[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 17, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7729-H7732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXPIRING AUTHORITIES ACT OF 2019
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4285) to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and
modify certain authorities and requirements relating to the Department
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. 4285
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 ``Department of Veterans
Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2019''.
[[Page H7730]]
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.
Section 3733(a)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``September 30, 2019'' and inserting ``September 30, 2020'';
and
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30,
2019,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2020,''.
SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION OF DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE IN MANILA, THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Section 315(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2019'' and inserting ``September
30, 2020''.
SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN
FAMILIES IN PERMANENT HOUSING.
Section 2044(e)(1)(G) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``fiscal year 2019'' and inserting ``each
of fiscal years 2019 through 2021''.
SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS AND
ALLOWANCES FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN CONNECTION
WITH VETERANS RECEIVING CARE FROM VET CENTERS.
Section 104(a) of the Honoring America's Veterans and
Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-
154; 126 Stat. 1169), as most recently amended by section 109
of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities
Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-251; 132 Stat. 3169), is amended
by striking ``September 30, 2019'' and inserting ``September
30, 2020''.
SEC. 6. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows:
(1) In section 714(e)(2)(B), by striking ``to the refer''
and inserting ``to refer''.
(2) In section 1725A(c), by inserting a comma after ``a
contract''.
(3) In section 3313(g)(3)(B)(ii), by inserting a comma
after ``for books''.
(4) In section 3321(a)(1), by striking ``January,'' and
inserting ``January''.
(5) In section 3683--
(A) by striking ``(b) (b)'' and inserting ``(b)'';
(B) by striking ``(c) (c)'' and inserting ``(c)''; and
(C) by striking ``(d) (d)'' and inserting ``(d)''.
(6) In section 3699(b), by striking ``this paragraph'' and
inserting ``this subsection''.
(7) In section 7462(b)(4)(A), by inserting ``notice'' after
``written''.
(8) In section 7696(c)(1), by striking ``).'' and inserting
a period.
(9) In section 8104(a), by striking paragraph (3) and
inserting the following new paragraph (3):
``(3) For purposes of this subsection:
``(A) The term `major medical facility project' means a
project for the construction, alteration, or acquisition of a
medical facility involving a total expenditure of more than
$20,000,000, but such term does not include an acquisition by
exchange, nonrecurring maintenance projects of the
Department, or the construction, alteration, or acquisition
of a shared Federal medical facility for which the
Department's estimated share of the project costs does not
exceed $20,000,000.
``(B) The term `major medical facility lease' means a lease
for space for use as a new medical facility at an average
annual rent of more than $1,000,000.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. David P.
Roe) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
insert extraneous material on H.R. 4285.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 4285, and I thank Mr. Brindisi for
sponsoring this important bill which authorizes the continued
operations of programs and offices vital to addressing the needs of the
veterans we serve.
Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the continued operation of the
Manila, Philippines, regional benefits office, the only VA regional
benefits office, or VARO, operating in a foreign country, and I plan to
visit that facility this year.
In addition to administering disability and survivor benefits to over
16,000 veterans, their dependents, and survivors, the Manila RO
administers healthcare benefits, as well.
I urge support for continued operation of this key VA regional office
serving veterans and their families in the Philippines.
This bill also extends the VA Vendee Loan Program, which allows VA to
sell foreclosed properties to the general public, instead of continuing
to own foreclosed properties it cannot use. Our committee is working
hard to ensure we can increase economic opportunities for veterans and
their families so that no bank will have to foreclose on a veteran's
home and place that veteran and his or her family at risk of
homelessness.
That is why this bill also includes a bipartisan agreement to extend
the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program for 2 years. This
critical program assists homeless veterans and their families, and
those most at risk of becoming homeless. In southern California,
veterans experience some of the highest rates of homelessness in the
country.
In the Inland Empire rents continue to rise. Geographic barriers make
it challenging for veterans to access services that prevent
homelessness. And the recent $9 billion cut to HUD housing assistance
programs is making the homelessness crisis worse generally. That is why
extending the operation of this vital program is so important.
In recent weeks, our Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, led by
Chairman Mike Levin and Ranking Member Gus Bilirakis, held two
bipartisan field hearings that are helping this committee to identify
solutions to address veteran homelessness.
We have much work to do in understanding the definition of
homelessness, getting true population counts, preventing homelessness,
and working to respond to homelessness after disasters.
During the field hearing in San Diego, we heard prevention was about
one-tenth of the cost of crisis intervention.
The SSVF program, which awards grants to nonprofit organizations,
provides supportive services to very low-income veterans and their
families to assist homeless veterans in moving into permanent housing
and veterans in housing who are at risk of becoming homeless. These
grants help organizations provide case management, outreach, and help
veterans obtain VA healthcare and disability benefits.
These grant recipients also help with child care assistance,
transportation, housing counseling services, legal services, and
financial planning for veterans and their families.
I urge each of my colleagues to support this vital program so that no
veteran is forced to live on the street.
Mr. Speaker, September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness
Month. Tragically, 20 veterans take their lives each day. Despite
Congress' and VA's efforts to address veteran suicide, the rate remains
unchanged. This year, we have also seen multiple veteran suicides on VA
campuses. For these reasons, I have made addressing veteran suicide the
top policy priority of this committee.
Earlier this month, I called on VA to conduct a 15-day nationwide
stand-down in response to a VA inspector general investigation into a
veteran suicide at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. The IG report
exposed weaknesses in procedures, staff training, and installation of
monitoring equipment in the inpatient mental health clinic.
Three-quarters of veterans who commit suicide are not receiving
treatment at VA hospitals and clinics. As Congress and VA chart a
strategy to reach these veterans not receiving VA care, veterans and
the public must be assured that VA's own mental health clinics are
adequately and appropriately staffed. Each unit must have up-to-date
monitoring equipment. All VA staff must undergo appropriate training.
And each mental health unit must be routinely inspected.
While I am disappointed the VA secretary has resisted my call for a
nationwide stand-down, I appreciate that VA is taking actions that meet
the spirit of my request. VA must make every effort to provide the
highest quality treatment for the veterans and their care, especially
veterans in crisis who come to VA for help.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4285 extends a program that provides transportation
for veterans living in highly rural areas to vet centers for counseling
and other mental health and social services.
For veterans in need of mental healthcare who may be uncomfortable
entering medical facilities, vet centers
[[Page H7731]]
serve as a community and counseling center. For some veterans, these
vet centers are a lifeline.
Yesterday, Congressman Rose and I visited the vet center in Staten
Island, New York. We both learned about the support, counseling,
connection to other VA services, and the sense of community the Staten
Island vet center creates with the veterans who visit there.
{time} 1645
We also learned that transportation, including a $15 toll, can make
it difficult for veterans in New York City to access vet centers and VA
facilities. Our committee is going to look into a solution to address
this.
Likewise, veterans in highly rural areas tell us distance and
transportation are also obstacles to participating in counseling and
mental health treatment at vet centers. Therefore, Congress has been
authorizing a pilot program since 2012 that pays travel expenses for
veterans attending counseling at vet centers in Bangor, Maine;
Kalispell, Montana; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Spokane, Washington.
Mr. Speaker, suicide is preventable. Veterans who are thinking about
suicide are not alone. If my colleagues have veterans in their district
who are thinking about suicide, please urge them to call the Veterans
Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. They can also text 741741.
Mr. Speaker, let me repeat this very important number again. The
Veterans Crisis Line is 1-800-273-8255, and veterans are asked to press
1. Veterans can also text 741741.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank Mr. Brindisi, a
member of our Economic Opportunity and Health Subcommittees, for
bringing this bill to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4285, the Department of
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2019.
This legislation represents a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that
would extend the expiring authorities impacting the lives of veterans.
Swift passage of this legislation today would ensure that these
programs continue. This bill would extend four authorities.
First, the bill would extend through September 30, 2020, the VA's
authority to provide direct loans to buyers of VA-owned residences that
the VA has pooled together.
It would also extend to September 30, 2020, the VA's authority to
operate a regional office in Manila that provides services to World War
II veterans who reside in the Philippines.
Third, it would extend through 2021 the Supportive Services for
Veteran Families program, the SSVF program, which provides grants to
organizations that provide supportive services to eligible homeless or
at-risk veteran families to promote housing stability.
Finally, the bill would extend through September 2020 the VA's
authority to pay travel allowances to and from vet centers for veterans
who live in highly rural areas.
To be clear, these are not new authorities. They are in present law,
and costs associated with them have been assumed in the House-passed
appropriations bill for fiscal year 2020 and the 2021 advanced
appropriations.
In addition to extending these authorities, the bill would also make
technical changes to legislation that Congress has previously passed.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4285 so that the Senate can take
it up quickly and send it to the President's desk.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Levin), the chairman of the Economic Opportunity
Subcommittee.
Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this
legislation, which will, among other things, help us address the
epidemic of veteran homelessness. It is simply unacceptable that many
of the men and women who have served this great country are now living
on our streets.
I am grateful to my friend, Ranking Member Gus Bilirakis from
Florida. We have now had two field hearings in his district, the 12th
Congressional District of Florida, and my district, the 49th
Congressional District of California. We are absolutely committed to
doing everything we can to address this issue in our communities and in
all communities around the country.
We owe it to those who have served and their families to ensure that
they have everything they need to get back on their feet, including
case management; assistance in obtaining VA benefits; and temporary
financial assistance with rent, utilities, or childcare expenses.
I was proud to introduce bipartisan legislation to help address
homelessness, specifically among women veterans, by reauthorizing
funding for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families grant program
and requiring that at least $20 million goes to organizations that have
a focus on helping women veterans and their families.
What we are seeing in our subcommittee is that the rate of veterans'
homelessness is roughly steady, but alarmingly, women veterans'
homelessness is increasing. We have to do something about it.
The legislation before us today will provide the reauthorization that
we need before the end of the fiscal year on September 30.
I have said it before, and I will say it again: Even one homeless
veteran is one too many. We have a moral obligation to make robust
Federal investments in programs to help get veterans off the streets.
By passing this legislation, we can make those investments, and we
can do more than just pay lip service to our veterans. We can give them
the support and resources they have earned and deserve.
I give credit to my friends, Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Roe.
They are doing a fantastic job helping our veterans and trying to give
back in any way we can to those who have served our country, those who
have given so much. It is my great honor to serve with them on the
House Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost), an original cosponsor of this
legislation.
I have had the privilege of serving with Congressman Bost since he
has been on the committee. He is a Marine Corps veteran, 1979 to 1982.
He served in the last Congress as chairman of the DAMA, Disability
Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, and he is also on the
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding.
As a marine, it is one of my greatest honors to serve on the
Veterans' Affairs Committee. It is vitally important that our
government fulfill its promises to our Nation's military members that
they will be taken care of once they return.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is tasked with ensuring that they
receive the care they need and have earned. This bill ensures that the
VA can continue to support some of our Nation's most vulnerable
veterans. It extends funding for programs that help very low-income
veterans and those who must travel long distances to vet centers in
order to receive their care.
That is why I am proud to cosponsor and introduce this legislation
with my friend, Congressman Brindisi, and I urge my colleagues to
support it as well.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Brindisi), who serves on our Economic Opportunity and Health
Subcommittees and who also is the author of H.R. 4285.
Mr. BRINDISI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4285, the Department of
Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2019, which I introduced
to ensure that veterans and their families continue to have access to
the programs and benefits that they rely on.
This critical bill authorizes the continuation of several important
VA programs that will expire at the end of this fiscal year if Congress
does not act.
First, this bill provides a 1-year extension of VA's authority
relating to vendee loans. Vendee loans are loans offered by the VA to
purchase VA real estate-owned properties. Offered to veterans and
nonveterans alike, this loan
[[Page H7732]]
program allows people to purchase properties that were previously
foreclosed upon and are now government-owned, with little to no
downpayment.
This bill also provides a 2-year extension of financial assistance
for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in
permanent housing. Grantees under this program are required to provide
supportive services to eligible veterans and their families, including
outreach, case management, and assistance in obtaining VA benefits.
This program was previously authorized for fiscal year 2019, but this
extension would extend authorization to include fiscal years 2020 and
2021. This extension of the program helps give the VA and the grantees
better certainty of the program's future so they can continue providing
critical wraparound services that help low-income veterans get back on
their feet.
The bill also provides a 1-year extension of VA's payments and
allowances for beneficiary travel in connection with veterans receiving
care from vet centers. While veterans can claim beneficiary travel from
VA medical facilities, we know that care at the vet centers can be just
as important.
This program is important because it specifically helps populations
of rural veterans. Highly rural veterans have frequently described
transportation as being a limiting factor in receiving care, and I am
proud that this bill would extend this critical program.
I thank Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Roe for their work on
extending these critical programs and their true commitment to our
Nation's veterans. I also thank my colleague Congressman Bost from
Illinois, my friend on the VA Committee, for leading this legislation
with me.
It is an honor to serve on the VA Committee, the most bipartisan
committee in Congress, and work with my colleagues to support our
Nation's veterans.
I encourage my colleagues to support this critical legislation and
support our Nation's veterans.
Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, just to reemphasize what was said about homeless
veterans, I have been on the committee for almost 11 years, my entire
time in Congress. When I first arrived here, we had over 100,000
homeless veterans on the streets of this country, which was
unbelievable.
Then-Secretary General Shinseki made one of his priorities to try to
reduce homelessness to zero by 2016. He did not succeed in that, but we
have reduced the homeless veterans population now down to under 40,000,
which is a 60 percent reduction, a huge reduction.
I could not agree more with my colleague from California. One veteran
homeless is too many.
I know there are pockets in this country. I know that, in California,
they have a really serious problem there, and I think they are working
very hard on trying to solve this. This legislation will be one piece
of the puzzle.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this legislation, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and Veterans' Affairs Committee
Ranking Member Phil Roe for mentioning the tremendous strides the VA
and this Nation have made toward reducing veteran homelessness.
It is true that Secretary Shinseki's goal of ending veteran
homelessness did not occur by the designated year, 2016. But even in
the State of California, where we are still experiencing several
pockets of veteran homelessness, in Riverside County, the county I
represent in Congress, this county has achieved functional zero. This
does not mean that there are zero homeless veterans, but what it does
mean is that when homeless veterans are identified, their homelessness
is brief and nonrecurring. That is the definition of functional zero.
I want to commend, again, the officials at the Riverside County VA
and the Loma Linda VA for the incredible work they have done to achieve
functional zero. I hope that they will be able to share their insights
with other counties in my State and across the Nation that are looking
to do the same.
What I do know is that functional zero will not remain functional
zero without concerted and intentional effort to be vigilant. We need
to be vigilant in areas where we have reduced homelessness to
functional zero, and we also need to ensure that we continue to address
the challenges in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego County
where homelessness among our veterans persists.
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud and pleased to support this package of
extensions of programs--among them, programs that will address veteran
homelessness.
I urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing this very important
legislation, H.R. 4285, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the House
Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget, I rise in
strong support of H.R. 4285, the Department of Veterans Affairs
Expiring Authorities Act of 2019, which among other things,
reauthorizes the VA Vendee Loan Program.
The VA Vendee Loan program allows veterans, non-veterans, owner-
occupants, and investors the opportunity to purchase VA real estate
owned properties.
Veterans have the opportunity to purchase these properties with
little to no money down, competitive interest rates, 15 or 30 year loan
term options, and no appraisal requirement or pre-payment penalties.
H.R. 4285 would provide a one-year extension to this critical program
that gives veterans a viable alternative to traditional financing.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is making a positive impact on the
lives of thousands of veterans and beneficiaries.
For example, in the Philippines, the Manila Regional office is the
only Veterans Affairs office outside the United States or its
territories.
This legislation will create a one-year extension of VA's authority
to operate a Regional Office in the Philippines, providing benefits
claims, local payment of benefit checks, and other social services to
thousands of U.S. veterans living oversees in the Philippines.
In addition, H.R. 4285 will provide a two year extension of authority
to fund financial assistance for supportive services to very low income
veteran families in permanent housing, and a one-year extension of VA's
authority to temporarily expand payments and allowances for beneficiary
travel in connection with veterans receiving care from vet centers.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4285,
the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2019, to
continue providing the Department of Veterans Affairs the resources to
continue providing services to our nation's veterans.
{time} 1700
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 4285.
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. TAKANO. 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.
____________________