[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.

                          ____________________