[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 18, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5109-H5110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           VA PEER SUPPORT ENHANCEMENT FOR MST SURVIVORS ACT

  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2724) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for peer support specialists 
for claimants who are survivors of military sexual trauma, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2724

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

     SECTION 1. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PROCESSING OF CLAIMS BY 
                   VETERANS FOR COMPENSATION FOR CERTAIN MENTAL 
                   HEALTH CONDITIONS BASED ON MILITARY SEXUAL 
                   TRAUMA.

       (a) In General.--Section 1166 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``or air service'' both places it appears 
     and inserting ``air, or space service'';
       (2) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in the heading, by striking ``In General'' and 
     inserting ``Processing'';
       (B) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(2) A peer support specialist of the Department--
       ``(A) shall not be responsible for providing any assistance 
     to a veteran regarding a claim described in paragraph (1), 
     other than counseling services, guidance, and support, 
     pursuant to duties determined by the Under Secretary for 
     Health; and
       ``(B) shall not participate in the adjudication of such a 
     claim.'';
       (3) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
     (c) and (d), respectively;
       (4) by inserting, after subsection (a), the following new 
     subsection (b):
       ``(b) Referrals to MST Coordinators.--The Secretary shall 
     include, in forms for claims described in subsection (a), an 
     option for a veteran to elect to be referred to a military 
     sexual trauma coordinator of the Veterans Health 
     Administration at the facility of the Department nearest to 
     the residence of such veteran.''; and
       (5) in subsection (c), as redesignated--
       (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that peer support 
     specialists of the Department receive annual training on how 
     to provide peer support regarding military sexual trauma.
       ``(3) The Secretary shall provide annual training, 
     regarding the processing of claims described in subsection 
     (a), to the following individuals:
       ``(A) Military sexual trauma coordinators of the Veterans 
     Health Administration.
       ``(B) Peer support specialists of the Department.'';
       (b) Clerical Amendments.--
       (1) Section heading.--The heading of such section is 
     amended by striking ``Specialized teams to evaluate claims'' 
     and inserting ``Claims''.
       (2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 11 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 1166 and inserting the 
     following:
``1166. Claims involving military sexual trauma.''.


[[Page H5110]]


  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. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
to insert extraneous material on H.R. 2724, as amended.
  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 rise in strong support of H.R. 2724, as amended, the 
VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act, introduced by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Delgado).
  VA has provided peer support specialists for recently discharged 
veterans transitioning to civilian life, veterans with mental health or 
substance abuse issues, and caregivers of veterans.
  Peer support programs have proven successful for these communities 
and may prove to be a beneficial tool during the claims process for 
survivors of military sexual trauma. Victim advocacy can serve as a 
bridge between survivors and the Veterans Benefits Administration 
adjudicators processing their cases.
  Within the MST context, a highly trained peer support specialist can 
serve as an advocate who can provide counsel, assistance, and 
coordination to navigate a process that may be stress-inducing and 
anxiety-provoking.
  If the MST claimant chooses to utilize the services of a peer support 
specialist, the MST claims experience may go more smoothly and 
potentially reduce the emotional strain on an inherently difficult 
process.
  This bill was amended in committee with thoughtful input from Ranking 
Member Bost, who sought to clarify that the role of the peer support 
specialist in assisting an MST claimant is to act as a shepherd for the 
MST claimant rather than a surrogate who speaks on behalf of a claimant 
during proceedings. As such, a peer support specialist can provide 
guidance, support, and counseling and help claimants navigate a 
difficult and potentially retraumatizing process.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2724, the VA Peer 
Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act, which is sponsored by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Delgado).
  Veterans who file disability claims based on MST report that the 
process can be difficult and emotional. Peer support specialists can 
help these veterans through this stressful time. Peer support 
specialists provide critical help to veterans.
  Unfortunately, many veterans who file a claim for conditions based on 
MST may not be aware of, or eligible for, VHA peer support services. 
This bill would better ensure that these claimants are eligible for 
peer support services or are connected with an MST coordinator at VHA.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in 
passing H.R. 2724, as amended, and maybe, hopefully, the gentleman from 
Montana will allow this to go on a voice vote. I thought I would just 
mention that. 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. 2724, 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. ROSENDALE. Mr. 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.

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