[House Report 117-253]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


117th Congress }                                               {   Report
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session    }                                               {  117-253

======================================================================

 
 PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL (H.R. 3967) TO IMPROVE HEALTH 
  CARE AND BENEFITS FOR VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES, AND FOR 
                             OTHER PURPOSES

                                _______
                                

 February 28, 2022.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 
                                printed.

                                _______
                                

              Mr. McGovern, from the Committee on Rules, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                       [To accompany H. Res. 950]

    The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration 
House Resolution 950, by a record vote of 9 to 4, report the 
same to the House with the recommendation that the resolution 
be adopted.

                SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS OF THE RESOLUTION

    The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3967, the 
Honoring our PACT Act of 2021, under a structured rule. The 
resolution provides one hour of general debate on the bill 
equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking 
minority member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The 
resolution waives all points of order against consideration of 
the bill. The resolution provides that an amendment in the 
nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules 
Committee Print 117-33, modified by the amendment printed in 
part A of this report, shall be considered as adopted and the 
bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. The resolution 
waives all points of order against provisions in the bill, as 
amended. The resolution provides that following debate, each 
further amendment printed in part B of this report not earlier 
considered as part of amendments en bloc pursuant to section 3 
shall be considered only in the order printed in the report, 
may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall 
be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time 
specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the 
proponent and an opponent, may be withdrawn by the proponent at 
any time before the question is put thereon, shall not be 
subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for 
division of the question. Section 3 of the resolution provides 
that at any time after debate the chair of the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs or his designee may offer amendments en bloc 
consisting of further amendments printed in part B of this 
report not earlier disposed of. Amendments en bloc shall be 
considered as read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally 
divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member 
of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs or their designees, shall 
not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a 
demand for division of the question. The resolution waives all 
points of order against the amendments printed in part B of 
this report and amendments en bloc described in section 3 of 
the resolution. The resolution provides one motion to recommit.

                         EXPLANATION OF WAIVERS

    The waiver of all points of order against consideration of 
H.R. 3967 includes a waiver of section 306 of the Congressional 
Budget Act, which prohibits consideration of legislation within 
the jurisdiction of the Committee on the Budget unless referred 
to or reported by the Budget Committee.
    Although the resolution waives all points of order against 
provisions in H.R. 3967, as amended, the Committee is not aware 
of any points of order. The waiver is prophylactic in nature.
    Although the resolution waives all points of order against 
the amendments to H.R. 3967 printed in part B of this report 
and amendments en bloc described in section 3 of the 
resolution, the Committee is not aware of any points of order. 
The waiver is prophylactic in nature.

                            COMMITTEE VOTES

    The results of each record vote on an amendment or motion 
to report, together with the names of those voting for and 
against, are printed below:

Rules Committee record vote No. 195

    Motion by Mr. Cole to eliminate all the unprecedented 
pandemic authorities granted to the Speaker. Defeated: 4-8

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Majority Members                      Vote               Minority Members               Vote
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mrs. Torres.....................................          Nay   Mr. Cole..........................          Yea
Mr. Perlmutter..................................          Nay   Mr. Burgess.......................          Yea
Mr. Raskin......................................          Nay   Mr. Reschenthaler.................          Yea
Ms. Scanlon.....................................          Nay   Mrs. Fischbach....................          Yea
Mr. Morelle.....................................          Nay
Mr. DeSaulnier..................................  ............
Ms. Ross........................................          Nay
Mr. Neguse......................................          Nay
Mr. McGovern, Chairman..........................          Nay
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rules Committee record vote No. 196

    Motion by Mr. Cole to eliminate the martial law authorities 
granted to the Speaker. Defeated: 4-9

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Majority Members                      Vote               Minority Members               Vote
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mrs. Torres.....................................          Nay   Mr. Cole..........................          Yea
Mr. Perlmutter..................................          Nay   Mr. Burgess.......................          Yea
Mr. Raskin......................................          Nay   Mr. Reschenthaler.................          Yea
Ms. Scanlon.....................................          Nay   Mrs. Fischbach....................          Yea
Mr. Morelle.....................................          Nay
Mr. DeSaulnier..................................          Nay
Ms. Ross........................................          Nay
Mr. Neguse......................................          Nay
Mr. McGovern, Chairman..........................          Nay
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rules Committee record vote No. 197

    Motion by Mr. Cole to add language in the rule that would 
stop the tolling of days for Resolutions of Inquiry. Defeated: 
4-9

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Majority Members                      Vote               Minority Members               Vote
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mrs. Torres.....................................          Nay   Mr. Cole..........................          Yea
Mr. Perlmutter..................................          Nay   Mr. Burgess.......................          Yea
Mr. Raskin......................................          Nay   Mr. Reschenthaler.................          Yea
Ms. Scanlon.....................................          Nay   Mrs. Fischbach....................          Yea
Mr. Morelle.....................................          Nay
Mr. DeSaulnier..................................          Nay
Ms. Ross........................................          Nay
Mr. Neguse......................................          Nay
Mr. McGovern, Chairman..........................          Nay
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rules Committee record vote No. 198

    Motion by Mr. Reschenthaler to add to the rule a section 
providing for the consideration of S. 3541, Healthcare for Burn 
Pit Veterans Act, under a closed rule. Defeated: 4-9

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Majority Members                      Vote               Minority Members               Vote
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mrs. Torres.....................................          Nay   Mr. Cole..........................          Yea
Mr. Perlmutter..................................          Nay   Mr. Burgess.......................          Yea
Mr. Raskin......................................          Nay   Mr. Reschenthaler.................          Yea
Ms. Scanlon.....................................          Nay   Mrs. Fischbach....................          Yea
Mr. Morelle.....................................          Nay
Mr. DeSaulnier..................................          Nay
Ms. Ross........................................          Nay
Mr. Neguse......................................          Nay
Mr. McGovern, Chairman..........................          Nay
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rules Committee record vote No. 199

    Motion by Mrs. Torres to report the rule. Adopted: 9-4

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Majority Members                      Vote               Minority Members               Vote
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mrs. Torres.....................................          Yea   Mr. Cole..........................          Nay
Mr. Perlmutter..................................          Yea   Mr. Burgess.......................          Nay
Mr. Raskin......................................          Yea   Mr. Reschenthaler.................          Nay
Ms. Scanlon.....................................          Yea   Mrs. Fischbach....................          Nay
Mr. Morelle.....................................          Yea
Mr. DeSaulnier..................................          Yea
Ms. Ross........................................          Yea
Mr. Neguse......................................          Yea
Mr. McGovern, Chairman..........................          Yea
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 SUMMARY OF THE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 3967 IN PART A CONSIDERED AS ADOPTED

    1. Takano (CA): Revises the seating of members on the 
Federal Advisory Committee created in Title II of the bill, to 
ensure for staggered terms. Authorizes the Secretary of the 
Veterans Administration to allow for claimants to opt-in to 
receiving notifications through electronic communication. Adds 
Thule, Greenland to the list of locations to which veterans are 
presumed to have been exposed to radiation. Authorizes funding 
for an expansion of VA's disability claims automation system. 
Creates a Veterans Toxic Exposure Fund to authorize funding for 
the activities in the bill.

     SUMMARY OF THE AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 3967 IN PART B MADE IN ORDER

    1. Bush, Cori (MO): Includes race and ethnicity as a 
demographic for a study on the incidence of cancer in veterans. 
(10 minutes)
    2. Bush, Cori (MO): Includes race, age, period of service, 
military occupation, gender, and disability status of veterans 
in an epidemiological study on the health trends of veterans 
who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001. (10 
minutes)
    3. Bush, Cori (MO): Amends the review of known cases of 
toxic exposure on military installations of the Department of 
Defense to include both in the United States and abroad. (10 
minutes)
    4. Bush, Cori (MO): Includes a study on veteran health 
outcomes related to waste from the Manhattan project in St. 
Louis. (10 minutes)
    5. Bost (IL): Replaces the text of the bill with the Health 
Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act, which expands healthcare 
eligibility for certain combat veterans exposed to toxic 
substances to last for ten years after separation instead of 
five years, requires toxic exposure-related education and 
training for VA personnel, and requires screenings and studies 
to better identify potential associations between veteran 
medical conditions and toxic exposure. (10 minutes)
    6. Brownley (CA), Miller-Meeks (IA): Ensures toxic exposed 
veterans have access to mammography screenings. (10 minutes)
    7. Cartwright (PA): Requires the Secretary of the VA to 
share a list of resources for toxic-exposed veterans, 
caregivers of toxic-exposed veterans, and survivors of toxic-
exposed vets with national veterans services organizations and 
other veteran groups. (10 minutes)
    8. Gibbs (OH): Allows veterans an additional 24-hour 
period, at minimum, to notify the VA when receiving care at a 
non-VA facility. This additional time-period will allow 
flexibility if a veteran needs additional time to recoup from a 
severe medical condition or if they are dealing with other 
complicating factors. (10 minutes)
    9. Golden (ME), Wild (PA): Ensures that mental health 
services and counseling are included when providing hospital 
services to give holistic care for affected veterans. (10 
minutes)
    10. Gottheimer (NJ): Requires a study by the Department of 
Veterans Affairs to examine the possible relationship between 
toxic exposures experienced during service in the Armed Forces 
and mental health outcomes. (10 minutes)
    11. Gottheimer (NJ): Defines outreach materials on 
illnesses that may be related to toxic exposure as fact sheets 
under the Veterans and Family Information Act. (10 minutes)
    12. Hartzler (MO): Enhances VA hiring competitiveness by 
allowing VA to release physicians from non-compete agreements 
after committing to VA service for at least one year, 
authorizes VA to make job offers up to 2 years prior to 
completion of residency and updates statutory minimum 
requirements for VA physicians to include medical residency. 
(10 minutes)
    13. Jackson Lee (TX): Adds a study on whether data 
collection established under this bill should include data on 
the toxic exposure of National Guard service personnel when 
deployed in connection with a natural disaster in the United 
States or its territories. (10 minutes)
    14. Levin, Andy (MI), Wild (PA): Amends the definition of 
``illnesses'' to include both mental and physical health. (10 
minutes)
    15. Levin, Mike (CA): Adds a new section similar to the 
Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, which 
authorizes VA to award grants to expand outreach and claims 
assistance carried out through County Veterans Service Officers 
(CVSOs). (10 minutes)
    16. Newman (IL): Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) 
to conduct a study on the exposure of members of the Armed 
Forces to herbicide agents, including Agent Orange and Agent 
Purple, in the Panama Canal Zone during the period beginning on 
January 1, 1958, and ending on December 31, 1999. (10 minutes)
    17. Pappas (NH): Requires coordination between the 
Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
establish guidelines used for training active duty personnel to 
provide awareness of potential risks of toxic exposure, as well 
as ways to prevent such exposures during combat. (10 minutes)
    18. Plaskett (VI): Requires a GAO study and report on 
access and barriers to veterans benefits and services for 
veterans in territories of the United States. (10 minutes)
    19. Porter (CA): Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs 
to establish a public website, housed within the War Related 
Illness and Injury Study Center of the Department, to be a 
clearinghouse for the publication of all Federally funded 
research on toxic exposure. (10 minutes)
    20. Ross (NC), Rouzer (NC): Requires the DOD to submit to 
Congress a report on sources of PFAS on military installations 
other than AFFF and any recommendation regarding whether to 
expand eligibility for the registry to individuals exposed to 
PFAS from other sources. (10 minutes)
    21. Ruiz (CA), Slotkin (MI), Welch (VT), Bilirakis (FL): 
Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide budget 
information regarding incinerators and waste-to-energy waste 
disposal alternatives to burn pits. DOD must include the 
information as a dedicated budget line item in the President's 
FY2023 through the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. (10 minutes)
    22. Ruiz (CA), Ryan (OH), Gonzalez-Colon, Jenniffer (PR): 
Allows veterans in the burn pits registry to designate a 
registered individual or an immediate family member to update 
the registry with the cause of death of the individual. (10 
minutes)
    23. Ryan (OH), Mast (FL), Kelly, Trent (MS), Fitzpatrick 
(PA), Cheney (WY), Young (AK), Ruiz (CA), Hayes (CT), 
Cartwright (PA): Adds the text of the SFC Heath Robinson Burn 
Pit Transparency Act, which requires the Department of the VA 
to document, track, and then notify Congress of specified data 
points related to exposure cases as reported by veterans to the 
VA. (10 minutes)
    24. Scanlon (PA): Authorizes $150,000,000 for fiscal year 
2023 to expand capacity of the Veterans Benefits Management 
System of the Department of Veterans Affairs to accommodate 
expected increased claims processing for newly eligible 
veterans. (10 minutes)
    25. Slotkin (MI): Creates an interagency working group to 
1) Identify collaborative research activities and resources, 2) 
Establish a 5-year strategic plan for coordination/planning for 
research surrounding toxic exposure, and 3) Submit a report to 
the VA Secretary with milestones/goals as part of the 
implementation. (10 minutes)
    26. Spanberger (VA): Requires the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to submit a publicly available report to Congress that 
includes (1) a discussion of the effect of various different 
types of jet fuels used by the Armed Forces on the health of 
individuals by length of exposure; (2) an identification of the 
immediate symptoms of jet fuel exposure that may indicate 
future health risks; (3) a chronology of health safeguards 
implemented by the Armed Forces intended to reduce the exposure 
of members of the Armed Forces to jet fuel; and (4) an 
identification of any areas relating to jet fuel exposure about 
which new research needs to be conducted. (10 minutes)
    27. Torres, Norma (CA): Requires the publication of the 
list of resources provided by the VA to toxic-exposed veterans 
be made available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and the 7 other 
most commonly spoken languages in the United States. (10 
minutes)
    28. Torres, Norma (CA): Revises Section 505 to include 
language about the feasibility and advisability of VA looking 
at available early detection diagnostics and how they might be 
incorporated into veterans' care. (10 minutes)

      PART A--TEXT OF AMENDMENT TO H.R. 3967 CONSIDERED AS ADOPTED

  Page 21, strike lines 5 through 7 and insert the following:
  ``(4)(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), each member 
of the Committee shall be appointed for a two-year term, and 
may serve not more than three successive terms.
  ``(B) With respect to the five members who are initially 
appointed by the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(i), the 
Secretary shall determine the length of the term of each such 
member in a manner that ensures the expiration of the terms on 
a staggered basis.''.
  Page 33, after line 6, insert the following new subsection:
  (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in section 1172(a)(2)(A) 
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), 
shall be construed so as to require the advice and consent of 
the Senate in the appointment of members of the Formal Advisory 
Committee on Toxic Exposure.
  Page 41, line 8, insert ``OR THULE, GREENLAND,'' after 
``SPAIN,''.
  Page 41, line 13, insert ``or Thule'' after ``Palomares''.
  Page 41, line 14, insert ``or Thule'' after ``Palomares''.
  Page 41, line 16, strike ``clause'' and insert ``clauses''.
  Page 41, after line 23, add the following new clause:
                          ``(vii) Onsite participation in the 
                        response effort following the on-board 
                        fire and crash of a United States Air 
                        Force B-52 bomber that caused the 
                        release of four thermonuclear weapons 
                        in the vicinity of Thule Air Force 
                        Base, Greenland, during the period 
                        beginning January 21, 1968, and ending 
                        September 25, 1968.''.
  Add at the end of title VII the following new sections:

SEC. 7__. VETERANS TOXIC EXPOSURES FUND.

  Chapter 3 is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section:

``Sec. 324. Veterans Toxic Exposures Fund

  ``(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established in the 
Treasury of the United States an account to be known as the 
``Veterans Toxic Exposures Fund'' (the ``Fund''), to be 
administered through the Department of Veterans Affairs, to 
provide for investment in the delivery of veterans' health 
care, research, and benefits associated with hazardous exposure 
in service.
  ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Fund for fiscal year 2023 and each 
subsequent fiscal year such sums as are necessary to increase 
funding, over the fiscal year 2021 level for the Veterans 
Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
for any expenses incident to the delivery of veterans' health 
care and benefits associated with exposure to environmental 
hazards in service, including administrative expenses, such as 
claims processing and appeals, and for medical research related 
to hazardous exposures. Amounts appropriated to the Fund 
pursuant to this subsection shall be counted as direct spending 
under the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 
1974 and any other Act.
  ``(c) Estimates for Congressional Consideration.--The 
Secretary shall include in documents submitted to Congress in 
support of the President's budget submitted pursuant to section 
1105 of title 31, United States Code, detailed estimates of the 
sums described in subsection (b) for the applicable fiscal 
year.
  ``(d) Procedures for Estimates.--The Secretary, after 
consultation with the Committees on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives and the Senate, may establish policies and 
procedures for developing the annual detailed estimates 
required in subsection (c).''.

SEC. 7__. AUTHORIZATION OF ELECTRONIC NOTICE IN CLAIMS UNDER LAWS 
                    ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

  Title 38, United States Code, is amended as follows:
          (1) By striking section 5100 and inserting the 
        following:

``Sec. 5100. Definitions

  ``In this chapter:
          ``(1) The term `claimant' means any individual 
        applying for, or submitting a claim for, any benefit 
        under the laws administered by the Secretary.
          ``(2) The term `notice' means a communication issued 
        through means (including electronic means) prescribed 
        by the Secretary.''.
          (2) In section 5104, by adding at the end the 
        following new subsection:
  ``(c) The Secretary may provide notice under subsection (a) 
electronically if a claimant (or the claimant's representative) 
elects to receive such notice electronically. A claimant (or 
the claimant's representative) may revoke such an election at 
any time, by means prescribed by the Secretary.
  ``(d) The Secretary shall annually--
          ``(1) solicit recommendations from stakeholders on 
        how to improve notice under this section; and
          ``(2) publish such recommendations on a publicly 
        available website of the Department.''.
          (3) In section 5104B(c), in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1) by striking ``in writing'' and inserting 
        ``to the claimant (and any representative of such 
        claimant)''.
          (4) In section 7104--
                  (A) in the heading, by adding ``; decisions; 
                notice'' at the end; and
                  (B) by striking subsection (e) and inserting 
                the following:
  ``(e) After reaching a decision on an appeal, the Board shall 
promptly issue notice (as that term is defined in section 5100 
of this title) of such decision to the following:
          ``(1) The appellant.
          ``(2) Any other party with a right to notice of such 
        decision.
          ``(3) Any authorized representative of the appellant 
        or party described in paragraph (2).
  ``(f) The Secretary may provide notice under subsection (e) 
electronically if a claimant (or the claimant's representative) 
elects to receive such notice electronically. A claimant (or 
the claimant's representative) may revoke such an election at 
any time, by means prescribed by the Secretary.''.
          (5) In section 7105(b)(1)(A), by striking ``mailing'' 
        and inserting ``issuance''.
          (6) In section 7105A(a), by striking ``mailed'' and 
        inserting ``issued''.
          (7) In section 7266(a), by striking ``mailed'' and 
        inserting ``issued''.

SEC. 7__. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR EXPANSION OF CLAIMS 
                    AUTOMATION.

  There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 to support 
expected increased claims processing for newly eligible 
veterans pursuant to this Act and the amendments made by this 
Act by--
          (1) supporting the automation of processing claims by 
        the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department 
        of Veterans Affairs;
          (2) adding self-service features to the system by 
        which individuals file claims;
          (3) removing duplicative efforts regarding the 
        processing of claims; and
          (4) reducing the dependency of the Department on the 
        legacy claim system.

         PART B--TEXT OF AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 3967 MADE IN ORDER

1. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Bush of Missouri or Her 
                   Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 55, line 20, strike ``age'' and insert ``race and 
ethnicity''.
  Page 55, after line 20, insert the following new paragraph 
(and redesignate the subsequent paragraphs accordingly):
          (2) The age of the veteran.
                              ----------                              


2. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Bush of Missouri or Her 
                   Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 55, after line 6, insert the following new subsection 
(and redesignate the subsequent subsection accordingly):
  (b) Elements.--The study under subsection (a) shall assess, 
with respect to each veteran included in the study, the 
following:
          (1) The race and ethnicity of the veteran.
          (2) The age of the veteran.
          (3) The period of service and length of service of 
        the veteran in the Armed Forces.
          (4) Any military occupational speciality of the 
        veteran.
          (5) The gender of the veteran.
          (6) The disability status of the veteran.
                              ----------                              


3. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Bush of Missouri or Her 
                   Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 58, line 5, strike ``located in the United States''.
                              ----------                              


4. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Bush of Missouri or Her 
                   Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  At the end of title V, add the following:

SEC. 507. STUDY ON HEALTH EFFECTS OF WASTE RELATED TO MANHATTAN PROJECT 
                    ON CERTAIN VETERANS.

  (a) Study.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a 
study on the health trends of veterans who, while serving in 
the active military, naval, air, or space service--
          (1) participated in activities relating to the 
        Manhattan Project (including activities relating to 
        covered waste) in connection with such service; or
          (2) resided at or near, as determined by the 
        Secretary, the locations described in subsection (b).
  (b) Covered Locations.--The locations described in this 
subsection are the following locations in the county of St. 
Louis, Missouri:
          (1) Coldwater Creek.
          (2) The St. Louis Airport Site.
          (3) The West Lake Landfill.
          (4) Any other location in the county of St. Louis, 
        Missouri that is proximate to covered waste, as 
        determined by the Secretary.
  (c) Elements.--The study under subsection (a) shall assess, 
with respect to each veteran included in the study, the 
following:
          (1) The age, gender, and race of the veteran.
          (2) The period and location of exposure to covered 
        waste.
          (3) Any type of cancer, or other illness associated 
        with toxic exposure, that the veteran has.
          (4) A comparison of the overall health condition of 
        the veteran, including any illness of the veteran 
        identified pursuant to paragraph (3), with the overall 
        health condition of past and present civilian 
        populations residing at the same location of exposure.
  (d) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives 
and the Senate a report on the study under subsection (a).
  (e) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) The term ``covered waste'' means any waste 
        arising from activities carried out in connection with 
        the Manhattan Project.
          (2) The term ``illness'' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 1171 of title 38, United States Code, 
        as added by section 202.
          (3) The term ``toxic exposure'' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 101 of such title, as added by 
        section 102(b).
                              ----------                              


5. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Bost of Illinois or His 
                   Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Strike page 1, line 1, and all that follows through page 80, 
line 7, and insert the following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Health Care for Burn Pit 
Veterans Act''.

SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HEALTH CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF 
                    VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR CERTAIN VETERANS EXPOSED TO 
                    TOXIC SUBSTANCES.

  (a) In General.--Section 1710(e)(3) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended--
          (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                  (A) by striking ``January 27, 2003'' and 
                inserting ``September 11, 2001''; and
                  (B) by striking ``five-year period'' and 
                inserting ``ten-year period'';
          (2) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
          ``(B) With respect to a veteran described in 
        paragraph (1)(D) who was discharged or released from 
        the active military, naval, air, or space service after 
        September 11, 2001, and before October 1, 2013, but did 
        not enroll to receive such hospital care, medical 
        services, or nursing home care under such paragraph 
        pursuant to subparagraph (A) before October 1, 2022, 
        the one-year period beginning on October 1, 2022.''; 
        and
          (3) by striking subparagraph (C).
  (b) Clarification of Coverage.--Section 1710(e)(1)(D) of such 
title is amended by inserting after ``Persian Gulf War'' the 
following: ``(including any veteran who, in connection with 
service during such period, received the Armed Forces 
Expeditionary Medal, Service Specific Expeditionary Medal, 
Combat Era Specific Expeditionary Medal, Campaign Specific 
Medal, or any other combat theater award established by a 
Federal statute or an Executive Order)''.
  (c) Report.--Not later than October 1, 2024, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' 
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report 
on--
          (1) the number of veterans who enrolled in the system 
        of annual patient enrollment of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs established and operated under section 
        1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, to receive 
        care pursuant to eligibility under subparagraph (B) of 
        section 1710(e)(3) of such title, as amended by 
        subsection (a)(2); and
          (2) of the veterans described in paragraph (1), the 
        number of such veterans who reported a health concern 
        related to exposure to a toxic substance or radiation.
  (d) Outreach Plan.--Not later than December 1, 2022, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
of the House of Representatives and the Senate a plan to 
conduct outreach to veterans described in subparagraph (B) of 
section 1710(e)(3) of title 38, United States Code, as amended 
by subsection (a)(2), to notify such veterans of their 
eligibility for hospital care, medical services, or nursing 
home care under such subparagraph.
  (e) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on October 1, 2022.

SEC. 3. INCORPORATION OF TOXIC EXPOSURE SCREENING FOR VETERANS.

  (a) In General.--Beginning not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall incorporate a screening to help determine 
potential exposures to toxic substances during active military, 
naval, air, or space service as part of a health care screening 
furnished by the Secretary to veterans enrolled in the system 
of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs established and operated under section 1705 of title 
38, United States Code, to improve understanding by the 
Department of exposures of veterans to toxic substances while 
serving in the Armed Forces.
  (b) Timing.--The Secretary shall ensure that a veteran 
described in subsection (a) completes the screening required 
under such subsection not less frequently than once every five 
years.
  (c) Determination of Questions.--
          (1) In general.--The questions included in the 
        screening required under subsection (a) shall be 
        determined by the Secretary with input from medical 
        professionals.
          (2) Specific questions.--At a minimum, the screening 
        required under subsection (a) shall, with respect to a 
        veteran, include--
                  (A) a question about the potential exposure 
                of the veteran to an open burn pit; and
                  (B) a question regarding exposures that are 
                commonly associated with service in the Armed 
                Forces.
          (3) Open burn pit defined.--In this subsection, the 
        term ``open burn pit'' means an area of land that--
                  (A) is designated by the Secretary of Defense 
                to be used for disposing solid waste by burning 
                in the outdoor air; and
                  (B) does not contain a commercially 
                manufactured incinerator or other equipment 
                specifically designed and manufactured for the 
                burning of solid waste.
  (d) Print Material.--In developing the screening established 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that print 
materials complementary to such screening that outline related 
resources for veterans are available at each medical center of 
the Department to veterans who may not have access to the 
internet.
  (e) Screening Updates.--The Secretary shall consider updates 
to the content of the screening required under subsection (a) 
not less frequently than biennially to ensure the screening 
contains the most current information.
  (f) Active Military, Naval, Air, or Space Service Defined.--
In this section, the term ``active military, naval, air, or 
space service'' has the meaning given that term in section 
101(24) of title 38, United States Code.

SEC. 4. TRAINING FOR PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                    WITH RESPECT TO VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC 
                    SUBSTANCES.

  (a) Health Care Personnel.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall provide to health care personnel of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs education and training to identify, treat, and 
assess the impact on veterans of illnesses related to exposure 
to toxic substances and inform such personnel of how to ask for 
additional information from veterans regarding different 
exposures.
  (b) Benefits Personnel.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall incorporate a 
        training program for processors of claims under the 
        laws administered by the Secretary who review claims 
        for disability benefits relating to service-connected 
        disabilities based on exposure to toxic substances.
          (2) Annual training.--Training provided to processors 
        under paragraph (1) shall be provided not less 
        frequently than annually.

SEC. 5. ANALYSIS AND REPORT ON TREATMENT OF VETERANS FOR MEDICAL 
                    CONDITIONS RELATED TO TOXIC EXPOSURE.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
analyze, on a continuous basis, all clinical data that--
          (1) is obtained by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        in connection with hospital care, medical services, and 
        nursing home care furnished under section 1710(a)(2)(F) 
        of title 38, United States Code; and
          (2) is likely to be scientifically useful in 
        determining the association, if any, between the 
        medical condition of a veteran and the exposure of the 
        veteran to a toxic substance.
  (b) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report 
containing--
          (1) the aggregate data compiled under subsection (a);
          (2) an analysis of such data;
          (3) a description of the types and incidences of 
        medical conditions identified by the Department under 
        such subsection;
          (4) the explanation of the Secretary for the 
        incidence of such medical conditions and other 
        explanations for the incidence of such conditions as 
        the Secretary considers reasonable; and
          (5) the views of the Secretary on the scientific 
        validity of drawing conclusions from the incidence of 
        such medical conditions, as evidenced by the data 
        compiled under subsection (a), regarding any 
        association between such conditions and exposure to a 
        toxic substance.

SEC. 6. ANALYSIS RELATING TO MORTALITY OF VETERANS WHO SERVED IN 
                    SOUTHWEST ASIA.

  (a) Analysis.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of 
        Defense, shall conduct an updated analysis of total and 
        respiratory disease mortality in covered veterans.
          (2) Elements.--The analysis required by paragraph (1) 
        shall include, to the extent practicable, the following 
        with respect to each covered veteran:
                  (A) Metrics of airborne exposures.
                  (B) The location and timing of deployments of 
                the veteran.
                  (C) The military occupational specialty of 
                the veteran.
                  (D) The Armed Force in which the veteran 
                served.
                  (E) Pre-existing health status of the 
                veteran, including with respect to asthma.
                  (F) Relevant personal information of the 
                veteran, including cigarette and e-cigarette 
                smoking history, diet, sex, gender, age, race, 
                and ethnicity.
  (b) Covered Veteran Defined.--In this section, the term 
``covered veteran'' means any veteran who--
          (1) on or after August 2, 1990, served on active duty 
        in--
                  (A) Bahrain;
                  (B) Iraq;
                  (C) Kuwait;
                  (D) Oman;
                  (E) Qatar;
                  (F) Saudi Arabia;
                  (G) Somalia; or
                  (H) the United Arab Emirates; or
          (2) on or after September 11, 2001, served on active 
        duty in--
                  (A) Afghanistan;
                  (B) Djibouti;
                  (C) Egypt;
                  (D) Jordan;
                  (E) Lebanon;
                  (F) Syria; or
                  (G) Yemen.

SEC. 7. STUDY ON HEALTH TRENDS OF POST 9/11 VETERANS.

  The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct an 
epidemiological study on the health trends of veterans who 
served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001.

SEC. 8. STUDY ON CANCER RATES AMONG VETERANS.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
conduct a study on the incidence of cancer in veterans to 
determine trends in the rates of the incidence of cancer in 
veterans.
  (b) Elements.--The study required by subsection (a) shall 
assess, with respect to each veteran included in the study, the 
following:
          (1) The age of the veteran.
          (2) The period of service and length of service of 
        the veteran in the Armed Forces.
          (3) The military occupational specialty or 
        specialties of the veteran.
          (4) The gender of the veteran.
          (5) The type or types of cancer that the veteran has.

SEC. 9. PUBLICATION OF LIST OF RESOURCES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                    AFFAIRS FOR VETERANS EXPOSED TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES 
                    AND OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR SUCH VETERANS AND 
                    CAREGIVERS AND SURVIVORS OF SUCH VETERANS.

  (a) Publication of List of Resources.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, and annually 
        thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        publish a list of resources of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs for--
                  (A) veterans who were exposed to toxic 
                substances;
                  (B) families and caregivers of such veterans; 
                and
                  (C) survivors of such veterans who are 
                receiving death benefits under the laws 
                administered by the Secretary.
          (2) Update.--The Secretary shall periodically update 
        the list published under paragraph (1).
  (b) Outreach.--The Secretary shall develop, with input from 
the community, an informative outreach program for veterans on 
illnesses that may be related to exposure to toxic substances, 
including outreach with respect to benefits and support 
programs.

SEC. 10. REPORT ON INDIVIDUAL LONGITUDINAL EXPOSURE RECORD.

  (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date on 
which the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record achieves full 
operational capability, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on 
the data quality of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record 
and the usefulness of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure 
Record in supporting veterans in receiving health care and 
benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
          (1) An identification of exposures to toxic 
        substances that may not be fully captured by the 
        current systems for environmental and occupational 
        health monitoring and recommendations for how to 
        improve those systems.
          (2) An analysis of the quality of the location data 
        in determining exposures of veterans to toxic 
        substances and recommendations for how to improve the 
        quality of that location data.
          (3) Recommendations on how to improve the usefulness 
        of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record.
  (c) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
        means--
                  (A) the Committee on Armed Services and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                Representatives; and
                  (B) the Committee on Armed Services and the 
                Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate.
          (2) The term ``Individual Longitudinal Exposure 
        Record'' includes any pilot program or other program 
        used by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the 
        Department of Defense to track how members of the Armed 
        Forces or veterans have been exposed to various 
        occupational or environmental hazards.
                              ----------                              


6. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Brownley of California 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 14, after line 19, insert the following:

SEC. 105. REVISION OF BREAST CANCER MAMMOGRAPHY POLICY OF DEPARTMENT OF 
                    VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PROVIDE MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENING 
                    FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED IN LOCATIONS ASSOCIATED 
                    WITH TOXIC EXPOSURE.

  (a) In General.--Section 7322 of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended--
          (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``The'' and 
        inserting ``In General.--The'';
          (2) in subsection (b)--
                  (A) by striking ``The'' and inserting 
                ``Standards for Screening.--The''; and
                  (B) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting ``a 
                record of service in a location and during a 
                period specified in subsection (d),'' after 
                ``risk factors,''; and
          (3) by adding at the end the following new 
        subsections:
  ``(c) Eligibility for Screening for Veterans Exposed to Toxic 
Substances.--The Under Secretary for Health shall ensure that, 
under the policy developed under subsection (a), any veteran 
who, during active military, naval, or air service, was 
deployed in support of a contingency operation in a location 
and during a period specified in subsection (d), is eligible 
for a mammography screening by a health care provider of the 
Department.
  ``(d) Locations and Periods Specified.--(1) The locations and 
periods specified in this subsection are the following:
          ``(A) Iraq during following periods:
                  ``(i) The period beginning on August 2, 1990, 
                and ending on February 28, 1991.
                  ``(ii) The period beginning on March 19, 
                2003, and ending on such date as the Secretary 
                determines burn pits are no longer used in 
                Iraq.
          ``(B) The Southwest Asia theater of operations, other 
        than Iraq, during the period beginning on August 2, 
        1990, and ending on such date as the Secretary 
        determines burn pits are no longer used in such 
        location, including the following locations:
                  ``(i) Kuwait.
                  ``(ii) Saudi Arabia.
                  ``(iii) Oman.
                  ``(iv) Qatar.
          ``(C) Afghanistan during the period beginning on 
        September 11, 2001, and ending on such date as the 
        Secretary determines burn pits are no longer used in 
        Afghanistan.
          ``(D) Djibouti during the period beginning on 
        September 11, 2001, and ending on such date as the 
        Secretary determines burn pits are no longer used in 
        Djibouti.
          ``(E) Syria during the period beginning on September 
        11, 2001, and ending on such date as the Secretary 
        determines burn pits are no longer used in Syria.
          ``(F) Jordan during the period beginning on September 
        11, 2001, and ending on such date as the Secretary 
        determines burn pits are no longer used in Jordan.
          ``(G) Egypt during the period beginning on September 
        11, 2001, and ending on such date as the Secretary 
        determines burn pits are no longer used in Egypt.
          ``(H) Lebanon during the period beginning on 
        September 11, 2001, and ending on such date as the 
        Secretary determines burn pits are no longer used in 
        Lebanon.
          ``(I) Yemen during the period beginning on September 
        11, 2001, and ending on such date as the Secretary 
        determines burn pits are no longer used in Yemen.
          ``(J) Such other locations and corresponding periods 
        as set forth by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit 
        Registry established under section 201 of the Dignified 
        Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 
        2012 (Public Law 112-260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note).
          ``(K) Such other locations and corresponding periods 
        as the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary 
        of Defense, may determine appropriate in a report 
        submitted under paragraph (2).
  ``(2) Not later than two years after the date of the 
enactment of the Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans In 
Combat Environments Act of 2021, and not less frequently than 
once every two years thereafter, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, shall 
submit to Congress a report specifying other locations and 
corresponding periods for purposes of paragraph (1)(K).
  ``(3) A location under this subsection shall not include any 
body of water around or any airspace above such location.
  ``(4) In this subsection, the term `burn pit' means an area 
of land that is used for disposal of solid waste by burning in 
the outdoor air.''.
  (b) Report on Breast Cancer Rates for Veterans Deployed to 
Certain Areas.--Not later than two years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
Representatives a report that compares the rates of breast 
cancer among members of the Armed Forces deployed to the 
locations and during the periods specified in section 7322(d) 
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), as 
compared to members of the Armed Forces who were not deployed 
to those locations during those periods and to the civilian 
population.
                              ----------                              


     7. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Cartwright of 
         Pennsylvania or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 61, after line 20, insert the following:
  (c) Veterans Organizations.--To the extent practicable, the 
Secretary shall share with national veterans service 
organizations and other veterans groups, including such 
organizations and groups that improve access by veterans to 
health care and benefits, the list of resources under 
subsection (a) and the outreach program under subsection (b).
                              ----------                              


 8. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Gibbs of Ohio or His 
                   Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 15, line 2, insert ``and Other Matters'' after 
``Service''.
  Page 17, after line 6, insert the following new section:

SEC. 112. AUTHORIZATION PERIOD FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT IN NON-
                    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITIES.

  Section 1703(a)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
          (1) by striking ``A covered veteran'' and inserting 
        ``(A) Except as provided by subparagraph (B), a covered 
        veteran''; and
          (2) by adding at the end the following new 
        subparagraph:
  ``(B) In the case of an emergency which existed at the time 
of admission of a covered veteran to a health care provider, 
the Secretary shall deem the care or services received by the 
veteran during such admission to be authorized under 
subparagraph (A) if the covered veteran (or an individual 
acting on behalf of the covered veteran) makes an application 
for such authorization during the period following such 
admission that the Secretary determines appropriate for 
purposes of this paragraph, except such period may not be less 
than 96 hours.''.
                              ----------                              


9. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Golden of Maine or His 
                   Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 6, line 5, insert ``(including mental health services 
and counseling)'' after ``hospital care''.
  Page 6, line 11, insert ``(including mental health services 
and counseling)'' after ``hospital care''.
  Page 6, line 17, insert ``(including mental health services 
and counseling)'' after ``hospital care''.
  Page 50, line 14, insert ``(including mental health services 
and counseling)'' after ``hospital care''.
                              ----------                              


  10. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Gottheimer of New 
            Jersey or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  At the end of title V, insert the following:

SEC. 507. STUDY ON TOXIC EXPOSURE AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES.

  (a) Study Required.--The Secretary of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs shall enter into an agreement with the 
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for 
the conduct of a study of veterans to assess possible 
relationships between toxic exposures experienced during 
service in the Armed Forces and mental health outcomes, 
including chronic multisymptom illness, traumatic brain injury, 
post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, psychosis, suicide 
attempts, and suicide deaths.
  (b) Elements.--For each veteran included in the study under 
subsection (a), the following information shall be collected 
and assessed:
          (1) Age.
          (2) Gender.
          (3) Race and ethnicity.
          (4) Period and length of service in the Armed Forces.
          (5) History of toxic exposure during service in the 
        Armed Forces.
          (6) Any diagnosis of chronic multisymptom illness.
          (7) Any diagnosis of a mental health or cognitive 
        disorder.
          (8) Any history of suicide attempt or suidcidality.
          (9) If the veteran died by suicide.
  (c) Report.--Not later than two years after the date after 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives a report containing the findings of the study 
conducted under subsection (a).
                              ----------                              


  11. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Gottheimer of New 
            Jersey or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 61, line 20, insert after the period the following: 
``Information distributed under the outreach program shall be 
treated as a fact sheet of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
for purposes of making the information available in multiple 
languages pursuant to section 2 of the Veterans and Family 
Information Act (Public Law 117-62; 38 U.S.C. 6303 note).''.
                              ----------                              


 12. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Hartzler of Missouri 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Add at the end of title VII the following new sections:

SEC. 7__. NON-APPLICABILITY OF NON-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
                    COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE TO APPOINTMENT OF VETERANS 
                    HEALTH ADMINISTRATION PERSONNEL.

  (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 74 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:

``Sec. 7414. Effect of non-Department covenants not to compete

  ``(a) Non-Applicability.--Except as provided in subsection 
(b), in the case of an individual who is an applicant for 
appointment to a position in the Veterans Health Administration 
described in section 7401 of this title, any covenant not to 
compete into which the individual has entered with a non-
Department facility or party shall have no force or effect with 
respect to the appointment of the individual to such a 
position.
  ``(b) Service Obligation.--(1) Any individual who is 
appointed to such a position in the Veterans Health 
Administration shall, as a condition of such appointment, agree 
to provide clinical services at a Department medical facility 
for the duration of the period described in paragraph (2).
  ``(2) The period described in this paragraph is the period 
that begins on the date on which an individual is appointed to 
such a position and ends on the latter of the following dates:
          ``(A) The date that is one year after such date of 
        appointment.
          ``(B) The date of the termination of any covenant not 
        to compete entered into between the individual and a 
        non-Department facility or party.
  ``(3) The Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph 
(1) with respect to an individual at the discretion of the 
Secretary.
  ``(c) Termination of Department Employment.--In the case of 
an individual who is appointed to such a position in the 
Veterans Health Administration who has entered into a covenant 
not to compete that is rendered non-applicable pursuant to 
subsection (a), if the individual's employment at the Veterans 
Health Administration is terminated for any reason before the 
specified termination date of such covenant, subsection (a) 
shall not apply with respect to such covenant after the date of 
the termination of the individual's employment at the Veterans 
Health Administration.
  ``(d) Covenant Not To Compete.--In this section, the term 
`covenant not to compete' means an agreement--
          ``(1) between an employee and employer or a 
        contractor and principal that restricts such employee 
        or contractor from performing--
                  ``(A) any work for another employer for a 
                specified period of time;
                  ``(B) any work in a specified geographical 
                area; or
                  ``(C) work for another employer performing 
                work that is similar to the work such employee 
                or contractor performed for the employer or 
                principal, included as a party to the 
                agreement; and
          ``(2) that is entered into after the date of 
        enactment of this Act.''.
  (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 7413 the following new item:

``7414. Effect of non-Department covenants not to compete.''.

SEC. 7__. RECRUITMENT OF PHYSICIANS ON A CONTINGENT BASIS PRIOR TO 
                    COMPLETION OF TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.

  Section 7402 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
          (1) in subsection (b)(1)--
                  (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) 
                by inserting ``or to be offered an appointment 
                to such position on a contingent basis under 
                subsection (h)'' after ``position''; and
                  (B) by striking subparagraph (B) and 
                inserting the following:
          ``(B)(i) have completed a residency leading to board 
        eligibility in a specialty, satisfactory to the 
        Secretary; or
          ``(ii) with respect to an offer for an appointment on 
        a contingent basis under subsection (h), complete such 
        a residency by not later than two years after the date 
        of such offer; and''; and
          (2) by adding at the end the following new 
        subsection:
  ``(h)(1) The Secretary may appoint an individual under 
subsection (b)(1) on a contingent basis in accordance with this 
subsection if the Secretary reasonably anticipated that the 
individual will have completed the requirements for appointment 
under such subsection (b)(1) by not later than two years after 
the date on which the individual is so appointed.
  ``(2) An individual who is appointed to a position on a 
contingent basis under paragraph (1) shall be appointed to such 
position on a permanent basis if, by not later than two years 
after the date of the contingent appointment, the individual 
completes all the requirements for appointment under subsection 
(b)(1).
  ``(3) An individual who is appointed on a contingent basis 
under paragraph (1) who fails to complete the requirements for 
appointment under subsection (b)(1) by not later than two years 
after the date on which the individual is so appointed may not 
be appointed to such position on a permanent basis.''.
                              ----------                              


 13. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Jackson Lee of Texas 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 74, after line 19, insert the following new subsection:
  (c) Report on National Guard Use of ILER.--Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report on the feasibility of modifying the 
Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record to ensure that a member 
of the National Guard who is deployed in the United States in 
connection with a natural disaster, without regard to duty 
status (including any duty under title 10 or title 32, United 
States Code, or State active duty), may record information 
regarding a suspected exposure by the member to toxic 
substances during such deployment.
                              ----------                              


 14. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Levin of Michigan or 
                 His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 19, line 11, insert ``, including mental and physical 
health'' after ``individual''.
                              ----------                              


15. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Levin of California or 
                 His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Add at the end of title VII the following new section:

SEC. 7__. AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO AWARD GRANTS 
                    TO STATES TO IMPROVE OUTREACH TO VETERANS.

  (a) In General.--Chapter 63 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended--
          (1) by redesignating sections 6307 and 6308 and 
        sections 6308 and 6309, respectively; and
          (2) by inserting after section 6306 the following new 
        section 6307:

``Sec. 6307. Grants to States to improve outreach to veterans

  ``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to provide 
for assistance by the Secretary to States to carry out programs 
that--
          ``(1) improve outreach and assistance to veterans and 
        the spouses, children, and parents of veterans, to 
        ensure that such individuals are fully informed about 
        any veterans and veterans-related benefits and programs 
        (including State veterans programs) for which they may 
        be eligible; and
          ``(2) facilitate opportunities for such individuals 
        to receive competent, qualified services in the 
        preparation, presentation, and prosecution of veterans 
        benefits claims.
  ``(b) Authority.--The Secretary may award grants to States--
          ``(1) to carry out, coordinate, improve, or otherwise 
        enhance outreach activities;
          ``(2) to increase the number of county or tribal 
        veterans service officers serving in the State by 
        hiring new, additional such officers; or
          ``(3) to expand, carry out, coordinate, improve, or 
        otherwise enhance existing programs, activities, and 
        services of the State's existing organization that has 
        been recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        pursuant to section 5902, in the preparation, 
        presentation, and prosecution of claims for veterans 
        benefits through representatives who hold positions as 
        county or Tribal veterans service officers.
  ``(c) Application.--(1) To be eligible for a grant under this 
section, a State shall submit to the Secretary an application 
therefor at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require.
  ``(2) Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall 
include the following:
          ``(A) A detailed plan for the use of the grant.
          ``(B) A description of the programs through which the 
        State will meet the outcome measures developed by the 
        Secretary under subsection (i).
          ``(C) A description of how the State will distribute 
        grant amounts equitably among counties (or Tribal 
        lands, as the case may be) with varying levels of 
        urbanization.
          ``(D) A plan for how the grant will be used to meet 
        the unique needs of American Indian or Alaska Native 
        veterans, elderly veterans, women veterans, and 
        veterans from other underserved communities.
  ``(d) Distribution.--The Secretary shall seek to ensure that 
grants awarded under this section are equitably distributed 
among States with varying levels of urbanization.
  ``(e) Priority.--The Secretary shall prioritize awarding 
grants under this section that will serve the following areas:
          ``(1) Areas with a critical shortage of county or 
        tribal veterans service officers.
          ``(2) Areas with high rates of--
                  ``(A) suicide among veterans; or
                  ``(B) referrals to the Veterans Crisis Line.
  ``(f) Use of County or Tribal Veterans Service Officers.--A 
State that receives a grant under this section to carry out an 
activity described in subsection (b)(1) shall carry out the 
activity through--
          ``(1) a county or Tribal veterans service officer of 
        the State; or
          ``(2) if the State does not have a county or tribal 
        veterans service officer, or if the county or Tribal 
        veterans service officers of the State cover only a 
        portion of that State, an appropriate entity of a 
        State, local, or Tribal government, or another publicly 
        funded entity, as determined by the Secretary.
  ``(g) Required Activities.--Any grant awarded under this 
section shall be used--
          ``(1) to expand existing programs, activities, and 
        services;
          ``(2) to hire and maintain new, additional county or 
        Tribal veterans service officers; or
          ``(3) for travel and transportation to facilitate 
        carrying out paragraph (1) or (2).
  ``(h) Other Permissible Activities.--A grant under this 
section may be used to provide education and training, 
including on-the-job training, for State, county, local, and 
tribal government employees who provide (or when trained will 
provide) veterans outreach services in order for those 
employees to obtain and maintain accreditation in accordance 
with procedures approved by the Secretary.
  ``(i) Outcome Measures.--(1) The Secretary shall develop and 
provide to each State that receives a grant under this section 
written guidance on the following:
          ``(A) Outcome measures.
          ``(B) Policies of the Department.
  ``(2) In developing outcome measures under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary shall consider the following goals:
          ``(A) Increasing the use of veterans and veterans-
        related benefits, particularly among vulnerable 
        populations.
          ``(B) Increasing the number of county and tribal 
        veterans service officers recognized by the Secretary 
        for the representation of veterans under chapter 59 of 
        this title.
  ``(j) Tracking Requirements.--(1) With respect to each grant 
awarded under this section, the Secretary shall track the use 
of veterans benefits among the population served by the grant, 
including the average period of time between the date on which 
a veteran or other eligible claimant applies for such a benefit 
and the date on which the veteran or other eligible claimant 
receives the benefit, disaggregated by type of benefit.
  ``(2) Not less frequently than annually during the life of 
the grant program established under this section, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report on--
          ``(A) the information tracked under paragraph (1);
          ``(B) how the grants awarded under this section serve 
        the unique needs of American Indian or Alaska Native 
        veterans, elderly veterans, women veterans, and 
        veterans from other underserved communities; and
          ``(C) other information provided by States pursuant 
        to the grant reporting requirements.
  ``(k) Performance Review.--(1) The Secretary shall--
          ``(A) review the performance of each State that 
        receives a grant under this section; and
          ``(B) make information regarding such performance 
        publicly available.
  ``(l) Remediation Plan.--(1) In the case of a State that 
receives a grant under this section and does not meet the 
outcome measures developed by the Secretary under subsection 
(i), the Secretary shall require the State to submit a 
remediation plan under which the State shall describe how and 
when it plans to meet such outcome measures.
  ``(2) The Secretary may not award a subsequent grant under 
this section to a State described in paragraph (1) unless the 
Secretary approves the remediation plan submitted by the State.
  ``(m) Maximum Amount.--The amount of a grant awarded under 
this section may not exceed 10 percent of amounts made 
available for grants under this section for the fiscal year in 
which the grant is awarded.
  ``(n) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Any grant awarded under this 
section shall be used to supplement and not supplant State and 
local funding that is otherwise available.
  ``(o) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary for each of fiscal years 
2023 through 2027, $50,000,000 to carry out this section.
  ``(p) Definitions.--In this section:
          ``(1) The term `county or tribal veterans service 
        officer' includes a local equivalent veterans service 
        officer.
          ``(2) The term `State' includes each Indian Tribe, 
        the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 
        and any territory or possession of the United States.
          ``(3) The term `Veterans Crisis Line' means the toll-
        free hotline for veterans established under section 
        1720F(h) of this title.''.
  (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
beginning of chapter 63 of such title is amended by striking 
the items relating to sections 6307 and 6308 and inserting the 
following new items:

``6307. Grants to States to improve outreach to veterans.
``6308. Outreach for eligible dependents.
``6309. Biennial report to Congress.''.

  (c) Authorization of Additional Full-time Equivalent 
Employee.--During fiscal years 2023 through 2027, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs may hire an additional full-time equivalent 
employee in the Office of the General Counsel of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs, as compared to the number of full-time 
equivalent employees that would otherwise be authorized for 
such office, to carry out duties under the accreditation, 
discipline, and fees program.
                              ----------                              


16. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Newman of Illinois or 
                 Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Add at the end of title VII the following new section:

SEC. 7__. STUDY AND REPORT ON HERBICIDE AGENT EXPOSURE IN PANAMA CANAL 
                    ZONE.

  (a) Study.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study on 
the exposure of members of the Armed Forces to herbicide 
agents, including Agent Orange and Agent Purple, in the Panama 
Canal Zone during the period beginning on January 1, 1958, and 
ending on December 31, 1999.
  (b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report on the study conducted under subsection (a).
                              ----------                              


    17. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Pappas of New 
          Hampshire or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 65, after line 22, insert the following:

SEC. 605. GUIDELINES FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY ON POTENTIAL RISKS AND 
                    PREVENTION OF TOXIC EXPOSURES.

  Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall jointly coordinate and establish 
guidelines to be used during training of members of the Armed 
Forces serving on active duty to provide the members awareness 
of the potential risks of toxic exposures and ways to prevent 
being exposed during combat.
                              ----------                              


  18. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Plaskett of Virgin 
           Islands or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  At the end of title V, add the following:

SEC. 506. STUDY ON VETERANS IN TERRITORIES OF THE UNITED STATES.

  (a) GAO Study.--
          (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the 
        United States shall conduct a study on the state of 
        access and barriers to benefits and services furnished 
        under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs to veterans in Territories of the United 
        States, including deficits in the availability and 
        accessibility of such benefits and services compared to 
        veterans elsewhere in the United States.
          (2) Elements.--The study under paragraph (1) shall 
        include--
                  (A) the number of veterans in each Territory 
                of the United States;
                  (B) the number of veterans in each Territory 
                who are enrolled in the system of annual 
                patient enrollment of the Department of 
                Veterans Affairs under section 1705(a) of title 
                38, United States Code;
                  (C) the number of veterans in each Territory 
                who are eligible for services under section 
                1710 of such title but who are not enrolled as 
                described in subparagraph (B);
                  (D) a detailed description of obstacles 
                facing veterans in each Territory in accessing 
                health care services, including those involving 
                the availability of such services to veterans 
                in the Territory in which the veterans reside, 
                and the distance required of veterans to 
                journey to receive services at a regional 
                medical center of the Veterans Health 
                Administration, a community-based outpatient 
                clinic, or other full-service medical facility 
                of the Department, or death center, 
                respectively;
                  (E) a detailed description of obstacles 
                facing veterans in each Territory in accessing 
                readjustment counseling services, including 
                those involving the availability of such 
                services to veterans in the Territory in which 
                the veterans reside, and the distance required 
                of veterans to journey to receive services at a 
                readjustment counseling services center of the 
                Department;
                  (F) a detailed description of obstacles 
                facing veterans in each Territory in accessing 
                other veterans benefits, including those 
                involving the availability of benefits and 
                services to veterans in the Territory in which 
                the veterans reside, and the distance required 
                of the veterans to journey to the nearest 
                office of the Veterans Benefits Administration;
                  (G) an analysis of the staffing and 
                recordkeeping levels and quality of the offices 
                of the Department charged with serving veterans 
                in the Territories, including the availability 
                of the full- and part-time staff of each office 
                to the veterans they are charged with serving, 
                and the continuity of care provided by such 
                staff to such veterans;
                  (H) an analysis of the availability of the 
                Veterans Community Care Program established 
                under section 1703 of title 38, United States 
                Code, to veterans in each Territory;
                  (I) an analysis of the economic and health 
                consequences for veterans in each Territory 
                resulting from obstacles to accessing adequate 
                assistance and health care at facilities of the 
                Department;
                  (J) an analysis of the access to assistance 
                and health care provided to veterans in the 
                aftermath of major disasters declared in each 
                of the Territories since September 4, 2017; and
                  (K) recommendations for improving access of 
                veterans in the Territories to benefits and 
                services furnished by the Secretary, and 
                reducing barriers and deficits in the 
                availability and accessibility of such benefits 
                and services compared to veterans elsewhere in 
                the United States.
  (b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to Congress a final report setting forth 
the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), 
including the recommendations developed under paragraph (2)(K) 
of such subsection.
  (c) Territory Defined.--In this section, the term 
``Territory'' includes American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin 
Islands.
                              ----------                              


 19. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Porter of California 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Add at the end of title V the following new section:

SEC. 507. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PUBLIC WEBSITE FOR TOXIC 
                    EXPOSURE RESEARCH.

  (a) Website.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish, and maintain thereafter, a publically accessible 
internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs that 
serves as a clearinghouse for the publication of all toxic 
exposure research carried out or funded by the executive branch 
of the Federal Government.
  (b) Relation to War Related Illness and Injury Study 
Center.--The website developed and maintained under subsection 
(a) shall be housed under the website of the War Related 
Illness and Injury Study Center of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, or successor center.
  (c) Coordination.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall coordinate with--
          (1) the heads of each Federal department or agency 
        carrying out or funding toxic exposure research;
          (2) the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center 
        of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or successor 
        center; and
          (3) any working group of the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs or other similar entity responsible for 
        coordinating toxic exposure research.
  (d) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) The term ``toxic exposure'' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 101 of title 38, United States 
        Code, as added by section 102(b).
          (2) The term ``toxic exposure research'' means 
        research on the health consequences of toxic exposures 
        experienced during service in the Armed Forces.
                              ----------                              


20. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Ross of North Carolina 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 67, after line 10, insert the following:
          (1) Initial report.--Not later than one year after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
        Defense shall submit to Congress a report regarding the 
        following:
                  (A) Sources of PFAS on military installations 
                other than AFFF.
                  (B) Any recommendation of the Secretary 
                regarding whether to expand eligibility for the 
                registry to individuals exposed to sources of 
                PFAS described in subparagraph (A).
  Page 67, line 11, strike ``(1) initial'' and insert ``(2) 
Interim''.
  Page 68, line 3, strike ``(2)'' and insert ``(3)''.
  Page 68, line 14, strike ``(3)'' and insert ``(4)''.
                              ----------                              


21. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Ruiz of California or 
                 His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  At the end of title VII, insert the following:

SEC. 707. BUDGET INFORMATION FOR ALTERNATIVES TO BURN PITS.

  The Secretary of Defense shall include in the budget 
submission of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31, 
United States Code, for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027, 
a dedicated budget line item for incinerators and waste-to-
energy waste disposal alternatives to burn pits.
                              ----------                              


22. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Ruiz of California or 
                 His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  At the end of title VII, insert the following:

SEC. 707. BURN PIT REGISTRY UPDATES.

  (a) Individuals Eligible to Update.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs shall take actions necessary to ensure 
        that the burn pit registry may be updated with the 
        cause of death of a deceased registered individual by--
                  (A) an individual designated by such deceased 
                registered individual; or
                  (B) if no such individual is designated, an 
                immediate family member of such deceased 
                registered individual.
          (2) Designation.--The Secretary shall provide, with 
        respect to the burn pit registry, a process by which a 
        registered individual may make a designation for 
        purposes of paragraph (1)(A).
  (b) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) The term ``burn pit registry'' means the registry 
        established under section 201 of the Dignified Burial 
        and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 
        (Public Law 112-260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note).
          (2) The term ``immediate family member'', with 
        respect to a deceased individual, means--
                  (A) the spouse, parent, brother, sister, or 
                adult child of the individual;
                  (B) an adult person to whom the individual 
                stands in loco parentis; or
                  (C) any other adult person--
                          (i) living in the household of the 
                        individual at the time of the death of 
                        the individual; and
                          (ii) related to the individual by 
                        blood or marriage.
          (3) The term ``registered individual'' means an 
        individual registered with the burn pit registry.
                              ----------                              


 23. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Ryan of Ohio or His 
                   Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  At the end of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 707. BURN PIT TRANSPARENCY.

  (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``SFC 
Heath Robinson Burn Pit Transparency Act''.
  (b) Notifications and Reports Regarding Reported Cases of 
Burn Pit Exposure.--
          (1) Quarterly notifications.--
                  (A) In general.--On a quarterly basis, the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
                the appropriate congressional committees a 
                report on each reported case of burn pit 
                exposure by a covered veteran reported during 
                the previous quarter.
                  (B) Elements.--Each report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include, with respect to 
                each reported case of burn pit exposure of a 
                covered veteran included in the report, the 
                following:
                          (i) Notice of the case, including the 
                        medical facility at which the case was 
                        reported.
                          (ii) Notice of, as available--
                                  (I) the enrollment status of 
                                the covered veteran with 
                                respect to the patient 
                                enrollment system of the 
                                Department of Veterans Affairs 
                                under section 1705(a) of title 
                                38, United States Code;
                                  (II) a summary of all health 
                                care visits by the covered 
                                veteran at the medical facility 
                                at which the case was reported 
                                that are related to the case;
                                  (III) the demographics of the 
                                covered veteran, including age, 
                                sex, and race;
                                  (IV) any non-Department of 
                                Veterans Affairs health care 
                                benefits that the covered 
                                veteran receives;
                                  (V) the Armed Force in which 
                                the covered veteran served and 
                                the rank of the covered 
                                veteran;
                                  (VI) the period in which the 
                                covered veteran served;
                                  (VII) each location of an 
                                open burn pit from which the 
                                covered veteran was exposed to 
                                toxic airborne chemicals and 
                                fumes during such service;
                                  (VIII) the medical diagnoses 
                                of the covered veteran and the 
                                treatment provided to the 
                                veteran; and
                                  (IX) whether the covered 
                                veteran is registered in the 
                                Airborne Hazards and Open Burn 
                                Pit Registry.
                  (C) Protection of information.--The Secretary 
                shall ensure that the reports submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) do not include the identity of 
                covered veterans or contain other personally 
                identifiable data.
          (2) Annual report on cases.--
                  (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days 
                after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
                and annually thereafter, the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the 
                Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the 
                appropriate congressional committees a report 
                detailing the following:
                          (i) The total number of covered 
                        veterans.
                          (ii) The total number of claims for 
                        disability compensation under chapter 
                        11 of title 38, United States Code, 
                        approved and the total number denied by 
                        the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with 
                        respect to a covered veteran, and for 
                        each such denial, the rationale of the 
                        denial.
                          (iii) A comprehensive list of--
                                  (I) the conditions for which 
                                covered veterans seek 
                                treatment; and
                                  (II) the locations of the 
                                open burn pits from which the 
                                covered veterans were exposed 
                                to toxic airborne chemicals and 
                                fumes.
                          (iv) Identification of any illnesses 
                        relating to exposure to open burn pits 
                        that formed the basis for the Secretary 
                        to award benefits, including 
                        entitlement to service connection or an 
                        increase in disability rating.
                          (v) The total number of covered 
                        veterans who died after seeking care 
                        for an illness relating to exposure to 
                        an open burn pit.
                          (vi) Any updates or trends with 
                        respect to the information described in 
                        clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) 
                        that the Secretary determines 
                        appropriate.
                  (B) Matters included in first report.--The 
                Secretary shall include in the first report 
                under paragraph (1) information specified in 
                paragraph (1)(B) with respect to reported cases 
                of burn pit exposure made during the period 
                beginning January 1, 1990, and ending on the 
                day before the date of the enactment of this 
                Act.
          (3) Information regarding the airborne hazards and 
        open burn pit registry.--
                  (A) Notice.--The Secretary of Veterans 
                Affairs shall ensure that a medical 
                professional of the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs informs a veteran of the Airborne 
                Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry if the 
                veteran presents at a medical facility of the 
                Department for treatment that the veteran 
                describes as being related to, or ancillary to, 
                the exposure of the veteran to toxic airborne 
                chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits.
                  (B) Display.--In making information public 
                regarding the number of participants in the 
                Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, 
                the Secretary shall display such numbers by 
                both State and by congressional district.
          (4) Comptroller general report.--Not later than 180 
        days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
        Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 
        to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
        containing an assessment of the effectiveness of any 
        memorandum of understanding or memorandum of agreement 
        entered into by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with 
        respect to--
                  (A) the processing of reported cases of burn 
                pit exposure; and
                  (B) the coordination of care and provision of 
                health care relating to such cases at medical 
                facilities of the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs and at non-Department facilities.
          (5) Definitions.--In this section:
                  (A) The term ``Airborne Hazards and Open Burn 
                Pit Registry'' means the registry established 
                by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under 
                section 201 of the Dignified Burial and Other 
                Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 
                (Public Law 112-260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note).
                  (B) The term ``appropriate congressional 
                committees'' means--
                          (i) the Committee on Veterans' 
                        Affairs and the Committee on Armed 
                        Services of the Senate; and
                          (ii) The Committee on Veterans' 
                        Affairs and the Committee on Armed 
                        Services of the House of 
                        Representatives.
                  (C) The term ``covered veteran'' means a 
                veteran who presents at a medical facility of 
                the Department of Veterans Affairs (or in a 
                non-Department facility pursuant to section 
                1703 or 1703A of title 38, United States Code) 
                for treatment that the veteran describes as 
                being related to, or ancillary to, the exposure 
                of the veteran to toxic airborne chemicals and 
                fumes caused by open burn pits at any time 
                while serving in the Armed Forces.
                  (D) The term ``open burn pit'' has the 
                meaning given that term in section 201(c) of 
                the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' 
                Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law 
                112-260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note).
                  (E) The term ``reported case of burn pit 
                exposure'' means each instance in which a 
                veteran presents at a medical facility of the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs (or in a non-
                Department facility pursuant to section 1703 or 
                1703A of title 38, United States Code) for 
                treatment that the veteran describes as being 
                related to, or ancillary to, the exposure of 
                the veteran to toxic airborne chemicals and 
                fumes caused by open burn pits at any time 
                while serving in the Armed Forces.
                              ----------                              


      24. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Scanlon of 
         Pennsylvania or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Add at the end of title VII the following new section:

SEC. 7__. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR EXPANSION OF CLAIMS 
                    AUTOMATION.

  There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 to continue 
the modernization and expansion of capabilities and capacity of 
the Veterans Benefits Management System of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs to support expected increased claims 
processing for newly eligible veterans pursuant to this Act and 
the amendments made by this Act.
                              ----------                              


25. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Slotkin of Michigan or 
                 Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Strike section 501 and insert the following:

SEC. 501. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON TOXIC EXPOSURE RESEARCH.

  (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:

``Sec. 7330D. Interagency working group on toxic exposure research

  ``(a) Establishment.--(1) The Secretary shall establish the 
Toxic Exposure Research Working Group (in this section referred 
to as the `Working Group').
  ``(2) The Working Group shall consist of employees, selected 
by the Secretary, of the following:
          ``(A) The Department.
          ``(B) The Department of Defense.
          ``(C) The Department of Health and Human Services.
          ``(D) The Environmental Protection Agency.
          ``(E) Other Federal entities involved in research 
        activities regarding the health consequences of toxic 
        exposures experienced during active military, naval, 
        air, or space service.
  ``(b) Functions.--The Working Group shall perform the 
following functions:
          ``(1) Identify collaborative research activities and 
        resources available among entities represented by 
        members of the Working Group to conduct such 
        collaborative research activities.
          ``(2) Develop a 5-year strategic plan for Federal 
        entities represented in the Working Group to carry out 
        collaborative research activities.
  ``(c) Reporting.--The Secretary shall submit, to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives, the following:
          ``(1) Not later than one year after the date of the 
        enactment of the Act, a report on the establishment of 
        the Working Group under subsection (a).
          ``(2) Not later than two years after the date of 
        enactment of the Act, a report containing the 
        collaborative research activities identified, and the 
        Strategic Plan developed, by the Working Group, under 
        subsection (b).
          ``(3) Annually during the 5-year period covered by 
        the strategic plan under subsection (b), a progress 
        reports on implementation of the Strategic Plan under 
        subsection (b).
  ``(d) Termination.--The Working Group shall terminate after 
submitting the final report under subsection (c).
  ``(e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
          ``(1) The term `Act' means the Honoring our Promise 
        to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021.
          ``(2) The term `collaborative research activity' 
        means a research activity--
                  ``(A) conducted by an entity represented by a 
                member of the Working Group;
                  ``(B) funded by the Federal Government; and
                  ``(C) regarding the health consequences of 
                toxic exposures experienced during active 
                military, naval, air, or space service.''.
  (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
beginning of such subchapter is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 7330C the following new item:

``7330D. Interagency working group on toxic exposure research.''.

  (c) Implementation.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
establish the Working Group under section 7330D of such title, 
as added by subsection (a), not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act
                              ----------                              


26. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Spanberger of Virginia 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Add at the end of title V the following new section:

SEC. 5__. BIENNIAL REPORT ON HEALTH EFFECTS OF JET FUELS USED BY ARMED 
                    FORCES.

  Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, and biennially thereafter during the subsequent 
eight-year period, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate, and make publicly available, a 
report that includes--
          (1) a discussion of the effect of various different 
        types of jet fuels used by the Armed Forces on the 
        health of individuals by length of exposure;
          (2) an identification of the immediate symptoms of 
        jet fuel exposure that may indicate future health 
        risks;
          (3) a chronology of health safeguards implemented by 
        the Armed Forces intended to reduce the exposure of 
        members of the Armed Foces to jet fuel; and
          (4) an identification of any areas relating to jet 
        fuel exposure about which new research needs to be 
        conducted.
                              ----------                              


 27. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Torres of California 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 61, after line 15, insert the following:
          ``(3) Languages.--The Secretary shall publish the 
        list under paragraph (1) in languages including the 
        following:
                  ``(A) English.
                  ``(B) Spanish.
                  ``(C) Chinese.
                  ``(D) The seven other most commonly spoken 
                languages in the United States.''.
                              ----------                              


 28. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Torres of California 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 55, line 14, strike ``veterans to'' and insert 
``veterans, to''.
  Page 55, line 16, strike ``veterans.'' and insert ``veterans, 
and on available early detection diagnostics, to determine the 
feasibility and advisability of including such diagnostics as 
part of the health care furnished to veterans by the 
Secretary.''.