education may withdraw recognition of the Accrediting Council for
Independent Colleges and Schools. I support this move by the Department
of Education. It is a long time coming.
But without section 415, when this happens, GI Bill benefits will be
cut off for student veterans in schools accredited by this agency. It
puts the 37,000 student veterans and dependents receiving GI Bill
benefits in schools accredited by this agency on the same footing as
all other students receiving Federal higher education benefits. It
allows them the time they need to recoup.
Section 415 is strongly supported by veterans service organizations
such as Student Veterans of America and is the result of bipartisan
agreement.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from the Fifth District of Colorado (Mr. Lamborn), a very
active member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the great work. We
are going to miss his leadership next year when he goes into other
pursuits. He will be sorely missed, and veterans will miss him.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of a missed opportunity in H.R.
5985. At present, the VA is pushing a rule that permits certified
registered nurse anesthetists to practice without the supervision of a
physician. This is a huge mistake. This bill should extend a 1-year
period where the VA cannot implement this rule.
Opponents to this provision cited conditions present in forward-
deployed locations as justification for implementing a change of this
magnitude. Be that as it may, just because certain practices are
permitted in forward-deployed locations due to military necessity does
not mean that those risky practices should be forced upon our veterans
at all other times and places.
Our veterans deserve the absolute best care possible. They should not
be used as test subjects when the VA tries to change how it delivers
services. It is not right for the VA to give our veterans unsafe and
risky health care.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I simply want to
urge my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5985, as amended. I want
to thank, sincerely, the work that we have done together with Chairman
Miller on this legislation. I am so pleased that we are passing this in
the manner we are.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all
Members to support H.R. 5985, as amended.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5985, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________