[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12545-12548]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXPIRING AUTHORITIES ACT OF 2016

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 5985) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 5985

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department 
     of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016''.
       (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.
Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects.

        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

Sec. 101. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for 
              hospital care and nursing home care.
Sec. 102. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to 
              certain veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Sec. 103. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance 
              and support services for caregivers.
Sec. 104. Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of 
              cost of care and services furnished to veterans with 
              health-plan contracts for non-service-connected 
              disability.
Sec. 105. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for 
              child care for certain veterans receiving health care.
Sec. 106. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service 
              organizations for transportation of highly rural 
              veterans.
Sec. 107. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in 
              retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from 
              service.
Sec. 108. Extension of deadline for report on pilot program on use of 
              community-based organizations and local and State 
              government entities to ensure that veterans receive care 
              and benefits for which they are eligible.

         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

Sec. 201. Extension of authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee 
              on Education.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real 
              property at time of foreclosure.
Sec. 203. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.
Sec. 204. Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and 
              vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces with 
              severe injuries or illnesses.

    TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

Sec. 301. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration 
              programs.
Sec. 302. Extension of authority for homeless women veterans and 
              homeless veterans with children reintegration program.
Sec. 303. Extension of authority for referral and counseling services 
              for veterans at risk of homelessness transitioning from 
              certain institutions.
Sec. 304. Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for 
              homeless veterans.
Sec. 305. Extension and modification of authority to provide financial 
              assistance for supportive services for very low-income 
              veteran families in permanent housing.
Sec. 306. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless 
              veterans with special needs.
Sec. 307. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless 
              Veterans.
Sec. 308. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation 
              services for seriously mentally ill and homeless 
              veterans.

  TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER 
                                MATTERS

Sec. 401. Extension of authority for transportation of individuals to 
              and from Department facilities.
Sec. 402. Extension of authority for operation of the Department of 
              Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, the Republic 
              of the Philippines.
Sec. 403. Extension of authority for monthly assistance allowances 
              under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and 
              Special Events.
Sec. 404. Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress 
              regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative 
              error.
Sec. 405. Extension of authorization of appropriations for adaptive 
              sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the 
              Armed Forces.

[[Page 12546]]

Sec. 406. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority 
              Veterans.
Sec. 407. Modification to authorization of appropriations for 
              comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.
Sec. 408. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility 
              for specially adapted housing assistance for certain 
              veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating.
Sec. 409. Extension of authority for specially adapted housing 
              assistive technology grant program.
Sec. 410. Extension of authority to guarantee payment of principal and 
              interest on certificates or other securities.
Sec. 411. Extension of authority to enter into agreement with the 
              National Academy of Sciences regarding associations 
              between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other 
              chemical compounds in herbicides.
Sec. 412. Extension of authority for performance of medical 
              disabilities examinations by contract physicians.
Sec. 413. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers.
Sec. 414. Extension of requirement for annual report on Department of 
              Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency 
              Program Office.
Sec. 415. Extension of authority to approve courses of education in 
              cases of withdrawal of recognition of accrediting agency 
              by Secretary of Education.

     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 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.

     SEC. 3. SCORING OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       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 House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

     SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS 
                   FOR HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.

       Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking ``September 
     30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

     SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME 
                   CARE TO CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED 
                   DISABILITIES.

       Section 1710A(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

     SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                   ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS.

       Section 1720G(e) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'';
       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(4) $734,628,000 for fiscal year 2017.''.

     SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY FROM THIRD 
                   PARTIES OF COST OF CARE AND SERVICES FURNISHED 
                   TO VETERANS WITH HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS FOR NON-
                   SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY.

       Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended, in the matter preceding 
     clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and inserting 
     ``October 1, 2017''.

     SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON 
                   ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
                   RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.

       (a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (e) of section 205 
     of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 
     2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1144; 38 U.S.C. 1710 
     note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and 
     inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of 
     such section is amended by striking ``and 2016'' and 
     inserting ``2016, and 2017''.

     SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS 
                   SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF 
                   HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.

       Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 
     Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 
     1154; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking ``2016'' 
     and inserting ``2017''.

     SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON 
                   COUNSELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN 
                   VETERANS NEWLY SEPARATED FROM SERVICE.

       (a) Extension.--Subsection (d) of section 203 of the 
     Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 
     (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1143; 38 U.S.C. 1712A) is 
     amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2017''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of 
     such section is amended by striking ``and 2016'' and 
     inserting ``2016, and 2017''.

     SEC. 108. EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR REPORT ON PILOT PROGRAM 
                   ON USE OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND 
                   LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO ENSURE 
                   THAT VETERANS RECEIVE CARE AND BENEFITS FOR 
                   WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.

       Section 506(g)(1) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 
     Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 
     523 note) is amended by striking ``180 days after the 
     completion of the pilot program'' and inserting ``September 
     30, 2017''.

         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

     SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE VETERANS' ADVISORY 
                   COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

       Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

     SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF 
                   REAL PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.

       Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 
     2016'' and inserting ``October 1, 2017''.

     SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.

       Section 3733(a)(7) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''; 
     and
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 
     2016,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017,''.

     SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION 
                   AND VOCATIONAL BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
                   FORCES WITH SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES.

       Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of 
     Public Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 458; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is 
     amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2017''.

    TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS

     SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS 
                   REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.

       Section 2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``2016'' and 
     inserting ``2017''.

     SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS 
                   AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN 
                   REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

       Section 2021A(f)(1) is amended by striking ``2016'' and 
     inserting ``2017''.

     SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR REFERRAL AND COUNSELING 
                   SERVICES FOR VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS 
                   TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS.

       Section 2023(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

     SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING 
                   ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

       Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

     SEC. 305. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE 
                   FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES 
                   FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN 
                   PERMANENT HOUSING.

       Subparagraph (E) of section 2044(e)(1) is amended to read 
     as follows:
       ``(E) $320,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 
     2017.''.

     SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR 
                   HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

       Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2016'' and 
     inserting ``2017''.

     SEC. 307. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
                   ON HOMELESS VETERANS.

       Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

     SEC. 308. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND 
                   REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY 
                   ILL AND HOMELESS VETERANS.

       (a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) is amended by 
     striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 
     2017''.
       (b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 
     2033(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and 
     inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

  TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER 
                                MATTERS

     SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPORTATION OF 
                   INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.

       Section 111A(a)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

[[Page 12547]]



     SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE 
                   IN MANILA, THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

       Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

     SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR MONTHLY ASSISTANCE 
                   ALLOWANCES UNDER THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL 
                   VETERANS SPORTS PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

       Section 322(d)(4) is amended by striking ``2016'' and 
     inserting ``2017''.

     SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE REPORTS TO 
                   CONGRESS REGARDING EQUITABLE RELIEF IN THE CASE 
                   OF ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR.

       Section 503(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

     SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                   ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS 
                   AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       Section 521A is amended--
       (1) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``2016'' and 
     inserting ``2017''; and
       (2) in subsection (l), by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
     ``2017''.

     SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                   MINORITY VETERANS.

       Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

     SEC. 407. MODIFICATION TO AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                   COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS 
                   VETERANS.

       Section 2013(7) is amended by striking ``$250,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$257,700,000''.

     SEC. 408. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF 
                   ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING 
                   ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WITH 
                   DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY AMBULATING.

       Section 2101(a)(4) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2016'' 
     and inserting ``September 30, 2017''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2016'' and inserting 
     ``2017''.

     SEC. 409. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED 
                   HOUSING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 2108(g) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.

     SEC. 410. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO GUARANTEE PAYMENT OF 
                   PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON CERTIFICATES OR OTHER 
                   SECURITIES.

       Section 3720(h)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

     SEC. 411. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH 
                   THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REGARDING 
                   ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN DISEASES AND EXPOSURE TO 
                   DIOXIN AND OTHER CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN 
                   HERBICIDES.

       Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 
     102-4; 38 U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ``December 
     31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

     SEC. 412. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL 
                   DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT 
                   PHYSICIANS.

       Subsection (c) of section 704 of the Veterans Benefits Act 
     of 2003 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking 
     ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.

     SEC. 413. RESTORATION OF PRIOR REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS.

       Section 406 of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring 
     Authorities Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-175; 38 U.S.C. 3684 
     note) is amended by striking ``two-year'' and inserting 
     ``three-year''.

     SEC. 414. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORT ON 
                   DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS INTERAGENCY PROGRAM OFFICE.

       Section 1635(h)(1) of the National Defense Authorization 
     Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 
     note) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.

     SEC. 415. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO APPROVE COURSES OF 
                   EDUCATION IN CASES OF WITHDRAWAL OF RECOGNITION 
                   OF ACCREDITING AGENCY BY SECRETARY OF 
                   EDUCATION.

       Section 3679(a) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``Any course'' and inserting ``(1) Except 
     as provided by paragraph (2), any course''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) In the case of a course of education that would be 
     subject to disapproval under paragraph (1) solely for the 
     reason that the Secretary of Education withdraws the 
     recognition of the accrediting agency that accredited the 
     course, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Education, and notwithstanding the 
     withdrawal, may continue to treat the course as an approved 
     course of education under this chapter for a period not to 
     exceed 18 months from the date of the withdrawal of 
     recognition of the accrediting agency, unless the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs or the appropriate State approving agency 
     determines that there is evidence to support the disapproval 
     of the course under this chapter. The Secretary shall provide 
     to any veteran enrolled in such a course of education notice 
     of the status of the course of education.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hultgren). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Takano) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and add extraneous material on H.R. 5985, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5985, as amended, would extend a number of expiring 
authorities and critical programs at both the Department of Veterans 
Affairs and the Department of Labor. These include extensions for 
veterans' health care and homeless programs, benefits for disabled 
veterans and their caregivers, vocational rehabilitative programs for 
servicemembers and veterans, home loan programs, and a variety of 
advisory committees and pilot programs.
  Absent passage of this legislation today, these important and 
noncontroversial authorizations and programs are set to expire at the 
end of this fiscal or this calendar year. These are not new programs, 
and the costs associated with them have either been fully offset or 
have been assumed in the baseline budget for fiscal year 2017.
  Furthermore, both the majority and minority of the House and Senate 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs have worked on this language and agree 
on the need to extend all of these programs.
  H.R. 5985, as amended, includes an extension of authority which would 
allow VA to continue to approve schools for GI Bill benefits for up to 
18 months, even if the school's accreditor loses formal recognition by 
the Department of Education.
  Mr. Speaker, this change is necessary to provide student veterans 
with the same protections that students using title IV funds would 
have, and it would ensure that our Nation's veterans don't immediately 
have their GI Bill benefits, including their housing allowances, halted 
by a DOE decision to no longer recognize an accrediting body.
  This provision is a must-pass, as there is possibly an imminent 
decision by the Department of Education to do just that and to withdraw 
the approval of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and 
Schools.
  While I am not going to comment today on the Secretary of Education's 
decision, we have been told it could come as early as this month, and 
it is this body's duty to protect an estimated 18,000 veterans from 
losing their benefits instantaneously through absolutely no fault of 
their own.
  The language in this bill would mirror language that is already 
included in the law governing nonveteran student aid and is supported 
by numerous veterans service organizations and other stakeholders, 
including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United 
States, Student Veterans of America, and the National Association of 
State Approving Agencies.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 5985, as 
amended.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 5985, a bill to extend certain 
expiring provisions related to care at the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. This bill makes sure that some of the vital programs we have 
in place to take care of our veterans continue past the end of the 
fiscal year and continue to help our veterans. Included in this bill 
are provisions related to health care, benefits, homeless veterans, and 
other related issues.

[[Page 12548]]

  I am pleased to support extending programs related to support 
services for caregivers, child care for certain veterans receiving 
health care, and a pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for 
women veterans newly separated from the service.
  It also has provisions to extend the authority related to 
rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the armed services 
with severe injuries or illnesses, homeless veterans' reintegration 
programs, homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children 
and providing housing assistance for homeless veterans.
  The final section of the bill deals with the GI Bill and when an 
institution of higher education loses its accreditation. This section 
aligns GI Bill benefits in law with all other higher education 
benefits, such as Pell and Federal student loans.
  Now, this provision is crucial because soon the Department of 
Education may withdraw recognition of the Accrediting Council for 
Independent Colleges and Schools. I support this move by the Department 
of Education. It is a long time coming.
  But without section 415, when this happens, GI Bill benefits will be 
cut off for student veterans in schools accredited by this agency. It 
puts the 37,000 student veterans and dependents receiving GI Bill 
benefits in schools accredited by this agency on the same footing as 
all other students receiving Federal higher education benefits. It 
allows them the time they need to recoup.
  Section 415 is strongly supported by veterans service organizations 
such as Student Veterans of America and is the result of bipartisan 
agreement.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the 
gentleman from the Fifth District of Colorado (Mr. Lamborn), a very 
active member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the great work. We 
are going to miss his leadership next year when he goes into other 
pursuits. He will be sorely missed, and veterans will miss him.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of a missed opportunity in H.R. 
5985. At present, the VA is pushing a rule that permits certified 
registered nurse anesthetists to practice without the supervision of a 
physician. This is a huge mistake. This bill should extend a 1-year 
period where the VA cannot implement this rule.
  Opponents to this provision cited conditions present in forward-
deployed locations as justification for implementing a change of this 
magnitude. Be that as it may, just because certain practices are 
permitted in forward-deployed locations due to military necessity does 
not mean that those risky practices should be forced upon our veterans 
at all other times and places.
  Our veterans deserve the absolute best care possible. They should not 
be used as test subjects when the VA tries to change how it delivers 
services. It is not right for the VA to give our veterans unsafe and 
risky health care.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I simply want to 
urge my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5985, as amended. I want 
to thank, sincerely, the work that we have done together with Chairman 
Miller on this legislation. I am so pleased that we are passing this in 
the manner we are.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all 
Members to support H.R. 5985, as amended.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5985, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________