[Senate Report 117-16]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


117th Congress       }                          {              Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session         }                          {              117-16

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



 
 LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES DURING THE 116TH CONGRESS BY THE 
                 SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS

                                _______
                                

                 April 19, 2021--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

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

                              R E P O R T

    Pursuant to paragraph 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules 
of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs (hereinafter, 
``Committee'') submits its report on legislative and oversight 
activities during the 116th Congress.

                        I. HEARINGS AND MEETINGS

A. First Session (2019)
    During the First Session of the 116th Congress, the 
Committee held 12 hearings. At those events, the Committee 
heard testimony from 68 witnesses.
    One hearing (May 22) focused exclusively on legislation 
pending before the Committee. Testimony offered at this hearing 
covered 17 bills.
    The Committee held three business meetings, including two 
meetings to discharge nominations.
    The Committee held five joint hearings with the House 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs in order to receive legislative 
presentations from veterans service organizations. These 
hearings were held on February 26, February 27, March 6, March 
7, and March 12.
B. Second Session (2020)
    During the Second Session of the 116th Congress, the 
Committee held 13 hearings. At the hearings, the Committee 
heard testimony from 67 witnesses.
    The Committee held four business meetings, including one 
meeting to discharge nominations.
    On January 29, 11 measures were ordered favorably reported 
out of the Committee; on March 12, one measure was ordered 
favorably reported out of the Committee; on August 5, 12 
measures were ordered favorably reported out of the Committee; 
on September 23, two measures were ordered reported favorably 
out of the Committee.
    The Committee held five joint hearings with the House 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs in order to receive legislative 
presentations from veterans service organizations. These 
hearings were held on February 25, February 26, March 3, March 
4, and March 11.
C. List of Hearings and Meetings Held in the 116th Congress
    (1) Thursday, February 7, 2019
    Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider the Rules of 
Procedure of the Veterans' Affairs Committee for the 116th 
Congress and a Resolution Authorizing the Expenditures of the 
Committee for the 116th Congress

    (2) Tuesday, February 26, 2019
    Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive 
the Legislative Presentation of Disabled American Veterans
    (3) Wednesday, February 27, 2019
    Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive 
the Legislative Presentation of The American Legion
    (4) Wednesday, March 6, 2019
    Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive 
the Legislative Presentation of Veterans of Foreign Wars
    (5) Thursday, March 7, 2019
    Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive 
the Legislative Presentation of Multiple Veterans Service 
Organizations (AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Vietnam 
Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, 
Student Veterans of America, American Ex-Prisoners of War, and 
Wounded Warrior Project)

    (6) Tuesday, March 12, 2019
    Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive 
the Legislative Presentation of Multiple Veterans Service 
Organizations (National Association of State Directors of 
Veterans Affairs, Fleet Reserve Association, Gold Star Wives of 
America, Blinded Veterans Association, Jewish War Veterans of 
the United States of America, Military Order of the Purple 
Heart, and Military Officers Association of America.

    (7) Wednesday, March 13, 2019
    Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Pending Nomination

     John Lowry III, of the Illinois, to be Assistant 
Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, 
Department of Labor

    (8) Tuesday, March 26, 2019
    Hearing: Fiscal Year 2020 Budget for Veterans' Programs and 
Fiscal Year 2021 Advance Appropriations Request

    (9) Wednesday, April 10, 2019
    Hearing: VA MISSION Act: Implementing the Veterans 
Community Care Program
    (10) Thursday, May 16, 2019

    Nomination Hearing: Pending Nomination

     James M. Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs

    (11) Wednesday, May 22, 2019

    Legislative Hearing: Pending Legislation

         S.123, Ensuring Quality Care for Our Veterans 
        Act
         S.221, Department of Veterans Affairs Provider 
        Accountability Act
         S.318, VA Newborn Emergency Treatment Act
         S.450, Veterans Improved Access and Care Act 
        of 2019
         S.514, Deborah Sampson Act
         S.524, Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal 
        Advisory Committee Act of 2019
         S.711, Care and Readiness Enhancement for 
        Reservists Act of 2019
         S.746, Department of Veterans Affairs Website 
        Accessibility Act of 2019
         S.785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans 
        Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019
         S.805, Veteran Debt Fairness Act of 2019
         S.850, Highly Rural Veteran Transportation 
        Program Extension Act
         S.857, a bill to amend title 38, United States 
        Code, to increase the amount of special pension for 
        Medal of Honor recipients, and for other purposes.
         S.980, Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 
        2019
         S.1101, Better Examiner Standards and 
        Transparency for Veterans Act of 2019
         S.1154, Department of Veterans Affairs 
        Electronic Health Record Advisory Committee Act
         S.1563, Janey Ensminger Act of 2019
         S.2811, a bill to amend title 38, United 
        States Code, to extend the authority of the Secretary 
        of Veterans Affairs to continue to pay educational 
        assistance or subsistence allowances to eligible 
        persons when educational institutions are temporarily 
        closed, and for other purposes

    (12) Wednesday, June 5, 2019

    Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Pending Nominations

     James M. Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs

    (13) Wednesday, June 19, 2019
    Hearing: Harnessing the Power of Community: Leveraging 
Veteran Networks to Tackle Suicide

    (14) Wednesday, September 25, 2019
    Hearing: Toxic Exposure: Examining the VA's Presumptive 
Disability Decision-Making Process

    (15) Wednesday, November 6, 2019
    Nomination Hearing: Pending Nominations

     Scott J. Laurer, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the 
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

     Grant C. Jaquith, of New York, to be a Judge of 
the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

    (16) Wednesday, January 29, 2020

    Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Legislation and a 
Nomination Pending before the Committee

         S.785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans 
        Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (Committee 
        Print)
         S.2336, Department of Veterans Affairs 
        Information Technology Reform Act
         S.2864, Sergeant Daniel Somers Veterans 
        Network Support Act of 2019 (Committee Print)
         S.524, Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal 
        Advisory Committee Act of 2019
         S.2594, Veterans' Preference Parity Act
         S.850, Highly Rural Veteran Transportation 
        Program Extension Act (Committee Print)
         S.3110, Identifying Barriers and Best 
        Practices Study Act of 2019
         S.123, Ensuring Quality Care for Our Veterans 
        Act
         S.450, Veterans Improved Access and Care Act 
        of 2019 (Committee Print)
         S.3182, Helping Expand and Launch Transitional 
        Health for Women Veterans Act
         Grant Jaquith, to be a Judge of the United 
        States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

    (17) Wednesday, February 5, 2020
    Hearing: VA MISSION Act: Update on the Implementation of 
the Community Care Network

    (18) Tuesday, February 25, 2020
    Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive 
the Legislative Presentation of Disabled American Veterans

    (19) Wednesday, February 26, 2020

    Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive 
the Legislative Presentation of Multiple Veterans Service 
Organizations (Wounded Warrior Project, Blinded Veterans 
Association, National Association of State Directors of 
Veterans Affairs, Jewish War Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of 
America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and AMVETS)

    (20) Tuesday, March 3, 2020

    Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive 
the Legislative Presentation of Multiple Veterans Service 
Organizations (American Ex-Prisoners of War, Paralyzed Veterans 
of America, Student Veterans of America, Gold Star Wives of 
America, Military Officers Association of America, Fleet 
Reserve Association, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of 
America)

    (21) Wednesday, March 4, 2020
    Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive 
the Legislative Presentation of Veterans of Foreign Wars

    (22) Wednesday, March 11, 2020

    Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive 
the Legislative Presentation of The American Legion

    (23) Thursday, March 12, 2020

    Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Pending Nomination

         Scott J. Laurer, of Virginia, to be a Judge of 
        the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

    (24) Wednesday, June 3, 2020

    Hearing: Review of the fiscal year Budget and fiscal year 
Advance Appropriations Request and Oversight of CARES Act 
Supplemental Appropriations for the Department of Veterans 
Affairs

    (25) Tuesday, June 9, 2020
    Hearing: Building a More Resilient VA Supply Chain

    (26) Wednesday, July 1, 2020
    Hearing: Recruiting, Retention, and Building a Resilient 
Veterans Health Care Workforce

    (27) Wednesday, July 29, 2020

    Hearing: VA Telehealth During and Beyond COVID-19: 
Challenges and Opportunities in Rural America

    (28) Wednesday, August 5, 2020

    Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Legislation Pending 
before the Committee

         S.3282, Protecting Business Opportunities for 
        Veterans Act of 2020
         S.2558, Nursing Home Care for Native American 
        Veterans Act
         S.3643, VA Mission Telehealth Clarification 
        Act
         S.2950, Veterans Burn Pits Exposure 
        Recognition Act of 2019 (Committee Print)
         S.4384, K2 Veterans Advocacy Act of 2020
         S.4393, Toxic Exposure in the American 
        Military Act of 2020 (Committee Print)
         S.711, CARE for Reservists Act of 2019
         S.332, Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act of 
        2019 (Committee Print)
         S.805, Veteran Debt Fairness Act of 2019 
        (Committee Print)
         S.514, The Deborah Sampson Act (Committee 
        Print)
         S.629, Accountability in Department of 
        Veterans Affairs Scheduling and Consult Management Act 
        (Committee Print)
         S.2216, TEAM Veteran Caregiver Act (Committee 
        Print)
         S.4511, Veteran Benefits Enhancement and 
        Expansion Act of 2020
         S.3235, Veterans Posttraumatic Growth Act

    (29) Wednesday, September 9, 2020

    Hearing: S.785: Leading the Way to Comprehensive Mental 
Health Care and Suicide Prevention for Veterans

    (30) Wednesday, September 23, 2020

    Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Legislation Pending 
before the Committee

         S.4393, Toxic Exposure in the American 
        Military Act of 2020 (Committee Print)
         S.4511, Veteran Benefits Enhancement and 
        Expansion Act of 2020 (Committee Print)
    (31) Wednesday, October 21, 2020

    Hearing: VA MISSION Act: Assessing Progress Implementing 
Title I

    (32) Wednesday, December 9, 2020

    Hearing: VA's Response to COVID-19 across the VA Enterprise

                            II. LEGISLATION

A. First Session (2019)
    During the First Session, the Committee discharged by 
unanimous consent numerous pieces of legislation, as follows:

         S.49, a bill to designate the outstation of 
        the Department of Veterans Affairs in North Ogden, 
        Utah, as the Major Brent Taylor Vet Center Outstation, 
        was discharged by the Committee on February 5, 2019, by 
        unanimous consent and passed the Senate the same day 
        without amendment. It was signed into law as Public Law 
        116-10 on March 21, 2019.
         H.R. 2196, a bill to reduce the credit hour 
        requirement for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM 
        Scholarship program of the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs, was discharged by the Committee by unanimous 
        consent on July 25, 2019 and passed the Senate by voice 
        vote on the same day without amendment. It was signed 
        into law as Public Law 116-36 on July 31, 2019.
         H.R. 2334, a bill to designate the Department 
        of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic 
        in Odessa, Texas, as the ``Wilson and Young Medal of 
        Honor VA Clinic,'' was discharged by the Committee on 
        November 21, 2019, by unanimous consent and passed the 
        Senate the same day without amendment. It was signed 
        into law as Public Law 116-87 on December 13, 2019.
         S.900, a bill to designate the community-based 
        outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        in Bozeman, Montana, as the ``Travis W. Atkins 
        Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic,'' was discharged 
        by the Committee on November 21, 2019, by unanimous 
        consent and passed the Senate the same day without 
        amendment. It was signed into law as Public Law 116-262 
        on December 30, 2020.
         H.R. 1424, Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross 
        Memorial Act, passed the Senate by unanimous consent on 
        December 19, 2019, by unanimous consent. It was signed 
        into law as Public Law 116-106 on January 7, 2020.
         H.R. 2385, a bill to permit the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs to establish a grant program to 
        conduct cemetery research and produce educational 
        materials for the Veterans Legacy Program, was 
        discharged by the Committee on December 19, 2019, by 
        unanimous consent and passed the Senate the same day by 
        voice vote without amendment. It was signed into law as 
        Public Law 116-107 on January 17, 2020.
         S.2096, a bill to amend title 38, United 
        States Code, to authorize States and tribal 
        organizations that receive grants from the National 
        Cemetery Administration for establishment, expansion, 
        or improvement of a veterans' cemeteries to use amounts 
        of such grants for State and tribal organization 
        cemetery personnel to train at the training center of 
        the National Cemetery Administration, and for other 
        purposes, passed the Senate on December 19, 2019, with 
        amendment by voice vote.
         S.221, Department of Veterans Affairs Provider 
        Accountability Act, was discharged by the Committee on 
        December 19, 2019 and passed the Senate with an 
        amendment on the same day, by unanimous consent. During 
        the First Session, the Committee also advanced the 
        following bills without having the bills referred to 
        Committee:
         S.863, a bill to amend title 38, United States 
        Code, to clarify the grade and pay of podiatrists of 
        the Department of Veterans Affairs, passed the Senate 
        by unanimous consent on March 25, 2019, without 
        amendment. It was signed into law as Public Law 116-12 
        on April 8, 2019.
         S.1749, Protecting Affordable Mortgages for 
        Veterans Act of 2019, passed the Senate by unanimous 
        consent on June 5, 2019, without amendment. It was 
        signed into law as Public Law 116-33 on July 25, 2019.
         H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans 
        Act of 2019, passed the Senate by voice vote on June 
        12, 2019, without amendment. It was signed into law as 
        Public Law 116-23 on June 25, 2019.
         H.R. 1200, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
        Living Adjustment Act of 2019, passed the Senate by 
        unanimous consent on September 12, 2019, without 
        amendment. It was signed into law as Public Law 116-58 
        on September 26, 2019.
         H.R. 4285, Department of Veterans Affairs 
        Expiring Authorities Act of 2019, passed the Senate by 
        unanimous consent on September 23, 2019, without 
        amendment. It was signed into law as Public Law 116-61 
        on September 30, 2019.
         H.R. 2333, Support for Suicide Prevention 
        Coordinators Act, passed the Senate without amendment 
        on December 11, 2019, by a vote of 95-0. It was signed 
        into law as Public Law 116-96 on December 20, 2019.
         S.3147, Improving Safety and Security for 
        Veterans Act of 2019, passed the Senate on December 19, 
        2019, by unanimous consent. It was signed into law as 
        Public Law 116-212 on December 4, 2020.

    During the First Session, the Committee also incorporated 
provisions within the Committee's jurisdiction into broader 
legislation.
B. Second Session (2020)
    During the Second Session, the Committee met in open 
session on January 29, 2020, and ordered favorably reported ten 
pieces of legislation to the full Senate.
         S.785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans 
        Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, passed the 
        Senate with amendment on August 5, 2020, by voice vote. 
        It was signed into law as Public Law 116-171 on October 
        17, 2020.
         S.2336, Department of Veterans Affairs 
        Information Technology Reform Act, passed the Senate 
        without amendment on July 30, 2020, by unanimous 
        consent.
         S.2864, Sergeant Daniel Somers Veterans 
        Network Support Act of 2019, passed the Senate with 
        amendment on June 30, 2020, by unanimous consent.
         S.524, Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal 
        Advisory Committee Act of 2019. This measure was 
        ordered favorably reported by the Committee on January 
        29, 2020 without written report.
         S.2594, Veterans' Preference Parity Act. This 
        measure was ordered favorably reported by the Committee 
        on January 29, 2020 without written report.
         S.850, Highly Rural Veteran Transportation 
        Program Extension Act, passed the Senate with amendment 
        on July 30, 2020, by unanimous consent.
         S.3110, Identifying Barriers and Best 
        Practices Study Act of 2019. This measure was ordered 
        favorably reported by the Committee on January 29, 2020 
        without written report.
         S.123, Ensuring Quality Care for Our Veterans 
        Act, passed the Senate without amendment on June 30, 
        2020, by unanimous consent.
         S.450, Veterans Improved Access and Care Act 
        of 2019. This measure, as amended, was ordered 
        favorably reported by the Committee on January 29, 2020 
        without written report.
         S.3182, Helping Expand and Launch Transitional 
        Health for Women Veterans Act. This measure, as 
        amended, was ordered favorably reported by the 
        Committee on January 29, 2020 without written report.

    During the Second Session, the Committee met in open 
session on August 5, 2020, and ordered favorably reported ten 
pieces of legislation to the full Senate.
         S.3282, Protecting Business Opportunities for 
        Veterans Act of 2020. This measure was ordered 
        favorably reported, without amendment, by the Committee 
        on August 5, 2020, without written report.
         S.2558, Nursing Home Care for Native American 
        Veterans Act. This measure was ordered favorably 
        reported, without amendment, by the Committee on August 
        5, 2020, without written report. This bill was included 
        in H.R. 7105, The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. 
        Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 
        2020, which was signed into law as Public Law 116-315 
        on January 5, 2021.
         S.3643, VA Mission Telehealth Clarification 
        Act. This measure was ordered favorably reported, 
        without amendment, by the Committee on August 5, 2020, 
        without written report.
         S.2950, Veterans Burn Pits Exposure 
        Recognition Act of 2019. This measure was ordered 
        favorably reported, as amended, by the Committee on 
        August 5, 2020, without written report.
         S.4384, K2 Veterans Advocacy Act of 2020. This 
        measure was ordered favorably reported, without 
        amendment, by the Committee on August 5, 2020, without 
        written report.
         S.711, CARE for Reservists Act of 2019. This 
        measure was ordered favorably reported, without 
        amendment, by the Committee on August 5, 2020, without 
        written report. This bill was included in H.R. 6395, 
        the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
        2021, which was signed into law as Public Law 116-283 
        on January 1, 2021.
         S.332, Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act of 
        2019. This measure was ordered favorably reported, as 
        amended, by the Committee on August 5, 2020, without 
        written report.
         S.805, Veteran Debt Fairness Act of 2019. This 
        measure was ordered favorably reported, as amended, by 
        the Committee on August 5, 2020, without written 
        report.
         S.514, Deborah Sampson Act. This measure was 
        ordered favorably reported, as amended, by the 
        Committee on August 5, 2020, without written report. 
        This bill was included in H.R. 7105, The Johnny Isakson 
        and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and 
        Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, which was signed into 
        law as Public Law 116-315 on January 5, 2021.
         S.629, Accountability in Department of 
        Veterans Affairs Scheduling and Consult Management Act. 
        This measure was ordered favorably reported, as 
        amended, by the Committee on August 5, 2020, without 
        written report.
         S.2216, TEAM Veteran Caregiver Act. This 
        measure was ordered favorably reported, as amended, by 
        the Committee on August 5, 2020, without written 
        report, and passed the Senate on November 17, 2020. It 
        was signed into law as Public Law 116-278 on December 
        31, 2020.
         S.3235, Veterans Posttraumatic Growth Act. 
        This measure was ordered favorably reported, as 
        amended, by the Committee on August 5, 2020, without 
        written report.

    During the Second Session, the Committee met in open 
session on September 23, 2020, and ordered favorably reported 
two pieces of legislation to the full Senate.
         S.4393, Toxic Exposure in the American 
        Military Act of 2020. This measure was ordered 
        favorably reported, as amended, by the Committee on 
        September 23, 2020, without written report.
         S.4511, Veteran Benefits Enhancement and 
        Expansion Act of 2020. This measure was ordered 
        favorably reported, as amended, by the Committee on 
        September 23, 2020, without written report.
    During the Second Session, the Committee discharged 
numerous bills by unanimous consent, as follows:
         S.3084, a bill to amend title 38, United 
        States Code, to modify the limitation on pay for 
        certain high-level employees and officers of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs, was discharged by the 
        Committee on January 16, 2020, and passed the Senate by 
        unanimous consent on the same day. It was signed into 
        law as Public Law 116-146 on July 2, 2020.
         H.J. Res. 80, Approving the request of the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs for a waiver under 
        section 1703E(f) of title 38, United States Code, was 
        discharged by the Committee on February 11, 2020, and 
        passed the Senate by unanimous consent on the same day. 
        It was signed into law as Public Law 116-120 on March 
        3, 2020.
         H.R.4920, Department of Veterans Affairs 
        Contracting Preference Consistency Act of 2020, was 
        discharged by the Committee on March 12, 2020, and 
        passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous 
        consent on the same day. It was signed into law as 
        Public Law 116-155 on August 8, 2020.
         H.R.4771, VA Tele-Hearing Modernization Act, 
        was discharged by the Committee on March 26, 2020, and 
        passed the Senate by unanimous consent on the same day. 
        It was signed into law as Public Law 116-137 on April 
        10, 2020.
         S. 3637, a bill to amend the Servicemembers 
        Civil Relief Act to extend lease protections for 
        servicemembers under stop movement orders in response 
        to a local, national, or global emergency, and for 
        other purposes, was discharged by the Committee on June 
        10, 2020, and passed the Senate by unanimous consent on 
        the same day. It was signed into law as Public Law 116-
        158 on August 14, 2020.
         S.1646, a bill to designate the community-
        based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs in St. Augustine, Florida, as the ``Leo C. 
        Chase Jr. Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'', was 
        discharged by the Committee on September 17, 2020 and 
        passed the Senate with an amendment on the same day, by 
        unanimous consent. It was signed into law as Public Law 
        116-168 on October 13, 2020.
         S.4072, a bill to designate the clinic of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs in Bend, Oregon, as the 
        ``Robert D. Maxwell Department of Veterans Affairs 
        Clinic'' was discharged by the Committee on September 
        17, 2020, and passed the Senate by unanimous consent on 
        the same day. It was signed into law as Public Law 116-
        169 on October 13, 2020.
         S.1646, a bill to designate the community-
        based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs in St. Augustine, Florida, as the ``Leo C. 
        Chase Jr. Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'' was 
        discharged by the Committee on September 17, 2020, and 
        passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous 
        consent on the same day. It was signed into law as 
        Public Law 116-168 on October 13, 2020.
         H.R. 6168, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
        Living Adjustment Act of 2020 was discharged by the 
        Committee on September 24, 2020, and passed the Senate 
        by unanimous consent on the same day. It was signed 
        into law as Public Law 116-178 on October 20, 2020.
         H.R. 561, Protecting Business Opportunities 
        for Veterans Act of 2019, was discharged by the 
        Committee on September 30, 2020, and passed the Senate 
        by unanimous consent on the same day. It was signed 
        into law as Public Law 116-183 on October 30, 2020.
         H.R. 4183, Identifying Barriers and Best 
        Practices Study Act, was discharged by the Committee on 
        October 1, 2020, and passed the Senate by unanimous 
        consent on the same day. It was signed into law as 
        Public Law 116-187 on October 30, 2020.
         S.4460, State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care 
        Flexibility Act, was discharged by the Committee on 
        December 8, 2020 and passed the Senate without 
        amendment on the same day, by unanimous consent. This 
        bill was included in H.R. 7105, The Johnny Isakson and 
        David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits 
        Improvement Act of 2020, which was signed into law as 
        Public Law 116-315 on January 5, 2021.
         H.R. 7105, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, 
        M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act 
        of 2020, was discharged by the Committee on December 9, 
        2020 and passed the Senate with an amendment on the 
        same day. The Senate amendment incorporated all or 
        portions of the following 34 bills: H.R. 1271, H.R. 
        1947, H.R. 2109, H.R. 2398, H.R. 2787, H.R. 3608, H.R. 
        4312, H.R. 4477, H.R. 4532, H.R. 4908, H.R. 6018, H.R. 
        6140, H.R. 6589, H.R. 7009, H.R. 7287, H.R. 7584, H.R. 
        7811, H.R. 8076, H.R. 8415, H.R. 8426, H.R. 8483, H.R. 
        8813, S. 514, S. 1621, S. 2558, S. 2806, S. 2988, S. 
        3788, S. 3898, S. 4086, S. 4365, S. 4460, S. 4566, S. 
        4656, S. 4909. The bill was signed into law as Public 
        Law 116-315 on January 5, 2021.
         H.R. 4983, to designate the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in 
        Gilbert, Arizona, as the ``Staff Sergeant Alexander W. 
        Conrad Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic'' was 
        discharged by the Committee on December 10, 2020 and 
        passed the Senate by unanimous consent on the same day. 
        It was signed into law as Public Law 116-295 on January 
        5, 2021.
         H.R.7347, to designate the medical center of 
        the Department of Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor, 
        Michigan, as the ``Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. 
        Kettles Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
        Center'', was discharged by the Committee on December 
        10, 2020 and passed the Senate by unanimous consent the 
        same day. It was signed into law as Public Law 116-317 
        on January 5, 2021.
         H.R. 4356, Protecting Families of Fallen 
        Servicemembers Act, was discharged by the Committee on 
        December 15, 2020 and passed the Senate the same day, 
        by unanimous consent. It was signed into law as Public 
        Law 116-285 on January 5, 2021.

    During the Second Session, the Committee advanced the 
following bills without having the bills referred to Committee:

         S.3414, Major Medical Facility Authorization 
        Act of 2020, was introduced and passed the Senate by 
        unanimous consent on March 5, 2020. It was signed into 
        law as Public Law 116-144 on June 16, 2020.
         S.3503, a bill to authorize the Secretary of 
        Veterans Affairs to treat certain programs of education 
        converted to distance learning by reason of emergencies 
        and health-related situations in the same manner as 
        programs of education pursued at educational 
        institutions, and for other purposes, was introduced 
        and passed the Senate by unanimous consent on March 16, 
        2020. It was signed into law as Public Law 116-128 on 
        March 21, 2020.
         H.R.3504, Ryan Kules and Paul Benne Specially 
        Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019, passed the 
        Senate with an amendment on March 26, 2020, by 
        unanimous consent. It was signed into law as Public Law 
        116-154 on August 8, 2020.
         H.R.6322, Student Veteran Coronavirus Response 
        Act of 2020, passed the Senate without amendment on 
        April 21, 2020, by unanimous consent. It was signed 
        into law as Public Law 116-140 on April 28, 2020.
         S.3587, Department of Veterans Affairs Website 
        Accessibility Act of 2019, was introduced and passed 
        the Senate by unanimous consent on March 26, 2020. It 
        was signed into law as Public Law 116-213 on December 
        4, 2020.
         H.R.  12, Vet Center Eligibility Expansion 
        Act, passed the Senate without amendment on September 
        24, 2020, by unanimous consent. It was signed into law 
        as Public Law 116-176 on October 20, 2020.
         H.R.2372, Veterans' Care Quality Transparency 
        Act, passed the Senate without amendment on September 
        24, 2020, by unanimous consent. It was signed into law 
        as Public Law 116-177 on October 20, 2020.
         H.R.2359, Whole Veteran Act, passed the Senate 
        without amendment on October 1, 2020, by voice vote. It 
        was signed into law as Public Law 116-185 on October 
        30, 2020.
         H.R.8247, Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020, passed 
        the Senate without amendment on November 10, 2020, by 
        unanimous consent. It was signed into law as Public Law 
        116-214 on December 5, 2020.
    During the Second Session, the Committee also incorporated 
provisions within the Committee's jurisdiction into broader 
legislation.
C. Public Laws
    Senate Vehicle

    S. 49, a bill to designate the outstation of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs in North Ogden, Utah, as the Major Brent 
Taylor Vet Center Outstation, is Public Law 116-10.
    S. 785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health 
Care Improvement Act of 2019, is Public Law 116-171.
    S. 863, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
clarify the grade and pay of podiatrists of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, is Public Law 116-12.
    S. 900, a bill to designate the community-based outpatient 
clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Bozeman, 
Montana, as the ``Travis W. Atkins Department of Veterans 
Affairs Clinic'', is Public Law 116-262.
    S. 1646, a bill to designate the community-based outpatient 
clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Augustine, 
Florida, as the ``Leo C. Chase Jr. Department of Veterans 
Affairs Clinic'', is Public Law 116-168.
    S. 1749, Protecting Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act 
of 2019, is Public Law 116-33.
    S. 2216, TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act, is Public Law 116-
278.
    S. 3084, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
modify the limitation on pay for certain high-level employees 
and officers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is Public 
Law 116-146.
    S. 3147, Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act of 
2019, is Public Law 116-212.
    S. 1A 3414, Major Medical Facility Authorization Act of 
2020, is Public Law 116-144.
    S. 3503, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to treat certain programs of education converted to 
distance learning by reason of emergencies and health-related 
situations in the same manner as programs of education pursued 
at educational institutions, and for other purposes, is Public 
Law 116-128.
    S. 3587, Department of Veterans Affairs Website 
Accessibility Act of 2019, is Public Law 116-213.
    S. 3637, a bill to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief 
Act to extend lease protections for servicemembers under stop 
movement orders in response to a local, national, or global 
emergency, and for other purposes, is Public Law 116-158.
    S. 4072, a bill to designate the clinic of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs in Bend, Oregon, as the ``Robert D. Maxwell 
Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic'', is Public Law 116-169.
    House Vehicle
    H.R. 299, Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, is 
Public Law 116-23.
    H.R. 561, Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans 
Act of 2019, is Public Law 116-183.
    H.R. 1200, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment 
Act of 2019, is Public Law 116-58.
    H.R. 1424, Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act, 
is Public Law 116-106.
    H.R. 1A1812, Vet Center Eligibility Expansion Act, is 
Public Law 116-176.
    H.R. 1925, to designate the Manhattan Campus of the New 
York Harbor Health Care System of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs as the ``Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New York 
Harbor Health Care System'', is Public Law 116-331.
    H.R. 2196, to amend title 38, United States Code, to reduce 
the credit hour requirement for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM 
Scholarship program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is 
Public Law 116-36.
    H.R. 2333, Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act, 
is Public Law 116-96.
    H.R. 2334, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs 
community-based outpatient clinic in Odessa, Texas, as the 
``Wilson and Young Medal of Honor VA Clinic'', is Public Law 
116-87.
    H.R. 2359, Whole Veteran Act, is Public Law 116-185.
    H.R. 2372, Veterans' Care Quality Transparency Act, is 
Public Law 116-177.
    H.R. 2385, to permit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
establish a grant program to conduct cemetery research and 
produce educational materials for the Veterans Legacy Program, 
is Public Law 116-107.
    H.R. 13504, Ryan Kules and Paul Benne Specially Adaptive 
Housing Improvement Act of 2019, is Public Law 116-154.
    H.R. 4183, Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study 
Act, is Public Law 116-187.
    H.R. 4285, Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring 
Authorities Act of 2019, is Public Law 116-61.
    H.R. 4356, Protecting Families of Fallen Servicemembers 
Act, is Public Law 116-285.
    H.R. 4771, VA Tele-Hearing Modernization Act, is Public Law 
116-137.
    H.R. 4920, Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting 
Preference Consistency Act of 2020, is Public Law 116-155.
    H.R. 4983, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs 
community-based outpatient clinic in Gilbert, Arizona, as the 
``Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health 
Care Clinic'', is Public Law 116-295.
    H.R. 5023, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs 
community-based outpatient clinic in Youngstown, Ohio, as the 
``Carl Nunziato VA Clinic'', is Public Law 116-297.
    H.R. 6168, Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment 
Act of 2020, is Public Law 116-178.
    H.R. 6322, Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 
2020, is Public Law 116-140.
    H.R. 7105, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans 
Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, is Public Law 
116-315.
    H.R. 7347, to designate the medical center of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the 
``Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles Department of Veterans 
Affairs Medical Center'', is Public Law 116-317.
    H.R. 8247, Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020, is Public Law 116-
214.

                             III. OVERSIGHT

    In accordance with its mandate, the Committee engaged in 
oversight of VA health care facilities, VA regional offices, VA 
constructionsites, homeless program facilities, educational 
institutions, military facilities, employment program 
facilities, other entities within the Committee's jurisdiction, 
and entities that coordinate with VA in serving veterans. 
Summaries of various oversight activities follow.
A. First Session (2019)
    From March 21, 2019, to March 22, 2019, Committee majority 
and minority staff visited the Newark, New Jersey VA Regional 
Office (RO). They toured the facility and met with RO 
leadership to learn more about current operations and 
challenges, including implementing the Appeals Modernization 
Act. Staff also visited the War Related Illness and Injury 
Study Center (WRIISC) at the VA Medical Center in East Orange, 
New Jersey. Staff met with WRIISC leadership, Airborne Hazard 
and Burn Pit Center of Excellence staff, learned more about 
ongoing research and treatment of related health conditions, 
and toured the airborne hazards lab.
    From April 7, 2019, to April 10, 2019, Committee staff 
traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, as part of a bicameral 
delegation to conduct oversight at Cerner's headquarters. The 
purpose of the visit was to assess the progress of the VA's 
electronic health record modernization at the time of their 
fourth national-level workshop.
    On June 6, 2019, Minority Committee staff visited Helena 
and Great Falls, Montana for the roll out of the Veterans 
Community Care Program.
    From August 4, 2019, to August 9, 2019, a bicameral group 
of Committee staff traveled to Naples, Italy, as well as 
Ramstein and Wiesbaden, Germany to conduct congressional 
oversight of outside the contiguous United States Transition 
Assistance Programs (TAP) at Army, Air Force, and Navy 
installations. They toured Naples Fleet and Family Services, 
Ramstien Air Base, and the United States Army Europe Command, 
received TAP overviews from various services, and did 
walkthroughs in TAP training classrooms to meet with 
transitioning Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors. They met with 
Army, Air Force, and Navy leadership regarding challenges 
specific to servicemembers transitioning out of the military 
from overseas locations. Majority and Minority Committee staff 
also conducted roundtable discussions with transitioning 
servicemembers to query current challenges associated with 
transition programs.
    From August 5, 2019, to August 8, 2019, Committee majority 
staff conducted oversight travel to Athens, Georgia, as well as 
Savannah, Georgia. In Athens, staff attended meetings at the 
University of Georgia's Student Veterans Resource Center, 
School of Social Work, Small Business Development Center and 
the Veterans Legal Clinic to learn about ongoing efforts to 
assist veterans in the local community. In Savannah, staff met 
with leadership from Fort Stewart--Hunter Army Airfield to 
review the base's programs for service members transitioning to 
civilian life.
    From August 5, 2019, to August 9, 2019, Committee staff 
from both House and Senate committees conducted oversight 
travel to Washington State. Staff visited the VA medical 
centers (VAMC) in Seattle and Spokane chosen for the initial 
go-live of the new electronic health record (EHR) system. These 
were the Seattle VAMC, American Lake VAMC, and Mann-Grandstaff 
VAMCs. Additionally, staff attended the local workshop for the 
electronic health record modernization in Sea-Tac. The purpose 
was to assess the status of preparations for the go-live of the 
new EHR at the three sites, at the time scheduled for March 
2020.
    From August 5, 2019, to August 8, 2019, Committee majority 
staff conducted oversight travel to Augusta, Atlanta, and 
Dublin, Georgia. Staff visited the medical centers in each 
city, as well as the Veterans Program at Emory Health Care. At 
each location, Committee staff discussed mental health care 
programs and key features of each facility's programs for 
veterans.
    From August 11, 2019, to August 13, 2019, Committee 
majority staff conducted oversight travel to Denver, Colorado, 
to the VA Denver Logistics Center and the Rocky Mountain VA 
medical center.
    From August 12, 2019, to August 16, 2019, Committee staff 
traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to participate in the United 
States Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Symposium. The 
purpose of attendance was to assess new TAP curriculum 
implementation from the perspective of front line leaders, 
including opportunities for spouses and family engagement. 
Committee staff gathered information on the implementation plan 
for upcoming congressionally mandated changes servicemembers 
and families will experience during their transition out of the 
military and how best to connect servicemembers to post-
separation goals.
    From August 12, 2019 to August 16, 2019, Committee majority 
and minority staff from both House and Senate committees 
conducted oversight travel to Montana. Staff visited the Fort 
Harrison VA Medical Center, the Missoula Community Based 
Outpatient Clinic, as well as clinics in Libby, Kalispell, Cut 
Bank, Havre, and Great Falls. Staff toured the facilities and 
spoke with VA staff and leadership with a specific focus on 
rural health and telehealth.
    From August 13, 2019, through August 15, 2019, Committee 
staff from both House and Senate committees conducted oversight 
travel to Chicago, Illinois, to the National Acquisition Center 
and the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center.
    From August 17, 2019, to August 18, 2019, Committee 
majority staff conducted oversight travel to Atlanta, Georgia, 
to the VA Medical Center and the VA regional office.
    From August 21, 2019 to August 23, 2019, Committee majority 
staff traveled to Houston, Texas. They visited the Michael E. 
DeBakey VA Medical Center, toured the facility, and met with 
leadership and staff about mental health, women's health, and 
community care. Staff also visited an organization that 
coordinates and connects veterans with community resources. In 
addition, staff toured the Houston West Vet Center and the 
Houston Southwest Vet Center and met with leadership about 
community outreach and suicide prevention efforts.
    From September 9, 2019 to September 12, 2019, Committee 
minority staff conducted at oversight visit to several VA 
facilities in Montana. The visit included stops at the Great 
Falls CBOC and future CBOC location for a tour and briefing on 
CBOC operations, staffing, and infrastructure needs. A visit to 
the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center campus outside of Helena 
for an executive team briefing, infrastructure briefings, tours 
of the grounds, and a meeting with the Chief of Police. A visit 
was conducted to the federally funded Southwest Montana State 
Veteran Home constructionsite in Butte as well as meetings with 
staff and a tour of the Bozeman CBOC slated for replacement. 
The visit concluded at the Billings Health Care Center for an 
executive team meeting, review of IT infrastructure needs, and 
a facility tour. Throughout the oversight visit staff collected 
information on staffing, infrastructure, IT, budget, and policy 
implementation topics across a wide range of VA subject areas.
B. Second Session (2020)
    From February 17, 2020 to February 20, 2020, Committee 
majority staff conducted oversight travel to Kansas. Staff 
visited Fort Riley and McConnell Air Force Base to observe the 
Transition Assistance Program as delivered by the Army and the 
Air Force. Staff also conducted oversight at the Wichita VA 
Regional Office, where they met with the director and other 
staff, and received updates on the Vocational Rehabilitation 
and Employment program and the office's community engagement 
efforts.

                            IV. NOMINATIONS

NOMINATIONS

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Date of       Date of        Date
                 Name and Position                   Nomination      Hearing      Reported      Date  Confirmed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
116th Congress, First Session
 
  John Lowry III Assistant Secretary of Labor for   January 16,            --     March 13,        November 21,
   Veterans' Employment and Training..............         2019                        2019                2019
  James Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary    April 29,       May 16,       June 5,       September 11,
   of Veterans Affairs............................         2019          2019          2019                2019
  Scott J. Laurer, of Virginia, to be a Judge of      September   November 6,     March 12,            July 23,
   the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans          19,          2019          2020                2020
   Claims.........................................         2019
  Grant C. Jaquith, of New York, to be a Judge of     September   November 6,   February 4,            July 23,
   the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans          19,          2019          2020                2020
   Claims.........................................         2019
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    V. BUDGET FOR VETERANS PROGRAMS

A. First Session (2019)
    Pursuant to the requirements of section 301(d) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, Chairman Isakson of the 
Committee submitted a letter to the Budget Committee reflecting 
the Committee's Views and Estimates on the Administration's 
proposed fiscal year 2020 budget for veterans' programs. The 
letter submitted is printed below in its entirety:


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B. Second Session (2020)
    Pursuant to the requirements of section 301(d) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, Chairman Moran submitted a 
letter to the Budget Committee reflecting the Committee's Views 
and Estimates on the Administration's proposed fiscal year 2021 
budget for veterans' programs. The letter submitted is printed 
below in its entirety:



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