[House Report 119-228]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 119-228
=======================================================================
VETERANS READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT
IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2025
----------------
August 15, 2025.--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. 980]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 980) to amend title 38, United States Code, to
make certain improvements to the provision of on-campus
educational and vocational counseling by the Department of
Veterans Affairs, 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
Bill............................................................. 2
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 3
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 3
Hearings......................................................... 7
Subcommittee Consideration....................................... 7
Committee Consideration.......................................... 8
Committee Votes.................................................. 8
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 14
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 14
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits............................. 14
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 14
Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Estimate........ 14
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 17
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 17
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 17
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs..................... 17
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 18
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 19
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 Readiness and Employment
Improvement Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. ELIMINATION OF REQUIREMENT THAT ON-CAMPUS EDUCATIONAL AND
VOCATIONAL COUNSELING IS PROVIDED BY CERTAIN
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EMPLOYEES.
Section 3697B(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking the second sentence.
SEC. 3. AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO APPROVE NON-
DEGREE FLIGHT TRAINING COURSES AS PART OF
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR CERTAIN
VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.
(a) In General.--Section 3104(b) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``A rehabilitation program'';
(2) by striking ``To the maximum extent practicable'' and
inserting ``Except as provided under paragraph (2), to the
maximum extent practicable''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Notwithstanding section 3680A(b) of this title, the Secretary
may approve a rehabilitation program for a veteran under this chapter
that includes the pursuit of a course of flight training other than one
given by an educational institution of higher learning for credit
toward a standard college degree the veteran is seeking.''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply
with respect to a rehabilitation program approved on or after August 1,
2025.
SEC. 4. OUTREACH REQUIREMENTS FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
TRAINING AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS
WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES.
(a) VRE Contact Information.--Section 3104 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f) The Secretary shall establish a dedicated telephone number
within the Education Call Center of the Department for calls about
services provided under this chapter. Each regional office of the
Department shall include, on the website of the regional office, a
name, telephone number, and email address, through which veterans may
receive information about services provided under this chapter.''.
(b) Outreach Requirement.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 3123. Outreach requirements
``(a) Question and Answer Sessions.--The Secretary shall provide
monthly question and answer sessions for appropriate school certifying
officials during which such officials shall have the opportunity to ask
questions of Department employees who are veteran readiness and
employment counselors or trained outreach specialists.
``(b) Informational Briefings.--(1) The Secretary shall ensure that
veteran readiness and employment counselors or trained outreach
specialists employed by a Regional Office of the Department provide in-
person briefings for veterans about services provided under this
chapter at each educational institution located in the geographic area
served by the Regional Office.
``(2) The Secretary may provide a briefing required under paragraph
(1) virtually in the case of an educational institution located more
than 50 miles away from the headquarters of the Regional Office.
``(c) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House
of Representatives a report on the extension of periods of vocational
rehabilitation programs under section 3105(c) of this title. Such
report shall include, for the year covered by the report--
``(1) the number of veterans who requested such an extension;
``(2) the number of such requests that were approved; and
``(3) the number of such requests that were rejected.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the
following new item:
``3123. Outreach requirements.''.
(d) Extension of Entitlements.--Section 3105(c) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs
(A) and (B), respectively;
(2) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``The Secretary''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) If a veteran applies for an extension under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall approve or reject the extension by not later than 30
days after the date on which the veteran submits a request for the
extension.''.
SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITS ON PAYMENTS OF PENSION.
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``November 30, 2031'' and inserting ``May 31, 2032''.
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 980, the ``Veterans Readiness and Employment
Improvement Act of 2025,'' was introduced by Rep. Derrick Van
Orden of Wisconsin on February 5, 2025. The bill as amended
would require an individual providing counseling services on
college and university campuses to student veterans and their
beneficiaries to have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field
of study as a minimum education. The bill, as amended, includes
the text of other legislation including:
H.R. 913, the ``Streamlining Aviation for Eligible Veterans
Act of 2025'' or the ``SAFE Veterans Act of 2025'', was
introduced on February 4, 2025, by Rep. Jay Obernolte of
California. This legislation would amend current law to include
non-degree flight training programs in the rehabilitation
programs under the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
program at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
H.R. 1793, the ``Veterans Readiness and Employment
Transparency Act of 2025'', was introduced on March 3, 2025, by
Rep. Abe Hamadeh of Arizona. This legislation would create a
VR&E specific hotline, provide contact information for a VR&E
specialist at each regional office, and require an annual
report on the number of entitlement extensions approved by the
Secretary in rehabilitation programs.
Finally, the bill would also provide an offset for the cost
of this bill by extending the current law restricting the
amount of pension paid to VA pension beneficiaries who are
admitted to a VA or Medicaid sponsored nursing facility.
Background and Need for Legislation
Section 1: Short Title
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Readiness and
Employment Improvement Act of 2025.''
Section 2: Elimination of Requirement that On-Campus Educational and
Vocational Counselling is Provided by Certain Department of
Veterans Affairs Employees
In 2009, the Vet Success on Campus (VSOC) program began its
mission of supporting veterans and servicemembers, who are
transitioning from military to college, through vocational
training, career counseling, or accessing certain VA benefits
while attending college. VSOC counselors also help veterans
obtain referrals for campus health services, make referrals to
VA health services, and assist veterans with classroom
disability accommodations. Unfortunately, many VSOC counselors
also spend a great deal of their time doing VR&E casework
because they are classified as case managers under Chapter 31
of title 38 USC. Because of this classification in 38 USC
Sec. 3697B(a), VSOC employees are required to have a master's
degree even though their job requirements are different and can
be done by an individual who possesses only a bachelor's
degree.
Currently, there is an extremely long waitlist to see a
VR&E counselor, with some veterans having to wait over six
months to receive their initial appointment. As a result of the
PACT Act, (P.L. 117-168), the VR&E program has also seen a 28%
increase in applicants since 2022 and has requested a 14.7%
increase in funding in VA's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Actions
and data from VA have shown that the most effective way to
reduce wait times for appointments is through reducing the
burden on counselors. This is done through finding ways to
ensure VA is meeting the 1-125 counselor to veteran ratio,
finding ways to hire more Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
(VRC) and Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists (VRS), and
improving the Case Management Service, which tracks cases and
reduces the amount of paperwork required. Finally, it is
important that VA finds ways to ensure veterans are able to
enter VR&E quickly, receive the assistance needed, and then
exit the program to free up workload for the next veteran.
VSOC counselors typically had a small caseload of veterans
and their additional duties of helping transitioning
servicemembers from military to college life. However, with the
increase of applications for veterans in VR&E, VA has increased
the number of VR&E cases for VSOC counselors to the point that
VSOC employees no longer have time to carry out their primary
duties. VA has also labeled VSOC employees as rehabilitation
counselors to satisfy the requirements needed to serve veterans
in VR&E and maintain the recommended caseload of one
rehabilitation counselor for every 150 veterans in the program.
Under current law, both VR&E counselors and VSOC counselors are
required to have a master's degree.
The Committee believes that if the master's degree
provision was waived for VSOC counselors, more veterans could
be served on campus. There are currently 104 VSOC counselor
positions and a waitlist of almost 300 schools who have applied
for a VSOC counselor across the United States. Since there is a
growing population of veterans enrolling in the VR&E program,
many VSOC counselors have been given a caseload higher than
they can manage leading to longer delays and a lack of services
for student veterans. Finally, it is important that VA finds
ways to ensure veterans are able to enter VR&E quickly, receive
the assistance needed, and then exit the program to free up
workload for the next veteran.
This section would amend 38 USC Sec. 3697B(a) by striking
the requirement for VSOC counselors to have a master's degree.
The Committee believes waiving this provision would allow more
veterans to have access to VA assistance on campus while
navigating college life. It would also allow future VSOC
counselors to be hired by VA at a lower GS grade. This would
both save the government money and expand the pool of qualified
applicants for the VSOC position. Without this change, the
Committee is concerned that the VSOC position is not being
utilized by VA as Congress intended in 2009 when the position
was created, and veterans on college campuses are not receiving
the educational experience they have earned.
Section 3: Authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Approve Non-
Degree Flight Training Courses as Part of Vocational
Rehabilitation Programs for Certain Veterans with Service-
Connected Disabilities
Vocational Flight training refers to Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA)-approved flight instruction that is
offered by a FAA-certified pilot school. This type of training
is generally accepted as necessary for the attainment of a
recognized vocational objective in the field of aviation.\1\ To
participate in this program using the GI Bill, individuals must
have a valid private pilot certificate and the appropriate
medical certificate.\2\ Institution of Higher Learning (IHL)
flight training is provided by an accredited IHL for credit
toward a standard college degree.\3\ Once an eligible veteran
is enrolled in the VR&E program, they are overseen by a
counselor to ensure that this employment or educational track
is suitable and attainable given their employment handicap.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Flight Training Under the GI Bills: Frequently Asked Questions.
(2025, May 1). https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47817.
\2\38 U.S.C. Sec. 3034(d).
\3\38 U.S.C. Sec. 3680A(b) and Sec. 3452(g).
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This section would allow VR&E participants to use the
program to pursue non-degree flight training courses.
Currently, veterans are able to pursue non-degree flight
training programs if they are enrolled in any other GI Bill
benefits. The Committee believes allowing veterans using VR&E
to also pursue non-degree flight training programs is a good
idea because it would expand the education possibilities for
disabled veterans. It would also standardize what flight school
programs are available in VR&E as currently a veteran could get
their pilot license through a public-school flight training
program. The Committee believes that this change would give
disabled veterans access to an often less expensive option,
that also takes significantly less time to complete. This
section would level the playing field and allow veterans within
the VR&E program to pursue any GI bill programs including
vocational flight training.
Section 4: Outreach Requirements for Department of Veterans Affairs
Training and Rehabilitation Programs for Veterans with Service-
Connected Disabilities
The purpose of VR&E Program is to provide veterans and
servicemembers with service-connected disabilities with the job
training and skills needed to obtain suitable employment and/or
achieve independent living. These programs cover such things as
short and long-term education or training, resume development,
and employment services. Family members of severely disabled
veterans may also be eligible for education and career
counseling. VR&E is split into six phases. These phases include
application, entitlement decision, evaluation/planning, ``five
tracks'', employment services, and rehabilitation.
Eligible veterans include those who received at least a 10%
disability rating from VA and have a serious employment
handicap. A serious employment handicap is defined as a
significant impairment of a veteran's ability to prepare for,
obtain, or retain employment consistent with his or her
abilities, aptitudes, and interests.\4\ Veterans with a
disability rating of 30% or more may use this program with only
an employment handicap that is preventing them from finding
suitable employment. If eligible, and a veteran has not used
any of their GI Bill entitlement, a veteran is eligible for 48
months of VR&E education, training, and employment services.
The basic period of eligibility ends 12 years from either the
date of separation of military service or the date a veteran is
first notified by VA that they have a service-connected
disability. If the veteran was discharged after January 1,
2013, the benefit does not expire. This period can also be
waived if the veteran has been found to have a serious
employment handicap.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\Veterans' Benefits: The Veteran Readiness and Employment Program
Updated May 10, 2021 (RL34627).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 167,000 veterans participated in the VR&E program in
2023\5\ and participation numbers continue to increase
following implementation of the PACT Act. Currently, veterans
pursuing any other GI Bill benefit are able to contact the
Education Call Center (ECC) to seek help or reach out with any
questions they may have regarding payments, entitlement or any
other matter. However, the VR&E program does not have a call
center or provide contact information for anyone knowledgeable
about the VR&E program at any of the VA regional offices. This
is very concerning as veterans who are in this program have
some type of handicap that hinders that ability to find
employment and they have no point of contact when they cannot
reach their assigned counselor. Additionally, some VA employees
may give out incorrect information to VR&E participants because
VR&E is not in their primary job function.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) 2023 Report.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This section would provide monthly question and answer
sessions for School Certifying Officials (SCOs) during which
SCOs would be able to ask VA employees any questions they have.
This section would also provide informational briefings by VR&E
employees or trained outreach specialists at the educational
institutions within the regional office's area and provide a
virtual option if the educational institution is more than 50
miles away. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, VA VR&E employees
would go out and visit educational institutions. This led to VA
employees and VA employees at the school developing
relationships and information getting to the school and veteran
students faster. The Committee believes that increasing the
interactions between VA employees and the school employees
would benefit the program and veterans enrolled in VR&E.
Additionally, this section would also require an annual
report to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs
on the number of entitlement extensions granted under VR&E. In
statute, an eligible veteran can be in the VR&E program for 48
months and may ask for an entitlement extension. There are
plenty of reasons why an entitlement extension would be
necessary, for instance if a veteran's disability worsens and
they can no longer pursue the employment track they intended
to, however, the Committee has received data from VA that
indicates 99% of entitlement extensions are approved. The
Committee believes that this is a drastically high approval
rating with little to no checks and balances in place. The
Committee believes this section would increase oversight of the
program by reporting the number annually to Congress. This
section would also require the VA Secretary to approve or
reject the extensions no later than 30 days after a veteran
submits an extension request. The Committee believes these
changes would provide more transparency for the veterans within
the VR&E program and oversight of the program to ensure it is
being mindful of taxpayer dollars.
Section 5: Extension of Certain Limits on Payments of Pension
Under current law (38 U.S.C. Sec. 5503(d)), the amount of
VA pension paid to veterans having no spouse nor child,
veterans' surviving spouses having no child, and veterans'
children who are admitted to a VA or Medicaid sponsored nursing
facility is capped at $90 a month. This section would cover the
costs of the other sections of this bill by extending this
pension limitation from November 30, 2031, to May 31, 2032.
Because they receive government sponsored care in a nursing
home, these pension beneficiaries do not require the full
amount of pension to cover their cost of living. The Committee
believes this short-term extension of the current limit on
pension payments is a reasonable way to cover the costs
associated with the other sections of this bill.
Hearings
On March 11, 2025, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a legislative hearing on H.R. 980 and other bills that
were pending before the subcommittee.
The following witnesses testified:
Mr. John Bell, Executive Director of Loan Guaranty
Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Nick
Pamperin, Executive Director, Veterans Readiness and
Employment, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Thomas J. Alphonso, Assistant Director, Policy and
Implementation, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Jill Albanese,
Director of Clinical Operations, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Kristina Keenan, Deputy Director,
National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars;
Ms. Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director for
Governmental Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America;
Ms. Elizabeth Balce, Executive Vice President of
Servicing at Carrington Mortgage, Mortgage Bankers
Association; Mr. Tobias Peter, Co-Director of the
Housing Center, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise
Institute; and Mr. Will Hubbard, Vice President for
Veterans and military Policy, Veterans Education
Success.
The following individuals and organizations submitted
statements for the record:
Freedom Mortgage, Student Veterans of America, the
Veterans Education Project, National Association of
Veterans Program Administrators, National Consumer Law
Center, BraunAbility, National Mobility Equipment
Dealers Association, and the National Alliance to End
Homelessness.
Subcommittee Consideration
On April 9, 2025, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
held a markup on H.R. 980. A motion by Representative Pappas to
favorably forward H.R. 980 to the full committee was agreed to
by voice vote.
Committee Consideration
On May 6, 2025, the full Committee met in an open markup
session, a quorum being present, and ordered H.R. 980, as
amended, to be reported favorably to the House of
Representatives by voice vote.
During consideration of the bill, the following amendments
were offered:
Representative Van Orden offered an amendment in the
nature of a substitute to H.R. 980. The amendment in
the nature of a substitute included the text of H.R.
1793, H.R. 913, and added an offset using the pension
payments to pay for the cost of the legislation. The
amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to
by a voice vote.
An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Ranking Member Takano. This
amendment would prohibit VA Education Service employees
from holding a position in the excepted service under
Schedule Policy or Career designations. This amendment
was not agreed to by a voice vote.
An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Ranking Member Takano. This
amendment would prohibit any layoffs from Education
Services positions at VA due to a potential Reduction
in Force (RIF). The amendment failed by recorded vote,
11-13.
An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Representative Conaway. This
amendment included a Sense of Congress that the
Department of Veterans Affairs should not foreclose on
veterans and should use the authorities granted them in
statute to continue providing loans to veterans to
prevent foreclosure. The amendment failed by recorded
vote, 11-13.
An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a
substitute was offered by Representative Conaway. This
amendment would have the Department of Veterans Affairs
pay a cash subsidy for nutrition assistance to veterans
who are no longer eligible for Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The amendment
failed by recorded vote, 11-13.
A motion by Ranking Member Takano to report H.R. 980, 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, three recorded votes were taken
on amendments, or in connection with ordering H.R. 980, as
amended, favorably reported to the House.
An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 980 offered by Mr. Takano was not agreed to by a
recorded vote of 11 ayes, 13 noes. The names of Members voting
for and against follow:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 980 offered by Mr. Conaway was not agreed to by a
recorded vote of 11 ayes, 13 noes. The names of Members voting
for and against follow:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute
to H.R. 980 offered by Mr. Conaway was not agreed to by a
recorded vote of 11 ayes, 13 noes. The names of Members voting
for and against follow:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
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. 980, as amended, are to improve
communication channels within the VR&E program and provide
increased oversight and modernizations for veterans enrolled in
the program.
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits
H.R. 980, 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
Pursuant to clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the following is the cost
estimate for H.R. 980, as amended, provided by the
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) pursuant to section 402 of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
The bill would:
Expand the types of flight training
available to veterans under the Veteran Readiness and
Employment (VR&E) program
Extend the reduction of pensions that the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays to veterans
and survivors residing in Medicaid nursing homes
Require VA to undertake additional outreach
activities related to the VR&E program
Estimated budgetary effects would mainly stem from:
Compensating VA staff to provide additional
outreach activities related to the VR&E program
Paying benefits for veterans pursuing flight
training
Reducing pension payments
Bill summary: H.R. 980 would expand the types of flight
training available to veterans under the Veteran Readiness and
Employment (VR&E) program and extend the reduction of pension
payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for
veterans and survivors who reside in Medicaid nursing homes.
The bill also would establish new outreach requirements for VA
related to the VR&E program.
Estimated Federal cost: The estimated budgetary effects of
H.R. 980 are shown in Table 1. Over the 2025-2035 period, the
bill would change net direct spending by less than $500,000 and
increase spending subject to appropriation by $137 million. The
costs of the legislation fall within budget functions 550
(health) and 700 (veterans benefits and services).
TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED BUDGETARY EFFECTS OF H.R. 980
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025- 2025-
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2030 2035
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASES OR DECREASES (-) IN DIRECT SPENDING
Estimated Budget Authority...................... * 2 2 2 2 2 2 -21 3 3 3 10 *
Estimated Outlays............................... * 2 2 2 2 2 2 -21 3 3 3 10 *
INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Estimated Authorization......................... 2 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 15 15 15 65 138
Estimated Outlays............................... 2 11 12 13 13 13 14 14 15 15 15 64 137
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* = between -$500,000 and $500,000.
Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R.
980 will be enacted in fiscal year 2025 and that provisions
will take effect upon enactment. CBO also estimates that
outlays will follow historical spending patterns for affected
programs.
Direct spending: H.R. 980 would expand the types of flight
training available to veterans under the VR&E program. The bill
also would extend the reduction of pension payments for
veterans and survivors who reside in a Medicaid nursing home.
The costs of both of those programs are paid from mandatory
appropriations. In total, the bill would change net direct
spending by less than $500,000 over the 2025-2035 period (see
Table 2).
TABLE 2.--ESTIMATED CHANGES IN DIRECT SPENDING UNDER H.R. 980
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2025-2030 2025-2035
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flight Training:
Estimated Budget Authority........................ * 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 10 24
Estimated Outlays................................. * 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 10 24
Pensions:
Estimated Budget Authority........................ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -24 0 0 0 0 -24
Estimated Outlays................................. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -24 0 0 0 0 -24
Total Changes:
Estimated Budget Authority........................ * 2 2 2 2 2 2 -21 3 3 3 10 *
Estimated Outlays................................. * 2 2 2 2 2 2 -21 3 3 3 10 *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* = between -$500,000 and $500,000.
Flight training: Veterans with service-connected
disabilities that negatively affect their ability to work can
receive vocational rehabilitation services such as educational
assistance, job training, skills counseling, and independent-
living services. For veterans pursuing education or training
programs, VA pays their tuition, fees, and related costs as
well as housing allowances. Under current law, the benefit can
be used for flight training that leads to a college degree;
section 3 would allow veterans to use the benefit for flight
training programs that do not lead to a degree. (Non-degree
flight training programs are often provided by vocational pilot
schools rather than colleges or universities; they issue
licenses or certifications upon successful completion.)
Using information from VA on the number of students using
the Post-9/11 GI Bill for non-degree flight training, CBO
expects that roughly 120 veterans who would not otherwise
receive vocational rehabilitation would pursue such training
under the bill each year, at an average annual cost of $18,300
per person. As a result, CBO estimates that enacting section 3
would increase direct spending by $24 million over the 2025-
2035 period.
Pensions: Under current law, VA reduces pension payments to
veterans and survivors who reside in Medicaid nursing homes to
$90 per month. That required reduction expires November 30,
2031. Section 5 would extend that reduction for six months
through May 31, 2032. CBO estimates that extending that
requirement would reduce VA benefits by $10 million per month.
(Those benefits are paid from mandatory appropriations and are
therefore considered direct spending.) As a result of that
reduction in beneficiaries' income, Medicaid would pay more of
the cost of their care, increasing spending for that program by
$6 million per month. Thus, enacting section 5 would reduce net
direct spending by $24 million over the 2025-2035 period.
Spending subject to appropriation: Section 4 would require
VA to hold monthly informational sessions with school officials
to answer questions concerning the VR&E program and to offer
in-person or virtual briefings for veterans regarding VR&E
services. CBO estimates that VA would need two trained outreach
specialists at each of its 56 regional offices to provide those
activities. Using information on VA personnel expenses, CBO
estimates that implementing section 4 would increase spending
subject to appropriation by $137 million over the 2025-2035
period (see Table 3).
TABLE 3.--ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 980
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2025-2030 2025-2035
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outreach:
Authorization...................................... 2 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 15 15 15 65 138
Estimated Outlays.................................. 2 11 12 13 13 13 14 14 15 15 15 64 137
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 2.
Increase in long-term net direct spending and deficits: CBO
estimates that enacting H.R. 980 would not increase net direct
spending by more than $2.5 billion in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2036.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 980 would not increase on-
budget deficits by more than $5 billion in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2036.
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
Veteran Readiness and Employment program); Logan Smith (for
pensions); 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. 980, 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.
980, as amended.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that H.R. 980, 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. 980, 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
This section would establish the short title of the bill as
the ``Veterans Readiness and Employment Improvement Act of
2025''
Section 2. Elimination of requirement that on-campus educational and
vocational counselling is provided by certain department of
veterans affairs employees
This section would amend 38 U.S.C. Sec. 3697B(a) by
striking the second sentence, which would decouple the VSOC
counselor from the requirement that an individual providing
counseling services on campus have a master's degree in a
relevant field of study as a minimum education.
Section 3: Authority of Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve non-
degree flight training courses as part of vocational
rehabilitation programs for certain veterans with service-
connected disabilities
This section would amend 38 U.S.C. Sec. 3104(b) by allowing
the Secretary to approve a rehabilitation program for a veteran
under this chapter that includes the pursuit of a course of
flight training other than one given by degree granting flight
training institution.
Section 4: Outreach requirements for Department of Veterans Affairs
training and rehabilitation programs for veterans with service-
connected disabilities
This section would amend 38 U.S.C. Sec. 3104 by adding a
new subsection that would establish a dedicated telephone
number within the Education Call Center Department for calls
regarding the VR&E program. Additionally, each regional office
would include on the website of the regional office, a name,
telephone number, and email address, through which veterans may
receive information about services provided under this chapter.
This section would add a monthly question and answer
session for SCOs to ask questions about the VR&E program to VA
employees. This section would also add an additional subsection
requiring the Secretary to ensure that VR&E counselors or
trained outreach specialists employed at each regional office
must provide an in-person briefing for veterans interested in
the program at each educational institution under their
purview. If the educational institution is over 50 miles away,
then a virtual briefing is permitted.
This section would also establish an annual mandated report
one year after enactment and annually thereafter on the
entitlement extension waivers. This report would be sent to the
House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. This report
would include the number of veterans who requested such
extension, the number of approved requests, and the number of
rejected requests. Finally, in this section if a veteran
applies for an extension the VA Secretary would have to approve
or reject the extension no later than 30 days after the date on
which the extension was submitted.
Section 5: Extension of certain limits on payments of pension
This section would extend the limitation of pension payable
to certain veterans, their surviving spouses, and their
children as established in section 5503(d)(7) of Title 38,
United States Code, from November 30, 2031, to May 31, 2032.
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 III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED
BENEFITS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 31--TRAINING AND REHABILITATION FOR
VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES
Sec.
3100. Purposes.
* * * * * * *
3123. Outreach requirements.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 3104. Scope of services and assistance
(a) Services and assistance which the Secretary may provide
under this chapter, pursuant to regulations which the Secretary
shall prescribe, include the following:
(1) Evaluation, including periodic reevaluations as
appropriate with respect to a veteran participating in
a rehabilitation program, of the potential for
rehabilitation of a veteran, including diagnostic and
related services (A) to determine whether the veteran
has an employment handicap or a serious employment
handicap and whether a vocational goal is reasonably
feasible for such veteran, and (B) to provide a basis
for planning a suitable vocational rehabilitation
program or a program of services and assistance to
improve the vocational rehabilitation potential or
independent living status of such veteran, as
appropriate.
(2) Educational, vocational, psychological,
employment, and personal adjustment counseling.
(3) An allowance and other appropriate assistance, as
authorized by section 3108 of this title.
(4) A work-study allowance as authorized by section
3485 of this title.
(5) Placement services to effect suitable placement
in employment, and postplacement services to attempt to
insure satisfactory adjustment in employment.
(6) Personal adjustment and work adjustment training.
(7)(A) Vocational and other training services and
assistance, including individualized tutorial
assistance, tuition, fees, books, supplies, handling
charges, licensing fees, and equipment and other
training materials determined by the Secretary to be
necessary to accomplish the purposes of the
rehabilitation program in the individual case.
(B) Payment for the services and assistance provided
under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall be made
from funds available for the payment of readjustment
benefits.
(8) Loans as authorized by section 3112 of this
title.
(9) Treatment, care, and services described in
chapter 17 of this title.
(10) Prosthetic appliances, eyeglasses, and other
corrective and assistive devices.
(11) Services to a veteran's family as necessary for
the effective rehabilitation of such veteran.
(12) Such license fees and essential equipment,
supplies, and minimum stocks of materials as the
Secretary determines to be necessary for a veteran to
begin self-employment and are within the criteria and
cost limitations that the Secretary shall prescribe in
regulations for the furnishing of such fees, equipment,
supplies, and stocks.
(13) Travel and incidental expenses under the terms
and conditions set forth in section 111 of this title,
plus, in the case of a veteran who because of such
veteran's disability has transportation expenses in
addition to those incurred by persons not so disabled,
a special transportation allowance to defray such
additional expenses during rehabilitation, job seeking,
and the initial employment stage.
(14) Special services (including services related to
blindness and deafness) including--
(A) language training, speech and voice
correction, training in ambulation, and one-
hand typewriting;
(B) orientation, adjustment, mobility,
reader, interpreter, and related services; and
(C) telecommunications, sensory, and other
technical aids and devices.
(15) Services necessary to enable a veteran to
achieve maximum independence in daily living.
(16) Other incidental goods and services determined
by the Secretary to be necessary to accomplish the
purposes of a rehabilitation program in an individual
case.
(b)(1) A rehabilitation program (including individual
courses) to be pursued by a veteran shall be subject to the
approval of the Secretary. [To the maximum extent practicable]
Except as provided under paragraph (2), to the maximum extent
practicable, a course of education or training may be pursued
by a veteran as part of a rehabilitation program under this
chapter only if the course is approved for purposes of chapter
30 or 33 of this title. The Secretary may waive the requirement
under the preceding sentence to the extent the Secretary
determines appropriate.
(2) Notwithstanding section 3680A(b) of this title, the
Secretary may approve a rehabilitation program for a veteran
under this chapter that includes the pursuit of a course of
flight training other than one given by an educational
institution of higher learning for credit toward a standard
college degree the veteran is seeking.
(c)(1) The Secretary shall have the authority to administer
this chapter by prioritizing the provision of services under
this chapter based on need, as determined by the Secretary,
including with respect to providing priority for services under
subsection (a)(12) to veterans with the most severe service-
connected disabilities who require homebound training or self-
employment, or both homebound training and self-employment. In
evaluating need for purposes of this subsection, the Secretary
shall consider disability ratings, the severity of employment
handicaps, qualification for a program of independent living,
income, and any other factor the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(2) Not later than 90 days before making any changes to the
prioritization of the provision of services under this chapter
as authorized under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit
to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House
of Representatives a plan describing such changes.
(d) The Secretary may not assist a veteran in acquiring
adaptations to the residence of the veteran under this chapter.
Any such assistance may be furnished only under section 2102B
of this title.
(e) In the case of any veteran whom the Secretary determines
is satisfactorily following a program of employment services
provided under subsection (a)(5) during the period of an
emergency situation, the Secretary may pay the veteran a
subsistence allowance, as prescribed in section 3108 of this
title for full-time training for the type of program that the
veteran was pursuing, for two additional months, if the
Secretary determines that the veteran is negatively affected by
the emergency situation.
(f) The Secretary shall establish a dedicated telephone
number within the Education Call Center of the Department for
calls about services provided under this chapter. Each regional
office of the Department shall include, on the website of the
regional office, a name, telephone number, and email address,
through which veterans may receive information about services
provided under this chapter.
Sec. 3105. Duration of rehabilitation programs
(a) In any case in which the Secretary is unable to determine
whether it currently is reasonably feasible for a veteran to
achieve a vocational goal, the period of extended evaluation
under section 3106(c) of this title may not exceed twelve
months, except that such period may be extended for additional
periods of up to six months each if the Secretary determines
before granting any such extension that it is reasonably likely
that, during the period of any such extension, a determination
can be made whether the achievement of a vocational goal is
reasonably feasible in the case of such veteran.
(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) and in
subsection (c), the period of a vocational rehabilitation
program for a veteran under this chapter following a
determination of the current reasonable feasibility of
achieving a vocational goal may not exceed forty-eight months,
except that the counseling and placement and postplacement
services described in section 3104(a)(2) and (5) of this title
may be provided for an additional period not to exceed eighteen
months in any case in which the Secretary determines the
provision of such counseling and services to be necessary to
accomplish the purposes of a rehabilitation program in the
individual case.
(2) The period of a vocational rehabilitation program pursued
by a veteran under section 3102(b) of this title following a
determination of the current reasonable feasibility of
achieving a vocational goal may not exceed 12 months.
(3)(A) In any case in which the Secretary determines that a
veteran has been prevented from participating in counseling and
placement and postplacement services described in paragraphs
(2) and (5) of section 3104(a) of this title due to an
emergency situation, the Secretary shall extend the period
during which the Secretary may provide such counseling and
placement and postplacement services for the veteran for a
period equal to the number of months that the veteran was so
prevented from participating in such counseling and services,
as determined by the Secretary.
(B) In any case in which the Secretary determines that a
veteran has been prevented from participating in a vocational
rehabilitation program under this chapter due to an emergency
situation, the Secretary shall extend the period of the
veteran's vocational rehabilitation program for a period equal
to the number of months that the veteran was so prevented from
participating in the vocational rehabilitation program, as
determined by the Secretary.
(c)(1) The Secretary may extend the period of a vocational
rehabilitation program for a veteran to the extent that the
Secretary determines that an extension of such period is
necessary to enable such veteran to achieve a vocational goal
if the Secretary also determines--
[(1)] (A) that such veteran had previously been
rehabilitated to the point of employability but (A)
such veteran's need for further vocational
rehabilitation has arisen out of a worsening of such
veteran's service-connected disability that precludes
such veteran from performing the duties of the
occupation for which such veteran had been so
rehabilitated, or (B) the occupation for which such
veteran had been so rehabilitated is not suitable in
view of such veteran's current employment handicap and
capabilities; or
[(2)] (B) under regulations which the Secretary shall
prescribe, that such veteran has a serious employment
handicap and that an extension of such period is
necessary to accomplish the purposes of a
rehabilitation program for such veteran.
(2) If a veteran applies for an extension under paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall approve or reject the extension by not
later than 30 days after the date on which the veteran submits
a request for the extension.
(d)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the period of a
program of independent living services and assistance for a
veteran under this chapter (following a determination by the
Secretary that such veteran's disability or disabilities are so
severe that the achievement of a vocational goal currently is
not reasonably feasible) may not exceed twenty-four months.
(2)(A) The period of a program of independent living services
and assistance for a veteran under this chapter may exceed
twenty-four months as follows:
(i) If the Secretary determines that a longer period
is necessary and likely to result in a substantial
increase in the veteran's level of independence in
daily living.
(ii) If the veteran served on active duty during the
Post-9/11 Global Operations period and has a severe
disability (as determined by the Secretary for purposes
of this clause) incurred or aggravated in such service.
(B) In this paragraph, the term ``Post-9/11 Global Operations
period'' means the period of the Persian Gulf War beginning on
September 11, 2001, and ending on the date thereafter
prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law.
(e)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or
chapter 36 of this title, any payment of a subsistence
allowance and other assistance described in paragraph (2) shall
not--
(A) be charged against any entitlement of any veteran
under this chapter; or
(B) be counted toward the aggregate period for which
section 3695 of this title limits an individual's
receipt of allowance or assistance.
(2) The payment of the subsistence allowance and other
assistance referred to in paragraph (1) is the payment of such
an allowance or assistance for the period described in
paragraph (3) to a veteran for participation in a vocational
rehabilitation program under this chapter if the Secretary
finds that the veteran had to suspend or discontinue
participation in such vocational rehabilitation program as a
result of being ordered to serve on active duty under section
688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, 12304, 12304a, or
12304b of title 10.
(3) The period for which, by reason of this subsection, a
subsistence allowance and other assistance is not charged
against entitlement or counted toward the applicable aggregate
period under section 3695 of this title shall be the period of
participation in the vocational rehabilitation program for
which the veteran failed to receive credit or with respect to
which the veteran lost training time, as determined by the
Secretary.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 3123. Outreach requirements
(a) Question and Answer Sessions.--The Secretary shall
provide monthly question and answer sessions for appropriate
school certifying officials during which such officials shall
have the opportunity to ask questions of Department employees
who are veteran readiness and employment counselors or trained
outreach specialists.
(b) Informational Briefings.--(1) The Secretary shall ensure
that veteran readiness and employment counselors or trained
outreach specialists employed by a Regional Office of the
Department provide in-person briefings for veterans about
services provided under this chapter at each educational
institution located in the geographic area served by the
Regional Office.
(2) The Secretary may provide a briefing required under
paragraph (1) virtually in the case of an educational
institution located more than 50 miles away from the
headquarters of the Regional Office.
(c) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs
of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the
extension of periods of vocational rehabilitation programs
under section 3105(c) of this title. Such report shall include,
for the year covered by the report--
(1) the number of veterans who requested such an
extension;
(2) the number of such requests that were approved;
and
(3) the number of such requests that were rejected.
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 36--ADMINISTRATION OF EDUCATIONAL
BENEFITS
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
Sec. 3697B. On-campus educational and vocational counseling
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide educational and
vocational counseling services for individuals described in
section 3697A(b) of this title at locations on the campuses of
institutions of higher learning selected by the Secretary.
[Such counseling services shall be provided by employees of the
Department who provide such services under section 3697A of
this title.]
(b) Selection of Locations.--(1) To be selected by the
Secretary under this section, an institution of higher learning
shall provide an appropriate space on the campus of the
institution where counseling services can be provided under
this section.
(2) In selecting locations for the provision of counseling
services under this section, the Secretary shall seek to select
locations where the maximum number of veterans would have
access to such services.
(c) Annual Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, and each year thereafter, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the counseling
services provided under this section. Such report shall
include, for the year covered by the report--
(1) the average ratio of counselors providing such
services to individuals who received such services at
each location where such services were provided;
(2) a description of such services provided;
(3) the recommendations of the Secretary for
improving the provision of such services; and
(4) any other matters the Secretary determines
appropriate.
* * * * * * *
PART IV--GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE
PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 55--MINORS, INCOMPETENTS, AND OTHER
WARDS
* * * * * * *
Sec. 5503. Hospitalized veterans and estates of incompetent
institutionalized veterans
(a)(1)(A) Where any veteran having neither spouse nor child
is being furnished domiciliary care by the Department, no
pension in excess of $90 per month shall be paid to or for the
veteran for any period after the end of the third full calendar
month following the month of admission for such care.
(B) Except as provided in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph,
where any veteran having neither spouse nor child is being
furnished nursing home care by the Department, no pension in
excess of $90 per month shall be paid to or for the veteran for
any period after the end of the third full calendar month
following the month of admission for such care. Any amount in
excess of $90 per month to which the veteran would be entitled
but for the application of the preceding sentence shall be
deposited in a revolving fund at the Department medical
facility which furnished the veteran nursing care, and such
amount shall be available for obligation without fiscal year
limitation to help defray operating expenses of that facility.
(C) No pension in excess of $90 per month shall be paid to or
for a veteran having neither spouse nor child for any period
after the month in which such veteran is readmitted for care
described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph and
furnished by the Department if such veteran is readmitted
within six months of a period of care in connection with which
pension was reduced pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of this
paragraph.
(D) In the case of a veteran being furnished nursing home
care by the Department and with respect to whom subparagraph
(B) of this paragraph requires a reduction in pension, such
reduction shall not be made for a period of up to three
additional calendar months after the last day of the third
month referred to in such subparagraph if the Secretary
determines that the primary purpose for the furnishing of such
care during such additional period is for the Department to
provide such veteran with a prescribed program of
rehabilitation services, under chapter 17 of this title,
designed to restore such veteran's ability to function within
such veteran's family and community. If the Secretary
determines that it is necessary, after such period, for the
veteran to continue such program of rehabilitation services in
order to achieve the purposes of such program and that the
primary purpose of furnishing nursing home care to the veteran
continues to be the provision of such program to the veteran,
the reduction in pension required by subparagraph (B) of this
paragraph shall not be made for the number of calendar months
that the Secretary determines is necessary for the veteran to
achieve the purposes of such program.
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) shall also apply to a
veteran being furnished such care who has a spouse but whose
pension is payable under section 1521(b) of this title. In such
a case, the Secretary may apportion and pay to the spouse, upon
an affirmative showing of hardship, all or any part of the
amounts in excess of the amount payable to the veteran while
being furnished such care which would be payable to the veteran
if pension were payable under section 1521(c) of this title.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or
any other provision of law, no reduction shall be made in the
pension of any veteran for any part of the period during which
the veteran is furnished hospital treatment, or institutional
or domiciliary care, for Hansen's disease, by the United States
or any political subdivision thereof.
(c) Where any veteran in receipt of an aid and attendance
allowance described in subsection (r) or (t) of section 1114 of
this title is hospitalized at Government expense, such
allowance shall be discontinued from the first day of the
second calendar month which begins after the date of the
veteran's admission for such hospitalization for so long as
such hospitalization continues. Any discontinuance required by
administrative regulation, during hospitalization of a veteran
by the Department, of increased pension based on need of
regular aid and attendance or additional compensation based on
need of regular aid and attendance as described in subsection
(l) or (m) of section 1114 of this title, shall not be
effective earlier than the first day of the second calendar
month which begins after the date of the veteran's admission
for hospitalization. In case a veteran affected by this
subsection leaves a hospital against medical advice and is
thereafter admitted to hospitalization within six months from
the date of such departure, such allowance, increased pension,
or additional compensation, as the case may be, shall be
discontinued from the date of such readmission for so long as
such hospitalization continues.
(d)(1) For the purposes of this subsection--
(A) the term ``Medicaid plan'' means a State plan for
medical assistance referred to in section 1902(a) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)); and
(B) the term ``nursing facility'' means a nursing
facility described in section 1919 of such Act (42
U.S.C. 1396r), other than a facility that is a State
home with respect to which the Secretary makes per diem
payments for nursing home care pursuant to section
1741(a) of this title.
(2) If a veteran having neither spouse nor child is covered
by a Medicaid plan for services furnished such veteran by a
nursing facility, no pension in excess of $90 per month shall
be paid to or for the veteran for any period after the month of
admission to such nursing facility.
(3) Notwithstanding any provision of title XIX of the Social
Security Act, the amount of the payment paid a nursing facility
pursuant to a Medicaid plan for services furnished a veteran
may not be reduced by any amount of pension permitted to be
paid such veteran under paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(4) A veteran is not liable to the United States for any
payment of pension in excess of the amount permitted under this
subsection that is paid to or for the veteran by reason of the
inability or failure of the Secretary to reduce the veteran's
pension under this subsection unless such inability or failure
is the result of a willful concealment by the veteran of
information necessary to make a reduction in pension under this
subsection.
(5)(A) The provisions of this subsection shall apply with
respect to a surviving spouse having no child in the same
manner as they apply to a veteran having neither spouse nor
child.
(B) The provisions of this subsection shall apply with
respect to a child entitled to pension under section 1542 of
this title in the same manner as they apply to a veteran having
neither spouse nor child.
(6) The costs of administering this subsection shall be paid
for from amounts available to the Department of Veterans
Affairs for the payment of compensation and pension.
(7) This subsection expires on [November 30, 2031] May 31,
2032.
* * * * * * *
[all]