Congressional Record, House, November 16, 2021, Page H6288

Summary

A page of the Congressional Record, House, dated November 16, 2021, at page H6288. Mr. Takano asks colleagues to pass S. 796, the Protecting Moms Who Served Act of 2021, and Ms. Adams speaks in strong support of the bipartisan legislation, thanking Ms. Underwood and others for their leadership. They say the bill would commission the first comprehensive study of the maternal health crisis among women veterans, with an emphasis on racial and ethnic disparities, and that it passed the House with unanimous bipartisan support. The page also carries bill text on an expansion of Vet Center services, including for veterans and members using educational assistance benefits. The remarks are the speakers' own.

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“Congressional Record, House, November 16, 2021, Page H6288.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-11-16-crec-2021-11-16-pt1-pgh6288-faf3d601c4/, SHA-256 3a8002310501ed1236575afb910109033faa7e72db6e709fdf232ead3f5dd1fe.

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H6288 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 16, 2021
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Additionally, this bill will commission the SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF VET CENTER SERVICES.
of my colleagues to join me in passing first-ever comprehensive study of America’s (a) VETERANS AND MEMBERS USING EDU-
CATIONAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS.—Section
this important piece of legislation, S. maternal health crisis among women Vet- 1712A of title 38, United States Code, is
796, the Protecting Moms Who Served erans, with a particular emphasis on racial and amended—
Act of 2021, and I yield back the bal- ethnic disparities. (1) by striking ‘‘clauses (i) through (vi)’’
ance of my time. This study is needed to provide further un- both places it appears and inserting ‘‘clauses
Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to derstanding of the maternal health challenges (i) through (vii)’’;
speak in strong support of the bipartisan legis- experienced among women who served. (2) by striking ‘‘in clause (vii)’’ both places
lation, Protecting Moms Who Served Act. On May 12th, this legislation passed the it appears and inserting ‘‘in clause (viii)’’;
But before I do, I want to thank Congress- house with unanimous bipartisan support. (3) in subsection (a)(1)(C)—
(A) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause
woman LAUREN UNDERWOOD for her leader- Today, we are here to vote once more and (viii); and
ship on this bill. I would also like to thank Sen- finally send this bill to the President’s desk, (B) by inserting after clause (vi) the fol-
ator DUCKWORTH and Representatives JULIA changing the lives of millions of women Vet- lowing new clause:
BROWNLEY, GUS BILIRAKIS, and BRIAN erans and their children. ‘‘(vii) Any veteran or member of the Armed
FITZPATRICK for their co-leadership. Let’s remember that strong and supportive Forces pursuing a course of education using
Together, Congresswoman UNDERWOOD healthcare for birthing people supports the fu- covered educational assistance benefits.’’;
and I are the co-founders and co-chairs of the ture of our Nation by investing in the well- and
Black Maternal Health Caucus, as well as lead being of children and families. (4) in subsection (h), by adding at the end
sponsors of the Momnibus—comprehensive the following new paragraph:
And today’s vote ensures a healthcare sys- ‘‘(6) The term ‘covered educational assist-
legislation that addresses every dimension of tem for women Veterans that will offer the ance benefits’ means educational assistance
the maternal health crisis in the United States. best maternal care available. benefits provided pursuant to—
And it gives me great joy to say that the I am proud to see our progress towards ‘‘(A) chapters 30, 31, 32, or 33 of this title;
Protecting Moms Who Served Act will be the ending maternal mortality and disparities ‘‘(B) chapters 1606 or 1607 of title 10;
first bill of the Momnibus to pass in Congress. among our moms who served. I look forward ‘‘(C) section 116 of the Harry W. Colmery
The United States continues to have the to continuing to address these issues in Con- Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017
highest maternal mortality rates in the devel- gress as we examine and discuss the mater- (Public Law 115–48; 38 U.S.C. 3001 note); or
oped world. Women and birthing people of ‘‘(D) section 8006 of the American Rescue
nal mortality and morbidity issues that threaten Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2; 38 U.S.C.
color die during or after pregnancy at 3 to 4 our Nation. 3001 note prec.).’’.
times the rates of their White counterparts. To all my colleagues—lets pass the Pro- (b) GAO REPORT.—Not later than one year
For the nearly 2 million women Veterans, tecting Moms Who Served Act for our women after the date of the enactment of this Act,
maternal health outcomes are not any better. Veterans, their children, and their families. the Comptroller General of the United States
Pregnant and postpartum women who served What we do here today will live beyond our shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’
face unique maternal health risks that deserve Affairs of the House of Representatives and
time in Congress and impact generations of the Senate a report assessing—
our attention. women who serve. (1) the mental health needs of veterans
For example, the risk of pregnancy com- It is time we make sure that Veterans, who pursuing a course of education using covered
plications may be higher for women Veterans have done so much for our country, receive educational assistance benefits (as defined in
receiving maternity care through Veterans Af- the support and resources they need. section 1712A(h)(6) of title 38, United States
fairs, since these women frequently have mul- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Code, as added by subsection (a)); and
tiple medical conditions that can increase question is on the motion offered by (2) the efforts of the Department of Vet-
pregnancy complications. the gentleman from California (Mr. erans Affairs to address such mental health
Furthermore, it is suggested that military de- needs.
TAKANO) that the House suspend the
ployment may increase the risk of post-trau- rules and pass the bill, S. 796. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
matic stress disorder or PTSD. A post-trau- The question was taken. ant to the rule, the gentleman from
matic stress disorder diagnosis can increase The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the California (Mr. TAKANO) and the gen-
the risk of spontaneous pre-term birth, opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being tleman from Illinois (Mr. BOST) each
preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes. in the affirmative, the ayes have it. will control 20 minutes.
Women Veterans with more symptoms of Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, on that I GENERAL LEAVE
PTSD or moral injury like shame, guilt, or de- demand the yeas and nays. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask
moralization, are also at greater risk for The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- unanimous consent that all Members
postpartum depression in the three years fol- ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution may have 5 legislative days in which to
lowing the end of their military service. revise and extend their remarks and to
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
More specifically a study on the impacts of insert extraneous material on H.R.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur-
PTSD or moral injury, found that one in two 4233.
ther proceedings on this motion are The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
women Veterans who became pregnant during postponed.
the study, had a negative pregnancy outcome. objection to the request of the gen-
These outcomes include postpartum depres- f tleman from California?
sion or anxiety, miscarriage, obstetrical med- There was no objection.
b 1315 Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield
ical conditions, emergency c-sections, the
STUDENT VETERANS COUNSELING myself such time as I may consume.
baby’s need for intensive care post-delivery,
CENTERS ELIGIBILITY ACT Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support
preterm birth, stillbirth, and ectopic or tubal of H.R. 4233, the Student Veterans
pregnancy. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to Counseling Centers Eligibility Act
Our women Veterans have upheld their duty suspend the rules and pass the bill from Congressman MURPHY.
to serve and protect and, we as Members of (H.R. 4233) to amend title 38, United We all know that student veterans
Congress must do the same. States Code, to furnish Vet Center re- may face challenges as they begin this
The Protecting Moms Who Served Act bill adjustment counseling and related new phase of their lives following mili-
will codify and strengthen the Department of mental health services to veterans and tary service, and we want them to be
Veterans Affairs maternity care coordination members of the Armed Forces using able to seek and find support at vet
programs to ensure Veterans receive the high- certain educational assistance benefits. centers.
quality maternal health care and support they The Clerk read the title of the bill. We also encourage VA to continue
have earned. The text of the bill is as follows: monitoring the need for increased fund-
This is a noteworthy advancement since ing, staffing, and resources for vet cen-

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H.R. 4233
maternity care coordination programs are as- ters as a result of demand for these
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
sociated with improved maternal and birth out- resentatives of the United States of America in services.
comes, increased use of beneficial health Congress assembled, I urge all of my colleagues to vote
services, and decreased costs, especially SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ‘‘yes’’ on H.R. 4233, and I reserve the
among women with chronic or pregnancy-re- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Student balance of my time.
lated physical or mental health conditions, or Veterans Counseling Centers Eligibility Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield my-
social vulnerabilities. Act’’. self such time as I may consume.

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November 16, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6289
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support erans Counseling Centers Eligibility BRINGING REGISTERED APPREN-
of H.R. 4233, the Student Veterans Act. TICESHIPS TO VETERANS EDU-
Counseling Centers Eligibility Act. Education poses one of the most ben- CATION ACT
This bill would allow student vet- eficial yet stressful areas of transition Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to
erans to access readjustment coun- for our veterans. The intention of this suspend the rules and pass the bill
seling and peer support services at vet bill is to aid more of our veterans who (H.R. 147) to amend titles 10 and 38,
centers. are readjusting to civilian lives while United States Code, to make certain
Student veterans have unique needs providing overdue access to vital men- improvements to transitional services
and stressors. This bill would help tal health resources. for separating members of the Armed
them get the support they require to Helping veterans succeed in their Forces and educational assistance
thrive in school and in their post-mili- education and civilian lives is one of under laws administered by the Sec-
tary lives. the most important ways we can thank retary of Veterans Affairs, and for
I am grateful to my good friend and them for their service. other purposes, as amended.
committee colleague, Dr. GREG MUR- I have spoken with some of these stu- The Clerk read the title of the bill.
PHY, for introducing this bill. I thank dent veterans. I have heard their sto- The text of the bill is as follows:
him for his leadership on behalf of stu- ries. These student veterans have had H.R. 147
dent veterans, and I am confident this to wait weeks to even months for a Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
bill would benefit them for generations mental health appointment if their resentatives of the United States of America in
to come. mental health crisis was not deemed Congress assembled,
Mr. Speaker, I urge every one of my urgent. Unfortunately, many of our SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
colleagues to support H.R. 4233 today. veterans do not have the luxury of This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Bringing
Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Edu-
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the weeks or months to wait to see a men- cation Act’’ or the ‘‘BRAVE Act’’.
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. tal health provider. SEC. 2. EDUCATION FOR SEPARATING MEMBERS
MURPHY), the sponsor of this bill. Furthermore, private mental health OF THE ARMED FORCES REGARDING
Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Mr. can be inaccessible for those not uti- REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS.
Speaker, I rise today in support of my lizing the benefits of the GI Bill. An av- Section 1144(b)(1) of title 10, United States
bipartisan bill, H.R. 4233, the Student erage therapy session could cost be- Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘(including
tween $60 to $120, with the higher end apprenticeship programs registered under
Veterans Counseling Centers Eligi- the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664; com-
bility Act. reaching over $250 per session. Even monly referred to as the ‘National Appren-
The issue to which I will speak is ex- with health insurance, premiums often ticeship Act’) and approved under chapters 30
ceedingly personal to me and my dis- can be $50 per session. through 36 of title 38)’’ after ‘‘employment
trict, as I represent close to 90,000 vet- The Student Veterans Counseling opportunities’’.
erans, most of whom are or will be re- Centers Eligibility Act would provide SEC. 3. WEBSITES REGARDING APPRENTICESHIP
expanded counseling and mental health PROGRAMS.
ceiving benefits via the Post-9/11 GI
services to those student veterans (a) WEBSITE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF
Bill or the Montgomery GI Bill. SECRETARY OF LABOR.—The Assistant Sec-
The transition from Active Duty to through the VA’s Readjustment Coun- retary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment
civilian life can be challenging for seling Centers, known as vet centers. and Training, in coordination with the Sec-
some of our servicemembers. It can be The SPEAKER pro tempore. The retary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish a
tremendously difficult for many of our time of the gentleman has expired. user-friendly website (or update an existing
servicemembers to return to education Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield the website) that is available to the public on
gentleman an additional 30 seconds. which veterans can find information about
after sacrificing so much for our Na-
Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Mr. apprenticeship programs registered under
tion abroad. This is especially true for the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664; com-
older and nontraditional student vet- Speaker, I am extremely honored and
monly referred to as the ‘‘National Appren-
erans. proud to sponsor this bill, and I am ticeship Act’’) and approved under chapters
A few months ago, alongside Ranking grateful to Ranking Member BOST for 30 through 36 of title 38, United States Code.
Member BOST, I had the privilege of in- his support as an original cosponsor Such information shall be searchable and
troducing the Student Veterans Coun- and to all of my Republican and Demo- sortable by occupation and location, and in-
cratic colleagues who have come to- clude, with regard to each such program, the
seling Centers Eligibility Act. It passed following:
out of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee gether to support this very critical bi-
partisan legislation. (1) A description, including any cost to a
with a unanimous vote. veteran.
Our Nation’s veterans represent the I am also thankful to the Student
(2) Contact information.
very best among us here in the United Veterans of America for their support. (3) Whether the program has been endorsed
I ask all Members for bipartisan sup- by a veterans service organization or non-
States, but many serve at great per-
port. profit organization that caters to veterans.
sonal cost. A recent RAND study re-
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage (4) Whether the program prefers to hire
ported that 20 percent of veterans on
all of my colleagues to support this veterans.
the GI Bill experience feelings of de-
bill, and I yield back the balance of my (5) Each certification or degree an indi-
pression or PTSD. That 20 percent vidual earns by completing the program.
time.
amounts to over 170,000 veterans, which Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all (b) COORDINATION WITH OTHER WEBSITE.—
is almost double the number I men- of my colleagues to join me in passing The Assistant Secretary shall update all in-
tioned previously of the veterans I rep- formation regarding programs for veterans
H.R. 4233, and I yield back the balance listed on apprenticeship.gov (or any suc-
resent in my district. of my time.
As one can imagine, serving as a cessor website) to include the information
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The specified under subsection (a).
member of our Armed Forces can be ex- question is on the motion offered by SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EF-
tremely stressful. Too often, we see the the gentleman from California (Mr. FECTS.
tragedy of our veterans losing their TAKANO) that the House suspend the The budgetary effects of this Act, for the
battle with mental health issues when rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4233. purpose of complying with the Statutory
returning from service. A very tragic Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be deter-
The question was taken. mined by reference to the latest statement
and somber fact is that the VA cur- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legisla-
rently estimates 18 veterans a day opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being tion’’ for this Act, submitted for printing in
commit suicide. In fact, 46 percent of in the affirmative, the ayes have it. the Congressional Record by the Chairman of
our military students report suicidal Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, on that I the House Budget Committee, provided that

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thoughts compared to only 6 percent of demand the yeas and nays. such statement has been submitted prior to
their nonmilitary peers. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- the vote on passage.
If we can provide mental health serv- ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
ices to assist just a single veteran who 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. ant to the rule, the gentleman from
is struggling, then I believe it is our Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- California (Mr. TAKANO) and the gen-
sworn duty to do so. We have the op- ther proceedings on this motion are tleman from Illinois (Mr. BOST) each
portunity now with the Student Vet- postponed. will control 20 minutes.

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