[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.

                          ____________________