Extending and Modifying Certain Authorities and Requirements Relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for S. 2795.

Before I speak on the bill, I would like to note that September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. I remind everyone that help is available any time of day or night. If you are a veteran in crisis, or if you are concerned about a veteran, confidential help is available by calling 988 and selecting 1, or you can text 838255. You are not alone.

The House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs have worked together in a bipartisan manner on S. 2795, which extends expiring authorities for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Senate passed this bill by unanimous consent, and I hope my colleagues will support it. This bill must be signed into law before Sunday so that important programs at VA do not lapse.

It is a bit ironic that we all recognize the need to pass this bill before Sunday because of how important VA programs are and that we work to extend them the same week that we are facing a government shutdown that will shutter some important services at VA.

Nevertheless, this is a must-pass piece of legislation. Section 1 of the bill extends VA's authority to enlist medical professionals across State lines for the purposes of conducting disability medical exams on behalf of veterans.

When a veteran files a claim with VA for a service-connected disability, they are often required to receive an exam to document and substantiate their injury or illness and its severity. This exam requires a medical professional who is well-versed in the injuries and illnesses that are unique to the veterans population and in the forms VA requires to be submitted. It may be the case that a provider with this expertise is not reasonably near the veteran.

To alleviate this problem, Congress enabled VA to authorize certain medical professionals to practice across State lines. This vital authority has been used by VA and its contract examiners to tremendous effect, greatly reducing the potential wait time a veteran may face in scheduling their exam and also reducing the distance many veterans must travel to attend that exam.

Extending this authority means removing roadblocks to veterans accessing the care and benefits they have earned.

Section 2 of S. 2795 provides relief to veterans who are affected by the closure or disapproval of an educational institution.

Student veterans should not be the ones penalized when their school closes. While we can't give student veterans back their time when their higher education institution closes, at the very least we should give them back their GI eligibility. Section 2 of this legislation extends the relief established in the Isakson and Roe law for more than 2 years.

Our committee remains committed to making it straightforward for student veterans to get their benefits back when a school fails to uphold its promise. While it is important to make sure that the authority being extended in the legislation before us today does not lapse on Sunday, I note that a permanent solution authored by Representative Ramirez, H.R. 1767, the Bipartisan Student Veterans Benefit Restoration Act, has been favorably reported out of the committee and is widely supported by the veterans service organizations but is still awaiting a vote before the full House.

Representative Ramirez' bill would address the inequity in protections and relief for current and former student veterans who have lost their GI Bill benefits due to fraud when their benefits were not restored while their nonveteran classmates have had their student loans discharged.

It is inexplicable that, in our current system, these student veterans are still waiting for their relief and that Congress allows this inequity to persist.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to take up and pass H.R. 1767 as soon as possible. It would grant relief to thousands of student veterans who have lost their GI Bill benefits due to fraud and would finally ensure that GI Bill beneficiaries have the same protections as student loan borrowers.

Section 3 of the bill before us today will extend VA's authority to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies for the next 5 years.

This authority is commonly referred to as ``VA's Fourth Mission.'' The bill authorizes appropriations to carry out this authority.

Under its Fourth Mission, VA carries out several major responsibilities. First and foremost, it ensures VA medical facilities are prepared to protect veterans and staff during a public health emergency.

Second, under this authority, VA serves as a contingency backup to the Department of Defense medical system during a national emergency. VA can also provide support under this authority, such as staff or medical supplies, to assist civilian patients.

Finally, VA may furnish hospital care or medical services at its own facilities to nonveteran patients on a humanitarian basis during emergencies.

The COVID-19 emergency proved what a vital role VA's Fourth Mission authority plays in protecting public health, not just for veterans but for all Americans. I could not be prouder of how heroically the Department of Veterans Affairs carried out this mission during the height of the pandemic. VA not only sustained its own capacity to provide care to veterans and prevent the spread of the virus among its workforce, but it also provided critical care to civilians, serving as the backstop to the American healthcare system through Fourth Mission assignments in nearly every State and territory.

More than 6,000 VA employees volunteered to deploy to assist civilian or Tribal health systems. VA provided nearly 1.2 million pieces of PPE, such as masks, gloves, and gowns to non-VA facilities. VA admitted nearly 700 nonveterans for care at its medical facilities.

The difference VA made through its Fourth Mission authority cannot be overstated. Countless lives have been saved, and it is imperative that we extend this authority.

Finally, this bill includes a noncontroversial section regarding housing loan fees that provides an offset to the small cost of this bill.

Congress has extended these authorities countless times with the support of the VSO community, which ensures that this legislation does not increase the debt or deficit.

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Mr. TAKANO. Jackson Lee), my good friend who holds a seat on the House Budget Committee, Homeland Security Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee. She is indeed a staunch advocate for all of our military servicemembers and veterans.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California, particularly for his extended leadership and work on behalf of the Nation's veterans. I thank our manager, who is leading on the majority.

This is an important and bipartisan effort to ensure the promise that we make to the men and women of the United States military that ultimately serve--and I always use this term--particularly, for those who have come from the city of Houston, and Texas, and then for the Nation. These men and women put on the uniform unselfishly. They are ready to serve. They own up to their responsibilities. They are going away from their families, and they come back and are in need of important services.

This bill is important because it extends from 3 to 5 years the authority for additional licensed healthcare professionals to perform medical disability examinations as part of an existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations.

If you do casework in your district, you are well aware of the challenges of our veterans in getting assessed for disability. Some feel unfairly treated and analyzed for the percentages that they get.

This is certainly extremely important with 18.5 million veterans in the United States, and with 1.5 million of them from my own State of Texas.

Several initiatives that I have designed in the past have aided Active-Duty servicemen and servicewomen, along with veterans, such as enforcing accurate reporting of maternity mortality rates among the Armed Forces, addressing physical and mental health concerns, and securing triple negative breast cancer funding.

This legislation is extremely important because it adds, if you will, additional services, expands additional services, and it also reflects our commitment to every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine that is welcomed back with all the care and compassion that this grateful Nation can show.

Our Nation has a proud legacy of appreciation and commitment to the men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of this county. Veterans continue to have unanswered needs.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, veterans continue to have many unanswered needs, and I will continue to fight for their rights.

The reason why it is important to move quickly on the extension in this bill is because in addition to the ability to assess one's benefits, it is, of course, recognizing the myriad of issues they face, such as homelessness.

Mr. Speaker, I will conclude by saying, should we not focus on their service, their commitment, and realize that shutting down the government is not in any way an expression of gratitude to those men and women who serve us unselfishly?

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support S. 2795, and for us to proceed in a way that honors this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2795, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and modify certain authorities and requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

S. 2795, a bill passed by the Senate on September 13, 2023, is an important and necessary measure that I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of today because it will serve as a critical and necessary source of support for our veterans by extending the eligibility or applicability of various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits.

First, the bill extends from three to five years the authority for additional licensed health care professionals (i.e., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists) to perform medical disability examinations as part of the existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations.

Currently, when an individual transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved, the individual is deemed to have not received those credits, and no charge from the individual's entitlement to education assistance may be made for that period of enrollment.

Under the bill, this period of relief for those affected by a closure or disapproval is extended by two years to apply to programs that close or discontinue before September 30, 2025.

This bill also extends authorization for VA emergency preparedness for public health emergencies through FY2028.

Additionally, the bill also extends the applicability of certain loan fee rates under the VA's home loan program through November 15, 2031.

These proposed changes align with my longstanding support for veterans.

Of the 18.5 million veterans in the United States, 1.5 million of them are from my own state of Texas.

Several initiatives I have designed in the past have aided active- duty servicemen and women along with veterans, such as enforcing accurate reporting of maternity mortality rates among the Armed Forces, addressing physical and mental health concerns, and securing authorization for Triple Negative Breast Cancer as well as Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In 2015, I was also proud to introduce the H.E.R.O.E.S. Act which offers assistance and materials to help veteran's transition from the battlefield to the workforce.

I am very proud of the work Congress has done to address the health concerns of active duty and veteran servicemen and women, but there are still improvements to be made.

According to Texas State University researchers, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found ``a lack of effective interventions persist for the veteran population from public agencies such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VA) and private organizations.''

In other words, although programs and resources have been implemented to assist veterans, there is still work to be done, as the veteran community is still suffering.

According to CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, ``the overall health of the average U.S. veteran is far worse than that of the average American, with veterans suffering more from such conditions as obesity, skin cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arthritis, kidney disease and mental health disorders.''

Members of the armed forces are vital to our nation, and I am committed to ensuring that veterans receive the quality healthcare and other services that they deserve.

We must be united in seeing that every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine is welcomed back with all the care and compassion this grateful nation can bestow.

Our nation has a proud legacy of appreciation and commitment to the men and women who have worn the uniform in defense of this country.

Veterans continue to have many unanswered needs, and I will continue to fight for the rights of our most patriotic Americans.

Mr. Speaker, it is important that we pass this legislation, but it is cold comfort when the operation of the entire government is hanging in the balance this week.

We aren't any closer to extending funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other Federal agencies that servicemembers and veterans depend on.

I think we all need to consider what a shutdown means for servicemembers and veterans. It will undermine the PACT Act by delaying the onboarding of much-needed veteran service representatives, and negatively impact customer service for veterans. The claims backlog will grow, delaying benefits and services.

Important research will come to a halt, including life-improving prosthetics research.

There will be no setting of headstones at veteran cemeteries.

Student veterans will have counseling appointments canceled.

Hiring and training of new employees will stop, creating delays that will last for months.

The Veterans Benefits Administration, the office that oversees student veteran benefits, veteran housing, pensions, and servicemember transition will have 40 percent of its staff furloughed.

At the Department of Defense, over 1 million soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, space guardians, and their families will go without pay.

Training will stop, impacting our long-term readiness and security.

Commissaries will be closed on many bases, making it harder to get basic essentials that military families need.

At the Department of Agriculture, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC food assistance, will be cut off. Nearly a quarter, 24 percent of the Active-Duty servicemembers and families are food insecure, and 9 percent of those families depend on WIC. You heard that right--9 percent of our military families depend on WIC.

How are our servicemembers supposed to focus on their job, which is inherently dangerous, or a deployment when they are worried if their family has enough to eat?

My colleagues may not think about these issues as they relate to veterans. They are too busy giving lip service to half-hearted attempts to cut the deficit that they helped create rather than thinking about the actual consequences of their rhetoric.

There is growing evidence that both older and disabled veterans are suffering from food insecurity, as well as student veterans and Native veterans. The Rand Corporation released a study examining the issue of food insecurity among veterans.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, food insecurity is linked to many poor outcomes for physical and mental health, including increased risk of suicide. Food insecure veterans have a 400 percent higher rate of suicidal ideation. Food insecure veterans with a diagnosed mental health issue have a 900 percent higher rate of suicidal ideation.

We, as Members of Congress, like to stand here on the floor of the House or in front of the press or at a Memorial Day parade in our districts saying that we are working every angle, trying with all our might to eliminate or at least bring down the rate of veteran suicide. But how we spend or don't spend taxpayer money reveals our true values.

When we are trying to do everything possible to address veteran suicide, these pernicious cuts around the edges are simply increasing risk for vulnerable Americans, and this includes veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

Maybe my colleagues don't want to think about the ugly truth of members of the military not getting paid. The ugly truth is that those who serve are being asked to go without. Is that fair?

As noted in a recent article in Task and Purpose, cost of living and food insecurity are ongoing concerns for military families and veterans.

Mr. Speaker, the plain truth is that military families depend on programs like SNAP and WIC to make ends meet. I have been working with my Democratic colleagues over the last several months on ways to address the barriers faced by veterans to access important services like SNAP and housing vouchers. We should be focused on increasing access rather than looking to undermine or cut services for veterans.

The plain truth is just that the threat of a government shutdown, the uncertainty created by the House Republicans' inability to govern creates unknowns and stress for our servicemembers and families. We should be providing predictability and stability to those who serve. Instead, the Speaker can't even tell us what funding measures we will be voting on this week.

This looming shutdown is a self-inflicted wound by the House majority, who are choosing politics over the responsibilities of governance.

Mr. Speaker, the impact of this shutdown will be felt worldwide by military and veteran families.

Mr. Speaker, S. 2795 is a good bill and I urge its support by all my colleagues. It is impossible to pass this legislation, which we should do, without recognizing what House Republicans aren't doing.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I remind my esteemed colleague and friend-- and I do believe the gentleman from Illinois is my friend--that we are about to tonight bring up, again, the rule for the Defense appropriations bill. This body failed to even pass a rule and to bring to the floor the Defense appropriations bill.

Barring an ability to fund a continuing resolution before October 1, which is this Sunday, we are facing our military servicemembers going without a paycheck. This is a very serious moment. As far as I know, none of the 12 appropriations bills have been agreed to and been sent to the President's desk.

The bill before us today, this moment, is a bipartisan, noncontroversial bill that needs to be signed by the President before Sunday. Time is of the essence, but we can't forget all the things that we are not accomplishing for veterans today, that we are not accomplishing for our servicemembers who are in harm's way.

Servicemembers, veterans, and their families deserve to have access to food, deserve to have access to housing, and deserve to have access to healthcare and mental health care. If we look at the reauthorization of the agriculture bill, it is atrocious what is done to all the nutrition programs that our veterans and our military families depend on.

Do not be fooled by the fact that we have passed a military construction bill that fully funds VA but has not yet been agreed to because of all of the poison pills that have been put into that bill. We stand here waiting to see if the House Republicans can fulfill the most basic role of Congress, which is to fund the government.

The brinksmanship of extremists in control of this Chamber is putting servicemember pay and the WIC program at risk. This situation is both unconscionable and was totally avoidable, yet we are here at the precipice.

Madam Speaker, again, I ask all my colleagues to join me in passing S. 2795. Fund the government. Feed veterans, feed servicemembers, and feed their families.

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Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I am pleased that the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost), my friend and colleague, would like to feed cabbage to his hogs, but I want to feed America's veterans, America's military families, and America's servicemembers.

I ask all of my colleagues to join me in not only passing S. 2795, but we also need to fund the government, and we need to make sure that our military families, our veterans, and our servicemembers have enough to eat.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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