[House Report 118-360]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


118th Congress }                                          { Report 
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2nd Session   }                                          { 118-360

======================================================================
 
                 VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION 
                             ADMINISTRATION ACT

                                _______
                                

January 29, 2024.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

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

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 3738]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 3738) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans 
Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for 
other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably 
thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill as 
amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Amendment........................................................     1
Purpose and Summary..............................................     4
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     5
Hearings.........................................................     6
Subcommittee Consideration.......................................     7
Committee Consideration..........................................     7
Committee Votes..................................................     7
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     7
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     7
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits.............................     8
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................     8
Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Estimate........     8
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................    10
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................    10
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................    10
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs.....................    11
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................    11
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported.............    12

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition Administration Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION 
                    ADMINISTRATION.

  (a) Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.--
          (1) In general.--Part V of title 38, United States Code, is 
        amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

      ``CHAPTER 80--VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION 
                             ADMINISTRATION

``Sec.
``8001. Organization of Administration.
``8002. Functions of Administration.
``8003. Annual report to Congress.

``Sec. 8001. Organization of Administration

  ``(a) Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.--
There is in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Economic 
Opportunity and Transition Administration. The primary function of the 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration is the 
administration of the programs of the Department that provide 
assistance related to economic opportunity to veterans and their 
dependents and survivors.
  ``(b) Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity and Transition.--The 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration is under 
the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition, 
who is directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of the 
Administration.

``Sec. 8002. Functions of Administration

  ``The Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration is 
responsible for the administration of the following programs of the 
Department:
          ``(1) Vocational rehabilitation and employment programs.
          ``(2) Educational assistance programs.
          ``(3) Veterans' housing loan and related programs.
          ``(4) The Transition Assistance Program under section 1144 of 
        title 10.
          ``(5) Any other program of the Department that the Secretary 
        determines appropriate.

``Sec. 8003. Annual report to Congress

  ``The Secretary shall include in the annual report to the Congress 
required by section 529 of this title a report on the programs 
administered by the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition. Each such report shall include the following with 
respect to each such program during the fiscal year covered by that 
report:
          ``(1) The number of claims received.
          ``(2) The number of claims decided.
          ``(3) The average processing time for a claim.
          ``(4) The number of successful outcomes (as determined by the 
        Secretary).
          ``(5) The number of full-time equivalent employees.
          ``(6) The amounts expended for information technology.''.
          (2) Clerical amendments.--The tables of chapters at the 
        beginning of title 38, United States Code, and of part V of 
        title 38, United States Code, are each amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to chapter 79 the following new item:

``80.  Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition             8001''.
                            Administration.

  (b) Effective Date.--Chapter 80 of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by subsection (a), shall take effect on October 1, 2024.
  (c) Full-Time Employees.--For fiscal years 2024 and 2025, the total 
number of full-time equivalent employees authorized for the Veterans 
Benefits Administration and the Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition Administration, as established under chapter 80 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), may not exceed--
          (1) 34,228 in fiscal year 2024; and
          (2) 35,417 in fiscal year 2025.
  (d) Labor Rights.--Any labor rights, inclusion in the bargaining 
unit, and collective bargaining agreement that affects an employee of 
the Department of Veterans Affairs who is transferred to the Veterans 
Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, as established 
under chapter 80 of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
subsection (a), shall apply in the same manner to such employee after 
such transfer.

SEC. 3. UNDER SECRETARY FOR VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND 
                    TRANSITION.

  (a) Under Secretary.--
          (1) In general.--Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, 
        is amended by inserting after section 306 the following new 
        section:

``Sec. 306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
                    Transition

  ``(a) Under Secretary.--There is in the Department an Under Secretary 
for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition, who is appointed by 
the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition shall 
be appointed without regard to political affiliation or activity and 
solely on the basis of demonstrated ability in--
          ``(1) information technology; and
          ``(2) the administration of programs within the Veterans 
        Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration or programs 
        of similar content and scope.
  ``(b) Responsibilities.--The Under Secretary for Veterans Economic 
Opportunity and Transition is the head of, and is directly responsible 
to the Secretary for the operations of, the Veterans Economic 
Opportunity and Transition Administration.
  ``(c) Vacancies.--(1) Whenever a vacancy in the position of Under 
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition occurs or is 
anticipated, the Secretary shall establish a commission to recommend 
individuals to the President for appointment to the position.
  ``(2) A commission established under this subsection shall be 
composed of the following members appointed by the Secretary:
          ``(A) Three persons representing education and training, 
        vocational rehabilitation, employment, real estate, mortgage 
        finance and related industries, and survivor benefits 
        activities affected by the Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
        Transition Administration.
          ``(B) Two persons representing veterans served by the 
        Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.
          ``(C) Two persons who have experience in the management of 
        private sector benefits programs of similar content and scope 
        to the economic opportunity and transition programs of the 
        Department.
          ``(D) The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
          ``(E) The chairman of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on 
        Education formed under section 3692 of this title.
          ``(F) One person who has held the position of Under Secretary 
        for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition, if the 
        Secretary determines that it is desirable for such person to be 
        a member of the commission.
  ``(3) A commission established under this subsection shall recommend 
at least three individuals for appointment to the position of Under 
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition. The 
commission shall submit all recommendations to the Secretary. The 
Secretary shall forward the recommendations to the President and the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives with any comments the Secretary considers appropriate. 
Thereafter, the President may request the commission to recommend 
additional individuals for appointment.
  ``(4) The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs who performs personnel management and labor relations 
functions shall serve as the executive secretary of a commission 
established under this subsection.''.
          (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
        item relating to section 306 the following new item:

``306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition.''.

  (b) Conforming Amendments.--Title 38, United States Code, is further 
amended--
          (1) in section 306(c)(2), by striking subparagraphs (A) and 
        (E) and redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (F), as 
        subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;
          (2) in section 317(d)(2), by inserting after ``Under 
        Secretary for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under Secretary 
        for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition,'';
          (3) in section 318(d)(2), by inserting after ``Under 
        Secretary for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under Secretary 
        for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition,'';
          (4) in section 516(e)(2)(C), by striking ``Health and the 
        Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, the 
        Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for 
        Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
          (5) in section 541(a)(2)(B), by striking ``Health and the 
        Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, the 
        Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for 
        Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
          (6) in section 542(a)(2)(B)(iii), by striking ``Health and 
        the Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, the 
        Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for 
        Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
          (7) in section 544(a)(2)(B)(vi), by striking ``Health and the 
        Under Secretary for Benefits'' and inserting ``Health, the 
        Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Under Secretary for 
        Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition'';
          (8) in section 709(c)(2)(A), by inserting after ``Under 
        Secretary for Benefits,'' the following: ``the Under Secretary 
        for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition,'';
          (9) in section 7701(a), by inserting after ``assistance'' the 
        following: ``, other than assistance related to Economic 
        Opportunity and Transition,''; and
          (10) in section 7703, by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and 
        redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (2) and (3), 
        respectively.
  (c) Effective Date.--Section 306A of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by subsection (a), and the amendments made by this section, shall 
take effect on October 1, 2024.

SEC. 4. TRANSFER OF SERVICES.

  (a) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
of Representatives a report on the progress toward establishing the 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, as 
established under section 8001 of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by section 2, and the transition of the provision of services to 
veterans by such Administration.
  (b) Certification.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not 
transfer the function of providing any services to veterans to the 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, as 
established under section 8001 of title 38, United States Code, as 
added by section 2, until the Secretary submits to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives 
certification that--
          (1) the transition of the provision of services to such 
        Administration will not negatively affect the provision of such 
        services to veterans; and
          (2) such services are ready to be transferred.
  (c) Deadline for Certification.--The Secretary shall submit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
Representatives the certification required by subsection (b)--
          (1) no earlier than April 1, 2024; and
          (2) no later than September 1, 2024.
  (d) Failure To Certify.--If the Secretary fails to submit the 
certification required by subsection (b) by the date specified in 
subsection (c)(2), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
that includes--
          (1) the reason why the certification was not made by such 
        date; and
          (2) the estimated date when the certification will be made.

SEC. 5. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.

  The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States 
Code, is amended by striking ``November 15, 2031'' each place it 
appears and inserting ``November 30, 2031''.

                          Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 3738, the ``Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition Administration Act,'' was introduced by Rep. Brad 
Wenstrup of Ohio on May 25, 2023. The bill, as amended, would 
create another administration within the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA) to provide support and assistance related to 
economic opportunities for veterans, their dependents, and 
survivors. Veterans' rehabilitation and employment programs, 
educational assistance programs, the Transition Assistance 
Program, and veterans home loan programs would receive more 
focused attention and be managed more efficiently under the new 
administration and a new Under Secretary.
    The bill would also provide an offset for the cost of these 
changes by extending current rates for VA home loan funding 
fees.

                  Background and Need for Legislation


Section 1: Short Title

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Economic 
Opportunity and Transition Administration Act.''

Section 2: Establishment of Veteran Economic Opportunity and Transition 
        Administration

    This section would reorganize programs at VA to provide 
more support and attention to the missions and programs within 
VA that promote economic opportunities for veterans. 
Specifically, this section would establish a fourth 
administration, the Veterans Economic Opportunity, and 
Transition Administration, within the VA. This administration 
would oversee vocational rehabilitation programs, educational 
assistance programs, veterans' housing loans and related 
programs, the Transition Assistance Program, and any other 
programs deemed appropriate by the Secretary.
    VA would report annually to Congress on the number of 
claims received, the number of claims decided, the average 
processing time for a claim, the number of successful outcomes, 
the number of full-time equivalent employees, and the amounts 
expended for information technology. The Committee believes 
this would be crucial to provide the best services to our 
veterans by creating a singular administration within VA to 
support their educational and employment needs and the 
transitioning process. It would also increase transparency 
between VA and the Committee as the Committee pursues its 
oversight responsibilities. The Committee believes this would 
make VA more accountable and responsive to veterans' economic 
opportunity needs.
    In the past, VA has failed to respond promptly to issues 
related to veterans' education and employment opportunities. 
VA's Education Service has increased significantly in staff 
size from seventy-five to 231 over the last decade, but the 
quality-of-service veterans receive and issues the Committee 
must review have remained constant during the same time period. 
The passage of S. 3373, Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson 
Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 
2022 has also significantly increased workload for VA employees 
under VBA. Establishing a new administration that would 
separate compensation and pension benefits from economic 
benefits would give both parts of VBA greater accountability 
without significantly increasing bureaucracy.

Section 3: Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
        Transition

    Under this section the President would appoint the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Under Secretary for Veterans and 
Economic Opportunity and Transition. The section would 
authorize the creation of a commission to help advise the 
President for this new position. The commission would include 
individuals representing education and training, vocational 
rehabilitation, employment, real estate, mortgages, finances, 
education-related survivor benefits, and veteran liaisons 
whenever there is a vacancy in the position of the Under 
Secretary. The commission would make recommendations to the 
Secretary and the President on individuals to fill the vacancy. 
The Committee believes it is appropriate for the new 
administration at VA to be headed by a politically appointed 
Under Secretary.

Section 4: Transfer of Services

    VA would be required to report to the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and Senate on 
the progress toward establishing the Veterans Economic 
Opportunity and Transition Administration within 180 days of 
enactment of this legislation. The Secretary would also be 
required to certify to both Committees that the transition of 
the provision of services to such Administration will not 
negatively affect the provision of services to veterans and 
such services are ready to be transferred. The Committee 
believes that these safeguards would help ensure a smooth 
transition that would not sacrifice services provided to 
veterans. It is the intent of the Committee that all Veterans 
Benefits Administration employees that currently work on 
economic opportunity issues would be moved to the Economic 
Opportunity and Transition Administration. Additionally, the 
section would require an annual report on the number of claims 
received, which would help evaluate these programs' 
effectiveness.

Section 5: Modification of Certain Housing Loan Fees

    Currently, veterans who take advantage of the VA Home Loan 
Program pay a small fee that is included in their monthly 
mortgage payments. This section would cover the costs of this 
bill by extending the current rates for VA home loan funding 
fees by a few weeks to November 30, 2031, to account for both 
discretionary and mandatory costs of this legislation. 
Extending the funding fee increases a veteran's monthly cost by 
about $5 on top of the monthly mortgage. Disabled veterans do 
not pay the funding fee and would not be affected by this 
extension of the home loan fees. The Committee believes this 
short-term extension of current funding fee rates is a 
reasonable way to cover the costs associated with the other 
sections of this bill.

                                Hearings

    On November 2, 2023, the Subcommittee on Economic 
Opportunity held a legislative hearing on H.R. 3738 and other 
bills that were pending before the subcommittee.
    The following witnesses testified:
          Mr. Joseph Garcia, Executive Director of Education 
        Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Nick 
        Pamperin, Executive Director Veterans Readiness and 
        Employment Services, U.S. Department of Veterans 
        Affairs; Mr. James Ruhlman, Deputy Director of 
        Education Services, U.S. Department of Veterans 
        Affairs; Ms. Margarita Devlin, Deputy Assistant 
        Secretary for Operations and Management, U.S. 
        Department of Labor; Ms. Kristina Keenan, Deputy 
        Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of 
        Foreign Wars of the United States; Mr. Marquis 
        Barefield, Assistant National Legislative Director, 
        Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Tammy Barlet, Vice 
        President of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of 
        America; Mr. Joseph W. Wescott II, Legislative 
        Director, National Association of State Approving 
        Agencies, Inc., and Mr. Michael Hazard, Veterans in 
        Piping Program Manager, United Association of 
        Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and 
        Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.
    The following organizations submitted statements for the 
record:
          Commercial Vehicle Training Association, National 
        Association of State Workforce Agencies, The American 
        Legion, Veterans Education Project, and Veterans 
        Education Success.

                       Subcommittee Consideration

    On November 15, 2023, the Subcommittee on Economic 
Opportunity held a markup on the legislation included H.R. 
3738. There were no amendments to this bill. A motion was made 
by Mr. Levin to favorably forward H.R. 3738 to the full 
committee.

                        Committee Consideration

    On December 5, 2023, the full Committee met in open markup 
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 3738, as 
amended, be reported favorably to the House of Representatives 
by voice vote. During consideration of the bill, the following 
amendments were considered:
          An amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by 
        Chairman Bost would remove references to a program 
        under the jurisdiction of the Small Business 
        Administration. The amendment would also extend current 
        rates for VA home loan funding fees to pay for 
        mandatory and discretionary costs. The amendment in the 
        nature of a substitute, as amended, was approved by 
        voice vote.
    A motion by Ranking Member Takano to report H.R. 3738, as 
amended, favorably to the House of Representatives was agreed 
to by voice vote.

                            Committee Votes

    In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, no recorded votes were taken on 
amendments or in connection with ordering H.R. 3738, as 
amended, reported to the House.

                      Committee Oversight Findings

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of 
this report.

         Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee's performance 
goals and objectives of H.R. 3738, as amended, are to provide 
support and assistance related to economic opportunities for 
veterans, their dependents, and survivors and ensure that 
rehabilitation and employment programs, educational assistance, 
TAP, and veterans home loan programs would receive more focused 
attention and be managed more efficiently.

                  Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits

    H.R. 3738, as amended, does not contain any Congressional 
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as 
defined in clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives.

                        Committee Cost Estimate

    The Committee adopts as its own the Congressional Budget 
Office cost estimate on this measure.

           Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office 
                             Cost Estimate




    The bill would:
           Establish a new administration in the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to oversee programs 
        that provide education benefits, vocational training, 
        and home loan guarantees to veterans and service 
        members
           Extend the higher rates for fees that VA 
        charges borrowers for home loan guarantees
    Estimated budgetary effects would mainly stem from:
           Establishing the new administration
           Extending the higher fee rates charged by VA 
        for home loan guarantees
    Bill summary: H.R. 3738 would create a new administration 
in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to manage several of 
its current programs. The bill also would make changes to VA's 
home loan guarantee program.
    Estimated Federal cost: The estimated budgetary effects of 
H.R. 3738 are shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation 
fall within budget function 700 (veterans benefits and 
services).

                                                   TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF H.R. 3738
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
                                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     2024    2025    2026    2027    2028    2029    2030    2031    2032    2033   2024-2028  2024-2033
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            DECREASES (-) IN DIRECT SPENDING
 
Estimated Budget Authority........................       0       0       0       0       0       0       0       0     -36       0         0        -36
Estimated Outlays.................................       0       0       0       0       0       0       0       0     -36       0         0        -36
 
                                                     INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
 
Estimated Authorization...........................       1       9       7       7       7       7       7       8       8       8        31         69
Estimated Outlays.................................       1       6       7       7       7       7       7       8       8       8        28         66
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 
3738 would be enacted early in calendar year 2024 and that the 
provisions will take effect upon enactment or on the dates 
specified by the bill. CBO estimates that outlays will follow 
historical spending patterns for affected programs.
    Direct spending: The bill would extend the higher rates for 
fees that VA charges borrowers for its loan guarantees. VA 
provides loan guarantees to lenders that allow eligible 
borrowers to obtain better loan terms--such as lower interest 
rates or smaller down payments--to purchase, construct, 
improve, or refinance a home. VA typically pays lenders up to 
25 percent of the outstanding mortgage balance if a borrower's 
home is foreclosed upon. Those payments, net of fees paid by 
borrowers and recoveries by lenders, constitute the subsidy 
cost for the loan guarantees.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, the subsidy cost of 
a loan guarantee is the net present value of estimated payments by the 
government to cover defaults and delinquencies, interest subsidies, or 
other expenses offset by any payments to the government, including 
origination or other fees, penalties, and recoveries on defaulted 
loans. Such subsidy costs are calculated by discounting those expected 
cash flows using the rate on Treasury securities of comparable 
maturity. The resulting estimated subsidy costs are recorded in the 
budget when the loans are disbursed or modified. A positive subsidy 
indicates that the loan results in net outlays from the Treasury; a 
negative subsidy indicates that the loan results in net receipts to the 
Treasury.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Under current law, the rates for most of the fees that 
borrowers pay to VA for loans guaranteed after November 15, 
2031, will drop from a weighted average of about 2.4 percent to 
about 1.2 percent of the loan amount. H.R. 3738 would extend 
the higher rates through November 30, 2031, thereby reducing 
the subsidy cost of loans guaranteed during that period. Using 
information from VA, CBO estimates that extending the higher 
rates would decrease direct spending by $36 million over the 
2024-2033 period.
    Spending subject to appropriation: The bill would establish 
the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration 
(VEOTA) within VA. Beginning in fiscal year 2025, that new 
administration would take on responsibility for managing 
readjustment benefits (such as employment programs, education 
assistance, and vocational rehabilitation) and home loan 
guarantees. Currently those programs are managed by the 
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). Like VBA, the new 
administration would be led by an Under Secretary.
    CBO estimates that establishing and operating the new 
administration would cost $28 million over the 2024-2028 period 
and $66 million over the 2024-2033 period, subject to the 
appropriation of the estimated amounts. Most of those costs 
would stem from 20 additional employees that CBO estimates 
would be needed to support the new Under Secretary and to 
manage the daily operations of the new administration. (About 
4,600 VA employees oversee and carry out the benefit programs 
that would be administered by VEOTA under the bill. CBO expects 
that those personnel, along with the records, property, and 
budgetary resources currently used by VBA to manage those 
programs would be transferred to the new administration.)
    CBO expects that the administration would gradually hire 
those employees beginning in 2024, and that onetime costs 
associated with reorganization, relocation, and information 
technology needs would be incurred in 2025. By 2026, employee 
compensation and ongoing operating expenses would average about 
$7 million annually.
    Pay-As-You-Go considerations: The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go 
Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement 
procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or 
revenues. The net changes in outlays that are subject to those 
pay-as-you-go procedures are shown in Table 1 under the heading 
``Decreases (-) in Direct Spending.''
    Increase in long-term net direct spending and deficits: CBO 
estimates that enacting H.R. 3738 would not increase net direct 
spending or deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year 
periods beginning in 2034.
    Mandates: The bill contains no intergovernmental or 
private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Paul B.A. Holland (for 
home loans); Logan Smith (for VA administration); Mandates: 
Grace Watson.
    Estimate reviewed by: David Newman, Chief, Defense, 
International Affairs, and Veterans' Affairs Cost Estimates 
Unit; Kathleen FitzGerald, Chief, Public and Private Mandates 
Unit; Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget 
Analysis.
    Estimate approved by: Phillip L. Swagel, Director, 
Congressional Budget Office.

                       Federal Mandates Statement

    Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment 
Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded 
Mandate Reform Act, P.L. 104-4 is inapplicable to H.R. 3738, as 
amended.

                      Advisory Committee Statement

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R. 
3738, as amended.

                  Applicability to Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that H.R. 3738, as amended, does not 
relate to the terms and conditions of employment or access to 
public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

              Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision 
of H.R. 3738, as amended, would establish or reauthorize a 
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of 
another Federal program, a program that was included in any 
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress 
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program 
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance.

             Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation


Section 1. Short title

    Section 1 would establish the short title of the bill as 
the ``Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
Administration.''

Section 2. Establishment of Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
        Transition Administration

    This section would add a new chapter titled, ``Chapter 80 
Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration'' 
to Part V of Title 38 of the United States Code. The new 
chapter would establish an administration that primarily 
focuses on providing economic opportunity assistance to 
veterans. The Undersecretary would be responsible for leading 
the new administration. Its primary functions would be 
vocational rehabilitation, educational assistance programs, the 
Transition Assistance Program under 10 U.S.C. Sec. 1144, home 
loan fees, real estate, mortgages, and other programs deemed 
necessary by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    Additionally, this section would require an annual report 
to Congress under 38 U.S.C. Sec. 529. The report would include 
the number of claims decided, claims received, average 
processing time for a claim, successful outcomes as determined 
by the Secretary, full-time equivalent employees, and 
information technology expenses. Full-time employees under this 
bill would not exceed 34,228 in 2024 and 35,417 in 2025.

Section 3. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
        Transition

    The proposed legislation would add a new section titled 
``Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition'' to Chapter 3 of Title 38 of the United States 
Code. The Under Secretary would be appointed by the President, 
confirmed by the Senate, and selected without considering their 
political affiliation. In a vacancy, the Secretary would 
establish a commission comprising members representing 
education and training, vocational rehabilitation, employment, 
real estate, mortgages, finances, education-related survivor 
benefits, and veteran liaisons to recommend individuals to the 
President. The relevant sections of Title 38 of the United 
States Code would be amended to include the new administration.

Section 4. Transfer of services

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would be required to 
report to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and Senate on the progress toward establishing 
the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration 
within 180 days of enactment of this legislation. The Secretary 
would also be required to certify to both Committees that the 
transition of the provision of services to such Administration 
will not negatively affect the provision of services to 
veterans and such services are ready to be transferred.

Section 5. Modification of certain housing loan fees

    This section would provide funding for these programs 
included in the bill by extending current VA home loan funding 
fee rates as established in 38 U.S.C. Sec. 3729 from November 
15, 2031, to November 30, 2031.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

    In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change 
is proposed is shown in roman):

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

                      TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE




           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
                       PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Chap.                                                               Sec.
      General........................................................101
     * * * * * * *

              PART V--BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES

     * * * * * * *
8001Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.......

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


               CHAPTER 3--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Sec.
     * * * * * * *
306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 306. Under Secretary for Benefits

  (a) There is in the Department an Under Secretary for 
Benefits, who is appointed by the President, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate. The Under Secretary for 
Benefits shall be appointed without regard to political 
affiliation or activity and solely on the basis of demonstrated 
ability in--
          (1) fiscal management; and
          (2) the administration of programs within the 
        Veterans Benefits Administration or programs of similar 
        content and scope.
  (b) The Under Secretary for Benefits is the head of, and is 
directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of, 
the Veterans Benefits Administration.
  (c)(1) Whenever a vacancy in the position of Under Secretary 
for Benefits occurs or is anticipated, the Secretary shall 
establish a commission to recommend individuals to the 
President for appointment to the position.
  (2) A commission established under this subsection shall be 
composed of the following members appointed by the Secretary:
          [(A) Three persons representing education and 
        training, real estate, mortgage finance, and related 
        industries, and survivor benefits activities affected 
        by the Veterans Benefits Administration.]
          [(B)] (A) Two persons representing veterans served by 
        the Veterans Benefits Administration.
          [(C)] (B) Two persons who have experience in the 
        management of veterans benefits programs or programs of 
        similar content and scope.
          [(D)] (C) The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
          [(E) The chairman of the Veterans' Advisory Committee 
        on Education formed under section 3692 of this title.]
          [(F)] (D) One person who has held the position of 
        Under Secretary for Benefits (including service as 
        Chief Benefits Director of the Veterans' 
        Administration), if the Secretary determines that it is 
        desirable for such person to be a member of the 
        commission.
  (3) A commission established under this subsection shall 
recommend at least three individuals for appointment to the 
position of Under Secretary for Benefits. The commission shall 
submit all recommendations to the Secretary. The Secretary 
shall forward the recommendations to the President with any 
comments the Secretary considers appropriate. Thereafter, the 
President may request the commission to recommend additional 
individuals for appointment.
  (4) The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs who performs personnel management and labor 
relations functions shall serve as the executive secretary of a 
commission established under this subsection.

Sec. 306A. Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
                    Transition

  (a) Under Secretary.--There is in the Department an Under 
Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition, who 
is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate. The Under Secretary for Veterans 
Economic Opportunity and Transition shall be appointed without 
regard to political affiliation or activity and solely on the 
basis of demonstrated ability in--
          (1) information technology; and
          (2) the administration of programs within the 
        Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
        Administration or programs of similar content and 
        scope.
  (b) Responsibilities.--The Under Secretary for Veterans 
Economic Opportunity and Transition is the head of, and is 
directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of, 
the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
Administration.
  (c) Vacancies.--(1) Whenever a vacancy in the position of 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition occurs or is anticipated, the Secretary shall 
establish a commission to recommend individuals to the 
President for appointment to the position.
  (2) A commission established under this subsection shall be 
composed of the following members appointed by the Secretary:
          (A) Three persons representing education and 
        training, vocational rehabilitation, employment, real 
        estate, mortgage finance and related industries, and 
        survivor benefits activities affected by the Veterans 
        Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.
          (B) Two persons representing veterans served by the 
        Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
        Administration.
          (C) Two persons who have experience in the management 
        of private sector benefits programs of similar content 
        and scope to the economic opportunity and transition 
        programs of the Department.
          (D) The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
          (E) The chairman of the Veterans' Advisory Committee 
        on Education formed under section 3692 of this title.
          (F) One person who has held the position of Under 
        Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
        Transition, if the Secretary determines that it is 
        desirable for such person to be a member of the 
        commission.
  (3) A commission established under this subsection shall 
recommend at least three individuals for appointment to the 
position of Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
and Transition. The commission shall submit all recommendations 
to the Secretary. The Secretary shall forward the 
recommendations to the President and the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives 
with any comments the Secretary considers appropriate. 
Thereafter, the President may request the commission to 
recommend additional individuals for appointment.
  (4) The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs who performs personnel management and labor 
relations functions shall serve as the executive secretary of a 
commission established under this subsection.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 317. Center for Minority Veterans

  (a) There is in the Department a Center for Minority 
Veterans. There is at the head of the Center a Director.
  (b) The Director shall be a career or noncareer appointee in 
the Senior Executive Service. The Director shall be appointed 
for a term of six years.
  (c) The Director reports directly to the Secretary or the 
Deputy Secretary concerning the activities of the Center.
  (d) The Director shall perform the following functions with 
respect to veterans who are minorities:
          (1) Serve as principal adviser to the Secretary on 
        the adoption and implementation of policies and 
        programs affecting veterans who are minorities.
          (2) Make recommendations to the Secretary, the Under 
        Secretary for Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, 
        the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
        and Transition, and other Department officials for the 
        establishment or improvement of programs in the 
        Department for which veterans who are minorities are 
        eligible.
          (3) Promote the use of benefits authorized by this 
        title by veterans who are minorities and the conduct of 
        outreach activities to veterans who are minorities, in 
        conjunction with outreach activities carried out under 
        chapter 77 of this title.
          (4) Disseminate information and serve as a resource 
        center for the exchange of information regarding 
        innovative and successful programs which improve the 
        services available to veterans who are minorities.
          (5) Conduct and sponsor appropriate social and 
        demographic research on the needs of veterans who are 
        minorities and the extent to which programs authorized 
        under this title meet the needs of those veterans, 
        without regard to any law concerning the collection of 
        information from the public.
          (6) Analyze and evaluate complaints made by or on 
        behalf of veterans who are minorities about the 
        adequacy and timeliness of services provided by the 
        Department and advise the appropriate official of the 
        Department of the results of such analysis or 
        evaluation.
          (7) Consult with, and provide assistance and 
        information to, officials responsible for administering 
        Federal, State, local, and private programs that assist 
        veterans, to encourage those officials to adopt 
        policies which promote the use of those programs by 
        veterans who are minorities.
          (8) Advise the Secretary when laws or policies have 
        the effect of discouraging the use of benefits by 
        veterans who are minorities.
          (9) Publicize the results of medical research which 
        are of particular significance to veterans who are 
        minorities.
          (10) Advise the Secretary and other appropriate 
        officials on the effectiveness of the Department's 
        efforts to accomplish the goals of section 492B of the 
        Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 289a-2) with 
        respect to the inclusion of minorities in clinical 
        research and on particular health conditions affecting 
        the health of members of minority groups which should 
        be studied as part of the Department's medical research 
        program and promote cooperation between the Department 
        and other sponsors of medical research of potential 
        benefit to veterans who are minorities.
          (11) Provide support and administrative services to 
        the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans provided 
        for under section 544 of this title.
          (12) Perform such other duties consistent with this 
        section as the Secretary shall prescribe.
  (e) The Secretary shall ensure that the Director is furnished 
sufficient resources to enable the Director to carry out the 
functions of the Center in a timely manner.
  (f) The Secretary shall include in documents submitted to 
Congress by the Secretary in support of the President's budget 
for each fiscal year--
          (1) detailed information on the budget for the 
        Center;
          (2) the Secretary's opinion as to whether the 
        resources (including the number of employees) proposed 
        in the budget for that fiscal year are adequate to 
        enable the Center to comply with its statutory and 
        regulatory duties; and
          (3) a report on the activities and significant 
        accomplishments of the Center during the preceding 
        fiscal year.
  (g) In this section--
          (1) The term ``veterans who are minorities'' means 
        veterans who are minority group members.
          (2) The term ``minority group member'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 544(d) of this 
        title.

Sec. 318. Center for Women Veterans

  (a) There is in the Department a Center for Women Veterans. 
There is at the head of the Center a Director.
  (b) The Director shall be a career or noncareer appointee in 
the Senior Executive Service. The Director shall be appointed 
for a term of six years.
  (c) The Director reports directly to the Secretary or the 
Deputy Secretary concerning the activities of the Center.
  (d) The Director shall perform the following functions with 
respect to veterans who are women:
          (1) Serve as principal adviser to the Secretary on 
        the adoption and implementation of policies and 
        programs affecting veterans who are women.
          (2) Make recommendations to the Secretary, the Under 
        Secretary for Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, 
        the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity 
        and Transition, and other Department officials for the 
        establishment or improvement of programs in the 
        Department for which veterans who are women are 
        eligible.
          (3) Promote the use of benefits authorized by this 
        title by veterans who are women and the conduct of 
        outreach activities to veterans who are women, in 
        conjunction with outreach activities carried out under 
        chapter 77 of this title.
          (4) Disseminate information and serve as a resource 
        center for the exchange of information regarding 
        innovative and successful programs which improve the 
        services available to veterans who are women.
          (5) Conduct and sponsor appropriate social and 
        demographic research on the needs of veterans who are 
        women and the extent to which programs authorized under 
        this title meet the needs of those veterans, without 
        regard to any law concerning the collection of 
        information from the public.
          (6) Analyze and evaluate complaints made by or on 
        behalf of veterans who are women about the adequacy and 
        timeliness of services provided by the Department and 
        advise the appropriate official of the Department of 
        the results of such analysis or evaluation.
          (7) Consult with, and provide assistance and 
        information to, officials responsible for administering 
        Federal, State, local, and private programs that assist 
        veterans, to encourage those officials to adopt 
        policies which promote the use of those programs by 
        veterans who are women.
          (8) Advise the Secretary when laws or policies have 
        the effect of discouraging the use of benefits by 
        veterans who are women.
          (9) Publicize the results of medical research which 
        are of particular significance to veterans who are 
        women.
          (10) Advise the Secretary and other appropriate 
        officials on the effectiveness of the Department's 
        efforts to accomplish the goals of section 492B of the 
        Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 289a-2) with 
        respect to the inclusion of women in clinical research 
        and on particular health conditions affecting women's 
        health which should be studied as part of the 
        Department's medical research program and promote 
        cooperation between the Department and other sponsors 
        of medical research of potential benefit to veterans 
        who are women.
          (11) Provide support and administrative services to 
        the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans established 
        under section 542 of this title.
          (12) Perform such other duties consistent with this 
        section as the Secretary shall prescribe.
  (e) The Secretary shall ensure that the Director is furnished 
sufficient resources to enable the Director to carry out the 
functions of the Center in a timely manner.
  (f) The Secretary shall include in documents submitted to 
Congress by the Secretary in support of the President's budget 
for each fiscal year--
          (1) detailed information on the budget for the 
        Center;
          (2) the Secretary's opinion as to whether the 
        resources (including the number of employees) proposed 
        in the budget for that fiscal year are adequate to 
        enable the Center to comply with its statutory and 
        regulatory duties; and
          (3) a report on the activities and significant 
        accomplishments of the Center during the preceding 
        fiscal year.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


            CHAPTER 5--AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY

SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL AUTHORITIES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 516. Equal employment responsibilities

  (a)(1) The Secretary shall provide that the employment 
discrimination complaint resolution system within the 
Department be established and administered so as to encourage 
timely and fair resolution of concerns and complaints. The 
Secretary shall take steps to ensure that the system is 
administered in an objective, fair, and effective manner and in 
a manner that is perceived by employees and other interested 
parties as being objective, fair, and effective.
  (2) The Secretary shall ensure that the employment 
discrimination complaint resolution system established under 
paragraph (1) requires that any manager of the Department who 
receives a sexual or other harassment or employment 
discrimination complaint reports such complaint to the Office 
of Resolution Management, or successor office, immediately, or 
if such immediate reporting is impracticable, not later than 
two days after the date on which the manager receives the 
complaint.
  (b) The Secretary shall provide--
          (1) that employees responsible for counseling 
        functions associated with employment discrimination and 
        for receiving, investigating, and processing complaints 
        of employment discrimination shall be supervised in 
        those functions by, and report to, an Assistant 
        Secretary or a Deputy Assistant Secretary, in 
        accordance with subsection (h)(2), for complaint 
        resolution management; and
          (2) that employees performing employment 
        discrimination complaint resolution functions at a 
        facility of the Department shall not be subject to the 
        authority, direction, and control of the Director of 
        the facility with respect to those functions.
  (c)(1) The Secretary shall ensure that all employees of the 
Department receive adequate education and training for the 
purposes of this section and section 319 of this title.
  (2)(A) Beginning not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph 
Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act 
of 2022, the Secretary shall provide to each employee of the 
Department mandatory annual training on identifying and 
addressing sexual and other harassment and employment 
discrimination, including with respect to processes under the 
Harassment Prevention Program of the Department, or such 
successor program.
  (B) An employee of the Department who is hired on or after 
such date shall receive the first such mandatory annual 
training not later than 60 days after being hired.
  (d) The Secretary shall, when appropriate, impose 
disciplinary measures, as authorized by law, in the case of 
employees of the Department who engage in unlawful employment 
discrimination, including retaliation against an employee 
asserting rights under an equal employment opportunity law.
  (e)(1)(A) Not later than 45 days after the end of each 
calendar quarter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives 
a report summarizing the employment discrimination complaints 
filed against the individuals referred to in paragraph (2) 
during such quarter.
  (B) Subparagraph (A) shall apply in the case of complaints 
filed against individuals on the basis of such individuals' 
personal conduct and shall not apply in the case of complaints 
filed solely on the basis of such individuals' positions as 
officials of the Department.
  (2) Paragraph (1) applies to the following officers and 
employees of the Department:
          (A) The Secretary.
          (B) The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
          (C) The Under Secretary for [Health and the Under 
        Secretary for Benefits] Health, the Under Secretary for 
        Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic 
        Opportunity and Transition.
          (D) Each Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs and 
        each Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
          (E) The Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for 
        Memorial Affairs.
          (F) The General Counsel of the Department.
          (G) The Chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals.
          (H) The Chairman of the Board of Contract Appeals of 
        the Department.
          (I) The director and the chief of staff of each 
        medical center of the Department.
          (J) The director of each Veterans Integrated Services 
        Network.
          (K) The director of each regional office of the 
        Department.
          (L) Each program director of the Central Office of 
        the Department.
  (3) Each report under this subsection--
          (A) may not disclose information which identifies the 
        individuals filing, or the individuals who are the 
        subject of, the complaints concerned or the facilities 
        at which the discrimination identified in such 
        complaints is alleged to have occurred;
          (B) shall summarize such complaints by type and by 
        equal employment opportunity field office area in which 
        filed; and
          (C) shall include copies of such complaints, with the 
        information described in subparagraph (A) redacted.
  (4) Not later than April 1 each year, the Assistant Secretary 
shall submit to the committees referred to in paragraph (1)(A) 
a report on the complaints covered by paragraph (1) during the 
preceding year, including the number of such complaints filed 
during that year and the status and resolution of the 
investigation of such complaints.
  (f) The Secretary shall ensure that an employee of the 
Department who seeks counseling relating to employment 
discrimination may elect to receive such counseling from an 
employee of the Department who carries out equal employment 
opportunity counseling functions on a full-time basis rather 
than from an employee of the Department who carries out such 
functions on a part-time basis.
  (g)(1)(A) Except as provided in paragraph (4), beginning on 
the date of the enactment of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and 
Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care 
Improvement Act of 2022 and ending on the date that is three 
years after the date of the enactment of such Act, the number 
of employees of the Department whose duties include equal 
employment opportunity counseling functions may not exceed 76 
full-time equivalent employees.
  (B) Except as provided in paragraph (4), beginning on the 
date that is three years after the date of enactment of the 
Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans 
Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022, the number of 
employees of the Department whose duties include equal 
employment opportunity counseling functions may not exceed 81 
full-time equivalent employees.
  (2) Except as provided in paragraph (4), of the 76 full-time 
equivalent employees set forth in paragraph (1), the number of 
employees of the Department whose duties include equal 
employment opportunity counseling functions as well as other 
unrelated functions may not exceed 40 full-time equivalent 
employees.
  (3) Except as provided in paragraph (4), any employee 
described in paragraph (2) whose duties include equal 
employment opportunity counseling functions as well as other 
unrelated functions may be assigned equal employment 
opportunity counseling functions only at Department facilities 
in remote geographic locations.
  (4)(A) Beginning on the date that is one year after the date 
of enactment of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph 
Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act 
of 2022, the Secretary shall promptly notify Congress if, at 
any point in time, the number of full-time equivalent employees 
of the Department specified in paragraph (1), whose duties 
include equal opportunity counseling functions, is insufficient 
for the Department to meet its required obligations under law.
  (B) Notification under subparagraph (A) shall include--
          (i) the specific legal obligations relating to 
        employment discrimination, or other matters similar to 
        those covered by regulations prescribed by the Equal 
        Employment Opportunity Commission, that the Department 
        is unable to meet; and
          (ii) the total additional number of full-time 
        equivalent employees of the Department that would be 
        needed for the Department to meet such obligations.
  (h)(1) The provisions of this section shall be implemented in 
a manner consistent with procedures applicable under 
regulations prescribed by the Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission.
  (2) Beginning not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole 
Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 
2022, in carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure 
that the official of the Department who serves as the Equal 
Employment Opportunity Director of the Department--
          (A) reports directly to the Deputy Secretary with 
        respect to the functions under this section; and
          (B) does not also serve in a position that has 
        responsibility over personnel functions of the 
        Department or other functions that conflict with the 
        functions under this section.
  (i) In accordance with subsection (b), not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of the Joseph Maxwell 
Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and 
Health Care Improvement Act of 2022, the Secretary shall ensure 
that each Equal Employment Opportunity program manager of the 
Department at the facility level reports to the head of the 
Office of Resolution Management, or such successor office 
established pursuant to subsection (a), with respect to the 
equal employment functions of the program manager.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                  SUBCHAPTER III--ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Sec. 541. Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War

  (a)(1) The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee to 
be known as the Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War 
(hereinafter in this section referred to as the ``Committee'').
  (2)(A) The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the 
Secretary from the general public and shall include--
          (i) appropriate representatives of veterans who are 
        former prisoners of war;
          (ii) individuals who are recognized authorities in 
        fields pertinent to disabilities prevalent among former 
        prisoners of war, including authorities in 
        epidemiology, mental health, nutrition, geriatrics, and 
        internal medicine; and
          (iii) appropriate representatives of disabled 
        veterans.
  (B) The Committee shall also include, as ex officio members, 
the Under Secretary for [Health and the Under Secretary for 
Benefits] Health, the Under Secretary for Benefits, and the 
Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition, or their designees.
  (3) The Secretary shall determine the number, terms of 
service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee 
appointed by the Secretary, except that the term of service of 
any such member may not exceed three years.
  (b) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and 
seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the 
administration of benefits under this title for veterans who 
are former prisoners of war and the needs of such veterans with 
respect to compensation, health care, and rehabilitation.
  (c)(1) Not later than July 1 of each odd-numbered year 
through 2009, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary a 
report on the programs and activities of the Department that 
pertain to veterans who are former prisoners of war. Each such 
report shall include--
          (A) an assessment of the needs of such veterans with 
        respect to compensation, health care, and 
        rehabilitation;
          (B) a review of the programs and activities of the 
        Department designed to meet such needs; and
          (C) such recommendations (including recommendations 
        for administrative and legislative action) as the 
        Committee considers to be appropriate.
  (2) The Secretary shall, within 60 days after receiving each 
report under paragraph (1), submit to the Congress a copy of 
the report, together with any comments concerning the report 
that the Secretary considers appropriate.
  (3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other 
reports and recommendations as the Committee considers 
appropriate.
  (4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report 
submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title 
a summary of all reports and recommendations of the Committee 
submitted to the Secretary since the previous annual report of 
the Secretary submitted to the Congress pursuant to that 
section.

Sec. 542. Advisory Committee on Women Veterans

  (a)(1) The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee to 
be known as the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans 
(hereinafter in this section referred to as ``the Committee'').
  (2)(A) The Committee shall consist of members appointed by 
the Secretary from the general public, including--
          (i) representatives of women veterans;
          (ii) individuals who are recognized authorities in 
        fields pertinent to the needs of women veterans, 
        including the gender-specific health-care needs of 
        women;
          (iii) representatives of both female and male 
        veterans with service-connected disabilities, including 
        at least one female veteran with a service-connected 
        disability and at least one male veteran with a 
        service-connected disability; and
          (iv) women veterans who are recently separated from 
        service in the Armed Forces.
  (B) The Committee shall include, as ex officio members--
          (i) the Secretary of Labor (or a representative of 
        the Secretary of Labor designated by the Secretary 
        after consultation with the Assistant Secretary of 
        Labor for Veterans' Employment);
          (ii) the Secretary of Defense (or a representative of 
        the Secretary of Defense designated by the Secretary of 
        Defense after consultation with the Defense Advisory 
        Committee on Women in the Services); and
          (iii) the Under Secretary for [Health and the Under 
        Secretary for Benefits] Health, the Under Secretary for 
        Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic 
        Opportunity and Transition, or their designees.
  (C) The Secretary may invite representatives of other 
departments and agencies of the United States to participate in 
the meetings and other activities of the Committee.
  (3) The Secretary shall determine the number, terms of 
service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee 
appointed by the Secretary, except that a term of service of 
any such member may not exceed three years. The Secretary may 
reappoint any such member for additional terms of service.
  (b) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and 
seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the 
administration of benefits by the Department for women 
veterans, reports and studies pertaining to women veterans and 
the needs of women veterans with respect to compensation, 
health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits and 
programs administered by the Department, including the Center 
for Women Veterans.
  (c)(1) Not later than July 1 of each year, the Committee 
shall submit to the Secretary a report on the programs and 
activities of the Department that pertain to women veterans. 
Each such report shall include--
          (A) an assessment of the needs of women veterans with 
        respect to compensation, health care, rehabilitation, 
        outreach, and other benefits and programs administered 
        by the Department;
          (B) a review of the programs and activities of the 
        Department designed to meet such needs;
          (C) an assessment of the effects of intimate partner 
        violence on women veterans; and
          (D) such recommendations (including recommendations 
        for administrative and legislative action) as the 
        Committee considers appropriate.
  (2) The Secretary shall, within 60 days after receiving each 
report under paragraph (1), submit to the Congress a copy of 
the report, together with any comments concerning the report 
that the Secretary considers appropriate.
  (3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other 
reports and recommendations as the Committee considers 
appropriate.
  (4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report 
submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title 
a summary of all reports and recommendations of the Committee 
submitted to the Secretary since the previous annual report of 
the Secretary submitted pursuant to such section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 544. Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans

  (a)(1) The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee to 
be known as the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans 
(hereinafter in this section referred to as ``the Committee'').
  (2)(A) The Committee shall consist of members appointed by 
the Secretary from the general public, including--
          (i) representatives of veterans who are minority 
        group members;
          (ii) individuals who are recognized authorities in 
        fields pertinent to the needs of veterans who are 
        minority group members;
          (iii) veterans who are minority group members and who 
        have experience in a military theater of operations;
          (iv) veterans who are minority group members and who 
        do not have such experience; and
          (v) women veterans who are minority group members and 
        are recently separated from service in the Armed 
        Forces.
  (B) The Committee shall include, as ex officio members, the 
following:
          (i) The Secretary of Labor (or a representative of 
        the Secretary of Labor designated by the Secretary 
        after consultation with the Assistant Secretary of 
        Labor for Veterans' Employment).
          (ii) The Secretary of Defense (or a representative of 
        the Secretary of Defense designated by the Secretary of 
        Defense).
          (iii) The Secretary of the Interior (or a 
        representative of the Secretary of the Interior 
        designated by the Secretary of the Interior).
          (iv) The Secretary of Commerce (or a representative 
        of the Secretary of Commerce designated by the 
        Secretary of Commerce).
          (v) The Secretary of Health and Human Services (or a 
        representative of the Secretary of Health and Human 
        Services designated by the Secretary of Health and 
        Human Services).
          (vi) The Under Secretary for [Health and the Under 
        Secretary for Benefits] Health, the Under Secretary for 
        Benefits, and the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic 
        Opportunity and Transition, or their designees.
  (C) The Secretary may invite representatives of other 
departments and agencies of the United States to participate in 
the meetings and other activities of the Committee.
  (3) The Secretary shall determine the number, terms of 
service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee 
appointed by the Secretary, except that a term of service of 
any such member may not exceed three years. The Secretary may 
reappoint any such member for additional terms of service.
  (4) The Committee shall meet as often as the Secretary 
considers necessary or appropriate, but not less often than 
twice each fiscal year.
  (b) The Secretary shall, on a regular basis, consult with and 
seek the advice of the Committee with respect to the 
administration of benefits by the Department for veterans who 
are minority group members, reports and studies pertaining to 
such veterans and the needs of such veterans with respect to 
compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other 
benefits and programs administered by the Department, including 
the Center for Minority Veterans.
  (c)(1) Not later than July 1 of every other year, the 
Committee shall submit to the Secretary a report on the 
programs and activities of the Department that pertain to 
veterans who are minority group members. Each such report shall 
include--
          (A) an assessment of the needs of veterans who are 
        minority group members with respect to compensation, 
        health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other 
        benefits and programs administered by the Department;
          (B) a review of the programs and activities of the 
        Department designed to meet such needs; and
          (C) such recommendations (including recommendations 
        for administrative and legislative action) as the 
        Committee considers appropriate.
  (2) The Secretary shall, within 60 days after receiving each 
report under paragraph (1), submit to Congress a copy of the 
report, together with any comments concerning the report that 
the Secretary considers appropriate.
  (3) The Committee may also submit to the Secretary such other 
reports and recommendations as the Committee considers 
appropriate.
  (4) The Secretary shall submit with each annual report 
submitted to the Congress pursuant to section 529 of this title 
a summary of all reports and recommendations of the Committee 
submitted to the Secretary since the previous annual report of 
the Secretary submitted pursuant to such section.
  (d) In this section, the term ``minority group member'' means 
an individual who is--
          (1) Asian American;
          (2) Black;
          (3) Hispanic;
          (4) Native American (including American Indian, 
        Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian); or
          (5) Pacific-Islander American.
  (e) The Committee shall cease to exist September 30, 2026.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 7--EMPLOYEES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL EMPLOYEE MATTERS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 709. Employment restrictions

  (a)(1) Notwithstanding section 3134(d) of title 5, the number 
of Senior Executive Service positions in the Department which 
are filled by noncareer appointees in any fiscal year may not 
at any time exceed 5 percent of the average number of senior 
executives employed in Senior Executive Service positions in 
the Department during the preceding fiscal year.
  (2) For purposes of this subsection, the average number of 
senior executives employed in Senior Executive Service 
positions in the Department during a fiscal year shall be equal 
to 25 percent of the sum of the total number of senior 
executives employed in Senior Executive Service positions in 
the Department on the last day of each quarter of such fiscal 
year.
  (b) The number of positions in the Department which may be 
excepted from the competitive service, on a temporary or 
permanent basis, because of their confidential or policy-
determining character may not at any time exceed the equivalent 
of 15 positions.
  (c)(1) Political affiliation or activity may not be taken 
into account in connection with the appointment of any person 
to any position in or to perform any service for the Department 
or in the assignment or advancement of any employee in the 
Department.
  (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply--
          (A) to the appointment of any person by the President 
        under this title, other than the appointment of the 
        Under Secretary for Health, the Under Secretary for 
        Benefits, the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic 
        Opportunity and Transition, and the Inspector General; 
        or
          (B) to the appointment of any person to (i) a Senior 
        Executive Service position as a noncareer appointee, or 
        (ii) a position that is excepted from the competitive 
        service, on a temporary or permanent basis, because of 
        the confidential or policy-determining character of the 
        position.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 37--HOUSING AND SMALL BUSINESS LOANS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER III--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 3729. Loan fee

  (a) Requirement of Fee.--(1) Except as provided in subsection 
(c), a fee shall be collected from each person obtaining a 
housing loan guaranteed, insured, or made under this chapter, 
and each person assuming a loan to which section 3714 of this 
title applies. No such loan may be guaranteed, insured, made, 
or assumed until the fee payable under this section has been 
remitted to the Secretary.
  (2) The fee may be included in the loan and paid from the 
proceeds thereof.
  (b) Determination of Fee.--(1) The amount of the fee shall be 
determined from the loan fee table in paragraph (2). The fee is 
expressed as a percentage of the total amount of the loan 
guaranteed, insured, or made, or, in the case of a loan 
assumption, the unpaid principal balance of the loan on the 
date of the transfer of the property.
  (2) The loan fee table referred to in paragraph (1) is as 
follows:


 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Type of loan                Active duty  veteran          Reservist              Other obligor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A)(i) Initial loan described in       2.15                     2.40                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 October 1, 2004, and before January
 1, 2020).
(A)(ii) Initial loan described in      2.30                     2.30                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 January 1, 2020, and before April 7,
 2023).
(A)(iii) Initial loan described in     2.15                     2.15                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 April 7, 2023, and before [November
 15, 2031] November 30, 2031 ).
(A)(iv) Initial loan described in      1.40                     1.40                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other initial loan described in
 section 3710(a) other than with 5-
 down or 10-down (closed on or after
 [November 15, 2031] November 30,
 2031 ).
(B)(i) Subsequent loan described in    3.30                     3.30                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after October 1, 2004, and before
 January 1, 2020).
(B)(ii) Subsequent loan described in   3.60                     3.60                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after January 1, 2020, and before
 April 7, 2023).
(B)(iii) Subsequent loan described in  3.30                     3.30                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after April 7, 2023, and before
 [November 15, 2031] November 30,
 2031 ).
(B)(iv) Subsequent loan described in   1.25                     1.25                     NA
 section 3710(a) to purchase or
 construct a dwelling with 0-down, or
 any other subsequent loan described
 in section 3710(a) (closed on or
 after [November 15, 2031] November
 30, 2031 ).
(C)(i) Loan described in section       1.50                     1.75                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed before
 January 1, 2020).
(C)(ii) Loan described in section      1.65                     1.65                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed on or
 after January 1, 2020, and before
 April 7, 2023).
(C)(iii) Loan described in section     1.50                     1.50                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed on or
 after April 7, 2023, and before
 [November 15, 2031] November 30,
 2031 ).
(C)(iv) Loan described in section      0.75                     0.75                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 5-down (closed on or
 after [November 15, 2031] November
 30, 2031 ).
(D)(i) Loan described in section       1.25                     1.50                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed before
 January 1, 2020).
(D)(ii) Loan described in section      1.40                     1.40                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed on or
 after January 1, 2020, and before
 April 7, 2023).
(D)(iii) Loan described in section     1.25                     1.25                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed on or
 after April 7, 2023, and before
 [November 15, 2031] November 30,
 2031 ).
(D)(iv) Loan described in section      0.50                     0.50                     NA
 3710(a) to purchase or construct a
 dwelling with 10-down (closed on or
 after [November 15, 2031] November
 30, 2031 ).
(E) Interest rate reduction            0.50                     0.50                     NA
 refinancing loan.
(F) Direct loan under section 3711...  1.00                     1.00                     NA
(G) Manufactured home loan under       1.00                     1.00                     NA
 section 3712 (other than an interest
 rate reduction refinancing loan).
(H) Loan to Native American veteran    1.25                     1.25                     NA
 under section 3762 (other than an
 interest rate reduction refinancing
 loan).
(I) Loan assumption under section      0.50                     0.50                     0.50
 3714.
(J) Loan under section 3733(a).......  2.25                     2.25                     2.25.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  (3) Any reference to a section in the ``Type of loan'' column 
in the loan fee table in paragraph (2) refers to a section of 
this title.
  (4) For the purposes of paragraph (2):
          (A) The term ``active duty veteran'' means any 
        veteran eligible for the benefits of this chapter other 
        than a Reservist.
          (B) The term ``Reservist'' means a veteran described 
        in section 3701(b)(5)(A) of this title who is eligible 
        under section 3702(a)(2)(E) of this title.
          (C) The term ``other obligor'' means a person who is 
        not a veteran, as defined in section 101 of this title 
        or other provision of this chapter.
          (D)(i) The term ``initial loan'' means a loan to a 
        veteran guaranteed under section 3710 or made under 
        section 3711 of this title if the veteran has never 
        obtained a loan guaranteed under section 3710 or made 
        under section 3711 of this title.
          (ii) If a veteran has obtained a loan guaranteed 
        under section 3710 or made under section 3711 of this 
        title and the dwelling securing such loan was 
        substantially damaged or destroyed by a major disaster 
        declared by the President under section 401 of the 
        Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
        Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), the Secretary shall 
        treat as an initial loan, as defined in clause (i), the 
        next loan the Secretary guarantees or makes to such 
        veteran under section 3710 or 3711, respectively, if--
                  (I) such loan is guaranteed or made before 
                the date that is three years after the date on 
                which the dwelling was substantially damaged or 
                destroyed; and
                  (II) such loan is only for repairs or 
                construction of the dwelling, as determined by 
                the Secretary.
          (E) The term ``subsequent loan'' means a loan to a 
        veteran, other than an interest rate reduction 
        refinancing loan, guaranteed under section 3710 or made 
        under section 3711 of this title that is not an initial 
        loan.
          (F) The term ``interest rate reduction refinancing 
        loan'' means a loan described in section 3710(a)(8), 
        3710(a)(9)(B)(i), 3710(a)(11), 3712(a)(1)(F), or 
        3762(h) of this title.
          (G) The term ``0-down'' means a downpayment, if any, 
        of less than 5 percent of the total purchase price or 
        construction cost of the dwelling.
          (H) The term ``5-down'' means a downpayment of at 
        least 5 percent or more, but less than 10 percent, of 
        the total purchase price or construction cost of the 
        dwelling.
          (I) The term ``10-down'' means a downpayment of 10 
        percent or more of the total purchase price or 
        construction cost of the dwelling.
  (c) Waiver of Fee.--(1) A fee may not be collected under this 
section from a veteran who is receiving compensation (or who, 
but for the receipt of retirement pay or active service pay, 
would be entitled to receive compensation), from a surviving 
spouse of any veteran (including a person who died in the 
active military, naval, air, or space service) who died from a 
service-connected disability, or from a member of the Armed 
Forces who is serving on active duty and who provides, on or 
before the date of loan closing, evidence of having been 
awarded the Purple Heart.
  (2)(A) A veteran described in subparagraph (B) shall be 
treated as receiving compensation for purposes of this 
subsection as of the date of the rating described in such 
subparagraph without regard to whether an effective date of the 
award of compensation is established as of that date.
  (B) A veteran described in this subparagraph is a veteran who 
is rated eligible to receive compensation--
          (i) as the result of a pre-discharge disability 
        examination and rating; or
          (ii) based on a pre-discharge review of existing 
        medical evidence (including service medical and 
        treatment records) that results in the issuance of a 
        memorandum rating.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


             PART V--BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES

Chap.                                                               Sec.
      Board of Veterans' Appeals....................................7101
     * * * * * * *
8001Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration.......

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 77--VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                  SUBCHAPTER I--ORGANIZATION; GENERAL

Sec. 7701. Organization of the Administration

  (a) There is in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Veterans 
Benefits Administration. The primary function of the Veterans 
Benefits Administration is the administration of nonmedical 
benefits programs of the Department which provide assistance, 
other than assistance related to Economic Opportunity and 
Transition, to veterans and their dependents and survivors.
  (b) The Veterans Benefits Administration is under the Under 
Secretary for Benefits, who is directly responsible to the 
Secretary for the operations of the Administration. The Under 
Secretary for Benefits may be referred to as the Chief Benefits 
Director.

Sec. 7703. Functions of the Administration

  The Veterans Benefits Administration is responsible for the 
administration of the following programs of the Department:
          (1) Compensation and pension programs.
          [(2) Vocational rehabilitation and educational 
        assistance programs.
          [(3) Veterans' housing loan programs.]
          [(4)] (2) Veterans' and servicemembers' life 
        insurance programs.
          [(5)] (3) Outreach programs and other veterans' 
        services programs.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 80--VETERANS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND TRANSITION ADMINISTRATION

Sec.
8001. Organization of Administration.
8002. Functions of Administration.
8003. Annual report to Congress.

Sec. 8001. Organization of Administration

  (a) Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
Administration.--There is in the Department of Veterans Affairs 
a Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration. 
The primary function of the Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
Transition Administration is the administration of the programs 
of the Department that provide assistance related to economic 
opportunity to veterans and their dependents and survivors.
  (b) Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity and 
Transition.--The Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
Administration is under the Under Secretary for Veterans 
Economic Opportunity and Transition, who is directly 
responsible to the Secretary for the operations of the 
Administration.

Sec. 8002. Functions of Administration

  The Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition 
Administration is responsible for the administration of the 
following programs of the Department:
          (1) Vocational rehabilitation and employment 
        programs.
          (2) Educational assistance programs.
          (3) Veterans' housing loan and related programs.
          (4) The Transition Assistance Program under section 
        1144 of title 10.
          (5) Any other program of the Department that the 
        Secretary determines appropriate.

Sec. 8003. Annual report to Congress

  The Secretary shall include in the annual report to the 
Congress required by section 529 of this title a report on the 
programs administered by the Under Secretary for Veterans 
Economic Opportunity and Transition. Each such report shall 
include the following with respect to each such program during 
the fiscal year covered by that report:
          (1) The number of claims received.
          (2) The number of claims decided.
          (3) The average processing time for a claim.
          (4) The number of successful outcomes (as determined 
        by the Secretary).
          (5) The number of full-time equivalent employees.
          (6) The amounts expended for information technology.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                                  [all]