[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 153 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[House]
[Pages H7469-H7473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXPIRING AUTHORITIES ACT OF 2017

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3819) 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.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3819

       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 2017''.
       (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.
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 pilot program on community-based brain injury 
              rehabilitative care services for veterans with traumatic 
              brain injury.
Sec. 108. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in 
              retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from 
              service.
Sec. 109. Extension of temporary expansion of payments and allowances 
              for beneficiary travel in connection with veterans 
              receiving care from Vet Centers.

         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

Sec. 201. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real 
              property at time of foreclosure.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.
Sec. 203. 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 and modification of authority to provide financial 
              assistance for supportive services for very low-income 
              veteran families in permanent housing.
Sec. 305. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless 
              veterans with special needs.
Sec. 306. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless 
              Veterans.
Sec. 307. 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. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility 
              for specially adapted housing assistance for certain 
              veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating.
Sec. 408. Extension of authority for specially adapted housing 
              assistive technology grant program.
Sec. 409. Extension of authority to guarantee payment of principal and 
              interest on certificates or other securities.
Sec. 410. 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. 411. Modifications of reductions of reporting fee multipliers.

                     TITLE V--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

Sec. 501. Technical corrections to Harry W. Colmery Veterans 
              Educational Assistance Act of 2017.

     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, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.

     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, 
     2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.

     SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                   ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS.

       Section 1720G(e) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'';
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(5) $839,828,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 and 
     2019.''.

[[Page H7470]]

  


     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, 2017'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 2019''.

     SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON 
                   ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
                   RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.

       (a) Extension.--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, 2017'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 2019''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of 
     such section is amended by striking ``and 2017'' and 
     inserting ``2017, 2018, and 2019''.

     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 ``2017'' 
     and inserting ``2019''.

     SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF PILOT PROGRAM ON COMMUNITY-BASED BRAIN 
                   INJURY REHABILITATIVE CARE SERVICES FOR 
                   VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

       (a) Extension.--Subsection (g) of section 1705 of the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 
     (Public Law 110-181; 38 U.S.C. 1710C note) is amended by 
     striking ``October 6, 2017'' and inserting ``January 6, 
     2018''.
       (b) Final Report Submittal Date.--Subsection (e)(2)(A) of 
     such section is amended by striking ``60 days after the 
     completion of the pilot program'' and inserting ``December 6, 
     2017''.
       (c) Notification to Participants in Program.--Not later 
     than December 6, 2017, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall notify veterans participating in the pilot program 
     under such section regarding a plan for transition of care 
     for such veterans.

     SEC. 108. 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 note) is 
     amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 2019''.
       (b) Report Submittal Date.--Subsection (e) of such section 
     is amended by striking ``180 days after the completion of the 
     pilot program'' and inserting ``March 31, 2018''.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of 
     such section is amended by striking ``and 2017'' and 
     inserting ``2017, 2018, and 2019''.

     SEC. 109. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS AND 
                   ALLOWANCES FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN CONNECTION 
                   WITH VETERANS RECEIVING CARE FROM VET CENTERS.

       (a) Extension.--Subsection (a) of section 104 of the 
     Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune 
     Families Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-154; 126 Stat. 1169) is 
     amended by striking ``a three-year initiative'' and inserting 
     ``an initiative, to run through September 30, 2018,''.
       (b) Report Submittal Date.--Subsection (b)(1) of such 
     section is amended by striking ``180 days after the date of 
     the completion of the initiative'' and inserting ``March 31, 
     2018''.

         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

     SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF 
                   REAL PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.

       Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 
     2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

     SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.

       Section 3733(a)(7) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``September 30, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''; 
     and
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 
     2017,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018,''.

     SEC. 203. 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, 2017'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 2018''.

    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 ``2017'' and 
     inserting ``2018''.

     SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS 
                   AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN 
                   REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

       Section 2021A(f)(1) is amended by striking ``2017'' and 
     inserting ``2018''.

     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, 
     2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

     SEC. 304. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE 
                   FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES 
                   FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN 
                   PERMANENT HOUSING.

       Section 2044(e)(1) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(F) $320,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 
     2019.''.

     SEC. 305. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR 
                   HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

       Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2017'' and 
     inserting ``2019''.

     SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
                   ON HOMELESS VETERANS.

       Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

     SEC. 307. 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, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 
     2019''.
       (b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 
     2033(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2017'' and 
     inserting ``September 30, 2019''.

  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, 
     2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2019''.

     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, 
     2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

     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 ``2017'' and 
     inserting ``2019''.

     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, 2017'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2018''.

     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 ``2017'' and 
     inserting ``2019''; and
       (2) in subsection (l), by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
     ``2019''.

     SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                   MINORITY VETERANS.

       Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' 
     and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

     SEC. 407. 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, 2017'' 
     and inserting ``September 30, 2018''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
     ``2018''.

     SEC. 408. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED 
                   HOUSING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 2108(g) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

     SEC. 409. 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, 
     2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

     SEC. 410. 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, 2017'' and inserting ``September 30, 2018''.

     SEC. 411. MODIFICATIONS OF REDUCTIONS OF REPORTING FEE 
                   MULTIPLIERS.

       (a) Through July 31, 2018.--
       (1) In general.--Section 412 of the Jeff Miller and Richard 
     Blumenthal Veterans

[[Page H7471]]

     Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016 (Public Law 
     114-315; 38 U.S.C. 3684 note) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``September 25, 2017'' 
     and inserting ``July 31, 2018''; and
       (B) by striking subsection (b).
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The heading for subsection (a) of 
     such section is amended by striking ``September 25, 2017'' 
     and inserting ``July 31, 2018''.
       (b) August 1, 2018, Through July 31, 2020.--During the 
     period beginning on August 1, 2018, and ending on July 31, 
     2020, section 3684(c)(2) of title 38, United States Code, as 
     amended by section 304 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans 
     Educational Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48) shall 
     be applied by substituting ``$15'' for ``$16''.

                     TITLE V--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

     SEC. 501. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO HARRY W. COLMERY VETERANS 
                   EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2017.

       (a) Use of State Approving Agencies for Oversight 
     Activities.--Section 3673(d) is amended by inserting 
     ``compliance and'' before ``risk-based surveys''.
       (b) Calculation of Monthly Housing Stipend Under Post-9/11 
     Educational Assistance Program Based on Location of Campus 
     Where Classes Are Attended.--
       (1) In general.--Section 3313(g)(3)(A)(ii)(I)(aa) is 
     amended by striking ``the institution at which the individual 
     is enrolled'' and inserting ``the campus of the institution 
     of where the individual physically participates in a majority 
     of classes''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1) 
     shall apply with respect to enrollment for a quarter, 
     semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after 
     August 1, 2018.
       (3) Additional technical correction.--Subsection (b) of 
     section 107 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational 
     Assistance Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-48) is amended to read 
     as follows:
       ``(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to enrollment for a quarter, 
     semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after 
     August 1, 2018.''.
       (c) Determination of Monthly Housing Stipends During Active 
     Duty Service.--
       (1) In general.--Subsection (j) of section 3313 is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(j) Determination of Monthly Housing Stipends During 
     Active Duty Service.--For any month during which an 
     individual who is entitled to a monthly housing stipend under 
     this section is performing active duty service, the Secretary 
     shall determine the amount of such stipend payable to such 
     individual for such month on a pro rata basis for the period 
     of such month during which the individual is not performing 
     active duty service.''.
       (2) Applicability.--Such subsection, as amended by 
     paragraph (1), shall apply with respect to a quarter, 
     semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after 
     August 1, 2018.
       (d) Special Application of School Closure Rule to Recently 
     Enrolled Individuals.--Subparagraph (B) of section 109(c)(1) 
     of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act 
     of 2017 (Public Law 115-48) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(B) Special application.--
       ``(i) In general.--With respect to courses and programs of 
     education discontinued as described in section 3699 of title 
     38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), during 
     the period beginning January 1, 2015, and ending on the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, an individual described in 
     clause (ii) who does not transfer credits from such program 
     of education shall be deemed to be an individual who did not 
     receive such credits, as described in subsection (b)(2) of 
     such section, except that the period for which such 
     individual's entitlement is not charged shall be the entire 
     period of the individual's enrollment in the program of 
     education. In carrying out this subparagraph, the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Education, shall establish procedures to determine whether 
     the individual transferred credits to a comparable course or 
     program of education.
       ``(ii) Individual described.--An individual described in 
     this clause is an individual who is enrolled in a course or 
     program of education discontinued as described in clause (i) 
     during the period beginning on the date that is 120 days 
     before the date of such discontinuance and ending on the date 
     of such discontinuance.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Walz) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3819, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017.
  H.R. 3819 would extend a number of authorities impacting veterans' 
benefits, health, and homeless programs. Swift passage of this 
legislation today would ensure that many programs that veterans, their 
caregivers, dependents, and survivors rely on continue. We must 
continue these programs.
  Mr. Speaker, the programs include nursing home care, support services 
for caregivers, transportation, child care assistance, adaptive sports 
programs, and housing and home loan services, to name just a few. So 
important. Again, these are not new programs, but they are so very 
important to our true heroes.
  The costs associated with them have been assumed in the House-passed 
appropriations bill for fiscal year 2018 and 2019 advance 
appropriation.
  One program that has been extended for just 5 additional months, 
until January 6, 2018, is the assisted living pilot program for 
veterans with traumatic brain injury. That short extension would allow 
extra time for the VA to fully transition the veterans currently 
participating in that program into other existing programs more 
suitable for their ongoing support and rehabilitation.
  H.R. 3819 would also make a number of technical corrections to the 
Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017.
  This bill was drafted by and has full bipartisan support of both the 
majority and the minority Veterans' Affairs Committee members of the 
House and the Senate.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 
3819 today, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3819, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017. I want to thank the 
gentleman from Florida for his hard work on this, as the entire 
committee did.
  H.R. 3819, as the gentleman said, makes sure that some of the vital 
programs we have in place to provide for our veterans continue past the 
end of the fiscal year and continue to help our veterans.
  Included in this bill are provisions related to their healthcare, 
their benefits, homeless veterans, and other related issues.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support extending programs related to 
the support for caregivers, childcare for certain veterans receiving 
healthcare, and the pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for 
women veterans newly separated from service.
  It also has provisions to extend the authority related to 
rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of our Armed Forces 
with severe injuries or illnesses, homeless veterans reintegration 
programs, homeless women veterans, and homeless veterans with children, 
and providing housing assistance and counseling to homeless and at-risk 
veterans.
  Also included are extensions of authority for programs to help 
disabled veterans as well as authority to enter into agreements with 
the National Academy of Sciences to review the research on links 
between diseases and dioxin exposure. This is a critical step in 
creating any new Agent Orange presumptions that still may be there. 
Both of these provisions are critical in helping our aging Vietnam 
veterans as well, as we move forward.
  The final section contains, as the gentleman said, a technical fix to 
the Forever GI Bill, an important piece of legislation once again 
crafted in a bipartisan manner with the help of our veterans service 
organizations and passed earlier this year. The correction will simply 
help make VA implement the law correctly, and all sides agree it must 
become law as quickly as possible.
  Mr. Speaker, in short, this bill that both the majority and the 
minority support, we all agree it must be signed into law as soon as 
possible.
  Mr. Speaker, with that, I urge my fellow Members to support its 
passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1745

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mast), a true American hero and a combat veteran.

[[Page H7472]]

  

  Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Florida for 
the time.
  Without action from Congress, the authority for the VA Secretary to 
carry out many essential activities that are critical to helping our 
veterans will expire.
  I get my healthcare from the VA. I get it alongside a great number of 
my best friends in life, and I can tell you, my favorite part about 
going to the VA in West Palm Beach, Florida, is when I meet one of my 
fellow veterans in the lobby. It might be a veteran from World War II, 
Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf war, Iraq, or Afghanistan, and the first thing 
that we do with one another is we jab at one another about the 
different branch that the other person served in: Army, Navy, Marines, 
Air Force, Coast Guard. But after that, it gets back to the very 
serious work that we are all at the VA to have completed.
  The heroic men and women that I have had the honor of fighting 
alongside have earned--they have earned; that is the most important 
word, they have earned--the very best care that our country has to 
offer. But without this immediate action from Congress, veterans could 
lose those benefits--healthcare, support for the homeless, and many 
other provisions--and this is absolutely unacceptable.
  This bill, the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities 
Act of 2017, does everything that was already mentioned, which is 
extremely important. It extends the number of expiring authorities to 
include nursing home support, support for our caregivers, support for 
transportation, childcare assistance, adaptive sports programs, housing 
and home loan services.
  This legislation also makes some important technical changes that 
will aid the VA's implementation of the Forever GI Bill, a critical 
priority for ensuring that as many veterans as possible can use that 
important program.
  This is the definition of must-pass legislation. I urge my colleagues 
to pass this commonsense legislation.
  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for his 
strong words, for his commitment and service to this country, and I 
appreciate his support on this piece of legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Takano), my good friend, the vice ranking member of the full Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 3819, which 
reauthorizes several essential veterans' programs that support the men 
and women who have served our Nation. These programs include assistance 
and support services for caregivers who so often make profound 
sacrifices to support their loved ones, grants to our vital veterans 
service organizations so they can continue providing transportation for 
rural veterans to help connect them with the services they need, and 
programs to reintegrate homeless veterans which offer opportunities for 
meaningful employment and address the complex challenges they face.
  This bill reauthorizes specialized counseling for women veterans. 
This is particularly important in light of the stunning VA report 
released this month which showed that female veterans are six times 
more likely to die by suicide than any other women.
  These programs are fundamental to the well-being of our veterans and 
their families, and they are a reflection of our gratitude to those who 
serve.
  In addition, this legislation makes important technical changes that 
will allow us to follow through on the promises of the new GI Bill, 
which we passed unanimously earlier this year. Specifically, H.R. 3819 
allows us to correct the perverse incentives that discourage veterans 
from attending local community colleges and universities, which is a 
provision I worked on with my Republican colleague, Congressman Paul 
Cook.
  It also allows for the restoration of benefits for veterans left 
stranded by the abrupt closure of for-profit colleges, which I 
championed with Republican Luke Messer.
  After the closures of ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges, student 
veterans in my district and across the country were left with 
nontransferable credits, depleted benefits, and none of the job 
opportunities that they were promised. By restoring their tuition and 
housing benefits, we are restoring a measure of justice for these 
veterans and restoring their opportunity to get the education they 
deserve and earned.
  Taken together, the reauthorization of vital programs and the 
technical fixes included in this bill should earn the support of every 
Member.
  I want to thank Chairman Roe, Ranking Member Walz, and my colleagues 
on the Veterans' Affairs Committee for ensuring that veterans can 
continue to rely on these critical programs, and I am once again 
grateful for the bipartisanship that has defined our work on behalf of 
America's veterans.
  In closing, I want to note that yesterday was Gold Star Mothers and 
Families Day, and while today we are taking action to support our 
veterans, we must also remember the men and women who never made it 
home.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage all of my colleagues to support 
this must-pass legislation.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Higgins), who is also a member of the Veterans' Affairs 
Committee.
  Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act. This much-
needed legislation will drastically increase access to healthcare and 
support services for our veterans.
  Most importantly, this bill will help ensure continued access to 
proven programs to address veterans' homelessness, healthcare, and 
benefits. It also includes provisions to assist veteran caregivers, 
husbands, wives, parents, and children of veterans who righteously 
dedicate themselves to the care of their loved ones.
  Veterans and their families have made the ultimate sacrifice for our 
country, and we must uphold our promises to them. For too long, 
Congress has ignored the needs of today's veteran population. It is 
past time we focus on supporting our veterans, no matter when they 
served. The Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act 
addresses the priorities of today's population and ensures that the 
money follows the veterans.

  As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and a cosponsor 
of several of the stand-alone bills included in this package, I am 
proud to see the committee and the House of Representatives come 
together on behalf of these patriotic Americans who risked their lives 
for our safety.
  Mr. WALZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his support and work 
on the committee.
  Once again, the old saying is you shouldn't get a pat on the back for 
what you are supposed to do; but around here, it is harder than you 
might think, and I am incredibly grateful and proud.
  I want to thank the majority staff for their work on this piece of 
legislation, always including the minority staff, always including us 
in decisions, so that when we get to the floor, we bring a piece of 
bipartisan legislation that we can all support. It is must-pass 
legislation, and that is why it will pass today.
  I thank the gentleman from Florida for his continued leadership. We 
have been on this committee for over a decade together, and it seems 
like it is always that way, so I am grateful for that, grateful we are 
able to move this forward.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3819.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for 
his leadership and working in a bipartisan fashion always, and we 
always put our veterans first, so I appreciate that very much.
  Once again, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this 
legislation, and 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. Bilirakis) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3819.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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