[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 17097-17119]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  2030
                     VETERANS' BENEFITS ACT OF 2010

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in 
the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 3219) to amend title 38, United 
States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws administered by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to insurance and health 
care, and for other purposes.

[[Page 17098]]

  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the Senate amendments is as follows:

       Senate amendments:
       Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' 
     Benefits Act of 2010''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.

       TITLE I--EMPLOYMENT, SMALL BUSINESS, AND EDUCATION MATTERS

Sec. 101. Extension and expansion of authority for certain qualifying 
              work-study activities for purposes of the educational 
              assistance programs of the Department of Veterans 
              Affairs.
Sec. 102. Reauthorization of Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
Sec. 103. 18-month period for training of new disabled veterans' 
              outreach program specialists and local veterans' 
              employment representatives by National Veterans' 
              Employment and Training Services Institute.
Sec. 104. Clarification of responsibility of Secretary of Veterans 
              Affairs to verify small business ownership.
Sec. 105. Demonstration project for referral of USERRA claims against 
              Federal agencies to the Office of Special Counsel.
Sec. 106. Veterans Energy-Related Employment Program.
Sec. 107. Pat Tillman Veterans' Scholarship Initiative.

               TITLE II--HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS MATTERS

Sec. 201. Reauthorization of appropriations for Homeless Veterans 
              Reintegration Program.
Sec. 202. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children 
              reintegration grant program.
Sec. 203. Specially Adapted Housing assistive technology grant program.
Sec. 204. Waiver of housing loan fee for certain veterans with service-
              connected disabilities called to active service.

           TITLE III--SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT MATTERS

Sec. 301. Residential and motor vehicle leases.
Sec. 302. Termination of telephone service contracts.
Sec. 303. Enforcement by the Attorney General and by private right of 
              action.

                      TITLE IV--INSURANCE MATTERS

Sec. 401. Increase in amount of supplemental insurance for totally 
              disabled veterans.
Sec. 402. Permanent extension of duration of Servicemembers' Group Life 
              Insurance coverage for totally disabled veterans.
Sec. 403. Adjustment of coverage of dependents under Servicemembers' 
              Group Life Insurance.
Sec. 404. Opportunity to increase amount of Veterans' Group Life 
              Insurance.
Sec. 405. Elimination of reduction in amount of accelerated death 
              benefit for terminally-ill persons insured under 
              Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group 
              Life Insurance.
Sec. 406. Consideration of loss of dominant hand in prescription of 
              schedule of severity of traumatic injury under 
              Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.
Sec. 407. Enhancement of veterans' mortgage life insurance.
Sec. 408. Expansion of individuals qualifying for retroactive benefits 
              from traumatic injury protection coverage under 
              Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance.

                  TITLE V--BURIAL AND CEMETERY MATTERS

Sec. 501. Increase in certain burial and funeral benefits and plot 
              allowances for veterans.
Sec. 502. Interment in national cemeteries of parents of certain 
              deceased veterans.
Sec. 503. Reports on selection of new national cemeteries.

                   TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND PENSION

Sec. 601. Enhancement of disability compensation for certain disabled 
              veterans with difficulties using prostheses and disabled 
              veterans in need of regular aid and attendance for 
              residuals of traumatic brain injury.
Sec. 602. Cost-of-living increase for temporary dependency and 
              indemnity compensation payable for surviving spouses with 
              dependent children under the age of 18.
Sec. 603. Payment of dependency and indemnity compensation to survivors 
              of former prisoners of war who died on or before 
              September 30, 1999.
Sec. 604. Exclusion of certain amounts from consideration as income for 
              purposes of veterans pension benefits.
Sec. 605. Commencement of period of payment of original awards of 
              compensation for veterans retired or separated from the 
              uniformed services for catastrophic disability.
Sec. 606. Applicability of limitation to pension payable to certain 
              children of veterans of a period of war.
Sec. 607. Extension of reduced pension for certain veterans covered by 
              Medicaid plans for services furnished by nursing 
              facilities.
Sec. 608. Codification of 2009 cost-of-living adjustment in rates of 
              pension for disabled veterans and surviving spouses and 
              children.

    TITLE VII--EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE 
                           UNIFORMED SERVICES

Sec. 701. Clarification that USERRA prohibits wage discrimination 
              against members of the Armed Forces.
Sec. 702. Clarification of the definition of ``successor in interest''.
Sec. 703. Technical amendments.

                      TITLE VIII--BENEFITS MATTERS

Sec. 801. Increase in number of veterans for which programs of 
              independent living services and assistance may be 
              initiated.
Sec. 802. Payment of unpaid balances of Department of Veterans Affairs 
              guaranteed loans.
Sec. 803. Eligibility of disabled veterans and members of the Armed 
              Forces with severe burn injuries for automobiles and 
              adaptive equipment.
Sec. 804. Enhancement of automobile assistance allowance for veterans.
Sec. 805. National Academies review of best treatments for chronic 
              multisymptom illness in Persian Gulf War veterans.
Sec. 806. Extension and modification of National Academy of Sciences 
              reviews and evaluations on illness and service in Persian 
              Gulf War and Post-9/11 Global Operations Theaters.
Sec. 807. Extension of authority for regional office in Republic of the 
              Philippines.
Sec. 808. Extension of an annual report on equitable relief.
Sec. 809. Authority for the performance of medical disability 
              examinations by contract physicians.

TITLE IX--AUTHORIZATION OF MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS AND MAJOR MEDICAL 
                            FACILITY LEASES

Sec. 901. Authorization of fiscal year 2011 major medical facility 
              leases.
Sec. 902. Modification of authorization amount for major medical 
              facility construction project previously authorized for 
              the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New 
              Orleans, Louisiana.
Sec. 903. Modification of authorization amount for major medical 
              facility construction project previously authorized for 
              the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long 
              Beach, California.
Sec. 904. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 905. Requirement that bid savings on major medical facility 
              projects of Department of Veterans Affairs be used for 
              other major medical facility construction projects of the 
              Department.

                         TITLE X--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 1001. Technical corrections.
Sec. 1002. Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act compliance.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this 
     Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
     amendment to, or a repeal of, a section or other provision, 
     the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
     other provision of title 38, United States Code.

       TITLE I--EMPLOYMENT, SMALL BUSINESS, AND EDUCATION MATTERS

     SEC. 101. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN 
                   QUALIFYING WORK-STUDY ACTIVITIES FOR PURPOSES 
                   OF THE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Extension.--Paragraph (4) of section 3485(a) is amended 
     by striking ``June 30, 2010'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``June 30, 2013''.
       (b) Activities in State Veterans Agencies.--Such paragraph 
     is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(G) Any activity of a State veterans agency related to 
     providing assistance to veterans in obtaining any benefit 
     under the laws administered by the Secretary or the laws of 
     the State.
       ``(H) A position working in a Center of Excellence for 
     Veteran Student Success, as established pursuant to part T of 
     title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1161t et seq.).
       ``(I) A position working in a cooperative program carried 
     out jointly by the Department and an institution of higher 
     learning.
       ``(J) Any other veterans-related position in an institution 
     of higher learning.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (b) 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011.

[[Page 17099]]



     SEC. 102. REAUTHORIZATION OF VETERANS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                   EDUCATION.

       Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2009'' and inserting ``December 31, 2013''.

     SEC. 103. 18-MONTH PERIOD FOR TRAINING OF NEW DISABLED 
                   VETERANS' OUTREACH PROGRAM SPECIALISTS AND 
                   LOCAL VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT REPRESENTATIVES BY 
                   NATIONAL VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING 
                   SERVICES INSTITUTE.

       (a) 18-month Period.--Section 4102A(c)(8)(A) is amended by 
     striking ``three-year period'' and inserting ``18-month 
     period''.
       (b) Effective Date.--
       (1) Applicability to new employees.--The amendment made by 
     subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a State employee 
     assigned to perform the duties of a disabled veterans' 
     outreach program specialist or a local veterans' employment 
     representative under chapter 41 of title 38, United States 
     Code, who is so assigned on or after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (2) Applicability to previously-hired employees.--In the 
     case of such a State employee who is so assigned on or after 
     January 1, 2006, and before the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of Labor shall require the State to 
     require, as a condition of a grant or contract under which 
     funds are made available to the State in order to carry out 
     section 4103A or 4104 of title 38, United States Code, each 
     such employee to satisfactorily complete the training 
     described in section 4102A(c)(8)(A) of such title by not 
     later than the date that is 18 months after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 104. CLARIFICATION OF RESPONSIBILITY OF SECRETARY OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS TO VERIFY SMALL BUSINESS 
                   OWNERSHIP.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Veterans Small Business Verification Act''.
       (b) Clarification of Responsibility of Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs to Verify Small Business Ownership.--
       (1) Clarification.--Section 8127(f) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by inserting ``(A)'' before ``To be eligible'';
       (ii) by inserting after ``or the veteran.'' the following 
     new sentence: ``Application for inclusion in the database 
     shall constitute permission under section 552a of title 5 
     (commonly referred to as the Privacy Act) for the Secretary 
     to access such personal information maintained by the 
     Secretary as may be necessary to verify the information 
     contained in the application.''; and
       (iii) by inserting after the sentence added by clause (ii) 
     the following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) If the Secretary receives an application for 
     inclusion in the database from an individual whose status as 
     a veteran cannot be verified because the Secretary does not 
     maintain information with respect to the veteran status of 
     the individual, the Secretary may not include the small 
     business concern owned and controlled by the individual in 
     the database maintained by the Secretary until the Secretary 
     receives such information as may be necessary to verify that 
     the individual is a veteran.''; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following 
     new paragraph (4):
       ``(4) No small business concern may be listed in the 
     database until the Secretary has verified that--
       ``(A) the small business concern is owned and controlled by 
     veterans; and
       ``(B) in the case of a small business concern for which the 
     person who owns and controls the concern indicates that the 
     person is a veteran with a service-connected disability, that 
     the person is a veteran with a service-connected 
     disability.''.
       (2) Applicability.--In the case of a small business concern 
     included in the database as of the date of the enactment of 
     this Act for which, as of such date, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs has not verified the status of such concern 
     in accordance with paragraph (4) of subsection (f) of section 
     8127 of title 38, United States Code, as amended by paragraph 
     (1), not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, the Secretary shall notify the person who owns 
     and controls the concern that--
       (A) the Secretary is required to verify the status of the 
     concern in accordance with such paragraph, as so amended;
       (B) verification of such status shall require that the 
     person who owns and controls the concern apply for inclusion 
     in the database in accordance with such subsection, as so 
     amended;
       (C) application for inclusion in the database shall 
     constitute permission under section 552a of title 5, United 
     States Code (commonly referred to as the Privacy Act), for 
     the Secretary to access such personal information maintained 
     by the Secretary as may be necessary to verify the 
     information contained in the application; and
       (D) the person who owns and controls the concern must 
     submit to the Secretary all information required by the 
     Secretary under this paragraph within 90 days of receiving 
     the Secretary's notice of such requirement or the concern 
     shall be removed from the database.

     SEC. 105. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR REFERRAL OF USERRA CLAIMS 
                   AGAINST FEDERAL AGENCIES TO THE OFFICE OF 
                   SPECIAL COUNSEL.

       (a) Establishment of Project.--The Secretary of Labor and 
     the Office of Special Counsel shall carry out a 36-month 
     demonstration project under which certain claims against 
     Federal executive agencies under chapter 43 of title 38, 
     United States Code, are referred to, or otherwise received 
     by, the Office of Special Counsel for assistance, including 
     investigation and resolution of the claim as well as 
     enforcement of rights with respect to the claim. The 
     demonstration program shall begin not later than 60 days 
     after the Comptroller General of the United States submits 
     the report required under subsection (e)(3).
       (b) Referral of All Prohibited Personnel Practice Claims to 
     the Office of Special Counsel.--
       (1) In general.--Under the demonstration project, the 
     Office of Special Counsel shall receive and investigate all 
     claims under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, with 
     respect to Federal executive agencies in cases where the 
     Office of Special Counsel has jurisdiction over related 
     claims pursuant to section 1212 of title 5, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Related claims.--For purposes of paragraph (1), a 
     related claim is a claim involving the same Federal executive 
     agency and the same or similar factual allegations or legal 
     issues as those being pursued under a claim under chapter 43 
     of title 38, United States Code.
       (c) Referral of Other Claims Against Federal Executive 
     Agencies.--
       (1) In general.--Under the demonstration project, the 
     Secretary--
       (A) shall refer to the Office of Special Counsel all claims 
     described in paragraph (2) made during the period of the 
     demonstration project; and
       (B) may refer any claim described in paragraph (2) filed 
     before the demonstration project that is pending before the 
     Secretary at the beginning of the demonstration project.
       (2) Claims described.--A claim described in this paragraph 
     is a claim under chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, 
     against a Federal executive agency by a claimant with a 
     social security account number with an odd number as its 
     terminal digit or, in the case of a claim that does not 
     contain a social security account number, a case number 
     assigned to the claim with an odd number as its terminal 
     digit.
       (d) Administration of Demonstration Project.--
       (1) In general.--The Office of Special Counsel shall 
     administer the demonstration project. The Secretary shall 
     cooperate with the Office of Special Counsel in carrying out 
     the demonstration project.
       (2) Treatment of certain terms in chapter 43 of title 38, 
     united states code.--In the case of any claim referred to, or 
     otherwise received by, the Office of Special Counsel under 
     the demonstration project, any reference to the ``Secretary'' 
     in sections 4321, 4322, and 4326 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is deemed to be a reference to the ``Office of Special 
     Counsel''.
       (3) Administrative jurisdiction.--In the case of any claim 
     referred to, or otherwise received by, the Office of Special 
     Counsel under the demonstration project, the Office of 
     Special Counsel shall retain administrative jurisdiction over 
     the claim.
       (e) Data Comparability for Reviewing Agency Performance.--
       (1) In general.--To facilitate the review of the relative 
     performance of the Office of Special Counsel and the 
     Department of Labor during the demonstration project, the 
     Office of Special Counsel and the Department of Labor shall 
     jointly establish methods and procedures to be used by both 
     the Office and the Department during the demonstration 
     project. Such methods and procedures shall include each of 
     the following:
       (A) Definitions of performance measures, including--
       (i) customer satisfaction;
       (ii) cost (such as, but not limited to, average cost per 
     claim);
       (iii) timeliness (such as, but not limited to, average 
     processing time, case age);
       (iv) capacity (such as, but not limited to, staffing 
     levels, education, grade level, training received, caseload); 
     and
       (v) case outcomes.
       (B) Definitions of case outcomes.
       (C) Data collection methods and timing of collection.
       (D) Data quality assurance processes.
       (2) Joint report to congress.--Not later than 90 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Special Counsel 
     and the Secretary of Labor shall jointly submit to the 
     Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives and to the Comptroller General of the United 
     States a report describing the methods and procedures 
     established under paragraph (1).
       (3) Comptroller general report.--Not later than 30 days 
     after the date of the submittal of the report under paragraph 
     (2), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees 
     on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives a report on the report submitted under 
     paragraph (2) and may provide recommendations for improving 
     the methods and procedures described therein.
       (f) Agency Data to Government Accountability Office.--The 
     Office of Special Counsel and the Secretary of Labor shall 
     submit to the Comptroller General such information and data 
     about the demonstration project as may be required by the 
     Comptroller General, from time to time during the course of 
     the demonstration project and at the conclusion, in order for 
     the Comptroller General to assess the reliability of the 
     demonstration data maintained by both the Office of Special 
     Counsel and the Department of Labor and to review the 
     relative performance of the Office and Department under the 
     demonstration project.
       (g) Government Accountability Office Report.--The 
     Comptroller General shall review the relative performance of 
     the Office of Special Counsel and the Department of Labor 
     under the demonstration project and--

[[Page 17100]]

       (1) not later than one year after the commencement of the 
     demonstration project, and annually thereafter during the 
     period when the demonstration project is conducted, submit to 
     the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
     of Representatives an interim report on the demonstration 
     project; and
       (2) not later than 90 days after the conclusion of the 
     demonstration project, submit to such committees a final 
     report that includes the findings and conclusions of the 
     Comptroller General regarding the relative performance of the 
     Office and the Department under the demonstration project and 
     such recommendations as the Comptroller General determines 
     are appropriate.

     SEC. 106. VETERANS ENERGY-RELATED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment of Pilot Program.--To encourage the 
     employment of eligible veterans in the energy industry, the 
     Secretary of Labor, as part of the Veterans Workforce 
     Investment Program, shall carry out a pilot program to be 
     known as the ``Veterans Energy-Related Employment Program''. 
     Under the pilot program, the Secretary shall award 
     competitive grants to not more than three States for the 
     establishment and administration of a State program to make 
     grants to energy employers that provide covered training, on-
     job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes to 
     eligible veterans. Such a program shall be known as a ``State 
     Energy-Related Employment Program''.
       (b) Eligibility for Grants.--To be eligible to receive a 
     grant under the pilot program, a State shall submit to the 
     Secretary an application that includes each of the following:
       (1) A proposal for the expenditure of grant funds to 
     establish and administer a public-private partnership program 
     designed to provide covered training, on-job training, 
     apprenticeships, and certification classes to a significant 
     number of eligible veterans and ensure lasting and 
     sustainable employment in well-paying jobs in the energy 
     industry.
       (2) Evidence that the State has--
       (A) a population of eligible veterans of an appropriate 
     size to carry out the State program;
       (B) a robust and diverse energy industry; and
       (C) the ability to carry out the State program described in 
     the proposal under paragraph (1).
       (3) Such other information and assurances as the Secretary 
     may require.
       (c) Use of Funds.--A State that is the recipient of a grant 
     under this section shall use the grant for the following 
     purposes:
       (1) Making grants to energy employers to reimburse such 
     employers for the cost of providing covered training, on-job 
     training, apprenticeships, and certification classes to 
     eligible veterans who are first hired by the employer on or 
     after November 1, 2010.
       (2) Conducting outreach to inform energy employers and 
     veterans, including veterans in rural areas, of their 
     eligibility or potential eligibility for participation in the 
     State program.
       (d) Conditions.--Under the pilot program, each grant to a 
     State shall be subject to the following conditions:
       (1) The State shall repay to the Secretary, on such date as 
     shall be determined by the Secretary, any amount received 
     under the pilot program that is not used for the purposes 
     described in subsection (c).
       (2) The State shall submit to the Secretary, at such times 
     and containing such information as the Secretary shall 
     require, reports on the use of grant funds.
       (e) Employer Requirements.--In order to receive a grant 
     made by a State under the pilot program, an energy employer 
     shall--
       (1) submit to the administrator of the State Energy-Related 
     Employment Program an application that includes--
       (A) the rate of pay, during and after training, for each 
     eligible veteran proposed to be trained using grant funds;
       (B) the average rate of pay for an individual employed by 
     the energy employer in a similar position who is not an 
     eligible veteran; and
       (C) such other information and assurances as the 
     administrator may require; and
       (2) agree to submit to the administrator, for each quarter, 
     a report containing such information as the Secretary may 
     specify.
       (f) Limitation.--None of the funds made available to an 
     energy employer through a grant under the pilot program may 
     be used to provide training of any kind to--
       (1) a person who is not an eligible veteran; or
       (2) an eligible veteran for whom the employer has received 
     a grant, credit, or subsidy under any other provision of law.
       (g) Report to Congress.--Together with the report required 
     to be submitted annually under section 4107(c) of title 38, 
     United States Code, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
     report on the pilot program for the year covered by such 
     report. The report on the pilot program shall include a 
     detailed description of activities carried out under this 
     section and an evaluation of the program.
       (h) Administrative and Reporting Costs.--Of the amounts 
     appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations 
     under subsection (j), two percent shall be made available to 
     the Secretary for administrative costs associated with 
     implementing and evaluating the pilot program under this 
     section and for preparing and submitting the report required 
     under subsection (f). The Secretary shall determine the 
     appropriate maximum amount of each grant awarded under this 
     section that may be used by the recipient for administrative 
     and reporting costs.
       (i) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
       (1) The term ``covered training, on-job training, 
     apprenticeships, and certification classes'' means training, 
     on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes 
     that are--
       (A) designed to provide the veteran with skills that are 
     particular to an energy industry and not directly 
     transferable to employment in another industry; and
       (B) approved as provided in paragraph (1) or (2), as 
     appropriate, of subsection (a) of section 3687 of title 38, 
     United States Code.
       (2) The term ``eligible veteran'' means a veteran, as that 
     term is defined in section 101(2) of title 38, United States 
     Code, who is employed by an energy employer and enrolled or 
     participating in a covered training, on-job training, 
     apprenticeship, or certification class.
       (3) The term ``energy employer'' means an entity that 
     employs individuals in a trade or business in an energy 
     industry.
       (4) The term ``energy industry'' means any of the following 
     industries:
       (A) The energy-efficient building, construction, or 
     retrofits industry.
       (B) The renewable electric power industry, including the 
     wind and solar energy industries.
       (C) The biofuels industry.
       (D) The energy efficiency assessment industry that serves 
     the residential, commercial, or industrial sectors.
       (E) The oil and natural gas industry.
       (F) The nuclear industry.
       (j) Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Secretary $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 
     through 2014, for the purpose of carrying out the pilot 
     program under this section.

     SEC. 107. PAT TILLMAN VETERANS' SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE.

       (a) Availability of Scholarship Information.--By not later 
     than June 1, 2011, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     include on the Internet website of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs a list of organizations that provide scholarships to 
     veterans and their survivors and, for each such organization, 
     a link to the Internet website of the organization.
       (b) Maintenance of Scholarship Information.--The Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs shall make reasonable efforts to notify 
     schools and other appropriate entities of the opportunity to 
     be included on the Internet website of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs pursuant to subsection (a).

               TITLE II--HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS MATTERS

     SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HOMELESS 
                   VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

       Section 2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``2009'' and 
     inserting ``2011''.

     SEC. 202. HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH 
                   CHILDREN REINTEGRATION GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Grant Program.--Chapter 20 is amended by inserting 
     after section 2021 the following new section:

     ``Sec. 2021A. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans 
       with children reintegration grant program

       ``(a) Grants.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary of 
     Labor shall make grants to programs and facilities that the 
     Secretary determines provide dedicated services for homeless 
     women veterans and homeless veterans with children.
       ``(b) Use of Funds.--Grants under this section shall be 
     used to provide job training, counseling, placement services 
     (including job readiness and literacy and skills training) 
     and child care services to expedite the reintegration of 
     homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children 
     into the labor force.
       ``(c) Requirement To Monitor Expenditures of Funds.--(1) 
     The Secretary of Labor shall collect such information as that 
     Secretary considers appropriate to monitor and evaluate the 
     distribution and expenditure of funds appropriated to carry 
     out this section. The information shall include data with 
     respect to the results or outcomes of the services provided 
     to each homeless veteran under this section.
       ``(2) Information under paragraph (1) shall be furnished in 
     such form and manner as the Secretary of Labor may specify.
       ``(d)  Administration Through the Assistant Secretary of 
     Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.--The Secretary 
     of Labor shall carry out this section through the Assistant 
     Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.
       ``(e) Biennial Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Labor 
     shall include as part of the report required under section 
     2021(d) of this title an evaluation of the grant program 
     under this section, which shall include an evaluation of 
     services furnished to veterans under this section and an 
     analysis of the information collected under subsection (c).
       ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) In addition to 
     any amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 
     2021 of this title, there is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2011 through 2015.
       ``(2) Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall 
     remain available until expended. Funds obligated in any 
     fiscal year to carry out this section may be expended in that 
     fiscal year and the succeeding fiscal year.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 2021 the following new item:

``2021A. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children 
              reintegration grant program.''.

[[Page 17101]]



     SEC. 203. SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY 
                   GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 21 is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:

     ``Sec. 2108. Specially adapted housing assistive technology 
       grant program

       ``(a) Authority To Make Grants.--The Secretary shall make 
     grants to encourage the development of new assistive 
     technologies for specially adapted housing.
       ``(b) Application.--A person or entity seeking a grant 
     under this section shall submit to the Secretary an 
     application for the grant in such form and manner as the 
     Secretary shall specify.
       ``(c) Grant Funds.--(1) Each grant awarded under this 
     section shall be in an amount of not more than $200,000 per 
     fiscal year.
       ``(2) For each fiscal year in which the Secretary makes a 
     grant under this section, the Secretary shall make the grant 
     by not later than April 1 of that year.
       ``(d) Use of Funds.--The recipient of a grant under this 
     section shall use the grant to develop assistive technologies 
     for use in specially adapted housing.
       ``(e) Report.--Not later than March 1 of each fiscal year 
     following a fiscal year in which the Secretary makes a grant, 
     the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing 
     information related to each grant awarded under this section 
     during the preceding fiscal year, including--
       ``(1) the name of the grant recipient;
       ``(2) the amount of the grant; and
       ``(3) the goal of the grant.
       ``(f) Funding.--From amounts appropriated to the Department 
     for readjustment benefits for each fiscal year for which the 
     Secretary is authorized to make a grant under this section, 
     $1,000,000 shall be available for that fiscal year for the 
     purposes of the program under this section.
       ``(g) Duration.--The authority to make a grant under this 
     section shall begin on October 1, 2011, and shall terminate 
     on September 30, 2016.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new item:

``2108. Specially adapted housing assistive technology grant 
              program.''.

     SEC. 204. WAIVER OF HOUSING LOAN FEE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
                   WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES CALLED TO 
                   ACTIVE SERVICE.

       Section 3729(c)(1) is amended by inserting after 
     ``retirement pay'' the following: ``or active service pay''.

           TITLE III--SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT MATTERS

     SEC. 301. RESIDENTIAL AND MOTOR VEHICLE LEASES.

       Subsection (e) of section 305 of the Servicemembers Civil 
     Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 535) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(e) Arrearages and Other Obligations and Liabilities.--
       ``(1) Leases of premises.--Rent amounts for a lease 
     described in subsection (b)(1) that are unpaid for the period 
     preceding the effective date of the lease termination shall 
     be paid on a prorated basis. The lessor may not impose an 
     early termination charge, but any taxes, summonses, or other 
     obligations and liabilities of the lessee in accordance with 
     the terms of the lease, including reasonable charges to the 
     lessee for excess wear, that are due and unpaid at the time 
     of termination of the lease shall be paid by the lessee.
       ``(2) Leases of motor vehicles.--Lease amounts for a lease 
     described in subsection (b)(2) that are unpaid for the period 
     preceding the effective date of the lease termination shall 
     be paid on a prorated basis. The lessor may not impose an 
     early termination charge, but any taxes, summonses, title and 
     registration fees, or other obligations and liabilities of 
     the lessee in accordance with the terms of the lease, 
     including reasonable charges to the lessee for excess wear or 
     use and mileage, that are due and unpaid at the time of 
     termination of the lease shall be paid by the lessee.''.

     SEC. 302. TERMINATION OF TELEPHONE SERVICE CONTRACTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 305A of the Servicemembers Civil 
     Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 535a) is amended to read as 
     follows:

     ``SEC. 305A. TERMINATION OF TELEPHONE SERVICE CONTRACTS.

       ``(a) Termination by Servicemember.--
       ``(1) Termination.--A servicemember may terminate a 
     contract described in subsection (b) at any time after the 
     date the servicemember receives military orders to relocate 
     for a period of not less than 90 days to a location that does 
     not support the contract.
       ``(2) Notice.--In the case that a servicemember terminates 
     a contract as described in paragraph (1), the service 
     provider under the contract shall provide such servicemember 
     with written or electronic notice of the servicemember's 
     rights under such paragraph.
       ``(3) Manner of termination.--Termination of a contract 
     under paragraph (1) shall be made by delivery of a written or 
     electronic notice of such termination and a copy of the 
     servicemember's military orders to the service provider, 
     delivered in accordance with industry standards for 
     notification of terminations, together with the date on which 
     the service is to be terminated.
       ``(b) Covered Contracts.--A contract described in this 
     subsection is a contract for cellular telephone service or 
     telephone exchange service entered into by the servicemember 
     before receiving the military orders referred to in 
     subsection (a)(1).
       ``(c) Retention of Telephone Number.--In the case of a 
     contract terminated under subsection (a) by a servicemember 
     whose period of relocation is for a period of three years or 
     less, the service provider under the contract shall, 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, allow the 
     servicemember to keep the telephone number the servicemember 
     has under the contract if the servicemember re-subscribes to 
     the service during the 90-day period beginning on the last 
     day of such period of relocation.
       ``(d) Family Plans.--In the case of a contract for cellular 
     telephone service entered into by any individual in which a 
     servicemember is a designated beneficiary of the contract, 
     the individual who entered into the contract may terminate 
     the contract--
       ``(1) with respect to the servicemember if the 
     servicemember is eligible to terminate contracts pursuant to 
     subsection (a); and
       ``(2) with respect to all of the designated beneficiaries 
     of such contract if all such beneficiaries accompany the 
     servicemember during the servicemember's period of 
     relocation.
       ``(e) Other Obligations and Liabilities.--For any contract 
     terminated under this section, the service provider under the 
     contract may not impose an early termination charge, but any 
     tax or any other obligation or liability of the servicemember 
     that, in accordance with the terms of the contract, is due 
     and unpaid or unperformed at the time of termination of the 
     contract shall be paid or performed by the servicemember. If 
     the servicemember re-subscribes to the service provided under 
     a covered contract during the 90-day period beginning on the 
     last day of the servicemember's period of relocation, the 
     service provider may not impose a charge for reinstating 
     service, other than the usual and customary charges for the 
     installation or acquisition of customer equipment imposed on 
     any other subscriber.
       ``(f) Return of Advance Payments.--Not later than 60 days 
     after the effective date of the termination of a contract 
     under this section, the service provider under the contract 
     shall refund to the servicemember any fee or other amount to 
     the extent paid for a period extending until after such date, 
     except for the remainder of the monthly or similar billing 
     period in which the termination occurs.
       ``(g) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
       ``(1) The term `cellular telephone service' means 
     commercial mobile service, as that term is defined in section 
     332(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(d)).
       ``(2) The term `telephone exchange service' has the meaning 
     given that term under section 3 of the Communications Act of 
     1934 (47 U.S.C. 153).''.
       (b) Technical Amendment.--The heading for title III of such 
     Act is amended by inserting ``, TELEPHONE SERVICE CONTRACTS'' 
     after ``LEASES''.
       (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of such Act is amended--
       (1) by striking the item relating to title III and 
     inserting the following new item:

``TITLE III--RENT, INSTALLMENT CONTRACTS, MORTGAGES, LIENS, ASSIGNMENT, 
               LEASES, TELEPHONE SERVICE CONTRACTS''; and

       (2) by striking the item relating to section 305A and 
     inserting the following new item:

``Sec. 305A. Termination of telephone service contracts.''.

     SEC. 303. ENFORCEMENT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND BY PRIVATE 
                   RIGHT OF ACTION.

       (a) In General.--The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 
     U.S.C. App. 501 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new title:

                     ``TITLE VIII--CIVIL LIABILITY

     ``SEC. 801. ENFORCEMENT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

       ``(a) Civil Action.--The Attorney General may commence a 
     civil action in any appropriate district court of the United 
     States against any person who--
       ``(1) engages in a pattern or practice of violating this 
     Act; or
       ``(2) engages in a violation of this Act that raises an 
     issue of significant public importance.
       ``(b) Relief.--In a civil action commenced under subsection 
     (a), the court may--
       ``(1) grant any appropriate equitable or declaratory relief 
     with respect to the violation of this Act;
       ``(2) award all other appropriate relief, including 
     monetary damages, to any person aggrieved by the violation; 
     and
       ``(3) may, to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil 
     penalty--
       ``(A) in an amount not exceeding $55,000 for a first 
     violation; and
       ``(B) in an amount not exceeding $110,000 for any 
     subsequent violation.
       ``(c) Intervention.--Upon timely application, a person 
     aggrieved by a violation of this Act with respect to which 
     the civil action is commenced may intervene in such action, 
     and may obtain such appropriate relief as the person could 
     obtain in a civil action under section 802 with respect to 
     that violation, along with costs and a reasonable attorney 
     fee.

     ``SEC. 802. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.

       ``(a) In General.--Any person aggrieved by a violation of 
     this Act may in a civil action--
       ``(1) obtain any appropriate equitable or declaratory 
     relief with respect to the violation; and
       ``(2) recover all other appropriate relief, including 
     monetary damages.

[[Page 17102]]

       ``(b) Costs and Attorney Fees.--The court may award to a 
     person aggrieved by a violation of this Act who prevails in 
     an action brought under subsection (a) the costs of the 
     action, including a reasonable attorney fee.

     ``SEC. 803. PRESERVATION OF REMEDIES.

       ``Nothing in section 801 or 802 shall be construed to 
     preclude or limit any remedy otherwise available under other 
     law, including consequential and punitive damages.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Such Act is further amended as 
     follows:
       (1) Section 207 (50 U.S.C. App. 527) is amended by striking 
     subsection (f).
       (2) Section 301(c) (50 U.S.C. App. 531(c)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(c) Misdemeanor.--Except as provided in subsection (a), a 
     person who knowingly takes part in an eviction or distress 
     described in subsection (a), or who knowingly attempts to do 
     so, shall be fined as provided in title 18, United States 
     Code, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.''.
       (3) Section 302(b) (50 U.S.C. App. 532(b)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(b) Misdemeanor.--A person who knowingly resumes 
     possession of property in violation of subsection (a), or in 
     violation of section 107 of this Act, or who knowingly 
     attempts to do so, shall be fined as provided in title 18, 
     United States Code, or imprisoned for not more than one year, 
     or both.''.
       (4) Section 303(d) (50 U.S.C. App. 533(d)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(d) Misdemeanor.--A person who knowingly makes or causes 
     to be made a sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property that 
     is prohibited by subsection (c), or who knowingly attempts to 
     do so, shall be fined as provided in title 18, United States 
     Code, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.''.
       (5) Section 305(h) (50 U.S.C. App. 535(h)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(h) Misdemeanor.--Any person who knowingly seizes, holds, 
     or detains the personal effects, security deposit, or other 
     property of a servicemember or a servicemember's dependent 
     who lawfully terminates a lease covered by this section, or 
     who knowingly interferes with the removal of such property 
     from premises covered by such lease, for the purpose of 
     subjecting or attempting to subject any of such property to a 
     claim for rent accruing subsequent to the date of termination 
     of such lease, or attempts to do so, shall be fined as 
     provided in title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned for 
     not more than one year, or both.''.
       (6) Section 306(e) (50 U.S.C. App. 536(e)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(e) Misdemeanor.--A person who knowingly takes an action 
     contrary to this section, or attempts to do so, shall be 
     fined as provided in title 18, United States Code, or 
     imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.''.
       (7) Section 307(c) (50 U.S.C. App. 537(c)) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(c) Misdemeanor.--A person who knowingly takes an action 
     contrary to this section, or attempts to do so, shall be 
     fined as provided in title 18, United States Code, or 
     imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new items:

                     ``TITLE VIII--CIVIL LIABILITY

``Sec. 801. Enforcement by the Attorney General.
``Sec. 802. Private right of action.
``Sec. 803. Preservation of remedies.''.

                      TITLE IV--INSURANCE MATTERS

     SEC. 401. INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE FOR 
                   TOTALLY DISABLED VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Section 1922A(a) is amended by striking 
     ``$20,000'' and inserting ``$30,000''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011.

     SEC. 402. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF DURATION OF SERVICEMEMBERS' 
                   GROUP LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TOTALLY 
                   DISABLED VETERANS.

       (a) Extension.--Section 1968(a) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking clause (ii) and 
     inserting the following new clause (ii):
       ``(ii) The date that is two years after the date of 
     separation or release from such active duty or active duty 
     for training.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking subparagraph (B) and 
     inserting the following new subparagraph (B):
       ``(B) The date that is two years after the date of 
     separation or release from such assignment.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to a person who is separated or 
     released on or after June 15, 2005.

     SEC. 403. ADJUSTMENT OF COVERAGE OF DEPENDENTS UNDER 
                   SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE.

       Clause (ii) of section 1968(a)(5)(B) is amended to read as 
     follows:
       ``(ii)(I) in the case of a member of the Ready Reserve of a 
     uniformed service who meets the qualifications set forth in 
     subparagraph (B) or (C) of section 1965(5) of this title, 120 
     days after separation or release from such assignment; or
       ``(II) in the case of any other member of the uniformed 
     services, 120 days after the date of the member's separation 
     or release from the uniformed services; or''.

     SEC. 404. OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE AMOUNT OF VETERANS' GROUP 
                   LIFE INSURANCE.

       (a) Opportunity to Increase Amount.--Section 1977(a) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``Except as provided in 
     paragraph (3),'' before ``Veterans' Group Life Insurance 
     shall be''; and
       (2) by adding after paragraph (2) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(3) Not more than once in each five-year period beginning 
     on the one-year anniversary of the date a person becomes 
     insured under Veterans' Group Life Insurance, such person may 
     elect in writing to increase by $25,000 the amount for which 
     the person is insured if--
       ``(A) the person is under the age of 60; and
       ``(B) the total amount for which the person is insured does 
     not exceed the amount provided for under section 
     1967(a)(3)(A)(i) of this title.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--Paragraph (3) of section 1977(a) of 
     title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), 
     shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 405. ELIMINATION OF REDUCTION IN AMOUNT OF ACCELERATED 
                   DEATH BENEFIT FOR TERMINALLY-ILL PERSONS 
                   INSURED UNDER SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE 
                   INSURANCE AND VETERANS' GROUP LIFE INSURANCE.

       (a) Elimination of Reduction.--Section 1980(b)(1) is 
     amended by striking ``reduced by'' and all that follows 
     through ``the Secretary''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to a payment of an accelerated death 
     benefit under section 1980 of title 38, United States Code, 
     made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 406. CONSIDERATION OF LOSS OF DOMINANT HAND IN 
                   PRESCRIPTION OF SCHEDULE OF SEVERITY OF 
                   TRAUMATIC INJURY UNDER SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP 
                   LIFE INSURANCE.

       (a) Schedule.--
       (1) In general.--Section 1980A(d) is amended--
       (A) by striking ``Payments under'' and inserting ``(1) 
     Payments under''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) As the Secretary considers appropriate, the schedule 
     required by paragraph (1) may distinguish in specifying 
     payments for qualifying losses between the severity of a 
     qualifying loss of a dominant hand and of a qualifying loss 
     of a nondominant hand.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011.
       (b) Payments for Qualifying Losses Incurred Before Date of 
     Enactment.--
       (1) In general.--To the extent necessary, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall prescribe in regulations mechanisms 
     for payments under section 1980A of title 38, United States 
     Code, for qualifying losses incurred before the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, by reason of paragraph (2) of 
     subsection (d) of such section (as added by subsection (a)(1) 
     of this section).
       (2) Qualifying loss defined.--In this subsection, the term 
     ``qualifying loss'' means--
       (A) a loss specified in the second sentence of subsection 
     (b)(1) of section 1980A of title 38, United States Code; and
       (B) any other loss specified by the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs pursuant to the first sentence of that subsection.

     SEC. 407. ENHANCEMENT OF VETERANS' MORTGAGE LIFE INSURANCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 2106(b) is amended by striking 
     ``$90,000'' and inserting ``$150,000, or after January 1, 
     2012, $200,000,''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011.

     SEC. 408. EXPANSION OF INDIVIDUALS QUALIFYING FOR RETROACTIVE 
                   BENEFITS FROM TRAUMATIC INJURY PROTECTION 
                   COVERAGE UNDER SERVICEMEMBERS' GROUP LIFE 
                   INSURANCE.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 501(b) of the 
     Veterans' Housing Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 
     2006 (Public Law 109-233; 120 Stat. 414; 38 U.S.C. 1980A 
     note) is amended by striking ``, if, as determined by the 
     Secretary concerned, that loss was a direct result of a 
     traumatic injury incurred in the theater of operations for 
     Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--The heading of such section is 
     amended by striking ``in Operation Enduring Freedom and 
     Operation Iraqi Freedom''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011.

                  TITLE V--BURIAL AND CEMETERY MATTERS

     SEC. 501. INCREASE IN CERTAIN BURIAL AND FUNERAL BENEFITS AND 
                   PLOT ALLOWANCES FOR VETERANS.

       (a) Increase in Burial and Funeral Expenses for Deaths in 
     Department Facilities.--Paragraph (1)(A) of subsection (a) of 
     section 2303 is amended by striking ``$300'' and inserting 
     ``$700 (as increased from time to time under subsection 
     (c))''.
       (b) Increase in Amount of Plot Allowances.--Subsection (b) 
     of such section is amended by striking ``$300'' both places 
     it appears and inserting ``$700 (as increased from time to 
     time under subsection (c))''.
       (c) Annual Adjustment.--Such section is further amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(c) With respect to any fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
     provide a percentage increase (rounded to the nearest dollar) 
     in the maximum amount of burial and funeral expenses payable

[[Page 17103]]

     under subsection (a) and in the maximum amount of the plot or 
     internment allowance payable under subsection (b), equal to 
     the percentage by which--
       ``(1) the Consumer Price Index (all items, United States 
     city average) for the 12-month period ending on the June 30 
     preceding the beginning of the fiscal year for which the 
     increase is made, exceeds
       ``(2) the Consumer Price Index for the 12-month period 
     preceding the 12-month period described in paragraph (1).''.
       (d) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to 
     deaths occurring on or after October 1, 2011.
       (2) Prohibition on cost-of-living adjustment for fiscal 
     year 2012.--No adjustments shall be made under section 
     2303(c) of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
     subsection (c), for fiscal year 2012.

     SEC. 502. INTERMENT IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES OF PARENTS OF 
                   CERTAIN DECEASED VETERANS.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Corey 
     Shea Act''.
       (b) Interment of Parents of Certain Deceased Veterans.--
     Section 2402 is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``Under such regulations'' and inserting ``(a) Under such 
     regulations'';
       (2) by moving the margins of paragraphs (1) through (8) two 
     ems to the right;
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(9)(A) The parent of a person described in subparagraph 
     (B), if the Secretary determines that there is available 
     space at the gravesite where the person described in 
     subparagraph (B) is interred.
       ``(B) A person described in this subparagraph is a person 
     described in paragraph (1) who--
       ``(i) is a hostile casualty or died from a training-related 
     injury;
       ``(ii) is interred in a national cemetery; and
       ``(iii) at the time of the person's parent's death, did not 
     have a spouse, surviving spouse, or child who is buried or 
     who, upon death, may be eligible for burial in a national 
     cemetery pursuant to paragraph (5).''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) For purposes of subsection (a)(9) of this section:
       ``(1) The term `parent' means a biological father or a 
     biological mother or, in the case of adoption, a father 
     through adoption or a mother through adoption.
       ``(2) The term `hostile casualty' means a person who, as a 
     member of the Armed Forces, dies as the direct result of 
     hostile action with the enemy, while in combat, while going 
     to or returning from a combat mission if the cause of death 
     was directly related to hostile action, or while hospitalized 
     or undergoing treatment at the expense of the United States 
     for injury incurred during combat, and includes a person 
     killed mistakenly or accidentally by friendly fire directed 
     at a hostile force or what is thought to be a hostile force, 
     but does not include a person who dies due to the elements, a 
     self-inflicted wound, combat fatigue, or a friendly force 
     while the person was in an absent-without-leave, deserter, or 
     dropped-from-rolls status or was voluntarily absent from a 
     place of duty.
       ``(3) The term `training-related injury' means an injury 
     incurred by a member of the Armed Forces while performing 
     authorized training activities in preparation for a combat 
     mission.''.
       (c) Guidance Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
     in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall develop 
     guidance under which the parent of a person described in 
     paragraph (9)(B) of subsection (a) of section 2402 of title 
     38, United States Code, as added by subsection (b), may be 
     designated for interment in a national cemetery under that 
     section.
       (d) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Cross-reference correction.--Section 107 is amended by 
     striking ``section 2402(8)'' both places it appears and 
     inserting ``section 2402(a)(8)''.
       (2) Cross-reference correction.--Section 2301(e) is amended 
     by striking ``section 2402(6)'' and inserting ``section 
     2402(a)(6)''.
       (3) Cross-reference correction.--Section 2306(a) is 
     amended--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``section 2402(4)'' and 
     inserting ``section 2402(a)(4)''; and
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``section 2402(5)'' and 
     inserting ``section 2402(a)(5)''.
       (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to the death, on or after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, of the parent of a person 
     described in paragraph (9)(B) of subsection (a) of section 
     2402 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
     (b), who dies on or after October 7, 2001.

     SEC. 503. REPORTS ON SELECTION OF NEW NATIONAL CEMETERIES.

       (a) Initial Report.--
       (1) Report required.--Not later than one year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall submit to Congress a report on the selection of 
     the sites described in paragraph (2) for the purpose of 
     establishing new national cemeteries.
       (2) Sites.--The sites described in this paragraph are the 
     following:
       (A) An area in southern Colorado.
       (B) An area near Melbourne, Florida, and Daytona, Florida.
       (C) An area near Omaha, Nebraska.
       (D) An area near Buffalo, New York, and Rochester, New 
     York.
       (E) An area near Tallahassee, Florida.
       (3) Site selection.--In carrying out this section, the 
     Secretary shall solicit advice and views of representatives 
     of State and local veterans organizations and other 
     individuals as the Secretary considers appropriate.
       (4) Matters included.--The report under paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) A schedule for the establishment of each cemetery at 
     each site described in paragraph (2) and an estimate of the 
     costs associated with the establishment of each such 
     cemetery.
       (B) As of the date of the submittal of the report, the 
     amount of funds that are available to establish each cemetery 
     at each site described in paragraph (2) from amounts 
     appropriated to the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
     Advance Planning.
       (b) Annual Reports.--Not later than two years after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter 
     until the date on which each cemetery at each site described 
     in subsection (a)(2) is established, the Secretary shall 
     submit to Congress an annual report that includes updates to 
     the information provided in the report under subsection (a).

                   TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND PENSION

     SEC. 601. ENHANCEMENT OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR CERTAIN 
                   DISABLED VETERANS WITH DIFFICULTIES USING 
                   PROSTHESES AND DISABLED VETERANS IN NEED OF 
                   REGULAR AID AND ATTENDANCE FOR RESIDUALS OF 
                   TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

       (a) Veterans Suffering Anatomical Loss of Hands, Arms, or 
     Legs.--Section 1114 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (m)--
       (A) by striking ``at a level, or with complications,'' and 
     inserting ``with factors''; and
       (B) by striking ``at levels, or with complications,'' and 
     inserting ``with factors'';
       (2) in subsection (n)--
       (A) by striking ``at levels, or with complications,'' and 
     inserting ``with factors'';
       (B) by striking ``so near the hip as to'' and inserting 
     ``with factors that''; and
       (C) by striking ``so near the shoulder and hip as to'' and 
     inserting ``with factors that''; and
       (3) in subsection (o), by striking ``so near the shoulder 
     as to'' and inserting ``with factors that''.
       (b) Veterans With Service-Connected Disabilities in Need of 
     Regular Aid and Attendance for Residuals of Traumatic Brain 
     Injury.--
       (1) In general.--Such section is further amended--
       (A) in subsection (p), by striking the semicolon at the end 
     and inserting a period; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(t) Subject to section 5503(c) of this title, if any 
     veteran, as the result of service-connected disability, is in 
     need of regular aid and attendance for the residuals of 
     traumatic brain injury, is not eligible for compensation 
     under subsection (r)(2), and in the absence of such regular 
     aid and attendance would require hospitalization, nursing 
     home care, or other residential institutional care, the 
     veteran shall be paid, in addition to any other compensation 
     under this section, a monthly aid and attendance allowance 
     equal to the rate described in subsection (r)(2), which for 
     purposes of section 1134 of this title shall be considered as 
     additional compensation payable for disability. An allowance 
     authorized under this subsection shall be paid in lieu of any 
     allowance authorized by subsection (r)(1).''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 5503(c) is amended by 
     striking ``in section 1114(r)'' and inserting ``in subsection 
     (r) or (t) of section 1114''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011.

     SEC. 602. COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR TEMPORARY DEPENDENCY 
                   AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION PAYABLE FOR 
                   SURVIVING SPOUSES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN UNDER 
                   THE AGE OF 18.

       Section 1311(f) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(as increased from 
     time to time under paragraph (4))'' after ``$250'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
     paragraph (4):
       ``(4) Whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts 
     payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     401 et seq.) as a result of a determination made under 
     section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)), the Secretary 
     shall, effective on the date of such increase in benefit 
     amounts, increase the amount payable under paragraph (1), as 
     such amount was in effect immediately prior to the date of 
     such increase in benefit amounts, by the same percentage as 
     the percentage by which such benefit amounts are increased. 
     Any increase in a dollar amount under this paragraph shall be 
     rounded down to the next lower whole dollar amount.''.

     SEC. 603. PAYMENT OF DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION TO 
                   SURVIVORS OF FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR WHO DIED 
                   ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1999.

       (a) In General.--Section 1318(b)(3) is amended by striking 
     ``who died after September 30, 1999,''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011.

[[Page 17104]]



     SEC. 604. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN AMOUNTS FROM CONSIDERATION AS 
                   INCOME FOR PURPOSES OF VETERANS PENSION 
                   BENEFITS.

       (a) Exclusion.--Section 1503(a) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (10);
       (2) by redesignating paragraph (11) as paragraph (12); and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following new 
     paragraph (11):
       ``(11) payment of a monetary amount of up to $5,000 to a 
     veteran from a State or municipality that is paid as a 
     veterans' benefit due to injury or disease; and''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to determinations of income for 
     calendar years beginning after October 1, 2011.

     SEC. 605. COMMENCEMENT OF PERIOD OF PAYMENT OF ORIGINAL 
                   AWARDS OF COMPENSATION FOR VETERANS RETIRED OR 
                   SEPARATED FROM THE UNIFORMED SERVICES FOR 
                   CATASTROPHIC DISABILITY.

       (a) Commencement of Period of Payment.--Subsection (a) of 
     section 5111 is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)'';
       (2) in paragraph (1), as so designated by paragraph (1) of 
     this subsection, by striking ``in subsection (c) of this 
     section'' and inserting ``in paragraph (2) and subsection 
     (c)''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2)(A) In the case of a veteran who is retired or 
     separated from the active military, naval, or air service for 
     a catastrophic disability or disabilities, payment of 
     monetary benefits based on an award of compensation based on 
     an original claim shall be made as of the date on which such 
     award becomes effective as provided under section 5110 of 
     this title or another applicable provision of law.
       ``(B) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term 
     `catastrophic disability', with respect to a veteran, means a 
     permanent, severely disabling injury, disorder, or disease 
     that compromises the ability of the veteran to carry out the 
     activities of daily living to such a degree that the veteran 
     requires personal or mechanical assistance to leave home or 
     bed, or requires constant supervision to avoid physical harm 
     to self or others.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011, and shall apply with 
     respect to awards of compensation based on original claims 
     that become effective on or after that date.

     SEC. 606. APPLICABILITY OF LIMITATION TO PENSION PAYABLE TO 
                   CERTAIN CHILDREN OF VETERANS OF A PERIOD OF 
                   WAR.

       Section 5503(d)(5) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(5)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) The provisions of this subsection shall apply with 
     respect to a child entitled to pension under section 1542 of 
     this title in the same manner as they apply to a veteran 
     having neither spouse nor child.''.

     SEC. 607. EXTENSION OF REDUCED PENSION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
                   COVERED BY MEDICAID PLANS FOR SERVICES 
                   FURNISHED BY NURSING FACILITIES.

       Section 5503(d)(7) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2011'' and inserting ``May 31, 2015''.

     SEC. 608. CODIFICATION OF 2009 COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT IN 
                   RATES OF PENSION FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND 
                   SURVIVING SPOUSES AND CHILDREN.

       (a) Disabled Veterans.--Section 1521 of title 38, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``$3,550'' and inserting 
     ``$11,830'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by striking ``$4,651'' and inserting ``$15,493''; and
       (B) by striking ``$600'' and inserting ``$2,020'';
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$5,680'' and inserting 
     ``$19,736''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``$6,781'' and inserting ``$23,396''; and
       (ii) by striking ``$600'' and inserting ``$2,020'';
       (4) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by striking ``$4,340'' and inserting ``$14,457'';
       (B) by striking ``$5,441'' and inserting ``$18,120''; and
       (C) by striking ``$600'' and inserting ``$2,020'';
       (5) in subsection (f)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$4,651'' and inserting 
     ``$15,493'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``$6,781'' and inserting ``$23,396''; and
       (ii) by striking ``$8,911'' and inserting ``$30,480'';
       (C) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by striking ``$5,441'' and inserting ``$18,120''; and
       (ii) by striking ``$6,231'' and inserting ``$20,747'';
       (D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``$7,571'' and inserting 
     ``$26,018''; and
       (E) in paragraph (5), by striking ``$600'' and inserting 
     ``$2,020''; and
       (6) in subsection (g), by striking ``$800'' and inserting 
     ``$2,686''.
       (b) Surviving Spouses.--Section 1541 of such title is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``$2,379'' and inserting 
     ``$7,933'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by striking ``$3,116'' and inserting ``$10,385''; and
       (B) by striking ``$600'' and inserting ``$2,020'';
       (3) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$3,806'' and inserting 
     ``$12,681''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``$4,543'' and inserting ``$15,128''; and
       (ii) by striking ``$600'' and inserting ``$2,020''; and
       (4) in subsection (e)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``$2,908'' and inserting ``$9,696'';
       (B) by striking ``$3,645'' and inserting ``$12,144''; and
       (C) by striking ``$600'' and inserting ``$2,020''.
       (c) Surviving Children.--Section 1542 of such title is 
     amended by striking ``$600'' and inserting ``$2,020'' both 
     places it appears.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections 
     (a), (b), and (c) shall apply with respect to pensions paid 
     on or after December 1, 2009.

    TITLE VII--EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE 
                           UNIFORMED SERVICES

     SEC. 701. CLARIFICATION THAT USERRA PROHIBITS WAGE 
                   DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
                   FORCES.

       (a) In General.--Section 4303(2) is amended by striking 
     ``other than'' and inserting ``including''.
       (b) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply to--
       (1) any failure to comply with a provision of or any 
     violation of chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, that 
     occurs before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act; and
       (2) all actions or complaints filed under such chapter 43 
     that are pending on or after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 702. CLARIFICATION OF THE DEFINITION OF ``SUCCESSOR IN 
                   INTEREST''.

       (a) In General.--Section 4303(4) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D)(i) Whether the term `successor in interest' applies 
     with respect to an entity described in subparagraph (A) for 
     purposes of clause (iv) of such subparagraph shall be 
     determined on a case-by-case basis using a multi-factor test 
     that considers the following factors:
       ``(I) Substantial continuity of business operations.
       ``(II) Use of the same or similar facilities.
       ``(III) Continuity of work force.
       ``(IV) Similarity of jobs and working conditions.
       ``(V) Similarity of supervisory personnel.
       ``(VI) Similarity of machinery, equipment, and production 
     methods.
       ``(VII) Similarity of products or services.
       ``(ii) The entity's lack of notice or awareness of a 
     potential or pending claim under this chapter at the time of 
     a merger, acquisition, or other form of succession shall not 
     be considered when applying the multi-factor test under 
     clause (i).''.
       (b) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply to--
       (1) any failure to comply with a provision of or any 
     violation of chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, that 
     occurs before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act; and
       (2) all actions or complaints filed under such chapter 43 
     that are pending on or after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.

     SEC. 703. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Amendment to Section 4324 of Title 38, United States 
     Code.--Section 4324(b)(4) is amended by inserting before the 
     period the following: ``declining to initiate an action and 
     represent the person before the Merit Systems Protection 
     Board''.
       (b) Amendment to Congressional Accountability Act of 
     1995.--Section 206(b) of the Congressional Accountability Act 
     of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1316(b)) is amended by striking ``under 
     paragraphs (1), (2)(A), and (3) of section 4323(c) of title 
     38, United States Code'' and inserting ``under section 
     4323(d) of title 38, United States Code''.
       (c) Amendment to Section 416 of Title 3, United States 
     Code.--Section 416(b) of title 3, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking ``under paragraphs (1) and (2)(A) of 
     section 4323(c) of title 38'' and inserting ``under section 
     4323(d) of title 38''.

                      TITLE VIII--BENEFITS MATTERS

     SEC. 801. INCREASE IN NUMBER OF VETERANS FOR WHICH PROGRAMS 
                   OF INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE 
                   MAY BE INITIATED.

       (a) Increase.--Section 3120(e) is amended by striking 
     ``2600'' and inserting ``2,700''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to fiscal years beginning after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 802. PAYMENT OF UNPAID BALANCES OF DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS GUARANTEED LOANS.

       (a) In General.--Section 3732(a)(2) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Before suit'' and inserting ``(A) Before 
     suit''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(B) In the event that a housing loan guaranteed under 
     this chapter is modified under the authority provided under 
     section 1322(b) of title 11, the Secretary may pay the holder 
     of the obligation the unpaid principal balance of the 
     obligation due, plus accrued interest, as of the date of the 
     filing of the petition under title 11, but only upon the 
     assignment, transfer, and delivery to the Secretary (in a 
     form and manner satisfactory to the Secretary) of all rights, 
     interest,

[[Page 17105]]

     claims, evidence, and records with respect to the housing 
     loan.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to a housing loan guaranteed after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 803. ELIGIBILITY OF DISABLED VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE 
                   ARMED FORCES WITH SEVERE BURN INJURIES FOR 
                   AUTOMOBILES AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT.

       (a) Eligibility.--Paragraph (1) of section 3901 is 
     amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)--
       (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``the 
     disabilities described in subclause (i), (ii), or (iii) 
     below'' and inserting ``the following disabilities''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(iv) A severe burn injury (as determined pursuant to 
     regulations prescribed by the Secretary).''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``subclause (i), (ii), 
     or (iii) of clause (A) of this paragraph'' and inserting 
     ``clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of subparagraph (A)''.
       (b) Stylistic Amendments.--Such section is further 
     amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``chapter--'' and inserting ``chapter:'';
       (2) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``means--'' and inserting ``means the following:'';
       (B) in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``any 
     veteran'' and inserting ``Any veteran'';
       (ii) in each of clauses (i) and (ii), by striking the 
     semicolon at the end and inserting a period; and
       (iii) in clause (iii), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a 
     period; and
       (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``any member'' and 
     inserting ``Any member''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011.

     SEC. 804. ENHANCEMENT OF AUTOMOBILE ASSISTANCE ALLOWANCE FOR 
                   VETERANS.

       (a) Increase in Amount of Allowance.--Subsection (a) of 
     section 3902 is amended by striking ``$11,000'' and inserting 
     ``$18,900 (as adjusted from time to time under subsection 
     (e))''.
       (b) Annual Adjustment.--Such section is further amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Effective on October 1 of each year (beginning in 
     2011), the Secretary shall increase the dollar amount in 
     effect under subsection (a) by a percentage equal to the 
     percentage by which the Consumer Price Index for all urban 
     consumers (U.S. city average) increased during the 12-month 
     period ending with the last month for which Consumer Price 
     Index data is available. In the event that such Consumer 
     Price Index does not increase during such period, the 
     Secretary shall maintain the dollar amount in effect under 
     subsection (a) during the previous fiscal year.''.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on October 1, 2011.

     SEC. 805. NATIONAL ACADEMIES REVIEW OF BEST TREATMENTS FOR 
                   CHRONIC MULTISYMPTOM ILLNESS IN PERSIAN GULF 
                   WAR VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     seek to enter into an agreement with the Institute of 
     Medicine of the National Academies to carry out a 
     comprehensive review of the best treatments for chronic 
     multisymptom illness in Persian Gulf War veterans and an 
     evaluation of how such treatment approaches could best be 
     disseminated throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
     improve the care and benefits provided to veterans.
       (b) Group of Medical Professionals.--Under any agreement 
     entered into under subsection (a), the Institute of Medicine 
     shall convene a group of medical professionals who are 
     experienced in treating individuals who served as members of 
     the Armed Forces in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations 
     of the Persian Gulf War during 1990 or 1991 and who have been 
     diagnosed with chronic multisymptom illness or another health 
     condition related to chemical and environmental exposure that 
     may have occurred during such service.
       (c) Report.--Any agreement entered into under subsection 
     (a) shall require the Institute of Medicine to submit to the 
     Secretary and to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and House of Representatives a report on the review 
     and evaluation described in subsection (a) by not later than 
     December 31, 2012. The report shall include such 
     recommendations for legislative or administrative action as 
     the Institute considers appropriate in light of the results 
     of the review.
       (d) Funding.--Pursuant to any agreement entered into under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide the Institute of 
     Medicine with such funds as are necessary to ensure the 
     timely completion of the review described that subsection.
       (e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
       (1) The term ``chronic multisymptom illness in Persian Gulf 
     War veterans'' means a chronic multisymptom illness defined 
     by a cluster of signs or symptoms relating to service in the 
     Persian Gulf War, typically including widespread pain, 
     persistent memory and concentration problems, chronic 
     headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and other abnormalities 
     not explained by well-established diagnoses.
       (2) The term ``Persian Gulf War'' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 101(33) of title 38, United States Code.

     SEC. 806. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF NATIONAL ACADEMY OF 
                   SCIENCES REVIEWS AND EVALUATIONS ON ILLNESS AND 
                   SERVICE IN PERSIAN GULF WAR AND POST-9/11 
                   GLOBAL OPERATIONS THEATERS.

       (a) Review and Evaluation of Agents and Illnesses 
     Associated With Persian Gulf War Service.--
       (1) Extension of review and evaluation.--Subsection (j) of 
     section 1603 of the Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998 
     (Public Law 105-277; 38 U.S.C. 1117 note), as amended by 
     section 202(d)(2) of the Veterans Education and Benefits 
     Expansion Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-173; 115 Stat. 989), is 
     amended by striking ``October 1, 2010'' and inserting 
     ``October 1, 2015''.
       (2) Disaggregation of results by theaters of operations 
     before and after september 11, 2001.--Such section is further 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking ``who served in 
     the Southwest Asia theater of operations'' and all that 
     follows and inserting ``who may have been exposed by reason 
     of service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during 
     the Persian Gulf War or, after September 11, 2001, in another 
     Post-9/11 Global Theater of Operations; and'';
       (B) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``Gulf War service'' 
     and inserting ``service described in subsection (c)(1)(A)'';
       (C) in subsection (i)--
       (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (5)'' and 
     inserting ``paragraph (6)'';
       (ii) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
       (iii) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
     paragraph (5):
       ``(5) In each report under this subsection submitted after 
     the date of the enactment of this paragraph, any 
     determinations, results, and recommendations as described in 
     paragraph (2) shall be submitted separately as follows:
       ``(A) For the Southwest Asia theater of operations for the 
     period of the Persian Gulf War ending on September 11, 2001.
       ``(B) For the Post-9/11 Global Theaters of Operations for 
     the period of the Persian Gulf War beginning on September 11, 
     2001.''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(l) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `Persian Gulf War' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 101(33) of title 38, United States Code.
       ``(2) The term `Post-9/11 Global Theater of Operations' 
     means Afghanistan, Iraq, and any other theater of operations 
     for which the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is 
     awarded for service.''.
       (b) Review and Evaluation of Available Evidence Regarding 
     Illness and Service in Persian Gulf War.--
       (1) In general.--Subsection (j) of section 101 of the 
     Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-
     368; 112 Stat. 3321) is amended by striking ``11 years 
     after'' and all that follows through ``under subsection (b)'' 
     and inserting ``on October 1, 2018''.
       (2) Disaggregation of results by theaters of operations 
     before and after september 11, 2001.--Such section is further 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (c)(1)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``Gulf war veterans'' and all that follows through ``Persian 
     Gulf War'' and inserting ``veterans who served in the Armed 
     Forces in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the 
     Persian Gulf War or, after September 11, 2001, in another 
     Post-9/11 Global Theater of Operations and the health 
     consequences of exposures to risk factors during such 
     service''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``who served'' and 
     all that follows through ``such service'' and inserting ``who 
     may have been exposed by reason of service in the Southwest 
     Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War or, 
     after September 11, 2001, in another Post-9/11 Global Theater 
     of Operations'';
       (B) in subsection (e)(1)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``Gulf War service or exposure during Gulf War service'' and 
     inserting ``service in the Armed Forces in the Southwest Asia 
     theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War or, after 
     September 11, 2001, in another Post-9/11 Global Theater of 
     Operations or exposure during such service''; and
       (ii) in subparagraphs (E) and (F), by striking ``Gulf War 
     veterans'' each place it appears and inserting ``veterans 
     described in subsection (c)(1)'';
       (C) in subsection (f)(1)--
       (i) by striking ``service in the Persian Gulf War'' and 
     inserting ``service described in subsection (c)(1)(A)''; and
       (ii) by striking ``Gulf War service'' and inserting ``such 
     service'';
       (D) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(5) In each report under this subsection submitted after 
     the date of the enactment of this paragraph, any 
     determinations, discussions, and recommendations as described 
     in paragraph (2) shall be submitted separately as follows:
       ``(A) For the Southwest Asia theater of operations for the 
     period of the Persian Gulf War ending on September 11, 2001.
       ``(B) For the Post-9/11 Global Theaters of Operations for 
     the period of the Persian Gulf War beginning on September 11, 
     2001.'';
       (E) in subsection (i)--
       (i) in paragraph (2)--

       (I) by striking ``Persian Gulf War service'' and inserting 
     ``service described in subsection (c)(1)(A)'';

[[Page 17106]]

       (II) by striking ``service in the Persian Gulf War'' and 
     inserting ``such service''; and
       (III) by striking ``Gulf War veterans'' and inserting 
     ``veterans described in subsection (c)(1)(A)''; and

       (ii) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) In each report under this subsection submitted after 
     the date of the enactment of this paragraph, any 
     recommendations as described in paragraph (2) shall be 
     submitted separately as follows:
       ``(A) For the Southwest Asia theater of operations for the 
     period of the Persian Gulf War ending on September 11, 2001.
       ``(B) For the Post-9/11 Global Theaters of Operations for 
     the period of the Persian Gulf War beginning on September 11, 
     2001.''; and
       (F) in subsection (k)--
       (i) by striking ``In this section, the term'' and inserting 
     the following: ``In this section:
       ``(1) The term `Persian Gulf War' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 101(33) of title 38, United States Code.
       ``(2) The term `Post-9/11 Global Theater of Operations' 
     means Afghanistan, Iraq, and any other theater of operations 
     for which the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is 
     awarded for service.
       ``(3) The term''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (3), as designated by clause (i)--

       (I) by striking ``vaccine associated with Gulf War service' 
     means'' and inserting ``vaccine', with respect to service 
     described in subsection (c)(1)(A), means''; and
       (II) by striking ``service in the Armed Forces in the 
     Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf 
     War'' and inserting ``service described in such subsection 
     (c)(1)(A)''.

       (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 1604 of the Persian Gulf 
     War Veterans Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-277; 38 U.S.C. 1117 
     note) is repealed.

     SEC. 807. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR REGIONAL OFFICE IN 
                   REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

       (a) Extension of Authority.--Section 315(b) is amended by 
     striking ``December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``December 31, 
     2011''.
       (b) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' 
     Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and 
     the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report on 
     the regional office of the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
     the Republic of the Philippines.
       (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) A description of the activities of the office described 
     in such paragraph, including activities relating to the 
     administration of benefits provided under laws administered 
     by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and benefits provided 
     under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.).
       (B) An assessment of the costs and benefits of maintaining 
     such office in the Republic of the Philippines in comparison 
     with the costs and benefits of moving the activities of such 
     office to the United States.

     SEC. 808. EXTENSION OF AN ANNUAL REPORT ON EQUITABLE RELIEF.

       Section 503(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2009'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2014''.

     SEC. 809. AUTHORITY FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL DISABILITY 
                   EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT PHYSICIANS.

       Section 704(c) of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (Public 
     Law 108-183; 38 U.S.C. 5101 note), as amended by section 105 
     of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 
     110-389; 122 Stat. 4149) is amended by striking ``December 
     31, 2010'' and inserting ``December 31, 2012''.

TITLE IX--AUTHORIZATION OF MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS AND MAJOR MEDICAL 
                            FACILITY LEASES

     SEC. 901. AUTHORIZATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2011 MAJOR MEDICAL 
                   FACILITY LEASES.

       The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out the 
     following fiscal year 2011 major medical facility leases at 
     the locations specified, in an amount not to exceed the 
     amount shown for each such location:
       (1) Billings, Montana, Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 
     in an amount not to exceed $7,149,000.
       (2) Boston, Massachusetts, Outpatient Clinic, in an amount 
     not to exceed $3,316,000.
       (3) San Diego, California, Community Based Outpatient 
     Clinic, in an amount not to exceed $21,495,000.
       (4) San Francisco, California, Research Lab, in an amount 
     not to exceed $10,055,000.
       (5) San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mental Health Facility, in an 
     amount not to exceed $5,323,000.

     SEC. 902. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT FOR MAJOR 
                   MEDICAL FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT 
                   PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, NEW ORLEANS, 
                   LOUISIANA.

       Section 801(a)(1) of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, 
     and Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-461; 
     120 Stat. 3442), as amended by section 702(a)(1) of the 
     Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 
     2008 (Public Law 110-387; 122 Stat. 4137), is amended by 
     striking ``$625,000,000'' and inserting ``$995,000,000''.

     SEC. 903. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT FOR MAJOR 
                   MEDICAL FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT 
                   PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, LONG BEACH, 
                   CALIFORNIA.

       Section 802(9) of the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and 
     Information Technology Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-461; 120 
     Stat. 3443) is amended by striking ``$107,845,000'' and 
     inserting ``$117,845,000''.

     SEC. 904. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations for Construction.--
     There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2011 for the Construction, 
     Major Projects account $1,112,845,000, of which--
       (1) $995,000,000 is for the increased amounts authorized 
     for the project whose authorization is modified by section 
     902; and
       (2) $117,845,000 is for the increased amounts authorized 
     for the project whose authorization is modified by section 
     903.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations for Medical Facility 
     Leases.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2011 for the 
     Medical Facilities account $47,338,000 for the leases 
     authorized in section 901.
       (c) Limitations.--The projects whose authorizations are 
     modified under sections 902 and 903 may only be carried out 
     using--
       (1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2011 pursuant to the 
     authorization of appropriations in subsection (a) of this 
     section;
       (2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
     fiscal year before fiscal year 2011 that remain available for 
     obligation;
       (3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 2011 that remain available for 
     obligation;
       (4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for fiscal year 2011 for a category of activity not specific 
     to a project;
       (5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for a fiscal year before 2011 for a category of activity not 
     specific to a project; and
       (6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for a fiscal year after 2011 for a category of activity not 
     specific to a project.

     SEC. 905. REQUIREMENT THAT BID SAVINGS ON MAJOR MEDICAL 
                   FACILITY PROJECTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS BE USED FOR OTHER MAJOR MEDICAL 
                   FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT.

       Section 8104(d) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``In any case'' and inserting ``(1) Except 
     as provided in paragraph (2), in any case''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2)(A) In any fiscal year, unobligated amounts in the 
     Construction, Major Projects account that are a direct result 
     of bid savings from a major medical facility project may only 
     be obligated for major medical facility projects authorized 
     for that fiscal year or a previous fiscal year.
       ``(B) Whenever the Secretary obligates amounts for a major 
     medical facility under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee 
     on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives notice of the following:
       ``(i) The major medical facility project that is the source 
     of the bid savings.
       ``(ii) The other major medical facility project for which 
     the amounts are being obligated.
       ``(iii) The amounts being obligated for such other major 
     medical facility project.''.

                         TITLE X--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 1001. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

       (a) Chapter 1.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
     chapter 1 is amended by striking the item relating to section 
     118 and inserting the following new item:

``118. Submission of reports to Congress in electronic form.''.

       (b) Chapter 11.--Section 1114(r)(2) is amended by striking 
     ``$$2,983'' and inserting ``$2,983''.
       (c) Chapter 17.--Chapter 17 is amended as follows:
       (1) In each of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 
     1717(a)(2), by striking ``the date of the Caregivers and 
     Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``May 5, 2010''.
       (2) In section 1785--
       (A) by striking ``section 2811(b) of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-11(b))'' and inserting ``section 
     2812 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh)''; 
     and
       (B) by striking ``paragraph (3)(A) of''.
       (d) Chapter 19.--Chapter 19 is amended as follows:
       (1) In the third sentence of section 1967(a)(3)(B), by 
     striking ``spouse,,'' and inserting ``spouse,''.
       (2) In the second sentence of section 1980A(h), by 
     inserting ``section'' before ``1968(a)''.
       (e) Chapter 20.--Section 2044(e)(3) is amended by striking 
     ``fiscal year'' and inserting ``fiscal years''.
       (f) Chapter 30.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
     chapter 30 is amended by striking the item relating to 
     section 3020 and inserting the following new item:

``3020. Authority to transfer unused education benefits to family 
              members for career service members.''.

       (g) Chapter 33.--Chapter 33 is amended as follows:

[[Page 17107]]

       (1) In section 3313(c)(1), by striking ``higher education'' 
     each place it appears and inserting ``higher learning''
       (2) In section 3313(d)(3), by striking ``assistance this 
     chapter'' and inserting ``assistance under this chapter''.
       (3) In section 3313(e)(2)(B), by inserting a period at the 
     end.
       (4) In section 3316(b)(2), by striking ``supplement'' and 
     inserting ``supplemental''.
       (5) In section 3316(b)(3), by striking ``educational 
     payable'' and inserting ``educational assistance payable''.
       (6) In section 3318(b)(2)(B), by striking ``higher 
     education'' and inserting ``higher learning''.
       (7) In section 3319(b)(2), by striking ``section (k)'' and 
     inserting ``subsection (j)''.
       (8) In section 3321(b)(2), by striking ``3312'' and 
     inserting ``section 3312 of this title''.
       (h) Chapter 35.--Section 3512(a)(6) is amended by striking 
     ``this clause'' and inserting ``this paragraph''.
       (i) Chapter 36.--Section 3684(a)(1) is amended by striking 
     ``,,'' and inserting a comma.
       (j) Chapter 37.--Section 3733(a)(7) is amended by inserting 
     a comma after ``2003''.
       (k) Chapter 41.--Section 4102A(b)(8) is amended by striking 
     ``Employment and Training'' and inserting ``Employment, 
     Training''.
       (l) Chapter 55.--Chapter 55 is amended as follows:
       (1) In section 5510, in the second sentence of the matter 
     preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``following: --'' and 
     inserting ``following:''.
       (2) In section 5510(9), by striking ``government'' and 
     inserting ``Government''.
       (m) Chapter 57.--Chapter 57 is amended as follows:
       (1) In section 5723(g)(2), by inserting ``the'' before 
     ``Department''.
       (2) In section 5727(20), by striking ``subordinate plan 
     defines'' and inserting ``plan that defines''.
       (n) Chapter 73.--Chapter 73 is amended as follows:
       (1) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter 
     is amended by striking the item relating to section 7333 and 
     inserting the following new item:

``7333. Nondiscrimination against alcohol and drug abusers and persons 
              infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.''.

       (2) In section 7325(b)(2), by striking ``section 2811(b) of 
     the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-11(b))'' and 
     inserting ``section 2812 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 300hh-11)''.
       (o) Chapter 79.--Section 7903(a) is amended by striking 
     ``paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``paragraph (3)''.
       (p) Chapter 81.--Chapter 81 is amended as follows:
       (1) In section 8111A(a)(2)(B)(ii)--
       (A) by striking ``section 2811(b) of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-11(b))'' and inserting ``section 
     2812 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh)''; 
     and
       (B) by striking ``paragraph (3)(A) of''.
       (2) In section 8117(e)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(42 U.S.C. 300hh-
     11(b))'' and inserting ``(42 U.S.C. 300hh-11)''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(42 U.S.C. 247d-6(a))'' 
     and inserting ``(42 U.S.C. 247d-6)''.

     SEC. 1002. STATUTORY PAY-AS-YOU-GO ACT COMPLIANCE.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

         Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act to amend title 
     38, United States Code, and the Servicemembers Civil Relief 
     Act to make certain improvements in the laws administered by 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H.R. 3219.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. FILNER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 
I rise in strong support of what is now entitled the Veterans' Benefits 
Act of 2010, H.R. 3219, the title being amended in the Senate.
  This is an omnibus benefits bill jointly assembled by both the House 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Senate Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs. It is comprehensive. It is bipartisan. It is bicameral. In 
fact, and we can rarely say this, Mr. Speaker, it has already been 
approved by the Senate by unanimous consent.
  The critical bill would greatly enhance, expand, and modernize many 
of the benefits afforded to our veterans, particularly disabled 
veterans, their families, and survivors.
  The provisions in this bill are the culminating result of numerous 
productive hearings and markups, meaningful oversight and bipartisan 
compromise, all to ensure that those who are willing to lay down their 
lives for our country and their families and survivors receive 
meaningful, world-class, 21st century benefits from their Nation.
  I want to thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability 
Assistance and Memorial Affairs, John Hall of New York; Representative 
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on 
Economic Opportunity; and their respective ranking members, Mr. Lamborn 
and Mr. Boozman, for shepherding many of these provisions through their 
committees. It will do a great deal of good for our veterans, their 
families, and survivors.
  For example, section 101 includes language originally sponsored by 
Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota that would reauthorize 
the recently expired VA work-study program and expand the type of work 
available for veterans participating in the program. In the last fiscal 
year of 2009, a little over 17,000 veterans participated in this 
important program.
  Section 102 incorporates legislation championed by Mrs. Kirkpatrick 
of Arizona, which would reauthorize the VA Veterans' Advisory Committee 
on Education. The committee would provide the VA Secretary with a 
knowledgeable group of experts to give feedback on existing education 
benefits and information on ways to improve current programs.
  Section 106 includes language championed by a new but very active 
member of our committee, Congressman Harry Teague of New Mexico. 
Congressman Teague's bipartisan work in advancing this pilot program, 
which seeks to employ our Nation's veterans while addressing the 
growing need for an energy-related workforce, is to be strongly 
commended.
  Mr. Teague also championed section 204, which would provide injured 
servicemembers returning to active duty a waiver for the VA's home loan 
funding fees, keeping it in line with the intent of the waiver, which 
is to assist our injured servicemembers and veterans. I applaud 
Congressman Teague for his leadership.
  Sections 201 and 202 include provisions championed by Congressman 
Boozman, which seek to reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration 
Program and create a similar program to focus on homeless women 
veterans and homeless veterans with children.
  Sections 301 through 303 incorporate provisions that I and 
Congressman Connolly of Virginia have worked on during this Congress. 
These sections seek to strengthen the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act 
by permitting the cancellation of motor vehicle leases, prohibiting 
early termination penalties, and allowing servicemembers the option to 
cancel certain phone and service contracts.
  Sections 401, 402, 404, 405, and 407 represent the great work of Mr. 
Donnelly of Indiana; Mrs. Halvorson of Illinois; Mr. Buyer, who is 
retiring; Mrs. Kirkpatrick of Arizona; and Mr. Perriello. These 
provisions increase many of the outdated insurance policy amounts and 
terms for our veterans, many of whom are severely disabled or who have 
suffered traumatic injury.
  Sections 501, 502, and 503 represent burial and cemetery matters put 
forth by Ms. Berkley of Nevada, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, and Mr. 
Salazar of Colorado.
  Ms. Berkley and Mr. Salazar are both former members of our Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs. Ms. Berkley has been a longtime champion of 
increasing funeral benefits and plot allowances to reflect modern 
costs. Mr. Salazar has worked tirelessly to ensure that the veterans in 
the southern Colorado region would be served by a

[[Page 17108]]

national cemetery. Now, both of these goals are set for enactment.
  Mr. Frank's provision is known as the Corey Shea Act and would allow 
parents of our fallen servicemembers to be laid to rest with their son 
or daughter if there are no other eligible survivors.
  The bill contains a host of upgraded benefits, including:
  Section 604, championed by Mr. Higgins of New York, which would allow 
our low-income pensioners to receive payments of up to $5,000 from 
States or municipalities without offset;
  Section 803 would provide greater automobile and adaptive equipment 
to veterans with severe burn injuries;
  Section 804 would increase the automobile allowance for disabled 
veterans from $11,000 to almost $19,000; and
  Sections 805 and 806 would allow the Institute of Medicine to take a 
closer look at those veterans who suffer from illnesses associated with 
service in the Persian Gulf wars.
  This bill enjoys resounding support from the veterans service 
organizations, including Gold Star Wives, Disabled American Veterans, 
Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, 
Blinded Veterans Association, the American Legion, and the Military 
Order of the Purple Heart.
  I thank all the Members of the House who have contributed to and 
worked on this comprehensive bill. On behalf of our 24 million veterans 
and their families and survivors and as chairman of the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs, I thank all of you for your input.
  Of course, none of this would have come to fruition without the hard 
work of our committee staff. I thank those on both sides of the aisle 
and their counterparts in the Senate. I want to especially thank the 
staff from the House Legislative Counsel and the Congressional Budget 
Office.
  Finally, I want to thank our staff director, Malcom Shorter; our 
staff director for disability, Kimberly Ross; and her colleague, Juan 
Lara, for their tireless work to see this great effort through to 
finality.

                                                           AMVETS,


                                        National Headquarters,

                                   Lanham, MD, September 24, 2010.
     Hon. Bob Filner,
     Chairman, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Chairman Filner: On behalf of AMVETS (American 
     Veterans) I would like to provide our organizational support 
     for the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010. There are countless 
     provisions that will improve employment and education 
     opportunities, increase insurance benefits, enhance 
     compensation and pension, and the list goes on.
       Many of the sections of this bill are issue AMVETS has been 
     advocating for years, and AMVETS is pleased to see this bill 
     is compliant with PAYGO rules.
       AMVETS looks forward to the introduction and timely passage 
     of this comprehensive piece of legislation. We look forward 
     to our continued work together to advance veterans issues
           Respectfully,
                                                Raymond C. Kelley,
     National Legislative Director, AMVETS.
                                  ____

                                                              PVA,


                                Paralyzed Veterans of America,

                               Washington, DC, September 27, 2010.
     Hon. Bob Filner,
     Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Chairman Filner: On behalf of Paralyzed Veterans of 
     America (PVA), I offer our support for the ``Veterans 
     Benefits Act of 2010.'' This critically important legislation 
     addresses a wide range of needed improvements in benefits 
     available to veterans and their families.
       This legislation contains a number of provisions that are 
     particularly important to PVA and its members. Specifically, 
     we appreciate the significant increase in the adaptive 
     automobile grant from $11,000 to $18,500 and the annual index 
     that will now apply to this benefit to ensure that its 
     purchasing power is not eroded over time. Likewise, we 
     recognize the importance of expanding access to adaptive 
     automobile assistance to disabled veterans who have incurred 
     severe burns.
       We are also pleased to see that the Committee has provided 
     additional protections to veterans and their families by 
     increasing the Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance benefit from 
     $90,000 to $150,000 and eventually to $200,000. Moreover, the 
     increase in the cap for Independent Living services 
     administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
     Vocational Rehabilitation program will prove beneficial to 
     the most severely disabled veterans who simply want to become 
     productive members of society.
       Once again, we thank the Committee for its continued 
     emphasis on improving benefits for severely disabled veterans 
     and their families.
           Sincerely,

                                                   Carl Blake,

                                   National Legislative Director, 
     Paralyzed Veterans of America.
                                  ____



                Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,

                               Washington, DC, September 27, 2010.
     Hon. Bob Filner,
     Chairman, House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Filner, On behalf of the 2.1 million members 
     of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and our Auxiliaries, I would 
     like to offer our strong support for The Veterans' Benefit 
     Act of 2010. We believe this important benefits bill would 
     make a big difference in the lives of many veterans.
       The legislation, which includes many issues that have broad 
     support in the House and Senate should be moved forward 
     favorably so veterans can benefit from the good policies 
     contained in the bill. Some of the provisions included in the 
     bill would improve life insurance benefits for those 
     suffering from TBI, increase burial benefits, provide a cost-
     of-living increase for survivors with children under the age 
     of 18, and make changes to USERRA as well as updating 
     readjustment benefits for many disabled veterans.
       We believe the provisions contained in the bill are far too 
     important to be delayed until next year.
       We look forward to the passage of this most critical 
     legislation as it will truly make a significant impact in the 
     lives of veterans. We appreciate your commitment to America's 
     veterans and look forward to working with you and your staff
           Sincerely,
                                                  Gerald T. Manar,
     Deputy Director.
                                  ____



                                   Disabled American Veterans,

                               Washington, DC, September 28, 2010.
     Hon. Bob Filner,
     Chairman, House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Filner: On behalf of the 1.2 million members 
     of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), I am writing to 
     support compromise legislation entitled the ``Veterans 
     Benefits Act of 2010,'' which is expected to be considered in 
     the House this week. This omnibus bill contains a number of 
     provisions that are of great importance to America's 
     veterans, including several that are priorities for DAV and 
     the disabled veterans we represent.
       Approval of this legislation would increase the automobile 
     assistance allowance from $11,000 to $18,900, index it to the 
     Consumer Price Index, and expand eligibility for the benefit 
     to veterans and service members with severe burn injuries. 
     The bill would increase disability compensation provided to 
     severely disabled veterans who have difficulty using 
     prostheses as well as provide aid and attendance benefits to 
     veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury. Enactment of 
     the legislation would increase the amount of supplemental 
     insurance for totally disabled veterans from $20,000 to 
     $30,000 and immediately increase the limit of Veterans 
     Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) for disabled veterans from 
     $90,000 to $150,000, and then to $200,000 beginning in 2012. 
     The bill would also increase the number of veterans who could 
     participate in VA's independent living services and 
     assistance program from 2,600 to 2,700.
       Overall, the ``Veterans Benefits Act of 2010'' makes 
     important improvements to an array of federal benefits that 
     help to compensate and support veterans transitioning back 
     into civilian life, especially those who return with 
     disabilities from their service. DAV supports approval of 
     this legislation and thanks you for your support of disabled 
     veterans.
           Sincerely,
                                               Joseph A. Violante,
     National Legislative Director.
                                  ____



                                 Blinded Veterans Association,

                               Washington, DC, September 27, 2010.
     Hon. Bob Filner,
     Chairman, House Veterans' Affairs Committee, U.S. Congress, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Filner, The Blinded Veterans Association 
     (BVA), is the only congressionally chartered veterans service 
     organization exclusively dedicated to serving the needs of 
     our nation's blinded veterans and their families for 65 
     years, and fully supports passage of HR 3219 Veterans 
     Benefits Act of 2010 to help veterans with a wide variety of 
     benefits and education issues. The positive changes in this 
     legislation will assist veterans in many employment and 
     education initiatives and expansion of other necessary 
     changes to improve the lives of veterans and their families.
       This legislation would improve the older blinded veterans' 
     lives that receive small state annuities but loose them when 
     they are offset currently from their VA pensions. We 
     appreciate the effort that Congressman Hall and you both have 
     made in including a fix to this long standing problem in 
     section 604 for these disabled veterans.

[[Page 17109]]

       Chairman Filner, BVA thanks you for your strong leadership 
     on working to get passage of HR 3219 Veterans Benefits Act of 
     2010. Your dedication and solid commitment to America's 
     current and future veterans, is very appreciated by the 
     Blinded Veterans Association.
           Sincerely,
                                            Thomas Zampieri Ph.D.,
     Director, Government Relations.
                                  ____



                             Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.,

                                Arlington, VA, September 27, 2010.
     Chairman Bob Filner,
     House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC.
       Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. is happy to support the 
     Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010, H.R. 3219. All the provisions 
     of this bill are beneficial, but we especially like the 
     provisions listed below.
       Section 107 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
     create a webpage to list the organizations that provide 
     scholarship to veterans. This is much needed information and 
     should be readily available. We hope that this webpage will 
     include scholarships that are available to surviving families 
     and families of disabled veterans eligible for Chapter 35 
     education benefits.
       Section 401 increases the amount of supplemental life 
     insurance available to totally disabled veterans to $30,000. 
     This is a much needed increase in this insurance benefit. We 
     hope that some arrangement can be made so that those eligible 
     for this insurance can be made aware that it is available.
       Section 404 allows veterans to increase their Veterans 
     Group Life Insurance to ensure the welfare of their surviving 
     families.
       Section 501 increases burial and funeral benefits and plot 
     allowances for veterans. These benefits are greatly needed by 
     veterans' families, and we are happy to see these increases.
       Other provisions of the bill will benefit our 
     servicemembers and veterans as well as their families, and we 
     also fully support these provisions.
     Kathryn A. Witt,
       Co-Chair, Government Relations Committee, Gold Star Wives 
     of America, Inc.
                                  ____

                                              The American Legion,


                             Office of the National Commander,

                               Washington, DC, September 28, 2010.
     Hon. Bob Filner,
     Chairman, House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Filner: On behalf of the 2.5 million members 
     of The American Legion, I offer our support for H.R. 3219, 
     the ``Veterans Benefits Act of 2010.'' This wide-ranging 
     omnibus bill contains a number of laudable provisions that 
     would bring improvements in employment, compensation and 
     pension, insurance and burial benefits available to veterans 
     and their families.
       Some of the noteworthy provisions included in this bill 
     would improve employment opportunities for veterans pursuing 
     an education; expedite the training of new disabled veterans' 
     outreach program specialists (DVOPS) and local veterans' 
     employment representatives (LVERS), thereby improving 
     employment services offered to veterans seeking work. In 
     addition, it would clarify and strengthen reemployment rights 
     of veterans and members of reserve components. This 
     legislation would increase disability compensation provided 
     to severely disabled veterans who have difficulty using 
     prostheses. Additionally, an increase would be realized 
     regarding adaptive automobile grants, and expanding access to 
     adaptive automobile assistance to disabled veterans who have 
     incurred severe burns. It would also provide aid and 
     attendance benefits to veterans suffering from traumatic 
     brain injury.
       We are especially pleased to see that this legislation 
     would provide additional protections to veterans and their 
     families by increasing the amount of supplemental insurance 
     for totally disabled veterans and raising the limit of 
     Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance for disabled veterans. In 
     addition, the bill includes language to increase the number 
     of veterans who would be allowed to participate in VA's 
     independent living services and assistance program.
       The American Legion fully supports H.R. 3219 and we urge 
     strong bipartisan support and expeditious passage of this 
     measure. The American Legion thanks you, Mr. Chairman, and 
     offers our sincere appreciation for your continued leadership 
     in addressing the issues that are important to veterans, 
     members of the Armed Forces, and their families.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Jimmie L. Foster,
     National Commander.
                                  ____

                                                    Military Order


                                          of the Purple Heart,

                              Springfield, VA, September 29, 2010.
     Chairman Bob Filner,
     House Veterans Affairs Committee, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Filner: On behalf of the Military Order of 
     the Purple Heart (MOPH), I am writing to inform you that MOPH 
     is in total support of legislation, H.R. 3219, that you have 
     introduced. The ``Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010'' has many 
     far reaching benefits for our membership which is comprised 
     of combat wounded veterans as well as for all of America's 
     veterans.
       We commend you for your leadership on this worthwhile 
     legislative effort.
           Respectfully,
                                                    Clayton Jones,
     National Commander.
                                  ____


            Explanatory Statement for H.R. 3219, as Amended

       H.R. 3219, as amended, the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010, 
     reflects a Compromise Agreement reached by the House and 
     Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs (the Committees) on 
     the following bills reported during the 111th Congress: H.R. 
     174; H.R. 466, as amended; H.R. 1037, as amended; H.R. 1088; 
     H.R. 1089, as amended; H.R. 1168, as amended; H.R. 1170, as 
     amended; H.R. 1171, as amended; H.R. 1172, as amended; H.R. 
     2180; H.R. 3219, as amended; H.R. 3949, as amended; H.R. 
     4592, as amended (House Bills); and S. 728, as amended; S. 
     1237, as reported; and S. 3609 (Senate Bills).
       H.R. 174 passed the House on November 2, 2009; H.R. 466, as 
     amended, passed the House on June 8, 2009; H.R. 1037, as 
     amended, passed the House on July 14, 2009; H.R. 1088 passed 
     the House on May 19, 2009; H.R. 1089, as amended, passed the 
     House on May 19, 2009; H.R. 1168, as amended, passed the 
     House on November 2, 2009; H.R. 1170, as amended, passed the 
     House on May 19, 2009; H.R. 1171, as amended, passed the 
     House on March 30, 2009; H.R. 1172, as amended, passed the 
     House on June 23, 2009; H.R. 3219, as amended, passed the 
     House on July 27, 2009; H.R. 3949, as amended, passed the 
     House on November 3, 2009. H.R. 4592 passed the House on 
     March 23, 2010. H.R. 1037, as amended, passed the Senate on 
     October 7, 2009.
       The Committees have prepared the following explanation of 
     H.R. 3219, as amended, to reflect a Compromise Agreement 
     between the Committees. Differences between the provisions 
     contained in the Compromise Agreement and the related 
     provisions of the House Bills and the Senate Bills are noted 
     in this document, except for clerical corrections, conforming 
     changes made necessary by the Compromise Agreement, and minor 
     drafting, technical, and clarifying changes.

       TITLE I--EMPLOYMENT, SMALL BUSINESS, AND EDUCATION MATTERS

Extension and Expansion of Authority for Certain Qualifying Work-Study 
 Activities for Purposes of the Educational Assistance Programs of the 
                     Department of Veterans Affairs

     Current Law
       Section 3485 of title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.), 
     permits certain students enrolled in a program of education 
     to participate in work-study programs. Approved work-study 
     activities are generally activities relating to processing 
     documents or providing services at Department of Veterans 
     Affairs (VA) facilities. However, until June 30, 2010, 
     approved activities also included outreach services provided 
     by State approving agencies, care to veterans in State homes, 
     and activities related to the administration of national or 
     State veterans' cemeteries.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       H.R. 1037, as amended, would require VA to conduct a five-
     year pilot program to expand work-study opportunities by 
     adding to the list of approved activities positions in 
     academic departments (including positions as tutors or 
     research, teaching, and lab assistants) and in student 
     services (including positions in career centers and financial 
     aid, campus orientation, cashiers, admissions, records, and 
     registration offices).
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 101 of the Compromise Agreement would extend the 
     authority from June 30, 2010, to June 30, 2013, during which 
     qualifying work-study activities may include assisting with 
     outreach services to servicemembers and veterans furnished by 
     employees of State approving agencies, provision of care to 
     veterans in State homes, and activities related to 
     administration of a national cemetery or State veterans' 
     cemetery. In addition, effective October 1, 2011, it would 
     add to the list of qualifying work-study activities the 
     following:
       Activities of State veterans agencies helping veterans 
     obtain any benefit under laws administered by VA or States;
       Positions at Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student 
     Success;
       Positions working in programs run jointly by VA and an 
     institution of higher learning; and
       Any other veterans-related position in an institution of 
     higher learning.

      Reauthorization of Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education

     Current Law
       Section 3692 of title 38 provides for the formation of a 
     Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education. The authority for 
     this Committee expired on December 31, 2009.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.

[[Page 17110]]


     House Bill
       Section 102 of H.R. 3949, as amended, would reauthorize the 
     Advisory Committee until December 31, 2015.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 102 of the Compromise Agreement would extend the 
     Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education until December 31, 
     2013.

18-Month Period for Training of New Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program 
Specialists and Local Veterans' Employment Representatives by National 
          Veterans' Employment and Training Services Institute

     Current Law
       Section 4102A(c)(8) of title 38, U.S.C., requires that, as 
     a condition of receiving grants under the Disabled Veterans' 
     Outreach Program (DVOP) and the Local Veterans' Employment 
     Representatives (LVER) program authorities, States are 
     generally required to have each DVOP and LVER complete a 
     program of training through the National Veterans' Employment 
     and Training Services Institute within three years of 
     beginning employment.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       H.R. 1088 would require that DVOPs and LVERs assigned to 
     perform those duties on or after the date of enactment 
     complete training within one year of being so assigned and 
     that DVOPs and LVERs hired on or after January 1, 2006, also 
     complete training within one year of the date of enactment.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 103 of the Compromise Agreement would require that 
     DVOPs and LVERs hired on or after the date of enactment 
     complete training within 18 months of employment and that any 
     previously-hired DVOPs and LVERs who were hired on or after 
     January 1, 2006, also complete training within 18 months of 
     the date of enactment.

  Clarification of Responsibility of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
                    Verify Small Business Ownership

     Current Law
       Public Law 109-461 (120 Stat. 3403), the Veterans Benefits, 
     Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006, requires 
     VA to maintain the VetBiz Vendor Information Page (VIP) 
     database containing Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and 
     Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). 
     This law also requires VA to verify that registered firms 
     meet the eligibility requirements to be classified as VOSBs 
     or SDVOSBs to be included in the database.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       Section 101 of H.R. 3949, as amended, would require VA to 
     verify small business concerns prior to being listed in the 
     VIP database.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 104 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House 
     Bill.

  Demonstration Project for Referral of USERRA Claims Against Federal 
               Agencies to the Office of Special Counsel

     Current Law
       Under chapter 43 of title 38, U.S.C., the Department of 
     Labor has responsibility for receiving, investigating, and 
     attempting to resolve all claims filed under the Uniformed 
     Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       H.R. 1089, as amended, would provide the U.S. Office of 
     Special Counsel with initial jurisdiction to investigate and 
     prosecute all USERRA complaints involving Federal executive 
     agencies and provide authority for individuals to file 
     complaints with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. It would 
     clarify that the U.S. Office of Special Counsel has the same 
     authority as the U.S. Department of Labor to conduct 
     investigations and issue subpoenas when investigating USERRA 
     complaints.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 105 of the Compromise Agreement would require the 
     Secretary of Labor and the Office of Special Counsel to carry 
     out a 36-month demonstration project to start no later than 
     60 days after the Comptroller General submits a report 
     assessing the proposed methods and procedures for the 
     demonstration project; under the demonstration project, 
     certain USERRA claims against Federal executive agencies 
     would be received by or referred to the Office of Special 
     Counsel. It would also allow the Office of Special Counsel to 
     receive and investigate certain claims under USERRA and 
     related prohibited personnel practice claims. Finally, the 
     Compromise Agreement would establish general guidelines for 
     administration of the demonstration project; would require 
     the Department of Labor and the Office of Special Counsel to 
     jointly establish methods and procedures to be used during 
     the demonstration project and submit to Congress a report 
     describing those methods and procedures; would require the 
     Comptroller General to submit to Congress a report assessing 
     those methods and procedures; and would require the 
     Comptroller General to submit to Congress reports on the 
     demonstration project.

               Veterans Energy-Related Employment Program

     Current Law
       Current law contains no relevant provision.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       H.R. 4592, as amended, would create a Veterans Energy-
     Related Employment Program pilot program, which would award 
     competitive grants to three States for the establishment of a 
     program that would reimburse energy employers for the cost of 
     providing on-the-job training for veterans in the energy 
     sector. The reimbursements would go to employers or labor-
     management organizations. Each participating State would be 
     required to provide evidence that it can produce such 
     training to serve a population of eligible veterans, has a 
     diverse energy industry, and the ability to carry out such a 
     program, as well as certify that participating veterans would 
     be hired at a wage rate consistent with the standard industry 
     average for jobs that are technically involved and have a 
     skill-set that is not transferable to other non-energy 
     industries. It would authorize appropriations of $10 million 
     a year for five years, beginning in 2011 through 2015.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 106 of the Compromise Agreement would establish a 
     pilot competitive grant program (Veterans Energy-Related 
     Employment Program) as part of the Veterans Workforce 
     Investment Program for up to three States to provide grants 
     to energy employers that train veterans in skills particular 
     to the energy industry. States would need to repay funds not 
     used for the purposes outlined for this pilot program and 
     submit reports on the use of the grant funds to the Secretary 
     of Labor. This section would outline requirements employers 
     must meet to receive funds from a State and would prohibit 
     the use of funds for non-eligible veterans or eligible 
     veterans whose employment is funded through any other 
     governmental program. A report to Congress would be required 
     to be submitted by the Secretary. The administrative costs of 
     the Secretary would be limited to 2 percent of the 
     appropriations for this program and the Secretary of Labor 
     would be permitted to determine the maximum amounts of each 
     grant that may be used for administration and reporting 
     costs. Section 106 of the Compromise Agreement would 
     authorize $1.5 million for the grant program for each of 
     fiscal years 2012 through 2014.

              Pat Tillman Veterans' Scholarship Initiative

     Current Law
       There is no relevant provision in current law.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       H.R. 1172, as amended, would require VA to provide and 
     maintain on its website by June 1, 2010, information 
     regarding scholarships that are available to veterans and 
     family members of deceased veterans. Information to be 
     provided on the website would include a list of organizations 
     offering scholarships and a link to their websites. VA would 
     also be required to notify schools and other organizations of 
     the opportunity to be listed on the website.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 107 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House 
     Bill but requires the VA, by June 1, 2011, to make available 
     on its website a list of organizations that provide 
     scholarships to veterans and their survivors. VA would be 
     required to make reasonable efforts to notify schools and 
     other organizations of the opportunity to be listed on the 
     website.

               TITLE II--HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS MATTERS

 Reauthorization of Appropriations for Homeless Veterans Reintegration 
                                Program

     Current Law
       The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) was 
     initially enacted in 1987 as part of Public Law 100-77, the 
     Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, to expand 
     services beyond food and shelter to homeless veterans. Public 
     Law 107-95, the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance 
     Act of 2001, directed the Secretary of Labor to provide 
     homeless veterans with job training, counseling, and 
     placement services as part of a holistic approach to 
     reintegrating homeless veterans back into society. The 
     authorization of appropriations to carry out this program 
     expired at the end of fiscal year 2009.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.

[[Page 17111]]


     House Bill
       Section 2 of H.R. 1171, as amended, would reauthorize, 
     through fiscal year 2014, the Department of Labor's HVRP.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 201 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House 
     Bill, except that it would reauthorize the HVRP through 
     fiscal year 2011.

      Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans With Children 
                      Reintegration Grant Program

     Current Law
       Currently, under section 2021 of title 38, U.S.C., the 
     Secretary of Labor is required to conduct, directly or 
     through grant or contract, the HVRP. Through HVRP, the 
     Secretary selects programs that are appropriate to provide 
     job training, counseling, and placement services (including 
     job readiness, literacy and skills training) to expedite the 
     reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor force. HVRP 
     is administered through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
     Veterans' Employment and Training (VETS).
     Senate Bill
       Section 102 of S. 1237, as reported, would amend Subchapter 
     III of chapter 20 of title 38, U.S.C., by adding a new 
     section 2021A, entitled ``Grant program for reintegration of 
     homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with 
     children.'' This grant program would differ from the current 
     HVRP grants in that it would be strictly a grant program and 
     would focus specifically on providing services that will 
     assist in the reintegration into the labor force of homeless 
     women veterans and homeless veterans with children. Like the 
     current HVRP grants, services under this new grant program 
     would include job training, counseling, and job placement 
     services, including job readiness, literacy, and skills 
     training. Importantly, it would also include child care 
     services to serve more effectively the target population.
     House Bill
       Section 3 of H.R. 1171, as amended, would amend title 38, 
     U.S.C., adding a new section 2021A, entitled ``Homeless women 
     veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration 
     grant program.'' That bill would direct the Secretary of 
     Labor to carry out a grant program to provide reintegration 
     services through programs and facilities that emphasize 
     services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans 
     with children.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 202 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows 
     the House Bill. However, the authorization of appropriations 
     to carry out this program is $1 million for fiscal years 2011 
     to 2015.

      Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant Program

     Current Law
       There is no current provision in title 38, U.S.C., 
     authorizing grants to develop assistive technology for 
     specially adapted housing. The Specially Adapted Housing 
     (SAH) program was established in 1948 by Public Law 80-702, 
     an act to authorize assistance to certain veterans in 
     acquiring specially adapted housing which they require by 
     reason of their service-connected disabilities. The SAH 
     program provides grants to certain qualifying service-
     connected disabled veterans to assist them in acquiring 
     suitable housing.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provisions.
     House Bill
       H.R. 1170, as amended, would authorize a five-year pilot 
     program to promote research and development of adaptive 
     technologies that would be applicable to the SAH program. It 
     would also provide that VA retain a 30 percent interest in 
     any patent approved as a result of funding through this grant 
     program. The bill would further require that VA retain any 
     investment returns from these patents to assist in funding 
     grants, during the duration of this program. It would 
     authorize $2 million per year for purposes of this grant 
     program; those amounts would be derived from amounts 
     appropriated for VA Medical Services.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 203 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows 
     the House Bill. However, under the Compromise Agreement, the 
     Secretary would not retain any patent rights to the 
     technology developed by any grant recipient, the funding 
     amount would be reduced from $2 million to $1 million per 
     fiscal year to carry out this program, and the funding would 
     now come from amounts appropriated to VA for readjustment 
     benefits, not Medical Services. The effective date of the 
     five-year pilot program would be October 1, 2011.

Waiver of Housing Loan Fee for Certain Veterans With Service-Connected 
                 Disabilities Called to Active Service

     Current Law
       Current law, section 3729(c)(1) of title 38, U.S.C., states 
     that a loan fee, normally collected from each person 
     obtaining a housing loan guaranteed, insured or made under 
     chapter 37, will be waived for a veteran who is receiving 
     compensation, or who, but for the receipt of retirement pay, 
     would be entitled to receive compensation.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       H.R. 2180 would waive housing loan fees for certain 
     veterans with service-connected disabilities called back to 
     active service.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 204 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House 
     Bill.

           TITLE III--SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT MATTERS

                  Residential and Motor Vehicle Leases

     Current Law
       Section 305 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) 
     permits the cancellation of motor vehicle leases and 
     prohibits early termination penalties. It also permits 
     cancellation of residential leases, but it does not provide 
     protection from early termination fees.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       Section 202 of H.R. 3949 would amend subsection (e) of 
     section 305 of SCRA to revise provisions concerning 
     arrearages and other obligations to prohibit a lessor from 
     charging an early termination charge with respect to a 
     residential, professional, business, or agricultural rental 
     lease entered into by a person who subsequently enters 
     military service, or for a servicemember who has received 
     orders for permanent change of station or for deployment in 
     support of a military operation. It would provide that unpaid 
     lease charges shall be paid by the lessee.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 301 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House 
     bill.

               Termination of Telephone Service Contracts

     Current Law
       Section 305A of SCRA permits certain servicemembers the 
     option to request a termination or suspension of their 
     cellular phone contracts if they are deployed outside of the 
     continental United States for a period of not less than 90 
     days or have a permanent change of duty station within the 
     United States.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       Section 201 of H.R. 3949 would amend section 305A of the 
     SCRA to allow a servicemember to terminate certain service 
     contracts if the servicemember has received military orders 
     to deploy for a period of not less than 90 days or for a 
     change of duty station to a location that does not support 
     such service. Furthermore, if the terminated contract was for 
     cellular or telephone exchange services, it would allow a 
     servicemember to keep the phone number to the extent 
     practicable and in accordance with applicable law. Covered 
     contracts would include cellular telephone service (including 
     family plans with the servicemember), telephone exchange 
     service, multi-channel video programming service and internet 
     service, as well as home water, electricity, home heating oil 
     and natural gas services. Servicemembers would be required to 
     deliver a written notice of termination of the service 
     contract and the military orders to the service provider by 
     hand delivery, private carrier, fax, or U.S. Postal Service 
     with return receipt requested and sufficient postage. A 
     service provider would be prohibited from imposing an early 
     termination charge, but could collect appropriate tax, 
     obligation or liability under the contract.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 302 of the Compromise Agreement would allow a 
     servicemember to terminate a contract for cellular telephone 
     or telephone exchange service at any time after receiving 
     notice of military orders to relocate for a period of 90 days 
     or more to a location that does not support the contract. It 
     would further require the telephone number of an individual 
     who terminated a contract to be kept available for a period 
     of not to exceed three years if the servicemember 
     resubscribes to the service within 90 days of the last day of 
     relocation. Finally, section 302 of the Compromise Agreement 
     would permit certain family plan contracts for cellular 
     telephone service entered into by a family member of a 
     servicemember to be terminated.

   Enforcement by the Attorney General and by Private Right of Action

     Current Law
       Current law contains no relevant provision.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       Section 203 of H.R. 3949 would amend the SCRA to add a new 
     title, Title VIII--Civil Liability, which would authorize the 
     U.S. Attorney General to bring a civil action in U.S. 
     district court to enforce provisions of the SCRA. It would 
     also authorize the court to

[[Page 17112]]

     grant appropriate relief to include monetary damages. The 
     court would be authorized in certain circumstances to impose 
     a civil penalty that, for the first violation, will not 
     exceed $55,000 and, for any subsequent violation, will not 
     exceed $110,000. It would provide intervenor rights to 
     aggrieved persons for a civil action that has already been 
     started. In addition, it would clarify that a person has a 
     private right of action to file a civil action for violations 
     under the SCRA and that the court may award costs and 
     attorney fees to a servicemember who prevails. Finally, it 
     would provide that the rights granted under sections 801 or 
     802 will not limit or exclude any other rights that may also 
     be available under Federal or state law.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 303 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows 
     the House bill with some technical changes.

                      TITLE IV--INSURANCE MATTERS

   Increase in Amount of Supplemental Insurance for Totally Disabled 
                                Veterans

     Current Law
       Section 1922A of title allows eligible totally disabled 
     veterans to receive a maximum of $20,000 in Service-Disabled 
     Veterans' Insurance (S-DVI) supplemental life insurance 
     coverage.
     Senate Bill
       Section 101 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     1922A(a) of title 38, U.S.C., to increase the amount of life 
     insurance available to totally disabled veterans by allowing 
     them to purchase an additional $10,000 in supplemental 
     insurance coverage. This would raise the maximum amount of S-
     DVI supplemental coverage to $30,000.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 401 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill, except that the provision would take effect on October 
     1, 2011.

Permanent Extension of Duration of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance 
                 Coverage for Totally Disabled Veterans

     Current Law
       VA offers a variety of life insurance options for 
     servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Among these is 
     the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program, 
     which offers low-cost group life insurance for servicemembers 
     on active duty, Ready Reservists, members of the National 
     Guard, members of the Commissioned Corps of the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Public Health 
     Service, cadets and midshipmen of the four service academies, 
     and members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps. SGLI 
     coverage is available in $50,000 increments up to the maximum 
     of $400,000.
       Public Law 93-289, the Veterans' Insurance Act of 1974, 
     established a new program of post-separation insurance known 
     as Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI). VGLI provides for 
     the post-service conversion of SGLI to a renewable term 
     policy of insurance. Persons eligible for full-time coverage 
     include former servicemembers who were insured full-time 
     under SGLI and who were released from active duty or the 
     Reserves, Ready Reservists who have part-time SGLI coverage 
     and who incur certain disabilities during periods of active 
     or inactive duty training, and members of the Individual 
     Ready Reserve and Inactive National Guard. VGLI coverage is 
     issued in multiples of $10,000 up to a maximum of $400,000.
       Under current law, VGLI applications for coverage must 
     occur within one year and 120 days from discharge. However, 
     servicemembers who are totally disabled at the time of 
     discharge may have a longer period within which to convert 
     their SGLI coverage to VGLI. Public Law 109-233, the 
     Veterans' Housing Opportunity and. Benefits Improvement Act 
     of 2006, authorized VA to extend from one to two years, after 
     separation from active duty service, the period within which 
     totally disabled members may receive premium free SGLI 
     coverage and convert their coverage to a policy under the 
     VGLI program after separation from active duty service. 
     However, Public Law 109-233 mandated that on or after October 
     1, 2011, this two-year time period would be shortened to 18 
     months.
     Senate Bill
       Section 101 of S. 3765 would amend section 1968(a) of title 
     38, U.S.C., to eliminate the expiration date for a potential 
     two-year extension of SGLI coverage available to 
     servicemembers who are totally disabled when they separate 
     from service.
     House Bill
       Section 101 of H.R. 3219, as amended, would amend section 
     1968(a) of title 38, U.S.C., to eliminate the expiration date 
     for a potential two-year extension of SGLI coverage available 
     to servicemembers who are totally disabled when they separate 
     from service.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 402 of the Compromise Agreement follows the 
     language in both bills.

 Adjustment of Coverage of Dependents Under Servicemembers' Group Life 
                               Insurance

     Current Law
       Under current law, insurable dependents of servicemembers 
     on active duty, or Ready Reservists who are totally disabled 
     on the date of separation or release from service or 
     assignment, are authorized to continue receiving insurance 
     coverage long after the servicemembers' separation or release 
     from service. Servicemembers on active duty are potentially 
     eligible for continued coverage for up to 2 years after the 
     date of separation or release from service; Ready Reservists 
     are potentially eligible for an additional 1 year of coverage 
     after separation or release from an assignment. Thereafter, 
     the insurable dependents of covered servicemembers on active 
     duty are also potentially eligible for continued coverage for 
     up to 2 years after the date of separation or release from 
     service or, in the case of an insurable dependent of a Ready 
     Reservists, up to 1 year after the date of separation or 
     release from an assignment.
     Senate Bill
       Section 102 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     1968(a)(5)(B)(ii) of title 38, U.S.C., so that no insurable 
     dependent, not even those of servicemembers who remain 
     covered for up to 1 or 2 years after service or assignment, 
     could remain coveted under SGLI for more than 120 days after 
     the servicemembers' separation or release from service or 
     assignment.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 403 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill.

    Opportunity to Increase Amount of Veterans' Group Life Insurance

     Current Law
       Section 1977(a)(1) of title 38, U.S.C., limits the amount 
     of VGLI coverage a veteran may carry to the amount of SGLI 
     coverage that continued in force after that veteran was 
     separated from service.
     Senate Bill
       Section 102 of S. 3765 would amend section 1977(a) of 
     title; 38, U.S.C., to allow VGLI participants who are under 
     the age of 60 and insured for less than the current maximum 
     authorized for SGLI the opportunity to obtain, without a 
     health care examination, an additional $25,000 in coverage 
     once every 5 years at the time of renewal.
     House Bill
       Section 102 of H.R. 3219, as amended, would amend section 
     1977(a) of title 38, U.S.C., to allow VGLI participants who 
     are under the age of 60 and insured for less than the current 
     maximum authorized for SGLI the opportunity to obtain, 
     without a health care examination, an additional $25,000 in 
     coverage once every 5 years at the time of renewal.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 404 of the Compromise Agreement follows the 
     language in both bills.

  Elimination of Reduction in Amount of Accelerated Death Benefit for 
    Terminally-Ill Persons Insured Under Servicemembers' Group Life 
              Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance

     Current Law
       The current SGLI/VGLI Accelerated Benefits Option (ABO) 
     requires VA to discount or reduce the payout available under 
     both the SGLI and VGLI programs for terminally-ill 
     servicemembers and veterans who exercise the option to use up 
     to half of their policy. Currently, VA discounts this payment 
     by an amount commensurate to the interest rate earned by the 
     program on its investment in effect at the time that a 
     servicemember or veteran applies for the benefits, thereby 
     often significantly reducing the amount of the ABO payment.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       Section 103 of H.R. 3219, as amended, would amend section 
     1980(b)(1) of title 38, U.S.C., by eliminating the 
     requirement that the lump sum accelerated payment be 
     ``reduced by an amount necessary to assure that there is no 
     increase in the actuarial value of the benefit paid, as 
     determined by the Secretary.''
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 405 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House 
     Bill.

 Consideration of Loss of Dominant Hand in Prescription of Schedule of 
Severity of Traumatic Injury Under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance

     Current Law
       Under current law, traumatic injury protection under 
     Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) provides for 
     payment to servicemembers who suffer a qualifying loss as a 
     result of a traumatic injury event. In the event of a 
     qualifying loss, VA will pay between $25,000 and $100,000, 
     depending on the severity of the qualifying loss. In 
     prescribing payments, VA does not account for the effect, if 
     any, that the loss of a dominant hand has on lengthening 
     hospitalization or rehabilitation periods.

[[Page 17113]]


     Senate Bill
       Section 104 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     1980A(d) of title 38, U.S.C., to authorize VA to distinguish 
     in specifying payments for qualifying losses of a dominant 
     hand and a non-dominant hand.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contains no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 406 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill except that the provision would take effect on October 
     30, 2011.

            Enhancement of Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance

     Current Law
       Under current law, service-connected disabled veterans who 
     have received specially adapted housing grants from VA may 
     purchase up to $90,000 in Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance 
     (VMLI). In the event of the veteran's death, the veteran's 
     family is protected because VA will pay the balance of the 
     mortgage owed up to the maximum amount of insurance 
     purchased.
     Senate Bill
       Section 105 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     2106(b) of title 38, U.S.C., to increase the maximum amount 
     of insurance that may be purchased under the VMLI program 
     from the current maximum of $90,000 to $150,000 effective on 
     October 1, 2012. The maximum amount would then increase from 
     $150,000 to $200,000 on January 1, 2012.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 407 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill, except that the provision would take effect on October 
     1, 2011.

   Expansion of Individuals Qualifying for Retroactive Benefits From 
 Traumatic Injury Protection Coverage Under Servicemembers' Group Life 
                               Insurance

     Current Law
       Under current law, TSGLI provides coverage against 
     qualifying losses incurred as a result of a traumatic injury. 
     In the event of a loss, VA will pay between $25,000 and 
     $100,000 depending on the severity of the qualifying loss. 
     TSGLI went into effect on December 1, 2005. In order to 
     provide assistance to those servicemembers suffering 
     traumatic injuries on or before October 7, 2001, and November 
     30, 2005, retroactive TSGLI payments were authorized under 
     section 1032(c) of Public Law 109-13, the Emergency 
     Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War 
     on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005, to individuals whose 
     qualifying losses were sustained as ``a direct result of 
     injuries incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation 
     Iraqi Freedom.'' Under section 501(b) of Public Law 109-233, 
     the Veterans' Housing Opportunity Benefits Improvement Act of 
     2006, this definition was amended to allow retroactive 
     payments to individuals whose qualifying losses were 
     sustained as a ``direct result of a traumatic injury incurred 
     in the theater of operations for Operation Enduring Freedom 
     and Operation Iraqi Freedom.'' Men and women who were 
     traumatically injured on or between October 7, 2001, and 
     November 30, 2005, but were not in the Operation Iraqi 
     Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom theaters of operation 
     are not eligible for retroactive payments.
     Senate Bill
       Section 103 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     501(b) of Public Law 109-233 so as to remove the requirement 
     that limits retroactive TSGLI payments to those who served in 
     the Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring 
     Freedom (OEF) theaters of operation. Thus, this section of 
     the Compromise Agreement would authorize retroactive TSGLI 
     payments for qualifying traumatic injuries incurred on or 
     after October 7, 2001, but before December 1, 2005, 
     irrespective of where the injuries occurred.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contains no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 408 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill, except that the provision would take effect on October 
     1, 2011.

                  TITLE V--BURIAL AND CEMETERY MATTERS

Increase in Certain Burial and Funeral Benefits and Plot Allowances for 
                                Veterans

     Current Law
       Under current law, VA will pay up to $300 toward the 
     funeral and burial costs of veterans who die while receiving 
     care at certain VA facilities. In addition, VA will pay a 
     $300 plot allowance when a veteran is buried in a cemetery 
     not under U.S. government jurisdiction if: the veteran was 
     discharged from active duty because of a disability incurred 
     or aggravated in the line of duty; the veteran was receiving 
     compensation or pension, or would have been if he/she was not 
     receiving military retired pay; or the veteran died in a VA 
     facility. The plot allowance may be paid to the State for the 
     cost of a plot or interment in a State-owned cemetery 
     reserved solely for veteran burials if the veteran was buried 
     without charge.
     Senate Bill
       Section 501 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would increase 
     payments for funeral and burial expenses in the case of 
     individuals who die in VA facilities and for plot allowances 
     up to $745 and would increase this amount annually by a cost-
     of-living adjustment. These increases would be effective for 
     deaths occurring on or after October 1, 2010, but no cost-of-
     living adjustment would be paid in fiscal year 2011.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 501 of the Compromise Agreement would increase the 
     amount paid for the burial and funeral of a veteran who dies 
     in a VA facility or the plot allowance for a deceased veteran 
     who is eligible for burial at a national cemetery from $300 
     to $700, effective October 1, 2011. It would further direct 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide an annual 
     percentage increase in relation to the Consumer Price Index. 
     Finally, the Compromise Agreement would provide that no cost-
     of-living increases are to be made to these benefits in 
     fiscal year 2012.

    Interment in National Cemeteries of Parents of Certain Deceased 
                                Veterans

     Current Law
       Under section 2402(5) of title 38, U.S.C., certain spouses, 
     surviving spouses, and minor children of servicemembers and 
     veterans who are eligible for burial in national cemeteries 
     are eligible to be interred in national cemeteries.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       Section 303 of H.R. 3949, the Corey Shea Act, would give VA 
     the discretion to provide space-available burial to 
     qualifying parents in the gravesite of their deceased son or 
     daughter who, on or after October 7, 2001, died in combat or 
     died of a combat-related training injury and who has no other 
     eligible survivors as identified under section 2402(5) of 
     title 38, U.S.C. The term parent would mean the biological 
     mother or father or, in the case of adoption, the adoptive 
     mother or father.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 502 of the Compromise Agreement follows the House 
     Bill.

            Reports on Selection of New National Cemeteries

     Current Law
       Current law contains no relevant provision.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       H.R. 174 would direct VA to establish a national cemetery 
     for veterans in the Southern Colorado area.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 503 of the Compromise Agreement would require VA, 
     not later than one year following the date of enactment, to 
     report to Congress on the selection and construction of five 
     new national cemeteries in areas in Southern Colorado; 
     Melbourne and Daytona, Florida; Rochester and Buffalo, New 
     York; Tallahassee, Florida; and Omaha, Nebraska. The 
     Secretary would be required to solicit the advice and views 
     of State and local veterans organizations. The report would 
     be required to include a schedule for the establishment of 
     and the funds available for each such cemetery. The 
     Compromise Agreement would further require annual reports to 
     be submitted to Congress until the completion of the 
     cemeteries.

                   TITLE VI--COMPENSATION AND PENSION

 Enhancement of Disability Compensation for Certain Disabled Veterans 
  With Difficulties Using Prostheses and Disabled Veterans in Need of 
   Regular Aid and Attendance for Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury

     Current Law
       Currently, under subsections (a) through (j) of section 
     1114 of title 38, U.S.C., VA pays disability compensation to 
     a veteran based on the rating assigned to the veteran's 
     service-connected disabilities. Under subsections (m), (n), 
     and (o) of section 1114, higher levels of monthly 
     compensation are paid to veterans with severe disabilities if 
     certain criteria are satisfied. The criteria for compensation 
     under section 1114(m) include ``the anatomical loss . . . of 
     both legs at a level, or with complications, preventing 
     natural knee action with prostheses in place'' or ``the 
     anatomical loss . . . of one arm and one leg at levels, or 
     with complications, preventing natural elbow and knee action 
     with prostheses in place.'' The criteria for compensation 
     under section 1114(n) include ``the anatomical loss . . . of 
     both arms at levels, or with complications, preventing 
     natural elbow action with prostheses in place''; ``the 
     anatomical loss of both legs so near the hip as to prevent 
     the use of prosthetic appliances''; or ``the anatomical loss 
     of one arm and one leg so near the shoulder and hip as to 
     prevent the use of prosthetic appliances.''

[[Page 17114]]

     The criteria for compensation under section 1114(o) include 
     ``the anatomical loss of both arms so near the shoulder as to 
     prevent the use of prosthetic appliances.''
       Currently, the monthly compensation under subsections (a) 
     through (j) of section 1114 ranges from $123 per month for a 
     single veteran with no dependents rated 10 percent to $2,673 
     per month for the same single veteran rated 100 percent. 
     Under section 1114(1) of title 38,U.S.C., VA provides a 
     higher amount of compensation, currently $3,327 per month for 
     a single veteran, if the veteran is ``in need of regular aid 
     and attendance.'' A veteran who requires regular aid and 
     attendance may be entitled to an additional $2,002 per month, 
     under section 1114(r)(1) of title 38, U.S.C., if the veteran 
     suffers from severe service-connected physical 
     disabilities.Also, under section 1114(r)(2), a higher level 
     of aid and attendance compensation, currently an additional 
     $2,983 per month, is provided to certain veterans with severe 
     service-connected disabilities who need ``a higher level of 
     care'' in addition to regular aid and attendance. Under 
     section 1114(r)(2), this higher level of compensation 
     generally is provided only to a veteran who has suffered a 
     severe anatomical loss, who needs ``health-care services 
     provided on a daily basis in the veteran's home,'' and who 
     would require institutionalization in the absence of that 
     care.
     Senate Bill
       Section 205(a) of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend 
     subsections (m), (n), and (o) of section 1114 to remove the 
     provisions conditioning higher monthly compensation on the 
     site of, or complications from, an anatomical loss. Instead, 
     if the other requirements are satisfied, it would allow the 
     higher rates to be paid if any factors prevent natural elbow 
     or knee action with prostheses in place or prevent the use of 
     prosthetic appliances.
       Section 205(b) of H.R. 1037, as amended, would add a new 
     subsection (t) to section 1114, which would provide that, if 
     a veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to the 
     residuals of traumatic brain injury, is not eligible for 
     compensation under section 1114(r)(2), and, in the absence of 
     regular aid and attendance, would require institutional care, 
     the veteran will be entitled to a monthly aid and attendance 
     allowance equivalent to the allowance provided under section 
     1114(r)(2).
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 601 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill.

         Cost-of-Living Increase for Temporary Dependency and 
  IndemnityCompensation Payable for Surviving Spouses With Dependent 
                      Children Under the Age of 18

     Current Law
       Under section 1310 of title 38, U.S.C., VA provides 
     dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to a surviving 
     spouse if a veteran's death resulted from: (1) a disease or 
     injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty while on 
     active duty or active duty for training;(2) an injury 
     incurred or aggravated in the line of duty while on inactive 
     duty for training; or (3) a service-connected disability or a 
     condition directly related to a service-connected disability.
       Section 301 of Public Law 108-454, the Veterans Benefits 
     Improvement Act of 2004, amended section 1311 of title 38, 
     U.S.C., to authorize VA to pay a $250 per month temporary 
     benefit to a surviving spouse with one or more children below 
     the age of 18, during the 2 years following the date on which 
     entitlement to DIC began. This provision was enacted in 
     response to a May 2001 program evaluation report 
     recommendation on the need for transitional DIC.
     Senate Bill
       Section 201 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     1311(f) of title 38, U.S.C., by authorizing a permanent, 
     automatic, cost-of-living adjustment for this temporary DIC 
     payment so that the value of the benefit does not erode over 
     time.
       This cost-of-living increase would occur whenever there is 
     an increase in benefit amounts payable under title II of the 
     Social Security Act, section 401 et seq., title 42, U.S.C.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 602 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     bill.

Payment of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation to Survivors of Former 
       Prisoners of War Who Died on or Before September 30, 1999

     Current Law
       Under chapter 13 of title 38, U.S.C., DIC is paid to the 
     surviving spouse or children of a veteran when the veteran's 
     death is a result of a service-connected disability. In 
     addition, VA provides DIC to the surviving spouses and 
     children of veterans who have died after service from a non-
     service-connected disability if the veteran had been totally 
     disabled due to a service-connected disability for a 
     continuous period of 10 or more years immediately preceding 
     death or for a continuous period of at least 5 years after 
     the veteran's release from service.
       Prior to Public Law 106-117, the Veterans Millennium Health 
     Care and Benefits Act, the survivors of former Prisoners of 
     War (POWs) were eligible for DIC under the same rules as all 
     other survivors. Section 501 of Public Law 106-117 extended 
     eligibility for DIC to the survivors of former POWs who died 
     after September 30, 1999, from non-service-connected causes 
     if the former POWs were totally disabled due to a service-
     connected cause for a period of 1 or more years, rather than 
     10 or more years, immediately prior to death.
     Senate Bill
       Section 208 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     1318(b)(3) of title 38, U.S.C., to make all survivors of 
     former POWs eligible for DIC if the veteran died from non-
     service-connected causes and was totally disabled due to a 
     service-connected condition for a period of 1 or more years 
     immediately prior to death, without regard to date of death.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 603 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     bill.

Exclusion of Certain Amounts From Consideration as Income for Purposes 
                      of Veterans Pension Benefits

     Current Law
       Under chapter 15 of title 38, U.S.C., VA is authorized to 
     pay pension benefits to wartime veterans who have limited or 
     no income, and who are ages 65 or older, or, if under 65, who 
     are permanently and totally disabled.
       When calculating annual income for purposes of these 
     pension benefits, section 1503 of title 38, U.S.C., 
     authorizes VA to include income received by the veteran and 
     from most sources. However, certain sources of income, such 
     as donations from public or private relief or welfare 
     organizations, are not taken into account.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 604 of the Compromise Agreement would exclude, for 
     purposes of determining income for pension eligibility, up to 
     $5,000, paid to a veteran from a State or municipality, if 
     the benefit was paid due to the veteran's injury or disease.

 Commencement of Period of Payment of Original Awards of Compensation 
   for Veterans Retired or Separated From the Uniformed Services for 
                        Catastrophic Disability

     Current Law
       Under section 5110(b)(1) of title 38, U.S.C., if a veteran 
     files a claim for VA disability compensation within 1 year 
     after being discharged from military service, the effective 
     date of an award of service connection will be the day after 
     the date of discharge. However, under section 5111(a) of 
     title 38, U.S.C., the effective date for payment of 
     compensation based on that award will not be until the first 
     day of the month following the month in which the service-
     connection award is effective.
     Senate Bill
       Section 206 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     5111 of title 38, U.S.C., to provide that, if a veteran is 
     retired from the military for a catastrophic disability or 
     disabilities, payment of disability compensation based on an 
     original claim for benefits will be made as of the date on 
     which the award of compensation becomes effective. 
     ``Catastrophic disability'' would be defined as a permanent, 
     severely disabling injury, disorder, or disease that 
     compromises the ability of the veteran to carry out the 
     activities of daily living to such a degree that the veteran 
     requires personal or mechanical assistance to leave home or 
     bed, or requires constant supervision to avoid physical harm 
     to self or others.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 605 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill.

 Applicability of Limitation to Pension Payable to Certain Children of 
                      Veterans of a Period of War

     Current Law
       Under current law, a veteran with no dependents who is 
     entitled to receive pension under section 1521 of title 38, 
     U.S.C., cannot be paid more than $90 per month if the veteran 
     is in a nursing facility where services are covered by a 
     Medicaid plan. In instances where a veteran's surviving 
     spouse is entitled to receive pension under section 1541 of 
     title 38, U.S.C., the surviving spouse also cannot be paid 
     more than $90 per month if the surviving spouse has no 
     dependents and is in a nursing facility where services are 
     covered by a Medicaid plan. The $90 pension

[[Page 17115]]

     benefit may not be counted in determining eligibility for 
     Medicaid or the patient's share of cost.
       Under section 101(4)(A) of title 38, U.S.C., a child is 
     defined as a person who is unmarried and under the age of 18 
     years; before reaching the age of 18 years, became 
     permanently incapable of self-support; or, after attaining 
     the age of 18 years and until completion of education or 
     training, but not after attaining the age of 23 years, is 
     pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational 
     institution. Such a child is entitled to pension under 
     section 1542 of title 38, U.S.C., if the income of the child 
     is less than the statutory benefit amount payable to the 
     child. If such a child is admitted to a nursing facility 
     where services are covered by a Medicaid plan, the pension 
     benefits for the child are not currently reduced to $90.
     Senate Bill
       Section 207 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     5503 of title 38, U.S.C., so that adult-disabled children of 
     veterans who receive pension under section 1542 of title 38, 
     U.S.C., and are covered by a Medicaid plan while residing in 
     nursing homes, would have their pension benefits reduced in 
     the same manner as veterans and surviving spouses.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 606 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     bill.

 Extension of Reduced Pension for Certain Veterans Covered by Medicaid 
           Plans for Services Furnished by Nursing Facilities

     Current Law
       Public Law 101-508, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 
     of 1990, reduced VA pension for certain veterans in receipt 
     of Medicaid-covered nursing home care to no more than $90 per 
     month, for any period after the month of admission to the 
     nursing care facility. This authority expired on September 
     30, 1992, and was extended through 1997 in Public Law 102-
     568, the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1992; through 1998 in 
     Public Law 103-66, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 
     1993; through 2002 in Public Law 105-33, the Balanced Budget 
     Act of 1997; through 2008 in Public Law 106-419, the 
     Veterans' Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000; 
     and through 2011 in Public Law 107-103, the Veterans' 
     Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001.
     Senate Bill
       Section 204 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     5503(d)(7) of title 38, U.S.C., to extend, from September 30, 
     2011, to September 30, 2014, the authority for limitation of 
     VA pension to $90 per month for certain beneficiaries 
     receiving Medicaid-covered nursing home care.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 607 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     bill, except that the limitation would be extended until May 
     31, 2015.

Codification of 2009 Cost-of-Living Adjustment in Rates of Pension for 
          Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses and Children

     Current Law
       Under current law, section 5312 of title 38, U.S.C., 
     whenever there is an increase in benefits payable under title 
     II of the Social Security Act, VA automatically increases 
     pension benefits by the same percentage increase.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 608 of the Compromise Agreement codifies current 
     pension rates for disabled veterans and surviving spouses and 
     children.

    TITLE VII--EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE 
                           UNIFORMED SERVICES

Clarification That USERRA Prohibits Wage Discrimination Against Members 
                          of the Armed Forces

     Current Law
       Under current law, section 4311(a) of title 38, U.S.C., 
     employers may not deny any ``benefit of employment'' to 
     employees or applicants on the basis of membership in the 
     uniformed services, application for service, performance of 
     service, or service obligation. However, the U.S. Court of 
     Appeals for the Eighth Circuit held in 2002 that USERRA does 
     not prohibit wage discrimination because ``wages or salary 
     for work performed'' are specifically excluded from the law's 
     definition of ``benefit of employment.'' Gagnon v. Sprint 
     Corp., 284 F.3d 839, 853 (8th Cir. 2002).
     Senate Bill
       Section 403 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     4303(2) of title 38, U.S.C., to make it clear that wage 
     discrimination is not permitted under USERRA.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 701 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill.

      Clarification of the Definition of ``Successor in Interest''

     Current Law
       Section 4303 of title 38, U.S.C., uses a broad definition 
     of the term ``employer'' and includes in subsection 
     (4)(A)(iv) a definition of a ``successor in interest.'' In 
     regulations, the Department of Labor has provided that an 
     employer is a ``successor in interest'' where there is a 
     substantial continuity in operations, facilities and 
     workforce from the former employer. It further stipulates 
     that the determination of whether an employer is a successor 
     in interest must be made on a case-by-case basis using a 
     multifactor test (20 CFR Sec. 1002.35). One Federal court, 
     however, in a decision made prior to the promulgation of the 
     regulation, held that an employer could not be a successor in 
     interest unless there was a merger or transfer of assets from 
     the first employer to the second. (See Coffman v. Chugach 
     Support Services Inc., 411 F.3d 1231 (11th Cir. 2005); but 
     see Murphree v. Communications Technologies, Inc., 460 F. 
     Supp. 2d 702 (E.D. La 2006) applying 20 CFR Sec. 1002.35 and 
     rejecting the Coffman merger or transfer of assets 
     requirement.)
     Senate Bill
       Section 402 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     4303 of title 38, U.S.C., to clarify the definition of 
     ``successor in interest'' by incorporating language that 
     mirrors the regulatory definition adopted by the Department 
     of Labor.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 702 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     bill.

                          Technical Amendments

     Senate Bill
       Section 406 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would make three 
     technical and conforming changes to various provisions of law 
     in order to correct cross references to various USERRA 
     provisions contained in chapter 43 of title 38, U.S.C., and 
     clarify existing language in the USERRA.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 703 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill.

                      TITLE VIII--BENEFITS MATTERS

Increase in Number of Veterans for Which Programs of Independent Living 
                Services and Assistance May Be Initiated

     Current Law
       Section 3120(e) of title 38, U.S.C., authorizes VA to 
     initiate a program of independent living services for no more 
     than 2,600 service-connected disabled veterans in each fiscal 
     year.
     Senate Bill
       Section 301 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would eliminate the 
     annual cap on the number of service-connected disabled 
     veterans who may enroll in a program of independent living.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 801 of the Compromise Agreement would increase to 
     2,700 the number of veterans who may initiate a program of 
     independent living services in any fiscal year.

Payment of Unpaid Balances of Department of Veterans Affairs Guaranteed 
                                 Loans

     Current Law
       Under current law, section 3732 of title 38, U.S.C., 
     provides default procedures for VA home loans and illustrates 
     the actions VA may take to preserve the loan before suit or 
     foreclosure. However, it does not address what would occur in 
     the event an individual files for bankruptcy and a loan is 
     modified under the authority provided under section 1322(b) 
     of title 11.
     Senate Bill
       Section 304 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     3732(a)(2) by adding a new subparagraph that would authorize 
     additional default procedures for VA home loans in the event 
     that a VA home loan is modified under the authority provided 
     under section 1322(b) of title 11. This new authority would 
     allow VA to pay the holder of the obligation the unpaid 
     balance of the obligation, plus accrued interest, due as of 
     the date of the filing of the petition under title 11, but 
     only upon the assignment, transfer, and delivery to VA in a 
     form and manner satisfactory to VA of all rights, interest, 
     claims, evidence, and records with respect to the housing 
     loan.
     House Bill
       The House bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 802 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill.

[[Page 17116]]



 Eligibility of Disabled Veterans and Members of the Armed Forces With 
      Severe Burn Injuries for Automobiles and Adaptive Equipment

     Current Law
       Under current law, section 3901 of title 38, U.S.C., 
     veterans and members of the Armed Forces are eligible for 
     assistance with automobiles and adaptive equipment if they 
     suffer from one of three qualifying service-connected 
     disabilities: loss or permanent loss of use of one or both 
     feet; loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; or 
     a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less or a peripheral 
     field of vision of 20 degrees or less.
     Senate Bill
       Section 302 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     3901 of title 38, U.S.C., so as to include individuals with a 
     service-connected disability due to a severe burn injury, 
     effective October 1, 2010. The scope and definition of what 
     constitutes a disability due to a severe burn injury would be 
     determined pursuant to regulations prescribed by VA.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 803 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill, except that provision would take effect on October 1, 
     2011.

      Enhancement of Automobile Assistance Allowance for Veterans

     Current Law
       Under current law, section 3902 of title 38, U.S.C., 
     provides up to $11,000 to eligible veterans and 
     servicemembers for the purchase of an automobile or other 
     conveyance and adaptive equipment to safely operate either.
     Senate Bill
       Section 303 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would amend section 
     3902 of title 38, U.S.C., to increase the maximum authorized 
     automobile assistance allowance from $11,000 to $22,500, 
     effective October 1, 2010. Section 303 would also direct VA 
     to establish a method of determining the average retail cost 
     of new automobiles for the preceding calendar year. The 
     maximum allowance would increase, effective October 1 of each 
     fiscal year, beginning in 2011, to an amount equal to 80 
     percent of what VA determined to be the average retail cost 
     of new automobiles for the preceding calendar year.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 804 of the Compromise Agreement would generally 
     follow the Senate Bill. However, the amount of the allowance 
     was increased to $18,900 instead of $22,500. This allowance 
     would be adjusted October 1 of each year, beginning in 2011, 
     by a percentage equal to the percentage by which the Consumer 
     Price Index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average) 
     increased during the 12-month period ending with the last 
     month for which Consumer Price Index data is available. If 
     the Consumer Price Index does not increase, the amount of the 
     allowance will remain the same as the previous fiscal year.

   National Academies Review of Best Treatments for Gulf War Illness

     Current Law
       Current law contains no relevant provision.
     Senate Bill
       Section 601 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would require VA to 
     contract with the Institute of Medicine to gather a group of 
     medical professionals, who are experienced in treating 
     individuals diagnosed with Gulf War Illness, in order to 
     conduct a comprehensive review of the best treatments for 
     this illness. The individuals these medical professionals 
     must have experience treating must have served during the 
     Persian Gulf War in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, 
     or in Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other theater in which the 
     Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is awarded for 
     service.
       The final report on the review required by this section 
     must be submitted to VA and the House and Senate Committees 
     on Veterans' Affairs by December 31, 2011, and include 
     recommendations for legislative or administrative actions as 
     the Institute of Medicine considers appropriate in light of 
     the results of that review.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 805 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows 
     the Senate Bill except that the final report is due to the 
     Committees by December 31, 2012, and the term ``chronic 
     multisymptom illness'' replaces the term ``Gulf War 
     Illness.''

Extension and Modification of National Academy of Sciences Reviews and 
 Evaluations on Illness and Service in Persian Gulf War and Post 9/11 
                       Global Operations Theaters

     Current Law
       Public Law 105-277, the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency 
     Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999, required VA to enter 
     into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to 
     review and evaluate the available scientific evidence 
     regarding associations between illnesses and exposure to 
     toxic agents, environmental or wartime hazards, or preventive 
     medicines or vaccines associated with Persian Gulf War 
     service. Congress extended these reviews and evaluations in 
     Public Law 107-103, the Veterans Education and Benefits 
     Expansion Act of 2001. This requirement will expire on 
     October 1, 2010.
       Public Law 105-368, the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act 
     of 1998, required the National Academy of Sciences to examine 
     the scientific and medical literature on the potential health 
     effects of chemical and biological agents related to the 1991 
     Gulf War. The requirement for this examination ended in 2009.
     Senate Bill
       Section 602 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would extend until 
     October 1, 2015, the mandate for the National Academy of 
     Sciences to review and evaluate scientific evidence regarding 
     associations between illnesses and exposure. Section 602(b) 
     would extend until October 1, 2018, the requirement for the 
     National Academy of Sciences to report on the health effects 
     of exposure.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 806 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows 
     the Senate Bill except that it requires the disaggregation of 
     results by theaters of operations before and after September 
     11, 2001.

     Extension of Authority for Regional Office in Republic of the 
                              Philippines

     Current Law
       Current law, section 315(b) of title 38, U.S.C., authorizes 
     VA to maintain a regional office in the Republic of the 
     Philippines until December 31, 2010. Congress has 
     periodically extended this authority, most recently in Public 
     Law 111-117, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010.
     Senate Bill
       Section 603 of H.R. 1037, as amended, would authorize VA to 
     maintain a regional office in the Republic of the Philippines 
     until December 31, 2011.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 807 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill, and adds that within one year, the Comptroller General 
     would be required to provide a report to the House and Senate 
     Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations on the 
     activities of the Manila Regional Office. This report would 
     also include an assessment of the costs and benefits of 
     maintaining the office in the Philippines in comparison with 
     moving the activities of the office to the United States.

           Extension of an Annual Report on Equitable Relief

     Current Law
       Under current law, VA is authorized to provide monetary 
     relief to persons whom the Secretary determines were deprived 
     of VA benefits by reason of administrative error by a Federal 
     Government employee. The Secretary may also provide relief 
     which the Secretary determines is equitable to a VA 
     beneficiary who has suffered a loss as a consequence of an 
     erroneous decision made by a Federal Government employee. No 
     later than April 1 of each year, the Secretary was required 
     to submit to Congress a report containing a statement as to 
     the disposition of each case recommended to the Secretary for 
     equitable relief during the preceding calendar year; the 
     requirement for this report was extended through December 31, 
     2009, by Public Law 109-233, the Veterans' Housing 
     Opportunity and Benefits Improvement Act of 2006.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       The Compromise Agreement extends the requirement for the 
     report on equitable relief through December 31, 2014.

  Authority for the Performance of Medical Disability Examinations by 
                          Contract Physicians

     Current Law
       In 1996, in Public Law 104-275, the Veterans' Benefits 
     Improvements Act of 1996, VA was authorized to carry out a 
     pilot program of contract disability examinations through ten 
     VA regional offices using amounts available for payment of 
     compensation and pensions. During the initial pilot program, 
     one contractor performed all contract examinations at the ten 
     selected regional offices.
       Subsequently, in 2003, in Public Law 108-183, the Veterans 
     Benefits Act of 2003, VA was given additional, time-limited 
     authority to contract for disability examinations using other 
     appropriated funds. That initial authority was extended until 
     December 31, 2010, by Public Law 110-389, the Veterans' 
     Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. VA continues to

[[Page 17117]]

     report high demand for compensation and pension examinations 
     and satisfaction with the contracted examinations.
     Senate Bill
       S. 3609 would extend VA's authority, through December 31, 
     2012, to use appropriated funds for the purpose of 
     contracting with non-VA providers to conduct disability 
     examinations. The examinations would be conducted pursuant to 
     contracts entered into and administered by the Under 
     Secretary for Benefits.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 809 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill.

TITLE IX--AUTHORIZATION OF MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS AND MAJOR MEDICAL 
                            FACILITY LEASES

    Authorization of Fiscal Year 2011 Major Medical Facility Leases

     Current Law
       Current law contains no relevant provision.
     Senate Bill
       Section 203 of S. 3325, as amended, would authorize fiscal 
     year 2011 major medical facility leases as follows:
       $7,149,000 for a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) 
     in Billings, Montana.
       $3,316,000 for an Outpatient Clinic in Boston, 
     Massachusetts.
       $21,495,000 for a CBOC in San Diego, California.
       $10,055,000 for a Research Lab in San Francisco, 
     California.
       $5,323,000 for a Mental Health Facility in San Juan, Puerto 
     Rico.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 901 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill.

    Modification of Authorization Amount for Major Medical Facility 
   Construction Project Previously Authorized for the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

     Current Law
       Current law contains no relevant provision.
     Senate Bill
       Section 201 of S. 3325, as amended, authorizes up to 
     $995,000,000 for restoration, new construction, or 
     replacement of the medical care facility for the VA Medical 
     Center (VAMC) at New Orleans, Louisiana.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 902 of the Compromise Agreement modifies previous 
     authorizations by providing $995,000,000 for restoration, new 
     construction, or replacement of the medical care facility for 
     the VAMC at New Orleans, Louisiana.

    Modification of Authorization Amount for Major Medical Facility 
   Construction Project Previously Authorized for the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, California

     Current Law
       Current law contains no relevant provision.
     Senate Bill
       Section 202 of S. 3325, as amended, authorizes up to 
     $117,845,000 to conduct seismic corrections on Buildings 7 
     and 126 at the VAMC in Long Beach, California.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 903 of the Compromise Agreement modifies previous 
     authorizations by providing $117,845,000 to conduct seismic 
     corrections on Buildings 7 and 126 at the VAMC in Long Beach, 
     California.

                    Authorization of Appropriations

     Current Law
       Current law contains no relevant provision.
     Senate Bill
       Section 204 of S. 3325, as amended, authorizes $47,338,000 
     to be appropriated to the Medical Facilities account for the 
     leases authorized in section 901 and $1,112,845,000 to be 
     appropriated to the Construction, Major Projects account for 
     the projects authorized in sections 902 and 903.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no applicable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 904 of the Compromise Agreement generally follows 
     the Senate Bill.

  Requirement That Bid Savings on Major Medical Facility Projects of 
Department of Veterans Affairs be Used for Other Major Medical Facility 
                Construction Projects of the Department

     Current Law
       Current law contains no relevant provision.
     Senate Bill
       Section 207 of S. 3325, as amended, contains a provision 
     that requires that bid savings from major medical facility 
     projects realized in any fiscal year must be used for major 
     medical facility projects authorized for that fiscal year or 
     a prior year. At the time of obligation, VA would be required 
     to submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and 
     Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
     notice of the source of the savings, the amount obligated, 
     and the authorized project the savings are being obligated 
     to.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 905 of the Compromise Agreement follows the Senate 
     Bill.

                         TITLE X--OTHER MATTERS

                         Technical Corrections

     Current Law
       Current law contains no relevant provision.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 1001 of the Compromise Agreement contains technical 
     corrections to title 38, U.S.C.

                 Statutory Pay-as-You-Go Act Compliance

     Current Law
       Public Law 111-139, the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act (PAYGO 
     Act), requires that most new spending is offset by spending 
     cuts or added revenue elsewhere.
     Senate Bill
       The Senate Bills contain no comparable provision.
     House Bill
       The House Bills contain no comparable provision.
     Compromise Agreement
       Section 1002 of the Compromise Agreement contains language 
     required by the PAYGO Act in order for the estimate of 
     budgetary effects from the Senate Budget Committee to be used 
     by the Office of Management and Budget on PAYGO scorecards.

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUYER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3219, as amended, the 
Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010.
  This is an omnibus benefit and health bill that contains many 
provisions to help veterans and their families. I am glad that we were 
finally able to work this out with the Senate and, really, pass many of 
the provisions that the House had passed previously in the summer of 
2009.
  This bill contains many provisions authored also by my Republican 
colleagues, including:
  The Pat Tillman Scholarship Initiative that would require the VA to 
publish a list of college scholarship opportunities for veterans on 
their Web site. This initiative grew from a meeting that my staff had 
with the family of the U.S. Army Ranger and former NFL star, Pat 
Tillman.
  After Tillman's death in Afghanistan, his family and friends founded 
the Pat Tillman Foundation. Foundation staff informed my staff that 
they were having problems educating and reaching potential veterans for 
college scholarships they were awarding. This provision will assist 
groups like the Pat Tillman Foundation by informing veterans of 
scholarship opportunities for veterans by placing them on their Web 
site.
  We also have the reauthorization of the Homeless Veteran 
Reintegration Program. This program is run by the Department of Labor's 
Veterans Employment and Training Service and provides grants to local 
homeless veteran providers for job-skill training and counseling. This 
program has been lauded as one of the most successful programs in the 
Federal Government in combating homelessness.
  I am also pleased that we were able to include an expansion of this 
program to local homeless providers that offer job skill training for 
homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. This is an 
initiative that I have worked on, and I appreciate the cooperation of 
the majority to make this, in fact, a reality.
  I took up a cause with regard to addressing this in the 1990s, when 
the

[[Page 17118]]

Clinton administration went into a lot of the inner cities and wanted 
to help recruit women with children, as we were doing the welfare 
reform initiatives, and bring them into the military. So they joined 
the military and then they also brought their children. When they left 
the military, some actually returned to welfare and some became 
homeless. The fact that we have women with children in America who are 
homeless, I could not stand that thought.

                              {time}  2040

  So I want to thank the majority for working with us in making these 
provisions a reality.
  This expansion was originally drafted as H.R. 293 and was part of the 
Nobel Warrior Initiatives that I introduced in January of 2009. 
Unfortunately, this program is needed, as I said, because recent 
reports also by the VA indicate 9 percent of the homeless veteran 
population is women, many of whom have children. These individuals 
obviously require a safe and supportive environment in a private 
setting in which they can regain their footing and acquire skills which 
will lead them to meaningful employment. Once that occurs, they become 
self-enriched, and they also become better mentors to their children.
  I hope that this expansion, more homeless veteran providers, will 
expand beyond their normal male-dominated services to assist women as 
well as homeless veterans with children.
  Another one of my provisions in H.R. 3219, as amended, would allow 
veterans to purchase additional amounts of Veterans Group Life 
Insurance coverage. Currently the amount of VGLI coverage that a 
veteran can have cannot be changed. Because the level of coverage must 
be made within the first year of a servicemember's discharge, and 
because most of the separating servicemembers are young and single, 
many select levels that become insufficient as they age and have 
families. The provision would allow veterans to purchase up to $400,000 
of VGLI coverage in $25,000 increments every 5 years until age 60. The 
cost of such increases would be offset by premiums, so there would be 
no direct cost to taxpayers.
  This provision would also allow veterans to tailor their life 
insurance coverage to fit their current needs and provide greater 
security for their families, and I am glad it was included in the bill.
  The final provision I would like to highlight was introduced by the 
ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, John 
Boozman. This provision would establish a program to make grants of up 
to $200,000 to encourage the development of new assistive technologies 
for specifically adaptive housing.
  The goal of this provision is to encourage the development of 
technology to provide the maximum level of independence to severely 
disabled veterans in their daily living. This includes emerging 
technologies such as voice command operations, integrated computer-
managed functions, and fall prevention devices, and I am pleased this 
measure will also authorize much of the needed funding for this goal.
  I am also pleased this bill includes many other improvements for 
veterans and their families, such as creating a new veterans energy-
related employment program; increasing training for veteran employment 
specialists; increasing protections for deployed servicemembers under 
the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act in regard to cell phone contracts; 
providing numerous VA life insurance program improvements; increasing 
the plot and burial allowance for deceased veterans; authorizing aid 
and attendance benefits for veterans with traumatic brain injury; 
increasing the number of veterans who can begin receiving independent 
living services; expanding eligibility for adaptive auto grants to 
disabled veterans and servicemembers with severe burn injuries; and 
requiring a National Academies study of best treatments for chronic 
multisymptom illness in Persian Gulf veterans.
  It authorizes the funding for construction of medical facilities and/
or community outpatient clinics in Long Beach, California; Billings, 
Montana; Boston, Massachusetts; San Francisco, California; and San 
Juan, Puerto Rico. We also have an increase in here with regard to the 
hospital in New Orleans.
  Under section 902 of title IX under ``construction,'' the 
modification of authorization for the amount of medical facility 
construction projects previously authorized for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, increases 
from $625 million to $995 million.
  The reason I stopped to highlight that is I am going to exercise some 
disappointment, because we were never able to achieve a joint facility 
and agreement to actually save money by having some jointness here 
between Tulane and LSU and another one of the hospitals. This is a lost 
opportunity. It is really unfortunate. So we are going to be building 
another one of these big state-of-the-art VA hospitals, and it costs 
now about $1 billion.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Nevada (Ms. Berkley), who is a former member of our committee and whom 
we miss very, very, very much.
  Ms. BERKLEY. I want to particularly thank Chairman Filner for 
shepherding this very important piece of legislation through the 
Congress. I know it wasn't easy, but it was a very important task, and 
he did it very well.
  I rise today in support of the Senate amendments to H.R. 3219, the 
Veterans' Insurance and Health Care Improvements Act. It is this 
Nation's responsibility, indeed, it is our honor, to provide care to 
the brave men and women who have served this Nation so well and have 
sacrificed much on behalf of the rest of us. This legislation goes a 
long way to address many of the needs of our veterans.
  About 13 years ago when I was first contemplating running for 
Congress, I met with a group of veterans, and then I met with another 
group, and I met with another group, all in the Las Vegas area. And I 
wasn't particularly surprised when they told me they didn't think they 
got the quality of care that was due them through the VA, and I wasn't 
surprised when they told me we didn't have a VA hospital in the 
southern Nevada area, or we had a large number of homeless veterans.
  But what surprised me more than anything was family after family 
spoke of how difficult it was when the time came to bury their family 
member who was a veteran, that they had a difficult time finding the 
money so they could make a decent burial for this veteran.
  I couldn't understand exactly why that was. I knew that we were 
providing veteran benefits in order to bury our veterans and to give 
them grave markers. Then I came to Congress and I started serving on 
the Veterans Affairs Committee, and I learned that the original bill 
that provided this funding was not indexed to inflation, and 
consequently the value continued to diminish with every passing year.
  We have not changed the amount of money that we provide families for 
burying their veteran family members since the early 1970s. This bill 
finally, after introducing legislation year after year that I have been 
here in Congress, finally this piece of legislation provides the 
funding and moves us in the right direction so that families don't have 
a tremendous hardship when they bury their family members who were 
veterans and have fought for this Nation.
  I could not be happier that we are doing this. It is an important 
piece of legislation. People don't realize it until you are in that 
position yourself. I am glad that the Veterans Committees in the House 
and the Senate have all recognized the importance of increasing these 
benefits. We have included these provisions today in the bill before 
us. Our veterans deserve to be laid to rest with the full recognition 
of their military service. This bill is a step in the right direction.
  We always talk about supporting our veterans. You hear it here. Each 
one of us talks about supporting our veterans. This is a piece of 
legislation in which we can actually demonstrate our support of our 
veterans.
  Mr. BUYER. I reserve my time.

[[Page 17119]]


  Mr. FILNER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I just wanted to thank the gentlelady, frankly, for not only her 
persistence in this particular benefit that is so important but, as I 
understand it, the Las Vegas veterans hospital is under construction.
  You fought for that for more than a decade and it is finally going to 
be built. When does it open?
  I yield to the gentlewoman.
  Ms. BERKLEY. It is going to be completed at the end of 2011 and 
opened in 2012.
  Mr. FILNER. We applaud again your persistence for that. We know the 
veterans in Las Vegas and surroundings are going to be well served.
  Ms. BERKLEY. I hope you join us for the grand opening.
  Mr. FILNER. I thank the gentlewoman.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would like to take the opportunity to thank the highly capable 
staff of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, not only the full 
committee, but also the subcommittees. It seems that each session of 
Congress both bodies pass so many different individual pieces of 
legislation that we have picked up as a now regular course of doing 
business creating an omnibus bill.

                              {time}  2050

  So we do a puts and takes, back and forth between the House and the 
Senate, and we actually then create a much larger bill that we then 
bring to the floor that can best serve the interests of America's 
veterans.
  And that's in fact what we have here. This is really a very good 
bill. I couldn't begin to tell you, Mr. Speaker, how many hours have 
gone into the development of this bill. It is a bipartisan bill. I 
really appreciate the work of not only my colleagues in the Senate, but 
also their staff.
  At this time I would specifically like to mention the leadership of 
Colonel Malcom Shorter. I would like to thank you for your leadership, 
sir, on the committee. I recognize it and it is appreciated. And to 
your counterpart, your pilot, an Air Force colonel himself, Kingston 
Smith, the Republican House staff director. The two staff directors I 
think worked very well together, both having worn the uniform. You 
don't get caught down in the fights between political parties. You 
think about serving the men and women in uniform. And for that I want 
to congratulate both of you for keeping everyone focused.
  I also want to thank David Tucker. David is someone that I have known 
for a lot of years on the committee. I find him to be a man of distinct 
honor and integrity. You have always been a very straight shooter, 
David. Also, he is one whereby if in fact you raise an issue of law or 
I have raised an issue of law, we diligently dive into it and we get 
our interpretations and we also get Kingston Smith for his read. But I 
have had a distinct pleasure, David, of working with you over the 
years, and I want to recognize your valuable contribution not only in 
this bill, but what you have done over the years. I consider your 
talent valuable, but I consider your friendship even more.
  To Juan Lara, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, the staff 
director, thank you very much for your work with Mike Brinck on the 
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. Not only do you two work 
together, but you also take the leads of Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and 
Dr. Boozman. And, as I said many times, this subcommittee sets the pace 
not only for the House Veterans' Affairs Committee itself, but I think 
you set the pace for the entire Congress. This little subcommittee, how 
you work together interoperably, you can't even tell who is a 
Republican and who is a Democrat. For that, I congratulate you. I think 
America would rejoice and may even be surprised that somebody in this 
town thinks about being an American first. So I want to thank you for 
your leadership and being a pacesetter.
  Kimberly Ross, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial 
Affairs staff director, along with Brian Lawrence, the Subcommittee on 
Disability Assistance Republican Staff Director, both are also 
pacesetters and don't always get all the attention that they should. 
Brian, along with Mike Brinck, these are two individuals that are also 
incredibly talented. Mike, I really appreciate all the years that I 
have had the opportunity to work with you. And, Jon, I would say for 
you, you're an individual for whom much is expected. I truly believe 
that.
  I guess I am at that point in my career, Mr. Speaker, that I am being 
a little nostalgic because I recognize individuals, that their 
diligence, hard work, it's invaluable to the committee; it's invaluable 
to Congress. There's a reason that we call them professional staff, 
because that's exactly what they are. They are very professional in 
their work. Both committees can actually go to a professional staffer 
and they're going to tell them exactly the read or give them the 
recommendation for the best interest in how to serve the Nation. And so 
these individuals whom I have read truly live up to the status of being 
a professional staffer here in Congress.
  I also recognize that this is probably the last markup I will have 
with the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. I want to share this. It 
has truly been a distinct honor to serve the Nation's veterans, Mr. 
Speaker. I serve the men and women who wear the military uniform. I 
help take care of their families, the spouses, the children, the 
widows, the orphans, the consequences of war, the consequences of their 
service; and it has been a distinct honor to work with a lot of very 
talented people to do that.
  I get upset at times in the committee, and I can have disagreements 
even with my friends in the veterans service organizations when 
individuals play their politics or they don't follow the rules or they 
don't follow the process. And we're meant to be a bipartisan committee. 
When that doesn't happen, I can get really upset pretty quick.
  So I'll end with saying that, Mr. Speaker, it has been a distinct 
honor. I have also enjoyed serving with you, Jesse.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I don't know that we'll be in session again before 
Veterans Day on November 11. This is a bill that will really raise the 
level of standards for all of our Nation's veterans; and we can look at 
it as, I think, a perfect gift that can be delivered on Veterans Day. 
So I ask my colleagues to unanimously support H.R. 3219.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill, H.R. 3219.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the Senate amendments were concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________