[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 85 (Monday, May 17, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2373-H2375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ESTABLISHING VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION
ADMINISTRATION
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2494) to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in
the Department the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition
Administration, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2494
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND
TRANSITION ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition
Administration.--
(1) In general.--Part V of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:
``CHAPTER 80--VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION
ADMINISTRATION
``Sec.
[[Page H2374]]
``8001. Organization of Administration.
``8002. Functions of Administration.
``8003. Annual report to Congress.
``Sec. 8001. Organization of Administration
``(a) Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition
Administration.--There is in the Department of Veterans
Affairs a Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition
Administration. The primary function of the Veterans Economic
Opportunity and Transition Administration is the
administration of the programs of the Department that provide
assistance related to economic opportunity to veterans and
their dependents and survivors.
``(b) Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity and
Transition.--The Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition
Administration is under the Under Secretary for Veterans
Economic Opportunity and Transition, who is directly
responsible to the Secretary for the operations of the
Administration.
``Sec. 8002. Functions of Administration
``The Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition
Administration is responsible for the administration of the
following programs of the Department:
``(1) Vocational rehabilitation and employment programs.
``(2) Educational assistance programs.
``(3) Veterans' housing loan and related programs.
``(4) The verification of small businesses owned and
controlled by veterans pursuant to subsection (f) of section
8127 of this title, including the administration of the
database of veteran-owned businesses described in such
subsection.
``(5) The Transition Assistance Program under section 1144
of title 10.
``(6) Any other program of the Department that the
Secretary determines appropriate.
``Sec. 8003. Annual report to Congress
``The Secretary shall include in the annual report to the
Congress required by section 529 of this title a report on
the programs administered by the Under Secretary for Veterans
Economic Opportunity and Transition. Each such report shall
include the following with respect to each such program
during the fiscal year covered by that report:
``(1) The number of claims received.
``(2) The number of claims decided.
``(3) The average processing time for a claim.
``(4) The number of successful outcomes (as determined by
the Secretary).
``(5) The number of full-time equivalent employees.
``(6) The amounts expended for information technology.''.
(2) Clerical amendments.--The tables of chapters at the
beginning of title 38, United States Code, and of part V of
title 38, United States Code, are each amended by inserting
after the item relating to chapter 79 the following new item:
``80. Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administ8001''.....
(b) Effective Date.--Chapter 80 of title 38, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on
October 1, 2022.
(c) Authorization for Appropriations for Veterans Benefits
Administrations.--There is authorized to be appropriated for
fiscal year 2022 for the General Operating Expenses account
of the Veterans Benefits Administration $3,207,000,000.
(d) Labor Rights.--Any labor rights, inclusion in the
bargaining unit, and collective bargaining agreement that
affects an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs who
is transferred to the Veterans Economic Opportunity and
Transition Administration, as established under chapter 80 of
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a),
shall apply in the same manner to such employee after such
transfer.
SEC. 2. UNDER SECRETARY FOR VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND
TRANSITION.
(a) Under Secretary.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 306 the following new
section:
``Sec. 306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic
Opportunity and Transition
``(a) Under Secretary.--There is in the Department an Under
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition,
who is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate. The Under Secretary for Veterans
Economic Opportunity and Transition shall be appointed
without regard to political affiliation or activity and
solely on the basis of demonstrated ability in--
``(1) information technology; and
``(2) the administration of programs within the Veterans
Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration or
programs of similar content and scope.
``(b) Responsibilities.--The Under Secretary for Veterans
Economic Opportunity and Transition is the head of, and is
directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of,
the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition
Administration.
``(c) Vacancies.--(1) Whenever a vacancy in the position of
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and
Transition occurs or is anticipated, the Secretary shall
establish a commission to recommend individuals to the
President for appointment to the position.
``(2) A commission established under this subsection shall
be composed of the following members appointed by the
Secretary:
``(A) Three persons representing education and training,
vocational rehabilitation, employment, real estate, mortgage
finance and related industries, and survivor benefits
activities affected by the Veterans Economic Opportunity and
Transition Administration.
``(B) Two persons representing veterans served by the
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.
``(C) Two persons who have experience in the management of
private sector benefits programs of similar content and scope
to the economic opportunity and transition programs of the
Department.
``(D) The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
``(E) The chairman of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on
Education formed under section 3692 of this title.
``(F) One person who has held the position of Under
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition,
if the Secretary determines that it is desirable for such
person to be a member of the commission.
``(3) A commission established under this subsection shall
recommend at least three individuals for appointment to the
position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity
and Transition. The commission shall submit all
recommendations to the Secretary. The Secretary shall forward
the recommendations to the President and the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives
with any comments the Secretary considers appropriate.
Thereafter, the President may request the commission to
recommend additional individuals for appointment.
``(4) The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Veterans Affairs who performs personnel management and
labor relations functions shall serve as the executive
secretary of a commission established under this
subsection.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 306 the following new item:
``306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and
Transition.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Title 38, United States Code,
is further amended--
(1) in section 306(c)(2), by striking subparagraphs (A) and
(E) and redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (F),
as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;
(2) in section 317(d)(2), by inserting after ``Under
Secretary for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and
Transition,'';
(3) in section 318(d)(2), by inserting after ``Under
Secretary for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and
Transition,'';
(4) in section 516(e)(2)(C), by striking ``Health and the
Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, the
Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
(5) in section 541(a)(2)(B), by striking ``Health and the
Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, the
Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
(6) in section 542(a)(2)(B)(iii), by striking ``Health and
the Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health,
the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
(7) in section 544(a)(2)(B)(vi), by striking ``Health and
the Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health,
the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
(8) in section 709(c)(2)(A), by inserting after ``Under
Secretary for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and
Transition,'';
(9) in section 7701(a), by inserting after ``assistance''
the following: ``, other than assistance related to Economic
Opportunity and Transition,''; and
(10) in section 7703, by striking paragraphs (2) and (3)
and redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (2)
and (3), respectively.
(c) Effective Date.--Section 306A of title 38, United
States Code, as added by subsection (a), and the amendments
made by this section, shall take effect on October 1, 2022.
SEC. 3. TRANSFER OF SERVICES.
(a) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the
progress toward establishing the Veterans Economic
Opportunity and Transition Administration, as established
under section 8001 of title 38, United States Code, as added
by section 4, and the transition of the provision of services
to veterans by such Administration.
(b) Certification.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
not transfer the function of providing any services to
veterans to the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition
Administration, as established under section 8001 of title
38, United States Code, as added by section 4 until the
Secretary submits to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and House of Representatives certification that--
[[Page H2375]]
(1) the transition of the provision of services to such
Administration will not negatively affect the provision of
such services to veterans;
(2) such services are ready to be transferred.
(c) Deadline for Certification.--The Secretary shall submit
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and
House of Representatives the certification required by
subsection (b)--
(1) no earlier than April 1, 2022; and
(2) no later than September 1, 2022.
(d) Failure To Certify.--If the Secretary fails to submit
the certification required by subsection (b) by the date
specified in subsection (c)(2), the Secretary shall submit to
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House
of Representatives a report that includes--
(1) the reason why the certification was not made by such
date; and
(2) the estimated date when the certification will be made.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Takano) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. TAKANO. Madam 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. 2494.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak on H.R. 2494, introduced by
Congressman Wenstrup, and which would establish a fourth administration
at the Department of Veterans Affairs focused on economic opportunity
and transition.
When our servicemembers conclude their time with the armed services,
they are tasked with returning to civilian life. This is the sacrifice
they make for our security, and in exchange, we owe them more than a
thank you and well wishes. We owe them a commitment that they will be
supported in their transition to civilian life, and that they will have
a VA that is responsive to their needs.
That is why we passed the first GI Bill nearly 75 years ago to the
day and why we continue today to make improvements in providing our
Nation's veterans with the benefits they have earned.
Unfortunately, VA has struggled to track the effectiveness of
programs for education and employment, and Congress has struggled to
determine the Department's resource needs in these areas.
Madam Speaker, one of the main reasons we have identified through
hearings and discussion with our veterans service organizations is that
the Veterans Benefits Administration is simply asked to do too much.
While managing compensation claims is important, the responsibility of
managing transition, education, and housing benefits often takes a
backseat. To put it in perspective, the Veterans Benefits
Administration's structure has not significantly changed since the
Veterans Administration was established in 1930.
Madam Speaker, during the last 89 years, the services needed by
veterans has dramatically changed, which is why our committee has an
Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. It is time for the importance of
economic opportunity to be elevated at VA as well.
This bipartisan bill would create a new administration within the
Department to manage educational assistance, vocational rehabilitation,
and employment, education, career counseling programs, and broadly
defined shared transition assistance programs. That means a dedicated
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition solely
focused on fulfilling our promise to the veterans that they will get
the education they want, the housing they need, and the careers they
deserve.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2494, which would
direct the VA to create a new fourth administration. This new
administration would oversee programs that support economic opportunity
for our veterans.
During my time in Congress, I have seen repeated instances of
mismanagement within the programs. I believe it is time for this new
administration to be created so that more focus can be placed on
economic opportunities for our veterans. This new focus is even more
important today as we are trying to help veterans get back on the right
economic track following the COVID-19 pandemic.
I want to thank Congressman Wenstrup for his dedication and hard work
on this bill.
Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues. I urge them to support
this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1530
Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in
passing this important piece of legislation, H.R. 2494, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
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. 2494.
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. ROSENDALE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
____________________