[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

[[Page H5279]]

     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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