[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4675-S4676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 2984. Ms. CORTEZ MASTO submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed by her to the bill H.R. 3944, making appropriations for 
military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related 
agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title II, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN VETERANS COMMUNITY 
                   CARE PROGRAM.

       (a) Conditions on Contract Expansion.--None of the funds 
     made available by this title may be used to expand or renew 
     contracts under the Veterans Community Care Program under 
     section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, unless the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs certifies to the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives that--
       (1) a comprehensive oversight framework is in place for 
     monitoring contractor performance under such program;
       (2) roles and responsibilities for contract oversight under 
     such program are clearly defined and documented; and
       (3) performance metrics for such program are being used to 
     assess timeliness, quality of care, and veteran satisfaction 
     across all providers under such program.
       (b) Limiting Redundant Use of Community Care.--The 
     Secretary shall ensure that--
       (1) referrals to care under section 1703 of title 38, 
     United States Code, are made only when facilities of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs cannot provide the required 
     care within clinical access standards; and
       (2) preference for care provided to veterans is given to 
     care provided by the Department if capacity exists.
       (c) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after 
     the date of the enactment

[[Page S4676]]

     of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report 
     detailing the steps taken to ensure effective oversight, 
     prevent inappropriate overuse of community care, and improve 
     internal service capacity of the Department.
                                 ______