[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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