[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 15, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    WORKING TO INTEGRATE NETWORKS GUARANTEEING MEMBER ACCESS NOW ACT

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                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 13, 2017

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 512, the 
Working to Integrate Networks Guaranteeing Member Access Now Act, 
(``Wingman Ace''), which amends title 38. United States Code, to 
provide certain employees of Members of Congress and certain employees 
of State or local governmental agencies with access to case-tracking 
information of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  H.R. 512 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide 
an accredited, permanent congressional employee with read-only remote 
access to the electronic Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) claims 
records system of a represented veteran, regardless of whether the 
employee is acting under a power of attorney executed by the veteran.
  The DVA shall ensure that success does not allow the employee to 
modify system data.
  Each Member of Congress who elects to have an employee participate in 
the system shall bear the certification cost which shall be paid from 
the Member's representation allowance.
  The amended version would also require the DVA to implement the bill 
using appropriated funds, and allow as much as $10 million to be used 
from fiscal 2017 through 2020 for that purpose. No funds could be used 
to train congressional staffers.
  An accredited, ``permanent congressional employee'' is an employee of 
a Member of Congress who assists constituents with issues regarding 
federal departments or agencies.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 512 and urge all members to join me in 
voting for its passage. For that reason I support this bill.

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