Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 73 (Monday, April 29, 2024)

[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 73 (Monday, April 29, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2685-H2687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

VETERANS EDUCATION TRANSPARENCY AND TRAINING ACT

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 3738) to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the
Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and
Transition Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 3738

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 ``Veterans Economic
Opportunity and Transition Administration Act''.

SEC. 2. 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.
``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 Transition Assistance Program under section 1144
of title 10.
``(5) 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, 2025.
(c) Full-Time Employees.--For fiscal years 2025 and 2026,
the total number of full-time equivalent employees authorized
for the Veterans Benefits Administration and the Veterans
Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, as
established under chapter 80 of title 38, United States Code,
as added by subsection (a), may not exceed--
(1) 34,228 in fiscal year 2025; and
(2) 35,417 in fiscal year 2026.
(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. 3. 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:

[[Page H2686]]

``(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, 2025.

SEC. 4. 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 2, 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 2, until the
Secretary submits to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and House of Representatives certification that--
(1) the transition of the provision of services to such
Administration will not negatively affect the provision of
such services to veterans; and
(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, 2025; and
(2) no later than September 1, 2025.
(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.

SEC. 5. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.

The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``November 15,
2031'' each place it appears and inserting ``December 27,
2031''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Bost) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.

General Leave

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R.
3738, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3738, as amended, offered by
my friend and colleague from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup).
H.R. 3738, as amended, would establish a new administration called
the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration within
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For years, the Veterans Benefits Administration has been overburdened
and overwhelmed with bureaucracy and red tape. Right now, VBA simply
has too many important duties to fulfill on behalf of veterans and is
pulled in too many directions.
Even with the PACT Act giving record funding to reduce backlogs and
increase veteran benefits, this committee still sees poor performance
from this part of the VA. Dr. Wenstrup's bill, as amended, would
increase accountability and provide additional needed manpower for
veterans and certain programs.
For years, we have let the VA use their own judgment on how to handle
these programs. VBA is making too many decisions without notifying
veterans; putting new, burdensome requirements on schools; and creating
new programs that will cost billions of taxpayer dollars.
Changes are frequently made to the program with little input from
Congress or stakeholders and with little recourse for schools or
veterans. While the Biden administration has been especially guilty of
this, it must stop, regardless of who is in the White House.
This bill on the floor today is just the beginning of our efforts to
improve the delivery of benefits to veterans and their families.
I thank the VFW, SVA, DAV, and The American Legion for their support
of this bill. I also thank my friend, Dr. Wenstrup, for continuing to
be an advocate for this bill before he retires from Congress. I also
thank my colleagues across the aisle for cosponsoring and supporting
the legislation through the committee process.
The legacy of this bill will make a difference for veterans and their
families. This will match the important legacy of Dr. Wenstrup's
steadfast support of veterans and servicemembers as a U.S. Army
veteran.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 3738, as
amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 3738, as amended,
a bill that would establish a new administration at the Department of
Veterans Affairs. We have passed similar versions of this bill in the
last several Congresses, and I thank Dr. Wenstrup for his continued
work on this, as well

[[Page H2687]]

as that of current Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Ranking Member
Levin.
The VA administers major programs like the GI Bill, Veteran Readiness
& Employment, or VR&E, and the VA Home Loan program. However, these
programs must compete for attention and oversight within the Veterans
Benefits Administration.
Often, there is a lack of attention from VBA on critical benefits,
since a majority of the staff and resources are dedicated to the
administration of disability compensation and pension claims.
Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 3738, urge my colleagues to do the same,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Wenstrup), my good friend and the Representative from Ohio's
Second Congressional District.
Mr. WENSTRUP. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 3738,
the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration Act, or
VEOTA Act.
As a retired member of the U.S. Army Reserve and Iraq war veteran, I
know how important it is to help our warfighters succeed in their
transition to civilian life.
Far too often, people think unjustly that veterans return from war
defeated and with skills that aren't applicable to the civilian world.
This could be no further from the truth and anything else I have ever
heard. Our veterans are strong, dependable leaders and team players.
Our commitment to programs that promote opportunity and success brings
forth their abilities and potential.
I believe our servicemembers should have a plan from the day that
they enter the military to the day they transition out and beyond.

{time} 1830

We should care about their military and post-military careers. Our
veterans are soldiers for life, as we say in the Army, and we need to
put as much emphasis and attention on their success after service as we
do during it.
Currently, the Veterans Benefits Administration is responsible for
all Department of Veterans Affairs benefits provided to veterans
outside of healthcare and cemetery services.
While there are many different benefits that the VBA provides, the
bulk of staffing and resources have been, understandably, directed
toward the administration of disability compensation and pension
claims. This has resulted in a lack of attention on the administration
of other VBA benefits, such as the Forever GI Bill, vocational
rehabilitation, home loan benefits, and VA's portion of the Transition
Assistance Program.
We can't let these benefits fall by the wayside, especially those
that empower veterans and help set them on the path to success in
civilian life.
By aligning transition, education, and employment programs in a
fourth administration within the VA, this act will modernize the
Department and ensure that these opportunity-focused programs get the
high priority they deserve and the oversight they need to better serve
our veterans.
I thank Representative Levin for leading this legislation with me now
for the third time. We have many Senators supporting us, as well.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support
this legislation to help improve the way veterans receive VA services,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Flood). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3738, 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. BOST. 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.

____________________