[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5278-H5280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
VETERANS ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT OF 2024
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 7342) to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal
Access, and for other purposes as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7342
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 Accessibility
Advisory Committee Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EQUAL ACCESS.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall establish within the Department of Veterans Affairs an
advisory committee on matters relating to accessibility of
the Department for individuals with disabilities.
(2) Designation.--The advisory committee established by
paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``Veterans Advisory
Committee on Equal Access'' (in this section the ``Advisory
Committee'').
(b) Membership.--
(1) Voting members.--The Advisory Committee shall be
composed of 15 voting members, appointed by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs. In appointing such members, the Secretary
shall ensure the following:
(A) Four are veterans with disabilities, including mobility
impairment, hearing, visual, and mental or cognitive
disabilities.
(B) Four are experts on issues described in subsection
(f)(1)(A) or the provisions of law set forth under subsection
(f)(1)(B).
(C) Two are employees of the Department, one from the
Section 508 Office and one from the Architectural
Accessibility Program, who oversee the compliance of the
Department with Federal accessibility laws.
(D) Five are representatives nominated by national veterans
service organizations that advocate for veterans with
physical, sensory, mental, or cognitive disabilities.
(2) Ex officio members.--The Advisory Committee shall also
include four ex officio members (or their designees):
(A) The Under Secretary for Health.
(B) The Under Secretary for Benefits.
(C) The Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.
(D) The chairperson of the Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board (known as the ``Access Board'').
(c) Terms; Vacancies.--
(1) Terms.--A member of the Advisory Committee shall be
appointed for a term of two years. The Secretary may
reappoint members to the Advisory Committee for such
additional two-year terms as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(2) Vacancies.--The Secretary shall fill a vacancy in the
Advisory Committee in the same manner as the original
appointment
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not later than 180 days after such vacancy occurs.
(d) Meetings.--
(1) Frequency.--The Advisory Committee shall meet not less
frequently than twice each year.
(2) Subcommittees.--The Advisory Committee may form
subcommittees, which shall meet as often as required.
(3) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Advisory
Committee shall constitute a quorum.
(e) Chairperson.--Members of the Advisory Committee shall
select a Chairperson from among the members of the Advisory
Committee. If the position of Chairperson becomes vacant, the
members of the Advisory Committee shall select a new
Chairperson not later than 30 days after the date on which
the position became vacant.
(f) Duties.--
(1) Requirement to consult and seek advice.--On a regular
basis, the Secretary shall consult with and seek the advice
of the Advisory Committee--
(A) on improving the accessibility of the Department for
individuals with disabilities, including improving--
(i) the accessibility of information of the Department,
including electronic information;
(ii) the accessibility of the services and benefits
furnished by the Department;
(iii) the accessibility of the facilities of the
Department;
(iv) the accessibility of facilities of health care
providers furnishing care or services under the Veterans
Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United
States Code; and
(v) the acquisition process of the Department to ensure
that products and services, including information technology
and information and communication technology (as defined in
the standards issued by the Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board pursuant to section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d)), are accessible
when purchased; and
(B) for ensuring the compliance of the Department with
provisions of law relating to disability and accessibility,
including--
(i) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12184 et seq.);
(ii) sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(29 U.S.C. 791, 794, and 794d);
(iii) the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (5 U.S.C. 301 note);
(iv) the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 note);
(v) the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-
480); and
(vi) such other provisions of Federal law as may be that
ensure equal access to Federal facilities, benefits, or
services for individuals with disabilities.
(2) Provision of advice.--In providing advice to the
Secretary, the Advisory Committee shall, focusing on the
areas of greatest need for the Department--
(A) assess the disability access needs of veterans, the
public, and Department employees for full access to the
Department's information, services, and benefits by reviewing
relevant information, such as filed complaints by people with
disabilities or physical assessments of the Department's
facilities;
(B) provide assessments of accessibility at the Department
and the compliance of the Department with applicable
provisions of law relating to disability and accessibility;
and
(C) provide advice on improving accessibility at the
Department, including the accessibility of all--
(i) communications, including internal and public facing;
(ii) services and benefits; and
(iii) facilities.
(3) Reports.--
(A) Reports to the secretary.--Not later than two years
after the date of the first meeting of the Advisory
Committee, and not less frequently than once every two years
thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the
Secretary a report that, focusing on areas of greatest need
for the Department--
(i) identifies and assesses access barriers affecting
veterans, the public, and employees of the Department;
(ii) determines the extent to which the programs and
activities of the Department address the barriers identified
in clause (i), including compliance of the Department with
provisions of law relating to accessibility law and
reporting;
(iii) provides recommendations and access priorities to
improve the accessibility of the Department's services,
benefits, information, technology, and facilities;
(iv) provides a description of access improvements and
assesses the Department's implementation of recommendations
from previous reports of the Advisory Committee, including
any unmet recommendations that remain necessary for improving
accessibility for the Department; and
(v) provides any recommendations for legislation,
administrative action, or other actions that the Advisory
Committee determines appropriate.
(B) Reports to congress and federal agencies.--
(i) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the receipt
of a report required under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
copy of such report and any comments and recommendations of
the Secretary concerning such report that the Secretary
determines appropriate.
(ii) Availability to the public.--The Secretary shall
publish on a publicly accessible website of the Department
such report and such comments and recommendations as may have
been submitted along with such report.
(iii) Appropriate congressional committees.--In this
subparagraph, the term ``appropriate congressional
committees'' means--
(I) the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and
House of Representatives;
(II) the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate; and
(III) the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the
House of Representatives.
(g) Advisory Committee Personnel and Resource Matters.--
(1) Compensation of members.--A member of the Commission
who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government
shall not be compensated for the performance of the duties of
the Advisory Committee.
(2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Advisory Committee
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu
of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States
Code, while away from their homes or regular places of
business in the performance of services for the Advisory
Committee.
(3) Resources.--The Secretary shall ensure that such
personnel, funding, and other resources are made available to
the Advisory Committee as the Secretary determines
appropriate to carry out the duties of the Advisory
Committee.
(4) Information.--The Secretary shall furnish to the
Advisory Committee such information as the Advisory Committee
may request from the Secretary, subject to applicable
provisions of law.
(h) Termination of Advisory Committee.--The Advisory
Committee shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. ABOLITION OF INACTIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act and before establishing the Veterans Advisory
Committee on Equal Access under section 2, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall--
(1) abolish an advisory committee of the Department of
Veterans Affairs that--
(A) was not established by an Act of Congress; and
(B) is inactive;
(2) consolidate two advisory committees described in
paragraph (1); or
(3) submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the
Senate and House of Representatives a recommendation to
abolish an advisory committee of the Department that--
(A) was established by an Act of Congress; and
(B) is inactive.
SEC. 4. 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 ``November 29,
2031''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Lopez). 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.
7342, 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 today in support of H.R. 7342, offered by my
friend and colleague, Congressman David Valadao of California.
This bill would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to
establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access. The
committee would advise the VA Secretary on how to improve access to VA
services, programs, and facilities for veterans living with
disabilities to enhance their experience at VA.
The committee would rightfully bring together veterans with
disabilities, subject matter experts, VA employees, and representatives
of veterans service organizations to get to the heart of the matter.
Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that this is long overdue.
Americans with disabilities are entitled to equal access to
healthcare and benefits nationwide, and that includes at VA. Congress
made that very clear through the Americans with Disabilities Act and
other laws, but veterans with disabilities are still being shortchanged
far too often.
We know these accessible gaps still exist because of the work of the
Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Blinded
[[Page H5280]]
Veterans Association, other VSOs and advocacy groups, and the work of
this committee.
I thank them for their collaboration with Congress on this
legislation. Their only focus is to eliminate barriers and achieve
universal access and equality for veterans living with disabilities.
This is an important goal, and I believe the advisory committee is well
justified.
I also share many of my colleagues' concerns about the growth of
advisory committees in the Federal Government. There are simply too
many. That is why this legislation would direct VA to eliminate or
consolidate an inactive advisory committee.
This bill is a reasonable step forward to use VA resources wisely and
ultimately improve access for veterans living with disabilities.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 7342, 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 today in support of H.R. 7342, as amended, the
Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2024. This bill
establishes an advisory committee that brings disabled veterans' voices
into the fold and provides a seat at the table with top decisionmakers
at VA.
Access is an issue I have sought to champion during my time in
Congress, and particularly during my time with the Veterans' Affairs
Committee.
Disabled veterans still face many barriers in accessing the care and
services they have rightfully earned. Those barriers deserve the time
and attention of a VA advisory committee so that experts can come
together to improve how veterans with disabilities access their care
and benefits.
Advocates like the Blinded Veterans Association, Paralyzed Veterans
of America, and Disabled American Veterans, have been tireless voices
in our communities, raising awareness of these issues.
Establishing a Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee will provide
a direct line for these voices to be heard and for change to be made at
VA so that all veterans can access their care and benefits with ease.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Valadao), who has sponsored the bill.
Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding, and I
thank him and his committee for all their help on getting this bill
here.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my bill,
the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act. Sadly, many disabled
veterans in the Central Valley and across the country are facing
barriers in accessing the critical services they need. From struggling
with physical infrastructure at VA facilities to navigating the red
tape in the benefits process, disabled veterans are too often getting
left behind.
Doorways that are too narrow, elevators that are constantly out of
service, and exam rooms that aren't big enough to accommodate
wheelchairs are just a few obstacles veterans face when trying to
receive care.
Serving disabled veterans is a critical part of the VA's mission, but
they need to do more to ensure the unique needs of disabled veterans
are being heard.
By establishing a permanent advisory committee within the VA, my bill
ensures disabled veterans have a seat at the table in providing
feedback so they can easily access the benefits, services, and
facilities they have earned.
We cannot leave our disabled veterans behind. Our veterans have
sacrificed so much for our Nation, and they deserve a VA that is
responsive to their needs.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield
myself the balance of my time to close.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R.
7342, the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2024, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support
this legislation to improve access to VA services for veterans with
disabilities, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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. 7342, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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