[Senate Report 108-139]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



108th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session                                                    108-139
======================================================================

 
 LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES DURING THE 107TH CONGRESS BY THE 
                 SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS

                                _______
                                

                August 26, 2003.--Ordered to be printed

      Filed under authority of the order of the Senate of July 29 
                    (legislative day, July 21), 2003

                                _______
                                

  Mr. Specter, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

    Pursuant to paragraph 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules 
of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Committee) 
submits its report on legislative and oversight activities 
during the 107th Congress.

                            I. Introduction

                                Hearings

                            A. FIRST SESSION

    During the First Session of the 107th Congress, the 
Committee held 17 days of hearings on legislative and oversight 
matters, on nominations to serve in the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (``VA''), and on the legislative recommendations of 
veterans service organizations (``VSOs'').
    The Committee held four days of hearings in 2001 on pending 
nominations (on January 18, April 4, May 16, and August 2); 
five days of joint hearings in 2001 with the House Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs on the legislative recommendations of the 
VSOs (on February 28, March 1, March 8, March 14, and March 
22); one day of hearings on the proposed budget (March 13, 
2001); two days of field hearings in 2001 (on June 4 in 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and on July 16 in Huntington, West 
Virginia); one day of hearings on the nursing shortage within 
VA (on June 14, 2001); two days of hearings in 2001 on pending 
legislation (on June 28 and July 19); one day of hearings on 
prescription drug issues (on July 24, 2001), and one day of 
hearings on VA's Fourth Mission and emergency preparedness (on 
October 16, 2001).
    During the First Session of the 107th Congress, the 
Committee held one business meeting to mark up pending 
legislation (on August 2, 2001) and five to consider 
nominations (April 6, May 24, July 20, August 2, and November 
8, 2001). In addition, the Committee's budget and rules were 
adopted on March 8, 2001.

                           B. SECOND SESSION

    During the Second Session of the 107th Congress, the 
Committee held 12 days of hearings on legislative and oversight 
matters, and on the VSO's legislative recommendations.
    The Committee held one day of hearings on the proposed 
budget (on February 14, 2002); five days of joint hearings in 
2002 with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on the 
legislative recommendations of the VSOs (on February 27, March 
7, March 14, March 20 and September 10); one day of hearings on 
pending nominations (on March 14, 2002); one day of hearings on 
options to nursing home care (on April 25, 2002); one day of 
hearings on pending legislation (on May 2, 2002); one day of 
field hearings (on May 13, 2002, in Omaha, Nebraska); one day 
of hearings on exposure by military personnel to combat and 
environmental hazards (on July 10, 2002); and one day of 
hearings on mental health care (on July 24, 2002).
    During the Second Session of Congress, the Committee held 
one business meeting to mark up pending legislation (on June 6, 
2002) and one to consider nominations (on March 21, 2002).

                            II. Legislation

                            A. FIRST SESSION

    During the First Session of the 107th Congress, the 
Committee met in open session twice to consider legislation and 
reported three bills to the Senate. Provisions from eight bills 
approved by the House of Representatives (``House'') and three 
reported Senate bills were modified and enacted as five public 
laws (Public Law 107-14, Public Law 107-94, Public Law 107-95, 
Public Law 107-103, and Public Law 107-135) that are itemized 
and summarized below.
    1. The ``Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 
2001,'' Public Law 107-14, June 5, 2001. Public Law 107-14 was 
derived from S. 564 and H.R. 801 (H. Rept. No. 107-27) as 
passed by the House on March 27, 2001; by the Senate, as 
amended, on May 24, 2001; and as agreed to by the House on May 
24, 2001. The ``Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 
2001'' specifies as follows:
    A. The VA shall provide medical care to any eligible 
survivor of a veteran who dies of a service-connected 
disability, if the survivor is also enrolled in the 
supplementary medical insurance program under Part B of 
Medicare;
    B. That VA shall provide Servicemembers' Group Life 
Insurance (``SGLI'') to the servicemember's spouse and child or 
children, not to exceed $100,000 and $10,000 in coverage, 
respectively;
    C. That the effective date of the increase from $200,000 to 
$250,000 in the maximum SGLI benefit, provided for in Public 
Law 106-419, shall be retroactive for a servicemember who died 
in the performance of duty during the period between October 1, 
2000, and June 5, 2001, and had the maximum amount of insurance 
in force;
    D. That VA shall expand outreach efforts to eligible 
dependents through such means as the Internet, announcements in 
veterans' publications, and other media; and
    E. That various technical amendments shall be made to the 
Montgomery GI Bill and other miscellaneous provisions.
    2. The ``Veterans Compensation Rate Amendments of 2001,'' 
Public Law 107-94, December 21, 2001. Public Law 107-94 was 
derived from H.R. 2540, ordered reported by the Committee on 
October 15, 2001 (S. Rept. No. 107-87). H.R. 2540 passed the 
House on July 31, 2001; passed the Senate as amended on 
December 6, 2001; and was agreed to by the House on December 
11, 2001. The ``Veterans Compensation Rate Amendments of 2001'' 
specifies that there shall be cost-of-living adjustments in the 
rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-
connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and 
indemnity compensation paid to survivors of certain veterans, 
effective December 1, 2001.
    3. The ``Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 
2001, ``Public Law 107-95, December 21, 2001. Public Law 107-95 
was derived from S. 739, as amended and ordered reported by the 
Committee on August 2, 2001 (S. Rept. No. 107-82), and from 
H.R. 2716 as amended (H. Rept. No. 107-241). H.R. 2716 passed 
the House on October 16, 2001; the Senate, as further amended, 
on December 6, 2001; and the House on December 11, 2001. The 
``Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001'' 
specifies as follows:
    A. That VA shall provide at least one full-time employee to 
oversee and coordinate homeless veterans programs at each of 
the 20 VA regional offices in locales determined to have the 
largest homeless veterans population, and a sufficient number 
of case managers in the Veterans Health Administration to serve 
every veteran receiving a housing voucher;
    B. That VA shall establish grants to create a expand 
programs for outreach, rehabilitative services, vocational 
counseling and training, and transitional housing assistance 
for homeless veterans, with specific criteria and requirements 
to be defined by the Secretary;
    C. That VA shall provide grant recipients or other eligible 
entities with per diem payments for the cost of approved 
services furnished to any homeless veterans, and that 
recipients' facilities will be required to meet the Life Safety 
Code of the National Fire Protection Association or comparable 
standards;
    D. That the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' 
Employment and Training shall conduct programs to provide 
appropriate job training, counseling, and placement services to 
expedite the reintegration of homeless veterans into the labor 
force;
    E. That officials of VA's Mental Health Service and 
Readjustment Counseling Service shall coordinate joint outreach 
services for veterans at risk of homelessness, and shall report 
to the Committees on the effectiveness of these services;
    F. That VA shall undertake a counseling and outreach 
demonstration program, in at least six locations, for veterans 
who are at risk of homelessness following transition from 
prisons or other institutions;
    G. That homeless veterans in VA's compensated work therapy 
program may be authorized to receive housing through VA-funded 
therapeutic residence programs or per diem providers;
    H. That VA may establish up to ten additional domiciliary 
care programs to provide services to homeless veterans;
    I. That VA shall conduct a grant program for homeless 
veterans with special needs, including women, veterans over the 
age of 50, those with substance use disorders, terminally ill 
veterans, and chronically mentally ill veterans;
    J. That VA shall be authorized to provide one-time dental 
benefits to certain eligible homeless veterans;
    K. That VA may authorize homeless veterans receiving care 
through vocational rehabilitation programs to participate in 
the compensated work therapy program;
    L. That VA shall provide technical assistance grants to 
nonprofit, community-based organizations that apply for grants 
under Chapter 20 of title 38, of the United States Code, and 
other grants related to addressing the problems of homeless 
veterans;
    M. That VA shall submit an annual report on the 
effectiveness of all homeless programs, including health care 
and benefits services;
    N. That VA shall establish an Advisory Committee on 
Homeless Veterans, which shall report annually to the Secretary 
and Congress;
    O. That VA shall support at least one evaluation center to 
monitor the structure, process, and outcome of its programs for 
homeless veterans;
    P. That VA shall report on the effectiveness of its grant 
programs in serving homeless veterans with special needs during 
fiscal years 2002 through 2004;
    Q. That each VA primary care health care facility shall 
establish plans to provide mental health services, either 
directly or through referral, to veterans who require such 
services;
    R. That VA shall maintain Comprehensive Homeless Services 
Programs in at least the 20 metropolitan areas determined to 
have the largest homeless veterans population;
    S. That each VA medical center shall develop and carry out 
a plan to provide treatment for substance use disorders, either 
directly or through referral, to veterans who require such 
treatment;
    T. That VA shall not declare property to be excess, and 
hence, disposable unless it is determined to be unsuitable for 
use in providing services to homeless veterans, but may waive 
the competitive selection process to enter into an ``enhanced 
use lease'' with a provider of homeless services;
    U. That the Interagency Council on the Homeless shall meet 
at least annually;
    V. That the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
shall incrementally increase the rental assistance vouchers 
provided to eligible homeless veterans with mental illnesses or 
substance abusedisorders participating in a supported housing 
program administered in conjunction with VA; and
    W. That various technical amendments be made to provisions 
relating to housing and services for homeless veterans and the 
Interagency Council on the Homeless.
    4. The ``Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 
2001,''Public Law 107-103, December 27, 2001. Public Law 107-
103 was derived from provisions of H.R. 1291, H.R. 3240, and S. 
1088. H.R. 1291 passed the House on June 19, 2001. The 
Committee was discharged from consideration of H.R. 1291 on 
December 8, 2001, and H.R. 1291 passed the Senate on December 
8, 2001, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, 
substituting the text of S. 1088, as reported by the Committee 
on October 15, 2001 (S. Rept. No. 107-86). On December 11, 
2001, the House passed H.R. 1291 as further modified, and the 
Senate passed the amended bill on December 13, 2001. The 
``Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001'' 
specifies as follows:

Title I--Education Assistance Provisions

    A. That the rates in basic educational assistance benefits 
under the Montgomery GI Bill (``MGIB'') shall be increased;
    B. That the rates of survivors' and dependents' education 
assistance shall be increased;
    C. That certain education benefits of individuals being 
ordered to active duty be restored;
    D. That payments of educational assistance under MGIB for 
education leading to employment in the high technology industry 
may be accelerated;
    E. That certain additional Vietnam-era veterans who 
separated and then reenlisted after the creation of MGIB shall 
be eligible to receive MGIB benefits;
    F. That the maximum allowable annual senior ROTC 
educational assistance shall be increased;
    G. That there shall be a five-year expansion of qualifying 
work study activities following enactment of Public Law 107-
103;
    H. That there shall be a delimiting date for dependents' 
educational assistance for the eligible dependents of totally 
disabled service-connected veterans;
    I. That special restorative training benefits to certain 
disabled spouses or surviving spouses shall be expanded;
    J. That certain private technology entities shall be 
included in the definition of educational institution; and
    K. That distance education benefits shall be expanded to 
include a certificate that reflects educational attainment 
offered by an institution of higher learning.

Title II--Compensation and Pension Provisions

    A. That the 30-year limit on the presumptive period for the 
service connection of herbicide-related respiratory cancers in 
Vietnam veterans shall be eliminated;
    B. That VA shall enter into a contract with the National 
Academy of Sciences (``NAS'') to review scientific literature 
to determine whether it is possible to identify a period of 
time after which a presumption that respiratory cancer is 
associated with herbicide exposure would no longer be 
warranted:
    C. That VA shall presume that any veteran who served in the 
Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War was exposed to 
herbicides;
    D. That Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2) shall be presumptively 
service connected for certain qualified Vietnam veterans;
    E. That the authority for the Secretary to contract with 
NAS for biennial reports on diseases potentially associated 
with herbicide exposure and to presume additional conditions to 
be associated with herbicide exposure shall be extended by ten 
years;
    F. That an otherwise eligible Persian Gulf veteran shall 
not be made ineligible for compensation by the diagnosis of a 
medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness, and that 
the Secretary's authority to presume service connection for 
additional Persian Gulf related conditions shall be extended 
through December 31, 2011;
    G. That service connection for undiagnosed illness shall be 
preserved for Persian Gulf veterans who participate in research 
projects;
    H. That the limitation on payments of benefits to 
incompetent institutionalized veterans shall be repealed;
    I. That the round-down requirement for compensation costs 
of living adjustments shall be extended to 2011;
    J. That the presumptions of permanent and total disability 
for veterans applying for non-service-connected pension shall 
be expanded; and
    K. That veterans, 65 years of age or older, who meet the 
applicable service and income requirements shall be eligible 
for veterans' pension benefits.

Title III--Transition and Outreach Provisions

    A. That VA may establish overseas veterans assistance 
offices to expand transition assistance;
    B. That VA shall provide pre-separation counseling to each 
member of the armed forces during the 24-month period preceding 
his or her anticipated retirement date, beginning no later than 
90 days before the date of discharge or release;
    C. That VA shall improve education and training outreach 
services for separating servicemembers and veterans by using 
State approving agencies to actively promote the development of 
programs of training on the job; and
    D. That VA shall provide information concerning VA benefits 
and health care services programs to a veteran or dependent who 
first applies for any VA benefit, not later than three months 
after the date of such application.

Title IV--Housing Matters

    A. That VA shall increase the home loan guaranty amount for 
construction and purchase of homes from $50,750 to $60,000;
    B. That VA shall extend the Native American Veteran Housing 
Loan Pilot Program until December 31, 2005;
    C. That VA shall provide, by regulation, that at least one 
instrument evidencing either the loan, mortgage, or deed of 
trust shall contain a notice that the loan is not assumable 
without the approval of VA or its authorized agent;
    D. That VA shall increase that amount of assistance for 
specially adapted housing from $43,000 to $48,000 for certain 
eligible veterans to acquire a housing unit, and from $8,250 to 
$9,250 for adaptations to certain veterans' residences;
    E. That the authority for housing loans for members of the 
Selected Reserve shall be extended until September 30, 2009;
    F. That the authority for enhanced loan asset sale 
authority shall be extended to December 31, 2011;
    G. That the home loan fee shall be extended to October 1, 
2011;
    H. That the authority for procedures applicable to 
liquidation sales on defaulted home loans guaranteed by the VA 
shall be extended to October 1, 2011; and
    I. That the eligibility of members of the Selected Reserve 
for housing loans be clarified.

Title V--Other Matters

    A. That burial and funeral expense benefits shall be 
increased from $1,500 to $2,000 and the increase shall apply to 
all deaths that occur on or after September 11, 2001;
    B. That plot allowance benefits shall be increased from 
$150 to $300 and the increase shall apply to all deaths 
occurring on or after December 1, 2001;
    C. That VA shall furnish and deliver, when requested, an 
appropriate Government marker at the expense of the United 
States for the grave of a qualified individual who died before 
December 31, 2006, and is buried in a private cemetery, 
notwithstanding that the grave is marked by a headstone or 
marker furnished at private expense;
    D. That the amount of assistance for automobile and 
adaptive equipment for certain disabled veterans shall be 
increased from $8,000 to $9,000;
    E. That the limitation on pension for certain recipients of 
Medicaid-covered nursing home care shall be extended to 
September 30, 2011;
    F. That there shall be a prohibition on benefits for which 
a veteran is otherwise eligible while such a veteran is a 
fugitive felon;
    G. That there shall be a limitation on payment of 
compensation for veterans who have remained incarcerated in a 
Federal, State, or local penal institution since October 7, 
1980;
    H. That the requirement for providing a copy of notice of 
appeal to the Secretary of VA shall be eliminated;
    I. That there shall be an increase in fiscal year 
limitations on the number of veterans in programs of 
independent living services and assistance from 500 to 2,500; 
and
    J. That technical and clerical amendments be made.

Title VI--United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

    A. That the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims shall 
be temporarily expanded by two judges during the period 
starting January 1, 2002, and ending August 15, 2005;
    B. That the timeline for appointment and term of office be 
defined;
    C. That an appointment may not be made to the Court if the 
appointment would result in more than seven judges on the Court 
who were appointed after January 1, 1997;
    D. That the requirement for written notice regarding the 
acceptance of reappointment as condition to retirement from the 
Court be repealed;
    E. That section 402 and section 403 of the Veteran's 
Judicial Review Act, Public Law 100-687, requiring a ``Notice 
of Disagreement'' shall be repealed for any appeal filed on or 
after December 27, 2001, or before December 27, 2001 if a final 
decision has not been made; and
    F. That the Court may exercise, for purposes of management, 
administration, and expenditure of funds of the Court, the 
authorities provided for such purposes by any provision of law 
applicable to a court of the United States.
    In addition, four public laws were enacted during the First 
Session without formal Committee action which contain 
provisions relating to matters within the Committee's 
jurisdiction. They are:
    1. An act ``to name the national cemetery in Saratoga, New 
York, as the `Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National 
Cemetery','' Public Law 107-136, January 24, 2002. Public Law 
107-136 was derived from H.R. 3392, as passed by the House on 
December 4, 2001, and approved by the Senate on December 20, 
2001.
    2. An act ``to expedite construction of the World War II 
Memorial in the District of Columbia,'' Public Law 107-11, May 
28, 2001. Public Law 107-11 was derived from H.R. 1696. It 
passed there House on May 15, 2001, and passed the Senate, with 
an amendment, by Unanimous Consent on May 21, 2001. The House 
agreed to the Senate amendment on May 22, 2001.
    3. The ``National Defense Authorization Act of 2002,'' 
Public Law 107-107, December 28, 2001. S. 1438 passed the 
Senate with amendments on October 2, 2001, and the House on 
October 17, 2001 (H. Rept. No. 107-194). The measure was agreed 
to and ordered reported (H. Rept. No. 107-333) by a Committee 
on Conference on December 12, 2001; agreed to in the House on 
December 13, 2001, and agreed to in the Senate on December 13, 
2001. With respect to programs within the Committee's 
jurisdiction, Public Law 107-107 specifies as follows:
    A. That there shall be $2,500,000 available for a 
cooperative VA/Department of Defense (``DoD'') medical research 
program;
    B. That there shall be funds made available from the Navy 
for relocation of VA activities and renovation of facilities at 
the VA Medical Center in North Chicago, Illinois;
    C. That excess clothing, shoes, sleeping bags, and related 
nonlethal supplies shall be made available to VA for 
distribution to homeless veterans;
    D. That reserve and National Guard components shall be 
exempted from active duty and strength limitations with regard 
to active duty or full-time members who must prepare for and 
perform honors functions for veterans' funerals;
    E. That DoD may provide appropriate articles of clothing to 
veterans organizations or other organizations that participate 
in a funeral honors detail;
    F. That there shall be contingent authority for concurrent 
receipt of military retired pay and veterans' disability 
compensation;
    G. That VA and DoD may jointly conduct a pilot program to 
allow VA to perform the physical examinations required of 
separating servicemembers;
    H. That VA and DoD shall jointly conduct a pilot program to 
provide graduate medical education and training to military and 
VA physicians through one or more programs carried out in 
military medical treatment facilities and VA medical centers 
between January 1, 2003, and July 31, 2008; and
    I. That DoD shall have the discretion to allow the transfer 
of educational entitlements under the Montgomery GI Bill from 
certain members of the Armed Forces with critical military 
skills to eligible family members.
    4. An act ``making appropriations to the Departments of 
Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and for 
sundry independent agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, 
and offices for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, and 
for other purposes,'' Public Law 107-73, November 26, 2001. 
Public Law 107-73 was derived from H.R. 2620, as passed by the 
House on July 31, 2001, and agreed to be the Senate, with 
amendments, on August 2, 2001. The measure was agreed to in 
modified form and ordered reported by a Committee on Conference 
on November 6, 2001 (H. Rept. No. 107-272). H.R. 2620 as 
amended was agreed to by the House on November 8, 2001, and by 
the Senate on November 8, 2001.

                           B. SECOND SESSION

    During the Second Session of the 107th Congress, the 
Committee met in open session one time to consider pending 
legislation, and reported four bills to the Senate. These bills 
incorporated provisions derived from one bill which had been 
approved by the House during the First Session, from six bills 
approved by the House in 2002, and from three of the reported 
Senate bills. These provisions were modified and enacted as 
four public laws (Public Law 107-247, Public Law 107-287, 
Public Law 107-288, and Public Law 107-330) that are itemized 
and summarized below.
    1. The ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment 
Act of 2002,'' Public Law 107-247, October 23, 2002. The 
measure wasderived from H.R. 4085, as passed by the House on 
May 21, 2002 (H. Rept. No. 107-472), and S. 2074, reported with 
amendments on July 22, 2002 (S. Rept. No. 107-215). H.R. 4085 passed 
the Senate, as amended, on September 26, 2002, and the House agreed to 
the Senate amendments on October 7, 2002. Public Law 107-247 specifies 
that there be an increase, effective December 1, 2002, in the rate of 
compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the 
rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of 
certain disabled veterans.
    2. The ``Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency 
Preparedness Act of 2002,'' Public Law 107-287, November 7, 
2002. Public Law 107-287 was derived from provisions contained 
in S. 2132, S. 2186, S. 2187 and H.R. 3253, which passed the 
House on May 20, 2002 (H. Rept. No. 107-471). S. 2132, as 
amended, was ordered reported by the Committee on July 31, 2002 
(S. Rept. No. 107-229). H.R. 3253, as amended, passed the 
Senate on August 1, 2002; passed the House as modified on 
September 17, 2002; passed as amended by the Senate on October 
15, 2002; and was agreed to by the House on October 16, 2002. 
The ``Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Preparedness Act 
of 2002'' specifies as follows:
    A. That VA shall be authorized to establish four centers 
for medical emergency preparedness within the Veterans Health 
Administration, to carry out research on the detection, 
diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of injuries and illnesses 
arising from the use of chemical, biological, radiological, 
incendiary or other explosive weapons or devices;
    B. That these centers shall provide medical consequence 
management education and training to VA health care 
professionals, and to non-VA care givers at the discretion of 
VA;
    C. That VA shall be authorized to provide laboratory, 
epidemiological, medical, or other assistance to Federal, 
State, and local health care agencies and personnel responding 
to a national emergency;
    D. That the number of authorized VA Assistant Secretaries 
shall increase from six to seven, and that ``operations, 
preparedness, security, and law enforcement'' shall be added to 
the functions that can be assigned to the Assistant Secretaries 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
    E. That the number of authorized VA Deputy Assistant 
Secretaries shall increase from 18 to 19;
    F. That VA shall carry out a program to develop and 
disseminate model education and training programs on the 
medical responses to the consequences of terrorist activities;
    G. That VA will be authorized to furnish medical care to 
individuals, including active duty military casualties, 
affected by a major disaster or emergency declared by the 
President under the Stafford Act, or following the activation 
of the National Disaster Medical System;
    H. That VA shall provide for the readiness and security of 
Department medical facilities, including the safety of staff 
and patients at such facilities,
    I. That VA shall develop and maintain a system for tracking 
the location and availability of pharmaceuticals, and medical 
supplies and equipment, throughout the VA health care system;
    J. That VA shall establish and maintain a training program 
to facilitate the participation of VA medical center staff in 
the National Disaster Medical System; and
    K. That VA shall develop strategies to provide mental 
health counseling and assistance to veterans, emergency 
response providers, active duty military personnel, and other 
individuals seeking care at VA medical centers following a 
bioterrorist attack or other public health emergency.
    3. The ``Jobs for Veterans Act,'' Public Law 107-288, 
November 7, 2002. Public Law 107-288 was derived from H.R. 4015 
(H. Rept. No. 107-476), as passed by the House on May 21, 2002; 
as approved by the Senate, as amended, on October 15, 2002; and 
as agreed to by the House on October 16, 2002. The ``Jobs for 
Veterans Act'' specifies:
    A. That certain veterans and others shall be entitled to 
priority of service in programs of employment, training and 
placement services in any qualified job training program 
funded, in whole or in part, by the Department of Labor 
(``DoL'');
    B. That employers who engage in Federal contracts for 
$100,000 or more shall be required to take affirmative action 
to employ and advance certain veterans;
    C. That the time limit for qualified veterans to 
participate in recruitment appointments in the Federal 
government following separation from service shall be 
eliminated;
    D. That the States shall create financial and non-financial 
performance incentives to encourage improvement of veterans' 
employment, training, and placement services, and to recognize 
employees for excellence in providing such services through 
funds made available to States based on criteria established by 
DoL;
    E. That the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' 
Employment and Training (``ASVET'') shall formulate, implement 
and oversee policies for all DoL programs that affect veterans 
in conjunction with States and VA;
    F. That DoL shall make funding available to approved 
veterans' employment programs in each State based on ratio of 
the number of veterans residing in a State seeking employment 
to the number of veterans seeking employment in all States, 
providing for minimum funding levels and ``hold harmless'' 
criteria;
    G. That the ASVET shall establish and implement a 
comprehensive performance accountability system for States' 
employment services for veterans, that shall be weighted to 
provide consideration for placement of veterans with special 
needs;
    H. That there shall be a technical assistance program to 
assist States with a deficient entered-employment rate for 
veterans;
    I. That the job qualifications of the ASVET, Deputy ASVET, 
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program specialists, and local 
Veterans' Employment Representatives (``LVERs'') shall be 
modified and clarified, as well as the formula for the number 
of state-based veterans employment personnel;
    J. That each State shall employ such full-time and part-
time LVERs as the State determines appropriate, but to the 
maximum extent practicable such employees shall be qualified 
employees as defined in statute;
    K. That the Secretary shall provide ``one-stop'' services 
and assistance to covered persons electronically via the 
Internet and other electronic means;
    L. That each DoL budget submission shall include a separate 
listing of the amount for the National Veterans Employment and 
Training Services Institute;
    M. That information concerning employment programs for 
recently separated servicemembers and veterans be clarified and 
included in annual reports;
    N. That a President's National Hire Veterans Committee 
shall be established to facilitate the employment of veterans 
and disabled veterans, which shall report to Congress from 2003 
through 2005; and
    O. That the Comptroller General shall study the 
implementation of the ``Jobs for Veterans Act'' during 2003 and 
2004, assessing the effect of this title on employment, 
training, and placement services furnished to veterans.
    4. The ``Veterans Benefits Act of 2002,'' Public Law 107-
330, December 6, 2002. Public Law 107-330 was derived from S. 
2237, as amended (S. Rept. No. 107-234), and incorporated 
provisions from nine other Senate bills: S. 1113, S. 1680, S. 
1905, S. 2003, S. 2079, S. 2205, S. 2025, S. 2230, and S. 2231. 
Public Law 107-330 also contains provisions from four House 
bills: H. R. 2561, as passed by the House on December 20, 2001; 
H.R. 3731, as passed by the House on October 7, 2002; H.R. 
4017; and H.R. 5055, as passed by the House on July 22, 2002. 
S. 2237, as amended, was passed by the Senate on September 26, 
2002; by the House, as modified, on November 15, 2002 (on 
legislative calendar day November 14, 2002); and accepted by 
the Senate on November 18, 2002. The ``Veterans Benefits Act of 
2002'' specifies as follows:

Title I--Compensation and Benefits Improvements

    A. That surviving spouses remarrying after age 55 shall 
retain CHAMPVA coverage;
    B. That women veterans who have suffered the service-
connected anatomical loss of 25 percent or more tissue from a 
single breast or both breasts in combination shall be eligible 
for special monthly compensation;
    C. That a ``total'' deafness requirement shall be 
eliminated to allow VA to consider partial non-service-
connected hearing loss when rating disability; and
    D. That VA shall contract with an independent scientific 
entity to study exposure to acoustic trauma during military 
service in a representative sample of servicemembers in each 
service branch from World War II to present, and shall issue 
its own report on VA claims and medical treatment for veterans' 
hearing loss.

Title II--Memorial Affairs

    A. That the issuance of Presidential Certificates of 
Appreciation, flags, and memorial headstones or grave markers 
to veterans fleeing from prosecution or convicted of a State or 
Federal capital crime shall be prohibited;
    B. That there shall be clarification to the procedures for 
disqualification of persons committing capital crimes for 
internment or memorialization in national cemeteries;
    C. That VA's authority to furnish a marker to veterans 
buried in already-marked graves at private cemeteries shall be 
made retroactive to September 11, 2001; and
    D. That the Secretary of the Army shall be authorized to 
place a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery honoring World 
War II veterans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

Title III--Other Matters

    A. That there be an increase in the aggregate amount 
available for State approving agencies for administrative 
expenses for fiscal years 2003 through 2007;
    B. That eligibility for Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance 
be authorized beyond age 70;
    C. That VA shall create a two-year pilot program to 
guarantee hybrid adjustable rate mortgages;
    D. That the Medal of Honor special pension shall be 
increased from $600 to $1000;
    E. That National Guard members mobilized for more than 30 
days by a State at the request of the President or Secretary of 
Defense in response to a national emergency be afforded 
protections under the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act;
    F. That the scheduled-to-expire authorities allowing VA to 
access IRS information to verify the income of recipients of VA 
needs-based benefits be extended;
    G. That the fee for qualified individuals assuming VA loans 
be increased from 0.50 to 1.0 percent for fiscal year 2003;
    H. That there shall be certain technical amendments to 
educational provisions; and
    I. That the cost-of-living adjustment provided in Public 
Law 107-247 be codified.

Title IV--Judicial Matters

    A. That the standard of review that the U.S. Court of 
Appeals for Veterans Claims applies to erroneous findings of 
fact by VA be modified to provide that the appellate review of 
veterans' claims shall consider the application of the 
``benefit of the doubt'' rule;
    B. That the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals 
Federal Circuit shall include U.S. Court of Appeals for 
Veterans Claims' decisions involving rulings of law not derived 
from a statute or regulation; and
    C. That non-attorney practitioners shall be eligible to 
receive fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (``EAJA'') 
for representation provided to VA claimants pro bono, 
eliminating the requirement for a supervising attorney to sign 
the EAJA application.
    The Committee also reported, S. 2043, the ``Long-Term Care 
and Mental Health Programs Enhancement Act of 2002'' on August 
1, 2002 (S. Rept. No. 107-231). S. 2043 was derived from 
provisions contained in S. 1408, S. 1576, S. 2044, S. 2205, S. 
2227, and S. 2228. This bill, however, was not enacted into 
law.
    The ``Long-Term Care and Mental Health Programs Enhancement 
Act of 2002,'' as reported, specifies as follows:

Title I--Long-Term Care and Mental Health Programs Enhancements

    A. That the period of provision of non-institutional 
extended care services and required nursing home care services 
as provided in Public Law 106-117 would be extended for five 
years;
    B. That funding for a program to expand and improve 
treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (``PTSD'') and 
substance use disorders as provided in Public Law 106-117 would 
be increased from $15 million to $25 million per year; that VA 
would ensure that this funding is in excess of a baseline 
amount; that these funds would be provided on an annual basis 
for a three-year period; and that the Secretary would ensure 
that not less than $10 million would be allocated by direct 
grants to programs that are identified by the Mental Health 
Strategic Health Care Group and the Committee on Care of 
Severely Chronically Mentally III Veterans, not less than $5 
million would be allocated for PTSD programs, and not less than 
$5 million would be allocated for substance use disorder 
programs;
    C. That VA would have permanent authority for counseling 
and treatment of sexual trauma; and
    D. That authority for VA to operate up to five centers for 
mental illness research, education and clinical activities 
would be increased to 15 such centers.

Title II--Construction Authorization

    A. That the Administration's requested construction 
projects would be authorized, including seismic corrections to: 
Building 2 at the Palo Alto, California VAMC in the amount of 
$14 million; Building 4 at the Palo Alto, California VAMC in 
the amount of $22 million; the West Los Angeles, California 
VAMC in the amount of $27 million; and the San Francisco, 
California VAMC in the amount of $31 million.
    B. That the FY 2001 authorization for the nursing home 
project at the Beckley, West Virginia VAMC, would be modified; 
and the authorization for the nursing home project at the 
Lebanon, Pennsylvania VAMC would be extended;
    C. That the threshold for major construction projects would 
be increased from $4 million to $9 million; and
    D. That VA would be authorized to make a State Home grant 
of up to $16 million to the State of Alaska.

Title III--General Health Care Matters

    A. That the income threshold amount for prescription drug 
copayments would be modified to be equal to the income 
threshold for outpatient and inpatient care;
    B. That the effective date of the amendment made by section 
132 of Public Law 107-135 would be January 23, 2002, and that 
the Office of Personnel Management would re-compute the 
annuities of each applicable health care professional who 
retired before January 23, 2002, but after April 7, 1986;
    C. That the eligibility for health care services of 
veterans who served in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf 
War would be extended for ten years;
    D. That Veterans Canteen Service hourly rate employees 
would be provided with transfer rights to Title 5 position; and
    E. That a two-year pilot project of medical care outreach 
would be established at two locations in the State of 
Washington.
    In addition, four public laws were enacted during the 
Second Session without formal Committee action which contained 
provisions relating to matters within the Committee's 
jurisdiction. The laws were as follows:
    1. An act ``to name the Department of Veterans Affairs 
Medical and Regional Office Center in Wichita, Kansas, the 
`Robert J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and 
Regional Office Center','' Public Law 107-184, May 29, 2002. 
Public Law 107-184 was derived from H.R. 4608 (H. Rept. No. 
107-474) as passed by the House on May 20, 2002, and by the 
Senate on May 22, 2002.
    2. An Act ``to name the chapel located in the national 
cemetery in Los Angles, California, the `Bob Hope Veterans 
Chapel','' Public Law 107-183, May 29, 2002. Public Law 107-183 
was derived from H.R. 4592 as passed by the House on May 21, 
2002, and by the Senate on May 22, 2002.
    3. The ``National Defense Authorization Act of 2003,'' 
Public Law 107-314, December 2, 2002. Public Law 107-314 was 
derived from S. 2514 as reported by the Senate Armed Services 
Committee on May 15, 2002 (S. Rept. No. 107-151). On June 27, 
2002, the Senate substituted the text of S. 2514, as amended, 
for H.R. 4546 (H. Rept. No. 107-436), and passed it. On July 
25, 2002, the House substituted the texts of H.R. 4546 and H.R. 
4547, as passed by the House for H.R. 4546, as amended, by the 
Senate, and passed H.R. 4546, as so amended. The differences 
between the Senate and House bills were resolved by the 
Committee on Conference (H. Rept. No. 107-772) and passed by 
the House of November 12, 202, and by the Senate on November 
13, 2002. With respect to programs that relate to those within 
the Committee's jurisdiction, Public Law 107-314 specifies as 
follows:
    A. That there shall be enlistment incentives to facilitate 
national service to include participation in educational 
programs for the Selected Reserves;
    B. That the Secretary of Defense shall provide a stipend, 
material, equipment and training to persons participating in 
funeral honors details;
    C. That each secretary concerned shall pay a special 
compensation benefit to retirees who also receive VA disability 
benefits for qualifying combat-related disabilities;
    D. That the time period within which a Reservist may use 
MGIB benefits shall be extended from 10 to 14 years;
    E. That a debt to the Federal government resulting from 
failure to fulfill obligated Selected Reserves service after 
usage of MGIB shall not be extinguished through certain types 
of bankruptcy declarations by the Reservist;
    F. That there shall be a process for resolving issues 
relating to patient safety and continuity of care for covered 
beneficiaries who are concurrently entitled to TRICARE health 
care and health care services provided by VA;
    G. That DoD shall submit to Congress and VA a comprehensive 
plan for the review, declassification, and submission to VA of 
all DoD medical records and information on ``Project 112,'' (a 
DoD chemical and biological weapons vulnerability testing 
program), that are relevant to the provision of benefits by VA 
to veterans who participated in the Project;
    H. That DoD and VA shall enter into agreements and 
contracts for the mutually beneficial coordination, use, or 
exchange of use of health care resources with the goal of 
improving access to, and quality and cost-effectiveness of, the 
health care provided to beneficiaries;
    I. That there shall be a joint DoD/VA committee to 
recommend strategic direction for coordination and sharing 
efforts;
    J. That DoD and VA shall carry out a program to identify, 
provide incentives to, implement, fund, and evaluate creative 
coordination and sharing initiatives at the facility, intra-
regional and nationwide levels;
    K. That there shall be a health care resources sharing 
project at a minimum of three sites to test the feasibility of 
measures to improve the sharing and coordination of health care 
and resources, requiring DoD and VA to test a coordinated 
management system for participating military and VA facilities;
    L. That DoD and VA shall jointly review the adequacy of 
current authorities and policies for providing health care to 
members of the armed forces following domestic acts of 
terrorism or use of weapons of mass destruction, before and 
after any declaration of national emergency;
    M. That on or before October 1, 2004, the pharmacy data 
systems of VA and DoD shall be interoperable for beneficiaries;
    N. That there shall be a pilot program under which graduate 
medical education and training is provided to DoD military 
physicians and VA physician employees through one or more 
programs carried out in DoD and VA medical facilities or 
centers; and that such program shall terminate on July 31, 
2008; and
    O. That current VA hospital and nursing home bed limits 
related to capacity for active duty military casualties during 
a time of war or national emergency shall be repealed.
    4. An act ``making appropriations for the Departments of 
Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and for 
sundry independent agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, 
and offices for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003, and 
for other purposes,''Division K, title I of Public Law 108-7, 
February 20, 2003. Public Law 108-7 was derived from, among other 
sources, H.R. 5605 as ordered reported (H. Rept. No. 107-740) on 
October 10, 2002 and S. 2797 as ordered reported (S. Rept. No. 107-222) 
on July 25, 2002. Following eight continuing resolutions, a ``joint 
resolution making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2003, and for other purposes,'' as passed by the 
House on January 8, 2003, and was passed, as amended, by the Senate on 
January 23, 2003. The joint resolution was then agreed to in modified 
form and ordered reported (H. Rept. No. 108-10) by a Committee on 
Conference on February 13, 2003, and agreed to by the House and Senate 
on February 13, 2003. It was signed by the President on February 20, 
2003, as Public Law 108-7.

                            III. Nominations


                            A. FIRST SESSION

    During the First Session of the 107th Congress, the 
Committee held four hearings on nominations. The following 
table portrays the Committee's and the Senate's actions 
regarding this nomination.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Name and position          Date of nomination    Date of hearing      Date reported      Date confirmed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NOMINATIONS

Anthony J. Principi, Secretary.  January 20, 2001...  January 18, 2001..  ..................  January 23, 2001.
Tim S. McClain, General Counsel  March 22, 2001.....  April 4, 2001.....  April 6, 2001.....  April 6, 2001.
Maureen Cragin, Assistant        April 23, 2001.....  May 16, 2001......  May 24, 2001......  May 24, 2001.
 Secretary for Public and
 Intergovernmental Affairs.
Robin L. Higgins, Under          April 30, 2001.....  May 16, 2001......  May 24, 2001......  May 24, 2001.
 Secretary for Memorial Affairs.
Leo S. Mackay, Jr., Deputy       April 30, 2001.....  May 16, 2001......  May 24, 2001......  May 24, 2001.
 Secretary.
Gordon H. Mansfield, Assistant   April 30, 2001.....  May 16, 2001......  July 20, 2001.....  August 1, 2001.
 Secretary for Congressional
 Affairs.
Jacob Lozada, Assistant          April 30, 2001.....  May 16, 2001......  May 24, 2001......  May 24, 2001.
 Secretary for Human Resources
 and Administration.
Claude M. Kicklighter,           June 27, 2001......  August 2, 2001....  August 2, 2001....  August 3, 2001.
 Assistant Secretary for Policy
 and Planning.
John A. Gauss, Assistant         July 17, 2001......  August 2, 2001....  August 2, 2001....  August 3, 2001.
 Secretary for Information
 Technology.

                                         DEPARTMENT OF LABOR NOMINATIONS

Frederico Juarbe, Assistant      September 4, 2001..  ..................  November 8, 2001..  November 8, 2001.
 Secretary for Veterans'
 Employment and Training.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           B. SECOND SESSION

    During the Second Session of the 107th Congress, the 
Committee held one hearing on nominations. The following table 
portrays the Committee's and the Senate's actions regarding 
these nominations.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Name and position          Date of nomination    Date of hearing      Date reported      Date confirmed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS NOMINATIONS

Daniel L. Cooper, Under          February 5, 2002...  March 14, 2002....  March 21, 2002....  March 22, 2002.
 Secretary for Benefits.
Robert H. Roswell, MD, Under     February 6, 2002...  March 14, 2002....  March 21, 2002....  March 22, 2002.
 Secretary for Health.
William H. Campbell, Assistant   June 6, 2002.......  ..................  ..................  November 19, 2002.
 Secretary for Management.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, the Committee received two nominations to the 
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: Bruce E. Kasold was 
nominated on March 21, 2002 to be Judge; and Alan G. Lance, 
Sr., was nominated on September 24, 2002, to be Judge.

                   IV. Budget for Veterans' Programs


                            A. FIRST SESSION

    Pursuant to the requirements of section 301(d) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Democratic and Republican 
members of the Committee submitted letters to the Budget 
Committee reflecting the Committee's views and estimates on the 
Administrations' proposed fiscal year 2002 (``FY 2002'') budget 
for veterans' programs. The letter from Chairman Arlen Specter 
and the other republican members of the Committee was sent on 
March 29, 2001. The letter from Ranking Member Senator John D. 
Rockefeller IV was sent on March 5, 2001.
    With respect to discretionary account spending, the 
Republican members of the Committee noted that the 
Administration's budget submission proposed a $1 billion 
increase for a total of $23.4 billion. However, the budget 
submission did not provide specific details about how this 
amount would be allocated among the various VA accounts. The 
Republican members noted that it was at a disadvantage in 
commenting because the Administration had not yet submitted a 
detailed budget proposal.
    With respect to VA's health care funding needs, the 
Republican members of the Committee indicated that VA required 
at least $2.035 billion over FY 2001 levels in order to 
maintain current services and to implement legislative 
directives. Accounting for the Administration's predicted $235 
million in savings due to the enactment of ``TRICARE for life'' 
legislation and $200 million in collections from insurance 
receipts and copayments, the Republican members of the 
Committee stated that the appropriations increase for health 
care would need to be $1.8 billion. The Republican members also 
recommended lifting the appropriations moratorium on 
construction due to CARES, urging an increase of $85 million 
for major medical construction and $88 million for minor 
construction.
    Additionally, the Republican members of the Committee 
recommended that the Secretary's request for an additional $134 
million in FY 2002 for General Operating Expenses be approved, 
for a total of $1.23 billion, to fund 900 new staff to 
accommodate the expected workload increase caused by 
legislative changes regarding VA's duty to assist claimants, 
presumptive service connection for Type II diabetes, and 
educational benefits. They also urged an increase of $8 million 
to fund the National Shrine Commitment.
    With respect to mandatory account spending, the Republican 
members of the Committee recommended an increase of $350 
million above the FY 2002 level and $2.5 billion from FY 2002 
through FY 2006 for Montgomery GI Bill enhancements, expanded 
compensation for civilians exposed to radiation, burial 
benefits, and repealing the entire asset-based limitation on 
compensation for mentally-incapacitated veterans.
    In his letter, the Ranking Member Rockefeller urged an 
appreciable increase in VA discretionary funding. Additionally, 
Senator Rockefeller recommended a minimum increase of $1.8 
billion in medical funding to meet the requirements of 
legislation enacted in late 1999 regarding long-term care and 
emergency care coverage for veterans. The Ranking Member 
reiterated the call of a consortium of VSOs in the publication 
The Independent Budget for an $86 million increase over the FY 
2001 benefits budget levels, allowing 830 new full-time 
employees for claims processing. He noted that enhancements in 
the Montgomery GI Bill and duty-to-assist legislation would 
also severely affect VBA's workload.
    On March 28, 2001, the House passed the Budget Resolution 
(H. Con. Res. 83). The Senate Committee on the Budget 
discharged the resolution pursuant to Public Law 93-344 on 
April 2, 2001, and the Senate passed the Resolution, as 
amended, on April 6, 2001. The Committee on Conference filed 
the Conference Report (H. Rept. No. 107-60) on May 8, 2001. The 
House agreed to the Conference Report on May 9, 2001, and the 
Senate agreed on May 10, 2001. The Conference Report assumed an 
increase in funding in mandatory spending for improvements to 
the Montgomery GI Bill and veterans burial benefits. The 
agreement also assumed an extension of several expiring 
provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, 
including IRS income verification for means-tested veterans and 
survivor benefits; limiting VA pension to Medicaid recipients 
in nursing homes; and continuing current housing loan fees.
    On September 10, 2001, the Committee reported legislation, 
S. 1188, that would have created and modified compensation and 
recruiting incentives for VA nurses, that may have been subject 
to pay-as-you-go procedures (S. Rept. No. 107-80). Provisions 
from S. 1188 were incorporated into Public Law 107-135. On 
October 15, 2001, the Committee reported legislation, S. 1088, 
that would affect several veterans' programs, including 
education, compensation, pensions, burial benefits, and 
housing, that may have been subject to pay-as-you-go 
procedures. Provisions from S. 1088 were incorporated into 
Public Law 107-103.

                           B. SECOND SESSION

    On March 6, 2002, pursuant to the requirements of section 
301(d) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Chairman 
and the Ranking Member of the Committee submitted a letter to 
the Budget Committee reflecting the Committee's views and 
estimates on the Administration's proposed fiscal year 2003 
budget (``FY 2003'') for veterans' programs.
    The Committee agreed with the Administration that VA 
required $2.5 billion in total additional funding in FY 2003 to 
support its medical care operations. However, the Committee 
disagreed on how much of this increase should be appropriated 
rather than collected directly from veterans, rejecting a 
proposed $1,500 deductible for Priority 7 enrollees. The 
Committee stated that it expected VA to improve its insurance 
collections by $400 million over the previous year. Thus, the 
Committee limited its recommendation for increased medical care 
appropriations to $2.1 billion for FY 2003.
    The Committee supported the budget request for construction 
and for General Operating Expenses, but declined to support the 
proposed shift of veterans employment and training services 
from the Department of Labor to VA without a more detailed 
program design.
    With respect to mandatory spending, the Committee supported 
the budget request for $29.6 billion, an increase of $1.6 
billion for benefits payments above the FY 2002 level. The 
Committee additionally recommended an increase in the mandatory 
spending ceiling (above the FY 2003 baseline) of $250 million 
in FY 2003, $1.3 billion from FY 2003 through FY 2007, and $2.5 
billion from FY 2003 through FY 2012. The Committee also 
requested an adjustment to the Committee's mandatory account 
spending ceilings in anticipation of legislative action to 
increase the Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance 
monthly benefit.
    On March 22, 2002, the Senate Budget Committee reported S. 
Con. Res. 100, setting forth the FY 2003 Congressional Budget 
for the United States. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Conrad 
issued a report (S. Rept. No. 107-141) with additional views on 
April 11, 2002. The House Budget Committee reported H. Con. 
Res. 353 (H. Rept. No. 107-376) on March 15, 2002, which passed 
the House, as amended, on March 20, 2002. The deeming 
resolution in H. Con. Res. 353 established the House-passed 
budget as binding on the House because there was no resolution 
conference report.
    On August 1, 2002, the Committee reported a bill, S. 2237, 
as amended (S. Rept. No. 107-234), that would have improved 
veterans' compensation, education, housing, burial, and life 
insurance benefits, and may have been subject to pay-as-you-go 
procedures. Provisions from S. 2237 were incorporated into 
Public Law 107-330. On August 1, 2002, the Committee reported a 
bill, S. 2043, as amended (S. Rept. No. 107-231), that would 
have modified income thresholds for determining co-payments for 
prescription drugs, and may have been subject to pay-as-you-go 
procedures.

                                
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