[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H10427-H10428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  VA WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY ACT OF 2018

  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 6418) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
to conduct a study regarding the accessibility of websites of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to individuals with disabilities, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows

                               H.R. 6418

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``VA Website Accessibility Act 
     of 2018''.

     SEC. 2. STUDY REGARDING THE ACCESSIBILITY OF WEBSITES OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO INDIVIDUALS 
                   WITH DISABILITIES.

       (a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall examine all websites (including attached files and web-
     based applications) of the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
     determine whether such websites are accessible to individuals 
     with disabilities in accordance with section 508 of the 
     Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d).
       (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after completing the 
     study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit a 
     report to Congress regarding such study. The report shall 
     include the following:
       (1) A list of each website, file, or web-based application 
     described in subsection (a) that is not accessible to 
     individuals with disabilities in accordance with section 508 
     of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d).
       (2) The plan of the Secretary to bring each website, file, 
     or web-based application identified in the list under 
     paragraph (1) into compliance with the requirements of 
     section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
     794d).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Roe) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may 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 Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6418, as amended, the VA 
Website Accessibility Act of 2018.
  Mr. Speaker, in the interest of time, I will allow Vice Ranking 
Member Takano to discuss the bill, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page H10428]]

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6418, as amended, the VA 
Website Accessibility Act of 2018. This bill from Representative Esty 
mandates that the VA finally make all of its websites compliant for 
visually impaired individuals. This is a long-overdue action that the 
Blinded Veterans Association has tirelessly advocated for to make VA 
communications and information fully accessible to everyone, and I am 
proud to support this bill.
  I have no further speakers.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 6418, as 
amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage 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 Tennessee (Mr. Roe) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 6418, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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