Senate Report 117-16 — Legislative and Oversight Activities During the 116th Congress, Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Summary
Senate Report 117–16, ordered to be printed on April 19, 2021, is the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs report on its legislative and oversight activities during the 116th Congress, submitted by Mr. Tester. It states that in the First Session (2019) the Committee had 12 hearings with testimony from 68 witnesses and three business meetings, and in the Second Session (2020) it had 13 hearings with 67 witnesses and four business meetings. It also notes joint hearings with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to receive presentations from veterans service organizations. Only the opening pages of this long report were read.
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Cite this document
“Senate Report 117-16 — Legislative and Oversight Activities During the 116th Congress, Committee on Veterans' Affairs.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crpt-crpt-117srpt16-crpt-117srpt16/
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117TH CONGRESS REPORT
" SENATE !
1st Session 117–16
LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES DURING THE
116TH CONGRESS BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
APRIL 19, 2021—Ordered to be printed
Mr. TESTER, from the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
Pursuant to paragraph 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the Senate, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (hereinafter, ‘‘Com-
mittee’’) submits its report on legislative and oversight activities
during the 116th Congress.
I. HEARINGS AND MEETINGS
A. First Session (2019)
During the First Session of the 116th Congress, the Committee
held 12 hearings. At those events, the Committee heard testimony
from 68 witnesses.
One hearing (May 22) focused exclusively on legislation pending
before the Committee. Testimony offered at this hearing covered 17
bills.
The Committee held three business meetings, including two
meetings to discharge nominations.
The Committee held five joint hearings with the House Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs in order to receive legislative presen-
tations from veterans service organizations. These hearings were
held on February 26, February 27, March 6, March 7, and March
12.
B. Second Session (2020)
During the Second Session of the 116th Congress, the Committee
held 13 hearings. At the hearings, the Committee heard testimony
from 67 witnesses.
The Committee held four business meetings, including one meet-
ing to discharge nominations.
On January 29, 11 measures were ordered favorably reported out
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of the Committee; on March 12, one measure was ordered favorably
19–010
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reported out of the Committee; on August 5, 12 measures were or-
dered favorably reported out of the Committee; on September 23,
two measures were ordered reported favorably out of the Com-
mittee.
The Committee held five joint hearings with the House Com-
mittee on Veterans’ Affairs in order to receive legislative presen-
tations from veterans service organizations. These hearings were
held on February 25, February 26, March 3, March 4, and March
11.
C. List of Hearings and Meetings Held in the 116th Congress
(1) Thursday, February 7, 2019
Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider the Rules of Procedure of
the Veterans’ Affairs Committee for the 116th Congress and a Res-
olution Authorizing the Expenditures of the Committee for the
116th Congress
(2) Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive the
Legislative Presentation of Disabled American Veterans
(3) Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive the
Legislative Presentation of The American Legion
(4) Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive the
Legislative Presentation of Veterans of Foreign Wars
(5) Thursday, March 7, 2019
Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive the
Legislative Presentation of Multiple Veterans Service Organiza-
tions (AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans
of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Student
Veterans of America, American Ex-Prisoners of War, and Wounded
Warrior Project)
(6) Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive the
Legislative Presentation of Multiple Veterans Service Organiza-
tions (National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs,
Fleet Reserve Association, Gold Star Wives of America, Blinded
Veterans Association, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of
America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Military Officers
Association of America.
(7) Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Pending Nomination
• John Lowry III, of the Illinois, to be Assistant Secretary of
Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training, Department of
Labor
(8) Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Hearing: Fiscal Year 2020 Budget for Veterans’ Programs and
Fiscal Year 2021 Advance Appropriations Request
(9) Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Hearing: VA MISSION Act: Implementing the Veterans Commu-
nity Care Program
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(10) Thursday, May 16, 2019
Nomination Hearing: Pending Nomination
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• James M. Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs
(11) Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Legislative Hearing: Pending Legislation
• S. 123, Ensuring Quality Care for Our Veterans Act
• S. 221, Department of Veterans Affairs Provider Account-
ability Act
• S. 318, VA Newborn Emergency Treatment Act
• S. 450, Veterans Improved Access and Care Act of 2019
• S. 514, Deborah Sampson Act
• S. 524, Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal Advisory Com-
mittee Act of 2019
• S. 711, Care and Readiness Enhancement for Reservists Act
of 2019
• S. 746, Department of Veterans Affairs Website Accessibility
Act of 2019
• S. 785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental
Health Care Improvement Act of 2019
• S. 805, Veteran Debt Fairness Act of 2019
• S. 850, Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Exten-
sion Act
• S. 857, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to in-
crease the amount of special pension for Medal of Honor recipi-
ents, and for other purposes.
• S. 980, Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 2019
• S. 1101, Better Examiner Standards and Transparency for
Veterans Act of 2019
• S. 1154, Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health
Record Advisory Committee Act
• S. 1563, Janey Ensminger Act of 2019
• S. 2811, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to ex-
tend the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to con-
tinue to pay educational assistance or subsistence allowances
to eligible persons when educational institutions are tempo-
rarily closed, and for other purposes
(12) Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Pending Nominations
• James M. Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs
(13) Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Hearing: Harnessing the Power of Community: Leveraging Vet-
eran Networks to Tackle Suicide
(14) Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Hearing: Toxic Exposure: Examining the VA’s Presumptive Dis-
ability Decision-Making Process
(15) Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Nomination Hearing: Pending Nominations
• Scott J. Laurer, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the U.S. Court
of Appeals for Veterans Claims
• Grant C. Jaquith, of New York, to be a Judge of the U.S. Court
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of Appeals for Veterans Claims
(16) Wednesday, January 29, 2020
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Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Legislation and a Nomi-
nation Pending before the Committee
• S. 785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental
Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (Committee Print)
• S. 2336, Department of Veterans Affairs Information Tech-
nology Reform Act
• S. 2864, Sergeant Daniel Somers Veterans Network Support
Act of 2019 (Committee Print)
• S. 524, Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal Advisory Com-
mittee Act of 2019
• S. 2594, Veterans’ Preference Parity Act
• S. 850, Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Exten-
sion Act (Committee Print)
• S. 3110, Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study Act of
2019
• S. 123, Ensuring Quality Care for Our Veterans Act
• S. 450, Veterans Improved Access and Care Act of 2019
(Committee Print)
• S. 3182, Helping Expand and Launch Transitional Health for
Women Veterans Act
• Grant Jaquith, to be a Judge of the United States Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims
(17) Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Hearing: VA MISSION Act: Update on the Implementation of the
Community Care Network
(18) Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive the
Legislative Presentation of Disabled American Veterans
(19) Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive the
Legislative Presentation of Multiple Veterans Service Organiza-
tions (Wounded Warrior Project, Blinded Veterans Association, Na-
tional Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Jewish
War Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the
Purple Heart, and AMVETS)
(20) Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive the
Legislative Presentation of Multiple Veterans Service Organiza-
tions (American Ex-Prisoners of War, Paralyzed Veterans of Amer-
ica, Student Veterans of America, Gold Star Wives of America,
Military Officers Association of America, Fleet Reserve Association,
and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America)
(21) Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive the
Legislative Presentation of Veterans of Foreign Wars
(22) Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Joint Hearing with the House of Representatives to receive the
Legislative Presentation of The American Legion
(23) Thursday, March 12, 2020
Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Pending Nomination
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• Scott J. Laurer, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United
States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
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(24) Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Hearing: Review of the fiscal year Budget and fiscal year Ad-
vance Appropriations Request and Oversight of CARES Act Supple-
mental Appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs
(25) Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Hearing: Building a More Resilient VA Supply Chain
(26) Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Hearing: Recruiting, Retention, and Building a Resilient Vet-
erans Health Care Workforce
(27) Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Hearing: VA Telehealth During and Beyond COVID–19: Chal-
lenges and Opportunities in Rural America
(28) Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Legislation Pending be-
fore the Committee
• S. 3282, Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act
of 2020
• S. 2558, Nursing Home Care for Native American Veterans
Act
• S. 3643, VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act
• S. 2950, Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of
2019 (Committee Print)
• S. 4384, K2 Veterans Advocacy Act of 2020
• S. 4393, Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act of 2020
(Committee Print)
• S. 711, CARE for Reservists Act of 2019
• S. 332, Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act of 2019 (Com-
mittee Print)
• S. 805, Veteran Debt Fairness Act of 2019 (Committee Print)
• S. 514, The Deborah Sampson Act (Committee Print)
• S. 629, Accountability in Department of Veterans Affairs
Scheduling and Consult Management Act (Committee Print)
• S. 2216, TEAM Veteran Caregiver Act (Committee Print)
• S. 4511, Veteran Benefits Enhancement and Expansion Act
of 2020
• S. 3235, Veterans Posttraumatic Growth Act
(29) Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Hearing: S.785: Leading the Way to Comprehensive Mental
Health Care and Suicide Prevention for Veterans
(30) Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Business Meeting: Meeting to Consider Legislation Pending be-
fore the Committee
• S.4393, Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act of 2020
(Committee Print)
• S. 4511, Veteran Benefits Enhancement and Expansion Act
of 2020 (Committee Print)
(31) Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Hearing: VA MISSION Act: Assessing Progress Implementing
Title I
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(32) Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Hearing: VA’s Response to COVID–19 across the VA Enterprise
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II. LEGISLATION
A. First Session (2019)
During the First Session, the Committee discharged by unani-
mous consent numerous pieces of legislation, as follows:
• S. 49, a bill to designate the outstation of the Department of
Veterans Affairs in North Ogden, Utah, as the Major Brent
Taylor Vet Center Outstation, was discharged by the Com-
mittee on February 5, 2019, by unanimous consent and passed
the Senate the same day without amendment. It was signed
into law as Public Law 116–10 on March 21, 2019.
• H.R. 2196, a bill to reduce the credit hour requirement for
the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, was discharged by the Com-
mittee by unanimous consent on July 25, 2019 and passed the
Senate by voice vote on the same day without amendment. It
was signed into law as Public Law 116–36 on July 31, 2019.
• H.R. 2334, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans
Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Odessa, Texas, as
the ‘‘Wilson and Young Medal of Honor VA Clinic,’’ was dis-
charged by the Committee on November 21, 2019, by unani-
mous consent and passed the Senate the same day without
amendment. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–87 on
December 13, 2019.
• S. 900, a bill to designate the community-based outpatient
clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Bozeman, Mon-
tana, as the ‘‘Travis W. Atkins Department of Veterans Affairs
Clinic,’’ was discharged by the Committee on November 21,
2019, by unanimous consent and passed the Senate the same
day without amendment. It was signed into law as Public Law
116–262 on December 30, 2020.
• H.R. 1424, Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act,
passed the Senate by unanimous consent on December 19,
2019, by unanimous consent. It was signed into law as Public
Law 116–106 on January 7, 2020.
• H.R. 2385, a bill to permit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
to establish a grant program to conduct cemetery research and
produce educational materials for the Veterans Legacy Pro-
gram, was discharged by the Committee on December 19, 2019,
by unanimous consent and passed the Senate the same day by
voice vote without amendment. It was signed into law as Pub-
lic Law 116–107 on January 17, 2020.
• S. 2096, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to au-
thorize States and tribal organizations that receive grants from
the National Cemetery Administration for establishment, ex-
pansion, or improvement of a veterans’ cemeteries to use
amounts of such grants for State and tribal organization ceme-
tery personnel to train at the training center of the National
Cemetery Administration, and for other purposes, passed the
Senate on December 19, 2019, with amendment by voice vote.
• S. 221, Department of Veterans Affairs Provider Account-
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ability Act, was discharged by the Committee on December 19,
2019 and passed the Senate with an amendment on the same
day, by unanimous consent. During the First Session, the Com-
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mittee also advanced the following bills without having the
bills referred to Committee:
• S. 863, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify
the grade and pay of podiatrists of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, passed the Senate by unanimous consent on March 25,
2019, without amendment. It was signed into law as Public
Law 116–12 on April 8, 2019.
• S. 1749, Protecting Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act of
2019, passed the Senate by unanimous consent on June 5,
2019, without amendment. It was signed into law as Public
Law 116–33 on July 25, 2019.
• H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of
2019, passed the Senate by voice vote on June 12, 2019, with-
out amendment. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–23
on June 25, 2019.
• H.R. 1200, Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjust-
ment Act of 2019, passed the Senate by unanimous consent on
September 12, 2019, without amendment. It was signed into
law as Public Law 116–58 on September 26, 2019.
• H.R. 4285, Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authori-
ties Act of 2019, passed the Senate by unanimous consent on
September 23, 2019, without amendment. It was signed into
law as Public Law 116–61 on September 30, 2019.
• H.R. 2333, Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act,
passed the Senate without amendment on December 11, 2019,
by a vote of 95–0. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–
96 on December 20, 2019.
• S. 3147, Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act of
2019, passed the Senate on December 19, 2019, by unanimous
consent. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–212 on De-
cember 4, 2020.
During the First Session, the Committee also incorporated provi-
sions within the Committee’s jurisdiction into broader legislation.
B. Second Session (2020)
During the Second Session, the Committee met in open session
on January 29, 2020, and ordered favorably reported ten pieces of
legislation to the full Senate.
• S. 785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental
Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, passed the Senate with
amendment on August 5, 2020, by voice vote. It was signed
into law as Public Law 116–171 on October 17, 2020.
• S. 2336, Department of Veterans Affairs Information Tech-
nology Reform Act, passed the Senate without amendment on
July 30, 2020, by unanimous consent.
• S. 2864, Sergeant Daniel Somers Veterans Network Support
Act of 2019, passed the Senate with amendment on June 30,
2020, by unanimous consent.
• S. 524, Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal Advisory Com-
mittee Act of 2019. This measure was ordered favorably re-
ported by the Committee on January 29, 2020 without written
report.
• S. 2594, Veterans’ Preference Parity Act. This measure was
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ordered favorably reported by the Committee on January 29,
2020 without written report.
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• S. 850, Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Exten-
sion Act, passed the Senate with amendment on July 30, 2020,
by unanimous consent.
• S. 3110, Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study Act of
2019. This measure was ordered favorably reported by the
Committee on January 29, 2020 without written report.
• S. 123, Ensuring Quality Care for Our Veterans Act, passed
the Senate without amendment on June 30, 2020, by unani-
mous consent.
• S. 450, Veterans Improved Access and Care Act of 2019. This
measure, as amended, was ordered favorably reported by the
Committee on January 29, 2020 without written report.
• S. 3182, Helping Expand and Launch Transitional Health for
Women Veterans Act. This measure, as amended, was ordered
favorably reported by the Committee on January 29, 2020
without written report.
During the Second Session, the Committee met in open session
on August 5, 2020, and ordered favorably reported ten pieces of leg-
islation to the full Senate.
• S. 3282, Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act
of 2020. This measure was ordered favorably reported, without
amendment, by the Committee on August 5, 2020, without
written report.
• S. 2558, Nursing Home Care for Native American Veterans
Act. This measure was ordered favorably reported, without
amendment, by the Committee on August 5, 2020, without
written report. This bill was included in H.R. 7105, The John-
ny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and
Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, which was signed into law
as Public Law 116–315 on January 5, 2021.
• S. 3643, VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act. This meas-
ure was ordered favorably reported, without amendment, by
the Committee on August 5, 2020, without written report.
• S. 2950, Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of
2019. This measure was ordered favorably reported, as amend-
ed, by the Committee on August 5, 2020, without written re-
port.
• S. 4384, K2 Veterans Advocacy Act of 2020. This measure
was ordered favorably reported, without amendment, by the
Committee on August 5, 2020, without written report.
• S. 711, CARE for Reservists Act of 2019. This measure was
ordered favorably reported, without amendment, by the Com-
mittee on August 5, 2020, without written report. This bill was
included in H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2021, which was signed into law as Public Law
116–283 on January 1, 2021.
• S. 332, Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act of 2019. This
measure was ordered favorably reported, as amended, by the
Committee on August 5, 2020, without written report.
• S. 805, Veteran Debt Fairness Act of 2019. This measure was
ordered favorably reported, as amended, by the Committee on
August 5, 2020, without written report.
• S. 514, Deborah Sampson Act. This measure was ordered fa-
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vorably reported, as amended, by the Committee on August 5,
2020, without written report. This bill was included in H.R.
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7105, The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans
Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, which was
signed into law as Public Law 116–315 on January 5, 2021.
• S. 629, Accountability in Department of Veterans Affairs
Scheduling and Consult Management Act. This measure was
ordered favorably reported, as amended, by the Committee on
August 5, 2020, without written report.
• S. 2216, TEAM Veteran Caregiver Act. This measure was or-
dered favorably reported, as amended, by the Committee on
August 5, 2020, without written report, and passed the Senate
on November 17, 2020. It was signed into law as Public Law
116–278 on December 31, 2020.
• S. 3235, Veterans Posttraumatic Growth Act. This measure
was ordered favorably reported, as amended, by the Committee
on August 5, 2020, without written report.
During the Second Session, the Committee met in open session
on September 23, 2020, and ordered favorably reported two pieces
of legislation to the full Senate.
• S. 4393, Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act of
2020. This measure was ordered favorably reported, as amend-
ed, by the Committee on September 23, 2020, without written
report.
• S. 4511, Veteran Benefits Enhancement and Expansion Act
of 2020. This measure was ordered favorably reported, as
amended, by the Committee on September 23, 2020, without
written report.
During the Second Session, the Committee discharged numerous
bills by unanimous consent, as follows:
• S. 3084, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to mod-
ify the limitation on pay for certain high-level employees and
officers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, was discharged
by the Committee on January 16, 2020, and passed the Senate
by unanimous consent on the same day. It was signed into law
as Public Law 116–146 on July 2, 2020.
• H.J. Res. 80, Approving the request of the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs for a waiver under section 1703E(f) of title 38,
United States Code, was discharged by the Committee on Feb-
ruary 11, 2020, and passed the Senate by unanimous consent
on the same day. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–
120 on March 3, 2020.
• H.R. 4920, Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Pref-
erence Consistency Act of 2020, was discharged by the Com-
mittee on March 12, 2020, and passed the Senate with an
amendment by unanimous consent on the same day. It was
signed into law as Public Law 116–155 on August 8, 2020.
• H.R. 4771, VA Tele-Hearing Modernization Act, was dis-
charged by the Committee on March 26, 2020, and passed the
Senate by unanimous consent on the same day. It was signed
into law as Public Law 116–137 on April 10, 2020.
• S. 3637, a bill to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
to extend lease protections for servicemembers under stop
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movement orders in response to a local, national, or global
emergency, and for other purposes, was discharged by the
Committee on June 10, 2020, and passed the Senate by unani-
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mous consent on the same day. It was signed into law as Pub-
lic Law 116–158 on August 14, 2020.
• S. 1646, a bill to designate the community-based outpatient
clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Augustine,
Florida, as the ‘‘Leo C. Chase Jr. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs Clinic’’, was discharged by the Committee on September
17, 2020 and passed the Senate with an amendment on the
same day, by unanimous consent. It was signed into law as
Public Law 116–168 on October 13, 2020.
• S. 4072, a bill to designate the clinic of the Department of
Veterans Affairs in Bend, Oregon, as the ‘‘Robert D. Maxwell
Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic’’ was discharged by the
Committee on September 17, 2020, and passed the Senate by
unanimous consent on the same day. It was signed into law as
Public Law 116–169 on October 13, 2020.
• S. 1646, a bill to designate the community-based outpatient
clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Augustine,
Florida, as the ‘‘Leo C. Chase Jr. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs Clinic’’ was discharged by the Committee on September
17, 2020, and passed the Senate with an amendment by unani-
mous consent on the same day. It was signed into law as Pub-
lic Law 116–168 on October 13, 2020.
• H.R. 6168, Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjust-
ment Act of 2020 was discharged by the Committee on Sep-
tember 24, 2020, and passed the Senate by unanimous consent
on the same day. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–
178 on October 20, 2020.
• H.R. 561, Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans
Act of 2019, was discharged by the Committee on September
30, 2020, and passed the Senate by unanimous consent on the
same day. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–183 on
October 30, 2020.
• H.R. 4183, Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study
Act, was discharged by the Committee on October 1, 2020, and
passed the Senate by unanimous consent on the same day. It
was signed into law as Public Law 116–187 on October 30,
2020.
• S. 4460, State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility
Act, was discharged by the Committee on December 8, 2020
and passed the Senate without amendment on the same day,
by unanimous consent. This bill was included in H.R. 7105,
The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health
Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, which was signed
into law as Public Law 116–315 on January 5, 2021.
• H.R. 7105, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans
Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, was dis-
charged by the Committee on December 9, 2020 and passed the
Senate with an amendment on the same day. The Senate
amendment incorporated all or portions of the following 34
bills: H.R. 1271, H.R. 1947, H.R. 2109, H.R. 2398, H.R. 2787,
H.R. 3608, H.R. 4312, H.R. 4477, H.R. 4532, H.R. 4908, H.R.
6018, H.R. 6140, H.R. 6589, H.R. 7009, H.R. 7287, H.R. 7584,
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H.R. 7811, H.R. 8076, H.R. 8415, H.R. 8426, H.R. 8483, H.R.
8813, S. 514, S. 1621, S. 2558, S. 2806, S. 2988, S. 3788, S.
3898, S. 4086, S. 4365, S. 4460, S. 4566, S. 4656, S. 4909. The
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bill was signed into law as Public Law 116–315 on January 5,
2021.
• H.R. 4983, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs
community-based outpatient clinic in Gilbert, Arizona, as the
‘‘Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health
Care Clinic’’ was discharged by the Committee on December
10, 2020 and passed the Senate by unanimous consent on the
same day. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–295 on
January 5, 2021.
• H.R. 7347, to designate the medical center of the Department
of Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the ‘‘Lieutenant
Colonel Charles S. Kettles Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical Center’’, was discharged by the Committee on Decem-
ber 10, 2020 and passed the Senate by unanimous consent the
same day. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–317 on
January 5, 2021.
• H.R. 4356, Protecting Families of Fallen Servicemembers
Act, was discharged by the Committee on December 15, 2020
and passed the Senate the same day, by unanimous consent.
It was signed into law as Public Law 116–285 on January 5,
2021.
During the Second Session, the Committee advanced the fol-
lowing bills without having the bills referred to Committee:
• S. 3414, Major Medical Facility Authorization Act of 2020,
was introduced and passed the Senate by unanimous consent
on March 5, 2020. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–
144 on June 16, 2020.
• S. 3503, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
to treat certain programs of education converted to distance
learning by reason of emergencies and health-related situa-
tions in the same manner as programs of education pursued at
educational institutions, and for other purposes, was intro-
duced and passed the Senate by unanimous consent on March
16, 2020. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–128 on
March 21, 2020.
• H.R. 3504, Ryan Kules and Paul Benne Specially Adaptive
Housing Improvement Act of 2019, passed the Senate with an
amendment on March 26, 2020, by unanimous consent. It was
signed into law as Public Law 116–154 on August 8, 2020.
• H.R. 6322, Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of
2020, passed the Senate without amendment on April 21, 2020,
by unanimous consent. It was signed into law as Public Law
116–140 on April 28, 2020.
• S. 3587, Department of Veterans Affairs Website Accessi-
bility Act of 2019, was introduced and passed the Senate by
unanimous consent on March 26, 2020. It was signed into law
as Public Law 116–213 on December 4, 2020.
• H.R. 12, Vet Center Eligibility Expansion Act, passed the
Senate without amendment on September 24, 2020, by unani-
mous consent. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–176
on October 20, 2020.
• H.R. 2372, Veterans’ Care Quality Transparency Act, passed
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the Senate without amendment on September 24, 2020, by
unanimous consent. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–
177 on October 20, 2020.
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12
• H.R. 2359, Whole Veteran Act, passed the Senate without
amendment on October 1, 2020, by voice vote. It was signed
into law as Public Law 116–185 on October 30, 2020.
• H.R. 8247, Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020, passed the Sen-
ate without amendment on November 10, 2020, by unanimous
consent. It was signed into law as Public Law 116–214 on De-
cember 5, 2020.
During the Second Session, the Committee also incorporated pro-
visions within the Committee’s jurisdiction into broader legislation.
C. Public Laws
Senate Vehicle
S. 49, a bill to designate the outstation of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs in North Ogden, Utah, as the Major Brent Taylor Vet
Center Outstation, is Public Law 116–10.
S. 785, Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health
Care Improvement Act of 2019, is Public Law 116–171.
S. 863, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify
the grade and pay of podiatrists of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs, is Public Law 116–12.
S. 900, a bill to designate the community-based outpatient clinic
of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Bozeman, Montana, as
the ‘‘Travis W. Atkins Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic’’, is
Public Law 116–262.
S. 1646, a bill to designate the community-based outpatient clin-
ic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Augustine, Florida,
as the ‘‘Leo C. Chase Jr. Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic’’,
is Public Law 116–168.
S. 1749, Protecting Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act of
2019, is Public Law 116–33.
S. 2216, TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act, is Public Law 116–278.
S. 3084, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify
the limitation on pay for certain high-level employees and officers
of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is Public Law 116–146.
S. 3147, Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act of 2019,
is Public Law 116–212.
S. 1A 3414, Major Medical Facility Authorization Act of 2020, is
Public Law 116–144.
S. 3503, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
treat certain programs of education converted to distance learning
by reason of emergencies and health-related situations in the same
manner as programs of education pursued at educational institu-
tions, and for other purposes, is Public Law 116–128.
S. 3587, Department of Veterans Affairs Website Accessibility
Act of 2019, is Public Law 116–213.
S. 3637, a bill to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to
extend lease protections for servicemembers under stop movement
orders in response to a local, national, or global emergency, and for
other purposes, is Public Law 116–158.
S. 4072, a bill to designate the clinic of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs in Bend, Oregon, as the ‘‘Robert D. Maxwell Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs Clinic’’, is Public Law 116–169.
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House Vehicle
H.R. 299, Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, is
Public Law 116–23.
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13
H.R. 561, Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act of
2019, is Public Law 116–183.
H.R. 1200, Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Act of 2019, is Public Law 116–58.
H.R. 1424, Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act, is
Public Law 116–106.
H.R. 1A1812, Vet Center Eligibility Expansion Act, is Public Law
116–176.
H.R. 1925, to designate the Manhattan Campus of the New York
Harbor Health Care System of the Department of Veterans Affairs
as the ‘‘Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus of the New York Harbor
Health Care System’’, is Public Law 116–331.
H.R. 2196, to amend title 38, United States Code, to reduce the
credit hour requirement for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Schol-
arship program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, is Public
Law 116–36.
H.R. 2333, Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act, is
Public Law 116–96.
H.R. 2334, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs com-
munity-based outpatient clinic in Odessa, Texas, as the ‘‘Wilson
and Young Medal of Honor VA Clinic’’, is Public Law 116–87.
H.R. 2359, Whole Veteran Act, is Public Law 116–185.
H.R. 2372, Veterans’ Care Quality Transparency Act, is Public
Law 116–177.
H.R. 2385, to permit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to estab-
lish a grant program to conduct cemetery research and produce
educational materials for the Veterans Legacy Program, is Public
Law 116–107.
H.R. 13504, Ryan Kules and Paul Benne Specially Adaptive
Housing Improvement Act of 2019, is Public Law 116–154.
H.R. 4183, Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study Act, is
Public Law 116–187.
H.R. 4285, Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities
Act of 2019, is Public Law 116–61.
H.R. 4356, Protecting Families of Fallen Servicemembers Act, is
Public Law 116–285.
H.R. 4771, VA Tele-Hearing Modernization Act, is Public Law
116–137.
H.R. 4920, Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting Pref-
erence Consistency Act of 2020, is Public Law 116–155.
H.R. 4983, to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs com-
munity-based outpatient clinic in Gilbert, Arizona, as the ‘‘Staff
Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health Care Clin-
ic’’, is Public Law 116–295.
H.R. 5023, to name the Department of Veterans Affairs commu-
nity-based outpatient clinic in Youngstown, Ohio, as the ‘‘Carl
Nunziato VA Clinic’’, is Public Law 116–297.
H.R. 6168, Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Act of 2020, is Public Law 116–178.
H.R. 6322, Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020,
is Public Law 116–140.
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H.R. 7105, Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans
Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, is Public Law
116–315.
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H.R. 7347, to designate the medical center of the Department of
Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the ‘‘Lieutenant Colo-
nel Charles S. Kettles Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center’’, is Public Law 116–317.
H.R. 8247, Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020, is Public Law 116–
214.
III. OVERSIGHT
In accordance with its mandate, the Committee engaged in over-
sight of VA health care facilities, VA regional offices, VA
constructionsites, homeless program facilities, educational institu-
tions, military facilities, employment program facilities, other enti-
ties within the Committee’s jurisdiction, and entities that coordi-
nate with VA in serving veterans. Summaries of various oversight
activities follow.
A. First Session (2019)
From March 21, 2019, to March 22, 2019, Committee majority
and minority staff visited the Newark, New Jersey VA Regional Of-
fice (RO). They toured the facility and met with RO leadership to
learn more about current operations and challenges, including im-
plementing the Appeals Modernization Act. Staff also visited the
War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) at the VA
Medical Center in East Orange, New Jersey. Staff met with
WRIISC leadership, Airborne Hazard and Burn Pit Center of Ex-
cellence staff, learned more about ongoing research and treatment
of related health conditions, and toured the airborne hazards lab.
From April 7, 2019, to April 10, 2019, Committee staff traveled
to Kansas City, Missouri, as part of a bicameral delegation to con-
duct oversight at Cerner’s headquarters. The purpose of the visit
was to assess the progress of the VA’s electronic health record mod-
ernization at the time of their fourth national-level workshop.
On June 6, 2019, Minority Committee staff visited Helena and
Great Falls, Montana for the roll out of the Veterans Community
Care Program.
From August 4, 2019, to August 9, 2019, a bicameral group of
Committee staff traveled to Naples, Italy, as well as Ramstein and
Wiesbaden, Germany to conduct congressional oversight of outside
the contiguous United States Transition Assistance Programs
(TAP) at Army, Air Force, and Navy installations. They toured
Naples Fleet and Family Services, Ramstien Air Base, and the
United States Army Europe Command, received TAP overviews
from various services, and did walkthroughs in TAP training class-
rooms to meet with transitioning Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors.
They met with Army, Air Force, and Navy leadership regarding
challenges specific to servicemembers transitioning out of the mili-
tary from overseas locations. Majority and Minority Committee
staff also conducted roundtable discussions with transitioning
servicemembers to query current challenges associated with transi-
tion programs.
From August 5, 2019, to August 8, 2019, Committee majority
staff conducted oversight travel to Athens, Georgia, as well as Sa-
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vannah, Georgia. In Athens, staff attended meetings at the Univer-
sity of Georgia’s Student Veterans Resource Center, School of So-
cial Work, Small Business Development Center and the Veterans
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15
Legal Clinic to learn about ongoing efforts to assist veterans in the
local community. In Savannah, staff met with leadership from Fort
Stewart—Hunter Army Airfield to review the base’s programs for
service members transitioning to civilian life.
From August 5, 2019, to August 9, 2019, Committee staff from
both House and Senate committees conducted oversight travel to
Washington State. Staff visited the VA medical centers (VAMC) in
Seattle and Spokane chosen for the initial go-live of the new elec-
tronic health record (EHR) system. These were the Seattle VAMC,
American Lake VAMC, and Mann-Grandstaff VAMCs. Addition-
ally, staff attended the local workshop for the electronic health
record modernization in Sea-Tac. The purpose was to assess the
status of preparations for the go-live of the new EHR at the three
sites, at the time scheduled for March 2020.
From August 5, 2019, to August 8, 2019, Committee majority
staff conducted oversight travel to Augusta, Atlanta, and Dublin,
Georgia. Staff visited the medical centers in each city, as well as
the Veterans Program at Emory Health Care. At each location,
Committee staff discussed mental health care programs and key
features of each facility’s programs for veterans.
From August 11, 2019, to August 13, 2019, Committee majority
staff conducted oversight travel to Denver, Colorado, to the VA
Denver Logistics Center and the Rocky Mountain VA medical cen-
ter.
From August 12, 2019, to August 16, 2019, Committee staff trav-
eled to Louisville, Kentucky to participate in the United States
Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Symposium. The pur-
pose of attendance was to assess new TAP curriculum implementa-
tion from the perspective of front line leaders, including opportuni-
ties for spouses and family engagement. Committee staff gathered
information on the implementation plan for upcoming congression-
ally mandated changes servicemembers and families will experi-
ence during their transition out of the military and how best to
connect servicemembers to post-separation goals.
From August 12, 2019 to August 16, 2019, Committee majority
and minority staff from both House and Senate committees con-
ducted oversight travel to Montana. Staff visited the Fort Harrison
VA Medical Center, the Missoula Community Based Outpatient
Clinic, as well as clinics in Libby, Kalispell, Cut Bank, Havre, and
Great Falls. Staff toured the facilities and spoke with VA staff and
leadership with a specific focus on rural health and telehealth.
From August 13, 2019, through August 15, 2019, Committee staff
from both House and Senate committees conducted oversight travel
to Chicago, Illinois, to the National Acquisition Center and the
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center.
From August 17, 2019, to August 18, 2019, Committee majority
staff conducted oversight travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to the VA
Medical Center and the VA regional office.
From August 21, 2019 to August 23, 2019, Committee majority
staff traveled to Houston, Texas. They visited the Michael E.
DeBakey VA Medical Center, toured the facility, and met with
leadership and staff about mental health, women’s health, and
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community care. Staff also visited an organization that coordinates
and connects veterans with community resources. In addition, staff
toured the Houston West Vet Center and the Houston Southwest
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16
Vet Center and met with leadership about community outreach and
suicide prevention efforts.
From September 9, 2019 to September 12, 2019, Committee mi-
nority staff conducted at oversight visit to several VA facilities in
Montana. The visit included stops at the Great Falls CBOC and fu-
ture CBOC location for a tour and briefing on CBOC operations,
staffing, and infrastructure needs. A visit to the Fort Harrison VA
Medical Center campus outside of Helena for an executive team
briefing, infrastructure briefings, tours of the grounds, and a meet-
ing with the Chief of Police. A visit was conducted to the federally
funded Southwest Montana State Veteran Home constructionsite in
Butte as well as meetings with staff and a tour of the Bozeman
CBOC slated for replacement. The visit concluded at the Billings
Health Care Center for an executive team meeting, review of IT in-
frastructure needs, and a facility tour. Throughout the oversight
visit staff collected information on staffing, infrastructure, IT,
budget, and policy implementation topics across a wide range of VA
subject areas.
B. Second Session (2020)
From February 17, 2020 to February 20, 2020, Committee major-
ity staff conducted oversight travel to Kansas. Staff visited Fort
Riley and McConnell Air Force Base to observe the Transition As-
sistance Program as delivered by the Army and the Air Force. Staff
also conducted oversight at the Wichita VA Regional Office, where
they met with the director and other staff, and received updates on
the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program and the of-
fice’s community engagement efforts.
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IV. NOMINATIONS
NOMINATIONS
Date of Date of Date Date
Name and Position Nomination Hearing Reported Confirmed
116th Congress, First Session
John Lowry III Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Veterans’ Employment and Training ..................... January 16, — March 13, November 21,
2019 2019 2019
James Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of
Veterans Affairs ..................................................... April 29, May 16, June 5, September 11,
2019 2019 2019 2019
Scott J. Laurer, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims .................................................................... September November 6, March 12, July 23,
19, 2019 2020 2020
2019
Grant C. Jaquith, of New York, to be a Judge of the
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims .................................................................... September November 6, February 4, July 23,
19, 2019 2020 2020
2019
V. BUDGET FOR VETERANS PROGRAMS
A. First Session (2019)
Pursuant to the requirements of section 301(d) of the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974, Chairman Isakson of the Committee
submitted a letter to the Budget Committee reflecting the Commit-
tee’s Views and Estimates on the Administration’s proposed fiscal
year 2020 budget for veterans’ programs. The letter submitted is
printed below in its entirety:
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COfv1M!TTEE ON VETERANS' AffAlRS
DC
March 15, 2019
The Honorable Michael Enzi
Chairman
The Honorable Bernard Sanders
Ranking Member
Committee on the Budget
624 Dirksen Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Enzi and Ranking Member Sanders:
Pursuant to Section 30l(d) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, it is my pleasure as
the Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Committee) to submit this letter to the
Committee on the Budget on the fiscal year 2020 (FY20) budget and the fiscal year 2021 (FY21)
advance appropriations budget request for Function 700 (Veterans' Benefits and Services)
programs.
GENERAL COMMENTS
The principal focus of my letter will be on ce1iain components of Function 700 spending
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs. Because the Committee has not received the
detailed FY20 and FY21 advance appropriations budget request and, therefore, is not fully able
to analyze the request, I will limit my comments to general observations and highlight areas that
I believe merit focus by the Committee on the Budget.
The 115th Congress was one of the most productive legislative periods in the history of
our Committee. We were able to enact significant reforms in the areas of accountability and
whistleblower protection, appeals modernization, veterans' educational assistance, caregivers
benefits, and veterans' health care. We heard from VA and the Veterans Service Organizations
(VSOs) that represent our veterans on what changes and improvements needed to be made at VA
and we passed legislation to make those reforms.
Now it is time for VA to implement the laws we passed, and we must provide the
oversight and funding they need for that implementation. The hard work of the Senate, Congress,
and our partners at VA and within the VSOs will be wasted if the changes we made in law are
not faithfully translated into meaningful improvements for our veterans and their families.
Congress has given VA a monumental task in implementing these new laws and we must ensure
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Chahman Enzi and Ranking Member Sanders
March 15, 2019
Page 12
we conduct the necessary oversight and hold them accountable for their successes and
shortcomings.
The Committee wants to ensure VA is plauning and executing its modernization efforts
as part of a cohesive, enterprise-wide strategy, Of the five major reforms signed into law, two
have generally been delivered on time, two have faced at least partial delays, and one is yet to be
seen. In both the on time deliveries and the delays, information technology (IT) systems have
proven to be pivotal in helping to determine success or failure. IfVA is going to be successful in
delivering benefits and health care, it must articulate a vision of what its information systems and
support processes should look like so we can all work toward achieving that vision.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Community Care
One of the most significant veterans bill passed in the 115th Congress was the John S.
McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and
Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (VA MISSION Act). The VA
MISSION Act will consolidate seven comnnmity care programs into one, the Veterans
Community Care Program, beginning on June 6, 2019. The Committee is committed to the
successful hnplementation of the VA MISSION Act so that veterans receive care that best fits
their individual needs while making the VA health care system stronger. In order to achieve this,
Congress must ensure VA has the necessary resources to provide quality, timely access to health
care for veterans, whether in a VA facility or through the community care program.
The Administration requested $8.9 billion in FY20 for the implementation of the VA
MISSION Act. The Committee has not yet received more detailed budget information regarding
the request for VA MISSION Act hnplementation funding but encourages adequate resources for
this critical community care program. Additionally, during the implementation of the VA
MISSION Act, the information technology systems n~ded to support the consolidated
community care program must be prioritized and adequately funded. As we have witnessed with
other VA programs, IT systems are a critical component of the successful implementation and
execution of new programs.
Caregivers
The VA MISSION Act expanded eligibility for VA's Program of Comprehensive
Assistance for Family Caregivers, currently for post-9/11 veterans, to include a!l eras of veterans.
Before moving forward with expansion, the law requires VA to strengthen the current program,
including implementing a new IT system.
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Chairman Enzi and Ranking Member Sanders
March 15,2019
Page I 3
This program provides valuable eare and support for seriously injured veterans and
caregivers. It is imperative that VA has necessary resources to implement and maintain the
required new IT system, as well as to address current concerns with the program and to prepare
for expansion. I am committed to the oversight of this program to ensure VA is effectively
utilizing its resources to serve our nation's veterans and their caregivers.
In August 2017, the President signed into law the Veterans Appeals Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2017, which overhauled VA' s outdated disability claims appeal process.
Since the legislation was enacted, VA spent 18 months preparing for implementation of the new
process, including upgrading IT systems, piloting certain aspects of the new appeals process, and
hiring additional staff. Secretary Wilkie certified to Congress last month that VA had met the
requirements of the law and was prepared to implement the new process. VA began processing
appeals utilizing the new process onFeht11ary 19, 2019.
VA currently has more than 384,000 legacy appeals pending. As long as there are legacy
appeals pending, VA is simultaneously processing appeals under two systems. It is critically
important that VA has adequate resources to provide timely, quality decisions on disability
claims appeals to our nation's veterans utilizing the new authorities provided to them by
Congress. This includes continuing to support the number of required staff and ensuring IT
systems receive necessary maintenance and upgrades, both at the Veterans Benefits
Administration and the Board of Veterans Appeals. I look forward to working with VA, the
Committee on the Budget, and our colleagues to ensure the success of appeals modernization.
Forever GI Bill
The Harry W. Cohnery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, better known as
the Forever GI Bill, included 32 education provisions to improve benefits for veterans, active
duty military, and their families. VA successfully implemented 28 of those provisions on time,
but struggled to implement two key provisions related to how VA pays monthly housing stipends
to student~. Committee oversight of this implementation helped identify several key problems.
First, VA did not have an internal capacity to rapidly identify new program requirements,
acquire technology development capability, and manage the program execution across the
business office, enterprise IT office, and department leadership. Key early decisions on how to
implement the necessary software changes and what policies to adopt in implementing the law
put VA on a high-risk path that resulted in needing to restart the process with a new approach.
Additionally, the overly complex and partially ontdated IT systems used to pay
educational benefits to schools and to students meant that any development of new software
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Chairman Enzi and Ranking Member Sanders
March 15, 2019
Page I 4
capabilities would require tremendous resources for writing new code and conducting testing.
The multiple systems required to process benefits have been knitted together over more than 30
years of incremental changes in what types of benefits are provided to veterans and how those
benefits are adjudicated and paid out. The overall system VA eurrently has was not purposely
built for the tasks VA now has to complete.
It is critical that we fund VA for development and maintenance of IT systems capable of
delivering benefits as required by law. But we must also make sure VA is building an overall
strategy for how it can shed outdated IT systems and unhelpful business processes in order to
maximize the latest technology to deliver benefits with more accuracy and fewer delays.
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Thank you for your consideration of my views on the programs and services for our
nation's veterans. VA has numerous challenges which VA leadership must address. I look
forward to working with the Committee on the Budget and all of our colleagues to help improve
and modernize the system of benefits and services for veterans, their families, and their
survivors.
Sincerely,
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B. Second Session (2020)
Pursuant to the requirements of section 301(d) of the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974, Chairman Moran submitted a letter to
the Budget Committee reflecting the Committee’s Views and Esti-
mates on the Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2021 budget for
veterans’ programs. The letter submitted is printed below in its en-
tirety:
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May6,2020
The Honorable Michael Enzi
Chairman
The Honorable Bernard Sanders
Ranking Member
Committee on the Budget
624 Dirksen Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Enzi and Ranking Member Sanders:
Pursuant to Section 30l(d) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, it is my pleasure as the
Chainnan of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to submit this letter to the Committee on the
Budget on the fiscal year 2021 (FY21) budget and the fiscal year 2022 (FY22) advance
appropriations budget request for Function 700 (Veterans' Benefits and Services) programs.
While we are in the midst of responding to an unprecedented national emergency for COVID19,
this Committee continues to evaluate fonding requests from the Department ofVeterans Affairs
(VA) to make certain that we are investing tax-payer dollars wisely in programs and services that
will improve the lives of our veterans where and when they need it, VA is working diligently to
deliver economic benefits and continue vital health care operations as the economy, the health
care secror, and our nation's supply chain are totally upended. We are legislating emergency
authorities and waiving limitations that could slow the kinds of quick actions we need from the
VA right now.
As we work to make sure VA has all the tools and resources it needs to respond to COVID 19, I
also want the Committee to learn from this experience what is vital for VA to meet its mission
and what is outdated. VA has touted its recent ability to hire and onboard health care providers in
days rather than months. That is a lesson we need to use so VA improves staffing long term. VA
has also increased use of telehealth for care, provided flexibility for disability claims and debt
management, and increased outreach for medical supply chain needs. As the urgency of the
response diminishes, my goal is to evaluate what efforts had meaningful impacts and can provide
us with a guide for how VA can improve its delivery of care and benefits going forward.
The items below reflect priorities for Committee oversight. We will be evaluating these
programs and the VA' s funding request for them in light oflessons learned during the COVlDl 9
response, with an eye towards prioritizing those programs that deliver measurable res,!lts,
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Chairman Enzi and Ranking Member Sanders
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Community Care
The VA A1aintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act
(MISSION Act) restructured and transformed VA community care by broadening veteran
eligibility and giving more veterans control over where and how they receive care. Last year was
a significant year for VA community care as the VA began operating the Veterans Community
Care Program (VCCP). The program is a key piece of the MISSION Act-which consolidated
all VA community care programs into the VCCP and established an integrated Community Care
Network (CCN) of providers.
The Administration is requesting $18,511,979,000 for Medical Community Care for FY2 l. The
VA believes the requested funding would fully fund all community care, including
implementation of MISSION Act's community care components. The Committee is concerned
the requested funding is inadequate and will not cover the community care costs related to
MISSION Act implementation. The VA' s actuarial model uses assumptions based on community
care data that largely predates MlSSION's VCCP and urgent care benefit to calculate the
Medical Community Care budget. Additionally, the Committee and VA have discussed the need
for the VA to modify CCN contracts to incorporate VA access standards for community care.
Incorporating access standards into the CCN contracts could be costly but the budget request
does not clarify whether the funding request accounts for these necessary modifications. The
Committee fears the budget does not fully account for the true scale of enrollee usage of
community care, as more veterans may choose to utilize new benefits and programs established
by the MISSION Act.
Veterans Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Addressing veterans mental health and suicide prevention is my top legislative priority. VA is
seeking new authorities in FY21 for how and where veterans can receive supportive mental
health services. Additionally, we are looking at how VA, DoD, and academia can partner on
mental health research and focus our national efforts where they will make the most difference.
To stop veteran suicide, our country must use every resource available and seek out new
therapies that can demonstrate a clinically significant result.
We must also work to expand access to mental health care for veterans by strategically reaching
veterans in hard-to-reach, rural parts of our country and providing our veterans with alternative
and innovative treatments. The Committee will work to integrate our efforts with the President's
PREVENTS task force as it takes a whole of government approach to addressing veteran suicide.
As new therapies are researched and developed, and state and local partners are empowered to
deliver resources directly to veterans, our focus will be on measuring outcomes and investing in
solutions that reduce the number of veterans who die from suicide.
VA Caregivers Program
VA is requesting $1,195,486,000 ($710,000,000 FY2020 Budget Estimate/ $432,448,000
FY2019 Actual) for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
for FY2021. The FY2021 is a 60% increase over the FY2020 Budget Estimate. The PCAFC is
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Chairman Enzi and Ranking Member Sanders
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VA' s most robust caregivers program, offering caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans
enhanced supportive services and a monthly stipend. The requested increase in funding is
designed to support the expansion of the PC AFC to veterans of all eras.
The MISSION Act required the VA to broaden PCAFC eligibility and expand the program's
supportive services to include financial and legal services. Nearly 6 million caregivers provide
support to injured veterans across the nation. Expanding the PC AFC is a priority for the
Committee and we support the VA's efforts to implement the expansion. However, we are
concerned the requested funding may not be enough to account for the influx of caregivers and
veterans to the program. Additionally, we remain dismayed with the ongoing delays that
continue to stall the expansion and the impact VA's proposed rule may have on program
eligibility. The Committee will continue to conduct careful oversight of the expansion to ensure
pre-9/11 veterans and caregivers have access to the care and supportive services they desperately
need.
Women Veterans Health Care
The VA requested $7,417,747,000 for FY202 l ($6,721,268,000 FY2020 Budget Estimate/
$6,348,901,000 FY2019 Actual), an 8% increase over the FY2020 Budget Estimate. We applaud
VA' s continuing efforts to increase enrollment numbers for women veterans and its decision to
elevate the Office of Women's Health as a direct report to the Office of the Deputy Under
Secretary for Health. Women veterans is the fastest growing veteran demographic in the veteran
community and is projected to account for 16% of the veteran population by 2040. Since 2014,
the number of women veterans enrolled in the VHA has increased by 28% with over 500,000
active VHA users. However, the FY2021 budget request related to Women Veterans Health Care
would only allocate $625 million for gender-specific care. It is imperative that the Department
continue to improve gender-specific health care to address the needs of this fast-growing
population. As such, the Department must have adequate resources to expand gender-specific
services and hire additional staff to provide such services.
Construction and Leasing
A total of $1,908,000,000 is requested in new budget authority for 2021 for all construction
programs. This consists of $1,373,000,000 ($1,235,200 FY20 enacted) for Construction, Major;
$400,000,000 for Construction, Minor. VA has 21 major construction projects that are authorized
and partially funded. Based upon the current cost estimates to remediate all gaps as projected, it
would require total resources of approximately $62-$76 billion for capital infrastructure and
activation costs. Alarmingly, VA additionally has approximately $7 billion of pending seismic
projects nationally.
The Department of Veterans Affairs requests authorization of $274,920,000 for thirteen major
medical facility leases. The Committee will also weigh options on how to move forward with VA
major medical facility lease authorizations in light of continued complications resulting from
Congressional budgeting rules and VA and General Services Administration (GSA) leasing
protocols. Since the scoring change, we have authorized two large sets ofleases on bills that funded
the Choice program, Choice 1.0 (authorized in 2014), and Choice 2.0 (authorized in 2017) The
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Chairman Enzi and Ranking Member Sanders
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Committee has not authorized leases the last two years, and will not this year because of Pay-Go.
Continued inaction cannot continue to happen; it is creating second and third-order effects that
currently are not seen and will create a larger future bill when identified.
Electronic Health Record Modernization
VA is requesting $2.627 ($1,442,515 2020 enacted) billion for Veterans Electronic Health
Record, an 82.1 % increase from the 2020 enacted levels. Funding will provide for additional
deployments, site assessments, and the accelerated deployment of the new scheduling system.
The first "go-live" sight in Spokane, Washington, has recently delayed until July 2020. Although
we agree with the Secretary's decision, we will continue to monitor the configuration and design
decisions for the Cerner EHR, the dozens of systems interfaces that remain to be built, and
authorities to connect to the network that is due from DoD.
Procurement
The Committee will also prioritize improvements to V A's procurement organization and
processes by working with the Administration and introducing legislation, where necessary, to
correct endemic weaknesses. Over half of the FYI 9 GAO reports looking at VA addressed
acquisition and contracting issues. The Committee's ongoing goals in this regard are to increase
meaningful competition, the use of Federal Acquisition Regulation-compliant contracts, and the
utilization of veteran-owned businesses, as well as to eliminate unauthorized commitments,
improper open market purchases, and unnecessary sole-source awards. We will consider
legislation the cracks down on misrepresentation of a service-connected disability to obtain
preference for SDVOSB contracts, the widespread misrepresentation of small business status and
ownership, and control of the businesses. The Committee continues to be alarmed by the
mishandling of several major acquisitions and is concerned about the medical supply chain.
National Cemetery Administration
VA is requesting $360,000,000 for the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to operate and
maintain 156 national cemeteries (including I I cemeteries being transferred from the
Department of the Army and 33 other cemeterial installations) and provide support to state and
tribal veterans cemeteries. Although this amount is 9% more than the FY20 request, the major
construction portion is down $78,000,000 from FY20 and state and tribal veterans cemeteries
grants remains steady with a request for $45,000,000. Construction of new interment options and
acquisition of suitable land continue to be challenges for NCA. VA must continue to work to
provide the right balance of options for veterans seeking interment in rural, urban, state, and
tribal cemeteries while maximizing every dollar of budget authority.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
The Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) Program is structured to provide tailored
and individualized counseling services to eligible disabled veterans who are experiencing
barriers to employment. Over the years, this program has undergone many changes and faced
challenges in consistency from counselor to counselor and has also experienced difficulty in
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Chairman Enzi and Ranking Member Sanders
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providing accurate outcome measures. As VR&E continues to update their information
technology systems and internal policies, the Committee will continue to provide oversight and
work with VA to ensure eligible service-connected disabled veterans are receiving the proper
services to place them into meaningful employment or into a position of stable independent
living.
VBA will reallocate 166 FTE to the VR&E Program, 135 of whom will be Vocational
Rehabilitation Counselors (YRC). This reallocation will assist in supporting the anticipated
growth in the VR&E program and maintaining the I: 125 counselor to veteran ratio, as required
by Public Law 114-223. VR&E should focus on optimizing the workload for the VRCs so they
can focus on providing direct services for veterans rather than administrative functions. The
Committee will continue to monitor and carefully review the caseloads for VRCs to ensure the
workforce increase is allocated in a manner to focus on assisting veterans with critical counseling
and adjacent services.
Toxic Exposures
The VA is requesting increases of I 0% and 9% for the Post Deployment Health Services
(PDHS), which assess the impact of deployment/environmental exposures on veterans and
develops related policy, research, education, and health care strategies. PDHS manages several
surveillance programs, including review of health for veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf
War, and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation New
Daw11 (OND)/Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).
The VA needs adequate resources to work with the Department of Defense to map out a
servicemember' s military tenure and account for their health outcomes and potential health
impacts to their offspring. Multiple trajectories of effort currently exist, including several
registries for different cohorts of veterans and epidemiological research. As the VA and DoD
continue to work toward full operational capability of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure
Record (ILER) system, adequate resourcing of the current efforts underway will be essential
toward achieving a system where every veteran can have faith that every aspect of their service-
related health needs will be addressed.
Homeless Veterans Programs
VA has received increased funding for services to assist homeless veterans and prevent veteran
homelessness each year since 2009, when VA announced an ambitious goal to end Veteran
homelessness. Each year, thousands of local communities around the country conduct one-night
"Point-in-Time" estimates of the number of persons experiencing homelessness-in emergency
shelters, transitional housing programs and in unsheltered locations. According to the HUD Point
in Time (PIT) count, 37,085 veterans experienced homelessness nationwide in January 2019,
which alludes to challenges in implementing federal assistance programs and creates the question
of how effective these programs are for veterans. This is why I requested that the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) review federal assistance programs for homeless veterans.
Potential opportunities exist to improve the way federal agencies collaborate and conduct
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Chairman Enzi and Ranking Member Sanders
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Page6
performance measurement to maximize federal dollars. I look forward to results of the GAO
study to learn where additional investments in VA homeless programs will be most benefic.ial.
Transition and Economic Development
The Office of Transition and Economic Development (TED), established in 2018, requests
$111.2 minion in budget authority to provide a central point of integration for servicemembers
and veterans so they can achieve their perscnal goals and sustain economic success. VA' s
request includes an increase to develop curriculum focused on targeted healthcare to reflect the
multitude of c-0horts of veterans that VA serves, and expand TED' s ability to analyze and report
outcome data obtained from the Post--Separation TAP (PSTAP) Longitudinal Study. By
obtaining this data, VA will have the capability lo better assess the performance and long tenn
outcomes of the Department ofDefense's{DoD) portion of the interagency Transition Assistance
Program (TAP).
The VA' s Solid Start Program, which began in December 2019, has delivered promising initial
results in the areas of outreach to veterans, veteran benefit awareness, and mental health and
suicide prevention. While tbe Department has not requested additional spending for Solid Start in
FY21, I look forward to supprn1ing this program to make certain it has the resources necessary to
increase veteran awareness of the benefits they're entitled to and ensure that more veterans get
the critical mental health services they require.
Sincerely,
Jerry Moran
Chairman
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