Congressional Record, House, May 18, 2022: Page H5110

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Page H5110 of the House section of the Congressional Record for May 18, 2022, in interleaved columns, from debate on veterans bills. Mr. Takano and Mr. Bost each control 20 minutes, and general leave is requested. Remarks support peer support services for veterans filing claims for conditions based on MST, saying many may not be aware of or eligible for VHA peer support services, and bill text on retraining assistance says entitlement is not charged if an individual could not finish a course because of an institution's closure or disapproval of a program. Another speaker says the majority's overstimulation of the economy has led to soaring inflation.

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“Congressional Record, House, May 18, 2022: Page H5110.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-05-18-crec-2022-05-18-pt1-pgh5110-4fbde779a0/, SHA-256 53e15aee7dbf5f0d01fac515a38b9e4c25ddbf14df9b45e24fd236873eeec7b7.

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H5110 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 18, 2022
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- erans through this stressful time. Peer not be charged against any entitlement to
ant to the rule, the gentleman from support specialists provide critical help retraining assistance described in subsection
California (Mr. TAKANO) and the gen- to veterans. (a) if the Secretary determines that an indi-
Unfortunately, many veterans who vidual was unable to complete a course or
tleman from Illinois (Mr. BOST) each
program of education as a result of —
will control 20 minutes. file a claim for conditions based on ‘‘(A) the closure of an educational institu-
The Chair recognizes the gentleman MST may not be aware of, or eligible tion; or
from California. for, VHA peer support services. This ‘‘(B) the disapproval of a program of edu-
GENERAL LEAVE bill would better ensure that these cation by the State approving agency or the
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask claimants are eligible for peer support Secretary when acting in the role of the
unanimous consent that all Members services or are connected with an MST State approving agency.
coordinator at VHA. ‘‘(2) PERIOD NOT CHARGED.—The period for
may have 5 legislative days in which to
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my col- which, by reason of this subsection, retrain-
revise and extend their remarks and to ing assistance is not charged shall be equal
insert extraneous material on H.R. leagues to support this bill, and I yield
to the full amount of retraining assistance
2724, as amended. back the balance of my time. provided for enrollment in the program of
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask all education.
objection to the request of the gen- of my colleagues to join me in passing ‘‘(3) HALT OF PAYMENTS TO CERTAIN EDU-
tleman from California? H.R. 2724, as amended, and maybe, CATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.—In the event of a
There was no objection. hopefully, the gentleman from Mon- closure or disapproval, as described in para-
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield tana will allow this to go on a voice graph (1), the educational institution shall
vote. I thought I would just mention not receive any further payments under sub-
myself such time as I may consume.
that. I yield back the balance of my section (d).
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support ‘‘(4) RECOVERY OF FUNDS.—In the event of a
of H.R. 2724, as amended, the VA Peer time. closure or disapproval, as described in para-
Support Enhancement for MST Sur- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The graph (1), any payment already made under
vivors Act, introduced by the gen- question is on the motion offered by subsection (d) to the educational institution
tleman from New York (Mr. DELGADO). the gentleman from California (Mr. shall be considered an overpayment and con-
VA has provided peer support special- TAKANO) that the House suspend the stitute a liability of such institution to the
ists for recently discharged veterans rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2724, as United States.’’.
transitioning to civilian life, veterans amended. (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—In sub-
The question was taken. section (b)(3) of such section, strike the pe-
with mental health or substance abuse riod and insert ‘‘, except for an individual de-
issues, and caregivers of veterans. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the
scribed in subsection (n).’’.
Peer support programs have proven opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being (c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments
successful for these communities and in the affirmative, the ayes have it. made by this section shall apply as if in-
may prove to be a beneficial tool dur- Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, on cluded in the American Rescue Plan Act of
ing the claims process for survivors of that I demand the yeas and nays. 2021 (Public Law 117–2).
military sexual trauma. Victim advo- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
cacy can serve as a bridge between sur- ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution ant to the rule, the gentleman from
vivors and the Veterans Benefits Ad- 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. California (Mr. TAKANO) and the gen-
ministration adjudicators processing Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- tleman from Illinois (Mr. BOST) each
their cases. ther proceedings on this motion are will control 20 minutes.
Within the MST context, a highly postponed. The Chair recognizes the gentleman
trained peer support specialist can f from California.
serve as an advocate who can provide VETERANS RAPID RETRAINING GENERAL LEAVE
counsel, assistance, and coordination ASSISTANCE PROGRAM RES- Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask
to navigate a process that may be TORATION AND RECOVERY ACT unanimous consent that all Members
stress-inducing and anxiety-provoking. OF 2022 may have 5 legislative days in which to
If the MST claimant chooses to uti- revise and extend their remarks and to
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to
lize the services of a peer support spe- insert extraneous material on S. 4089.
suspend the rules and pass the bill (S.
cialist, the MST claims experience may The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
4089) to restore entitlement to edu-
go more smoothly and potentially re- objection to the request of the gen-
cational assistance under Veterans
duce the emotional strain on an inher- tleman from California?
Rapid Retraining Program in cases of a
ently difficult process. There was no objection.
closure of an educational institution or
This bill was amended in committee Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield
a disapproval of a program of edu-
with thoughtful input from Ranking myself such time as I may consume.
cation, and for other purposes.
Member BOST, who sought to clarify Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
that the role of the peer support spe- The text of the bill is as follows: 4089, the Veterans Rapid Retraining
cialist in assisting an MST claimant is S. 4089 Assistance Program Restoration and
to act as a shepherd for the MST claim- Recovery Act.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
ant rather than a surrogate who speaks resentatives of the United States of America in This legislation was introduced by
on behalf of a claimant during pro- Congress assembled, Senator DURBIN and passed by unani-
ceedings. As such, a peer support spe- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. mous consent in the Senate. I also
cialist can provide guidance, support, This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterans thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
and counseling and help claimants Rapid Retraining Assistance Program Res- DANNY K. DAVIS) for introducing this
navigate a difficult and potentially re- toration and Recovery Act of 2022’’. legislation in the House.
traumatizing process. SEC. 2. RESTORATION OF ENTITLEMENT UNDER Mr. Speaker, during the most dif-
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to VETERANS RAPID RETRAINING AS- ficult period of the COVID–19 pan-
SISTANCE PROGRAM.
support this important legislation, and (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 8006 of the Amer-
demic, Congress and President Biden
I reserve the balance of my time. ican Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117– worked together to pass the American
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- 2), as amended by the Training in High-de- Rescue Plan into law, one of the most
self such time as I may consume. mand Roles to Improve Veteran Employment significant investments in American
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Act (Public Law 117–16), is further amended— workers and the American economy
of H.R. 2724, the VA Peer Support En- (1) by redesignating subsection (n) as sub- since the New Deal.
hancement for MST Survivors Act, section (o); and The Veteran Rapid Retraining As-

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which is sponsored by the gentleman (2) by inserting after subsection (m), the sistance Program, which was included
following new subsection (n):
from New York (Mr. DELGADO). ‘‘(n) EFFECTS OF CLOSURE OF AN EDU-
in the American Rescue Plan, created a
Veterans who file disability claims CATIONAL INSTITUTION OR DISAPPROVAL OF A new program to retrain and employ un-
based on MST report that the process PROGRAM OF EDUCATION.— employed veterans.
can be difficult and emotional. Peer ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Any payment of retrain- Since passage, over 5,000 veterans
support specialists can help these vet- ing assistance under subsection (d)(1) shall have used this program, many to great

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May 18, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5111
success. However, not every veteran cans see every day. We must stop mort- legislation. I remind my colleagues
has had the same experience. Some gaging our children’s and grand- that it was sent to us by the Senate by
have been subject to school closures, children’s futures. Our current level of unanimous consent, and we can express
which risk robbing them of this one- spending is simply not sustainable. that same sense of unanimity by allow-
time benefit. For example, in Illinois, That being said, I am not going to ing this bill to pass on suspension by
more than 300 veterans were scammed stand in the way of providing restored voice vote. The Senate has indicated
by a for-profit school that took their benefits to unemployed veterans who unanimity. As my colleagues well
money and abruptly closed its doors. need our help in this struggling econ- know, to even get to the floor requires
This legislation restores these edu- omy. That is why I am going to reluc- a 60-vote super majority.
cation benefits to veterans defrauded tantly support the passage of this bill Mr. Speaker, I would say to my
by schools and gives these veterans a today. However, I caution my friends friend from Montana, the Big Sky
second chance to gain new skills in a that this practice of un-offset spending State, have a big heart as well as be
booming labor market. must end. from the Big Sky State. To my col-
I thank the Senate for getting this Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of league, the ranking member, I take to
bill to us so quickly and Senator DUR- my time. heart your consternation over a $6 mil-
BIN and Congressman DANNY K. DAVIS Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 lion non-offsetted cost, but I will re-
for their leadership. minutes to the gentleman from Illinois mind you of a $2 trillion tax cut which
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to (Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS), my good friend was not offset.
support this important legislation, and who serves as a subcommittee chair on So we will wring our hands over $6
I reserve the balance of my time. the Ways and Means Committee and is million for our veterans but yet, look
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- a member of the Oversight and Reform the other way when $2.9 trillion is
self such time as I may consume. Committee. blithely moved through this Chamber
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. with nary a hearing. I plead to a big
4089, the Veterans Rapid Retraining Speaker, I rise in strong support of the heart in this institution that we may
Assistance Program Restoration and Veterans Rapid Retraining Assistance get through these votes quickly.
Recovery Act. Program Restoration and Recovery Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues
One of the few positive provisions Act. I introduced this bill with Senator to support S. 4089, and I yield back the
that was enacted as part of the Amer- DURBIN and Representative UNDERWOOD balance of my time.
ican Rescue Plan was the creation of to ensure veterans receive the rapid re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assist- training benefits they earned. question is on the motion offered by
ance Program, or VRRAP. This pro- I thank Veterans’ Affairs Committee the gentleman from California (Mr.
gram authorizes 1 year of GI Bill-style Chairman TAKANO and Subcommittee TAKANO) that the House suspend the
education benefits for training for an on Economic Opportunity Chairman rules and pass the bill, S. 4089.
in-demand occupation for unemployed LEVIN for their leadership in advancing The question was taken.
veterans. this bill quickly to meet the urgent The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the
VRRAP was originally authored dur- need of affected veterans. opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being
ing the peak of COVID veteran unem- I also thank the multiple veterans’ in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
ployment by our former colleague Dr. advocates for their support for swift Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, on
Phil Roe and Congressman LEVIN. I was passage to assist affected students. that I demand the yeas and nays.
pleased to introduce the bill this year Veterans serving our country with The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
and was glad that it was made part of honor have earned their rapid retrain- ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
the American Rescue Plan. ing assistance education benefits. The 8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Under this program, eligible veterans American Rescue Plan established Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur-
only have one chance to participate in these benefits, known as VRRAP, to ther proceedings on this motion are
VRRAP. This became a problem for help veterans gain new skills to meet postponed.
hundreds of students at Future Tech the changing workforce demands dur- f
Career Institute in Chicago when the ing the pandemic.
training provider lost their ability to DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
administer GI Bill benefits earlier this b 1315 FAIRS OFFICE OF INSPECTOR
year. Unfortunately, the Veterans Admin- GENERAL TRAINING ACT OF 2021
If those students had been using a istration lacks the authority to restore Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to
traditional GI Bill program, they benefits to veterans who attended in- suspend the rules and pass the bill
would be eligible to have their benefits stitutions that closed or experienced a (H.R. 6052) to require the Secretary of
restored to continue their studies at disapproval of educational program- Veterans Affairs to require the employ-
another school. However, with VRRAP, ming. ees of the Department of Veterans Af-
that was not possible. This legislation emerged from case- fairs to receive training developed by
This bill will fix that issue, author- work in Illinois, where more than 300 the Inspector General of the Depart-
izing VRRAP users to have another Illinois veterans were scammed out of ment on reporting wrongdoing to, re-
chance to use the program if their their benefits by an unaccredited for- sponding to requests from, and cooper-
school closes or loses GI Bill approval profit institute. ating with the Office of Inspector Gen-
in the middle of the semester. I am indeed proud to work with Sen- eral, and for other purposes.
While I am very supportive of the ator DURBIN and Representative The Clerk read the title of the bill.
policy in this bill, I do have concerns UNDERWOOD to restore these benefits to The text of the bill is as follows:
about the cost. The Congressional these Illinois veterans and protect any H.R. 6052
Budget Office has estimated the cost of other veteran in similar cir- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
this bill to be at $6 million in manda- cumstances. resentatives of the United States of America in
tory costs over 10 years. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this Congress assembled,
For whatever reason, the Senate legislation. I urge my colleagues to SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
chose not to offset these costs before support it, and I thank the Committee This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Department
passing this bill. This decision is, un- on Veterans’ Affairs for bringing it to of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector Gen-
fortunately, not surprising, as we have us so quickly. eral Training Act of 2021’’.
seen repeatedly that the Democrat ma- Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EM-

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PLOYEE TRAINING REGARDING OF-
jority in both the House and the Sen- my colleagues to support this bill, and FICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.
ate loves to ignore costs and increase I yield back the balance of my time. (a) TRAINING.—The Secretary of Veterans
spending. Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield Affairs shall require each employee of the
Their overstimulation of the econ- myself such time as I may consume. Department of Veterans Affairs to receive
omy has led to soaring inflation and Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues training that the Inspector General of the
staggering price increases that Ameri- to join me in passing this important Department shall develop on the reporting of

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