▶ 0:30:58right, good morning. A quorum being present, the committee on veterans affairs will come to order. Uh we're meeting this morning to mark up 18 important bills pending before the this committee. And I'm going to keep my remarks short to leave plenty of time for discussion on each of these bills and amendments that are going to be before us. However, I would be remiss if I didn't highlight the disappointment I have right now with the amendments to many of these bills that were filed.
▶ 0:31:26Uh it's kind of in in our committee rules. Uh the majority is required to provide the text of the bills uh will be marked up within 48 business hours of the markup. We have followed those rules and we gave the majority or minority uh list of the bills that would be considered a full 120 hours.
▶ 0:31:47uh ahead of today's markup for multiple congresses, we've had a a gentleman's agreement that uh any amendment would be filed within 24 hours of the start of markup. Uh that time was yesterday at 10:15 in the morning and at that time we had only seven of the 40 total amendments that the minority has filed. Uh we even received over a dozen amendments after closing of business hours last night.
▶ 0:32:17Uh now I'm going to do what the ranking member did at at markup when he was chair I'm I'm not going to do uh when he was chairman and uh prevent members from offering those amendments. So all member amendments will be allowed to be here uh and be presented. Uh that was improper when it was done then and it's improper to do it now. Uh what a disappointment. But frankly, uh, uh, unfortunately, um, that's the way it was handled last night.
▶ 0:32:46Everybody needs to know that, uh, there are really only three bills that could be viewed as partisan, but instead of working with us in good faith to fix the issues. These bills seek to address. They have broken the agreement and filed un uh, serious amendments to tie up the staff, members, time, and no goal of accomplishment or anything else that they're trying to achieve.
▶ 0:33:10While this is certainly well within their right and I understand that the levers uh they have uh that that they have uh and and they are limited. It is disappointing. Um however that is not uh how this committee normally operates and are operating in the past.
▶ 0:33:30I've always tried to do my best to act in good faith and when we are able to do so on behalf of the men and women who serve uh on this dis I hope we can return to that practice. I now yield to ranking member for his opening statement. Well, thank you Mr. Chairman. Good morning to you as well. Uh I plan to speak on individual bills. So I'm happy to proceed to the business of this markup and I yield back. Thank you ranking member.
▶ 0:33:56I now call up HR 217, the CHIP in for Veterans Act. The clerk shall report the bill. HR 217. The text was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules and without objection, the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for an amendment at any point. I now recognize Representative Barrett for uh purpose of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Um, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. The clerk will report.
▶ 0:34:26Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR. I ask unanimous consent that all further readings of the amendment in the nature of substitute be dispensed with. I ask that it be considered based text for the purpose of this markup and without objection so ordered. I now recognize Representative Barrett for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The amendment in the nature of a substitute would reauthorize the chip in for veterans act for five more years and would expand it to include minor construction and nonrecurring maintenance.
▶ 0:34:55Chip and author author authorities have already delivered faster lowerc cost infrastructure improvements by empowering local communities to partner with VA to get this done. By opening up chip-in authorities to minor construction and non-recurring maintenance, we would fix bro broken HVAC systems, upgrade safety features, and keep facilities running without waiting years for major construction funding. It's a common sense veteran first solution and I urge all my colleagues to support it. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 0:35:22Gentleman yields back and I recognize myself in support of the amendment and nature of a substitute. The amendment would reauthorize a chip-in pilot pro for another five years. This pilot program allows public private partnership with VA to subsidize uh construction projects for health care facilities. It expires next year. Uh that's why it need to be moved.
▶ 0:35:42And one project in uh Omaha, Nebraska, VA, and local uh partners uh built an outpatient clinic one year ahead of schedule and $35 million under budget. uh all while uh delivering veterans in the Nebraska area modern and state-of-the-art facility. With this amendment, we are moving VA forward and uh forging uh forging even more public private partnerships at the agency.
▶ 0:36:12Uh I want to thank my friend Representative Bacon for his work uh to take the chipin program across the country. Do any other members wish to comment on the on the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 217? Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of substitute for HR 217? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 217. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 0:36:42I. All those opposed, no. Independent chair, the eyes have it. The amendment in the nature of substitute is agreed to and I now recognize uh member uh ranking member Tano for a motion. Uh Mr. Chairman, I move that HR 217 as amended be reported favorably to the house. The question is on favorably reporting the bill HR217 as amended to the full house. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose, no. The opinion chair, the eyes have it.
▶ 0:37:09The motion is agreed to and HR 217 as amended is reported favorably to the House. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr. Chairman, I pursuant to House Rule 11 clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR 217 as amended. objection, HR 11.
▶ 0:37:33I now call up HR 1107, the protect veterans access to uh tele medicine services act of 2025. The clerk shall report. HR 1107 to amend title 38 United States code to author. The bill was circulated in advance and pursuant to committee rules. Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is open for amendment at any point. I now recognize myself for 5 minutes to speak in favor of this legislation.
▶ 0:38:02This bill would grant VA docs authority to uh medication via teaalth. In response to the CO 19 pandemic, VA allowed teleaalth p uh prescriptions. But this authority expires at the end of this year. Tellahalth does not replace in-person patient care. It expands patient care.
▶ 0:38:24It is this is an exciting opportunity to use technology for good, including care for hardto-reach rural veterans, elderly veterans, and disabled veterans. I am pleased to support uh Representative Wck's bill and I now recognize ranking member for five minutes. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk to HR 1107. Not yet. Oh, excuse me. Opening if you want to speak to the bill.
▶ 0:38:55I'll wait till I'll wait till my Okay. Okay. The gentleman yields back. Does any members wish to comment on the bill? Does any member wish to offer an amendment to HR 1107? Mr. Mr. Chairman, I have amendments to HR 1107 at the desk. Um the the clerk will rec I now re Okay, hold on here. I get caught up my script. The clerk shall report the amendment.
▶ 0:39:25Amendment to H. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Uh without objection to order, the gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that we are considering this bill which will enable VA providers to pro prescribe controlled substances to veterans through tele medicine without first conducting an in-person exam.
▶ 0:39:48Tele medicine has helped VA to greatly increase veterans access to a variety of types of care since the CO 19 pandemic. My amendment would build upon that success by reinstating teleawwork agreements for any Veterans Health Administration clinicians that already had such agreements in place prior to January 20, 2025 and wish to have those agreements reinstated.
▶ 0:40:15So VA's abrupt and chaotic implementation of President Trump's January 20th return to office executive order has resulted in many clinicians who previously delivered 100% of their care remotely being ordered to return to offices, compounding existing space constraints at many VA facilities.
▶ 0:40:37You can see on the photos of recently taken workspaces we have here uh you know someone's office behind a screen right next to a bathroom. Uh you can see the crowded uh workspaces here where unfortunately mental health providers are within earshot of one another. uh and veterans need to be confident uh that their uh conversations with these mental health providers uh are in confidence.
▶ 0:41:07Uh this is an example of VA's abrupt, abrupt and chaotic implementation of President Trump's January 20th return to office executive order. um and has resulted many clinicians who previously delivered 100% of their care being remotely uh their their care remotely uh being ordered to return to offices compounding existing space constraints at many facilities.
▶ 0:41:29This is creating confusion for veterans and hardship for employees who had been successfully working from home prior to the order and who who would like to continue doing so for various reasons. Tele medicine provides a crucial lifeline for veterans, especially those who may have difficulty leaving the house or who live in extremely rural areas.
▶ 0:41:52Likewise, many VA medical centers in difficult to recruit markets have hired employees into fully remote positions to fill critical vacancies, ensure they have enough providers to meet veterans needs. Additionally, as was illustrated by the photographs that appeared in a New York Times story published yesterday, and I already pointed to the posters, many VA medical facilities simply do not have the physical footprint to accommodate the influx of employees who had previously been working remotely.
▶ 0:42:20The return to office order is forcing some VA clinicians to provide care to veterans from inappropriate locations, which leads to privacy concerns for veterans. Now we can clearly recognize that after the pandemic we must be open to changing the way we provide care to everyone especially our veterans to reflect technological advancements individual preferences and necessity of expanding access to care.
▶ 0:42:46In fact teleaalth is the industry standard for many providers including many in the community care network and veterans should not expect nothing less when they receive care from VA. Now, I hope that my colleagues will recognize this as a common sense amendment uh to ensure we're providing the best and most accessible care to veterans possible and that they will all support it.
▶ 0:43:10And again uh even care in the community you will see that uh in in the case of mental health uh it's often the norm that uh you know in in private plans uh you know patients are actually uh you know specialty care like mental health through teleaalth. Uh and with that Mr. Chairman I'm going to yield back. Gentleman yields back. I I recognize my without I'll turn my microphone on first if I could.
▶ 0:43:40So I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. You know each of the amendments offered by the minority on this bill uh which seeks to improve the delivery of tele medicine uh are not without but are not teleawwork. The difference between those two things is the tele medicine is about reaching veterans who were and are addressing their health care needs at at their convenience.
▶ 0:44:06Telea work on the other hand is about addressing the needs of federal employees and their preferences. Now I would like to remind members of this committee that our priorities are the veteran and their medical needs, not the federal worker. I urge all members to vote no on this uh irrelevant amendment that with that I do not uh that it does not enhance the existing legislation and for these reasons I'm strongly opposed uh to this amendment.
▶ 0:44:36I urge my colleagues to vote no and with me on the amendment. Uh does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question occurs on agreeing to the TCO amendment All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. The opinion of chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Chairman, uh, I I ask for a recorded vote. Recorded vote being requested.
▶ 0:45:06A record a recorded vote has been requested. Pursuant to committee rules, the vote will be postponed. I now recognize Representative Conaway to offer an amendment on HR 1107. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. The the clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to HR1107 offered by I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with and without objection so ordered.
▶ 0:45:36The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain the amendment. Uh thank you, Chairman Boast. My amendment would reinstate remote work and telework agreements for psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers at the Veterans Health Administration. Uh these people have been working um with agreements in place before President Trump issued his return to work order.
▶ 0:45:58As the underlying bill uh we're considering demonstrates, many providers at the VA have been very successfully providing care to veterans in a tele medicine setting uh since 20 uh since the 2019 pandemic. In fact, according to a January 2024 article published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, more than 55% of VA mental health appointments are being conducted remotely, mainly via uh video teleconference rather than in-person visits.
▶ 0:46:24Unfortunately, since President Trump ordered almost all federal employees to come back to the office, some VA providers have encountered difficulty in putting their patients first. This is because many VA medical facilities do not have enough space to accommodate all the employees who had been previously working remotely.
▶ 0:46:40Therefore, in recent weeks, VA mental health providers have found themselves providing therapy via tele medicine while working in an open concept cubicle farm and conference rooms at tables with six or eight other VA providers and at least in one case a shower that was converted into an office. This has many uh this has left many VA clinicians concerned about their ability to provide highquality care that also respects veterans privacy and preserves the privacy of their protected health information.
▶ 0:47:09Even worse, clinicians worry uh that veterans won't feel comfortable establishing an open and honest relationship with them. My amendment would ensure that VA mental health providers who previously worked remotely can red resume doing so. I hope all of my colleagues will support this amendment to ensure the veterans get the best care and I yield back. The gentleman yields back and I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment.
▶ 0:47:32This amendment shifts the focus away from the veterans who need tele medicine access to federal employees who want teleawwork flexibility. And I urge my me the members to vote no on this uh irrelevant amendment and that I with that I do not in it does not enhance the legislation and for these reasons I strongly oppose the amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on the amendment.
▶ 0:47:59Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none the questions are now occurs on the agreeing to the Conaway amendment to HR 1107. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. In the opinion of chair, the nos have it and it is not agreed to. I ask for a recorded vote. A record vote. Recorded vote being requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed.
▶ 0:48:28I now recognize Representative RmIrez to offer an amendment to HR 1107. Thank you, Chairman. I have an amendment to HR 1107 at the desk. The clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to HR1. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be disposed dispensed with and without objection so ordered. The gentleoman is recognized for five minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 0:48:51Last week during oversight and investigation subcommittee, we heard from the witnesses and in testimonies from veterans and VA employees just how the Musk and Trump policies are gravely impacting veterans access to mental health care and they and that they need that they deserve.
▶ 0:49:08I read into the record in the subcommittee testimonies of mental health care providers assisting veterans in navigating their trauma and recovery from the privacy of a public shower, a supply closet, or even a crammed office. I can tell you as someone who served as the executive director of a social service agency that served people struggling with suicidal ideiation, a shower is not the appropriate place to have those conversations.
▶ 0:49:35the conditions in which care is being provided to our veterans is a disservice and it's unacceptable. So my amendment is pretty simple. It would reinstate teleawwork agreements for employees of VA's clinical resource hubs, a regional teleaalth program that expands access to essential primary care, mental health, and specialty care for veterans. The VA's clinical resource hub is a unique program.
▶ 0:49:59It's designed to meet veterans where they are, especially serving veterans who might otherwise fall through the cracks. For instance, in rural areas where physical locations are scars and staffing is stretched thin. Under this program, VA healthcare providers were hired and trained to assist veterans through teleaalth. And that model has proved successful.
▶ 0:50:20It's allowed providers to deliver a variety of different types of care, helping veterans avoid long burdens burdensome travel just to receive the health care that they need and deserve. In fact, in 2023, clinical resource hubs expanded access to care for 500,000 veterans. Clinical resource hub providers use secure up-to-date technology to connect with patients virtually, conduct real-time assessments, and collaborate with on-site VA clinic staff.
▶ 0:50:51It's not just convenient, folks. It's life-changing. Forcing clinical resource hub staff into fit unfit offices risk dismantling a highly efficient and effective healthcare delivery model. Contrary to the opinion of the must Trump administration, deconstructing effective and efficient programs sounds wasteful and unnecessary to me.
▶ 0:51:14Many providers at VA's clinical resource hubs reside in rural areas themselves, far away from the VA medical facilities they're being told that they now have to report to. Some are actually choosing to resign rather than face long commute times to a VA facility where they're still going to have to provide care via teleaalth from a closet from a shower.
▶ 0:51:34So, as we consider legislation to ensure veterans access to prescription drugs through teleaalth, we should also consider how to retain the VA employees that are providing the teleare that they deserve. It's simple. Service provision relies upon staffing. My amendment is about standing up for veterans and for the clinicians who serve our veterans. I hope my colleagues will support my amendment. And with that, chairman, I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back and I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment.
▶ 0:52:04The amendment shifts focus away from veterans who need tele medicine access to federal employees who want tea work flexibility. As I mentioned uh previously, I urge all my members to vote all the members to vote no on these uh irrelevant amendment and that uh I they do not enhance this legislation and for these reasons I strongly oppose this amendment and I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on this amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment?
▶ 0:52:32Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the Ramirez amendment to HR 1107. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed? No. No. And the opinion chair, the nos have it, Mr. Chair, and the the amendment is not agreed to. I'd like a recorded vote. A recorded vote has been uh requested pursuant to committee rules. The vote will be postponed.
▶ 0:52:58Now, we have I now recognize Representative Ramirez to offer an amendment on her second amendment on HR 1107. The clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to HR 1107. ask unanimous consent that further reading of the minute be dispos uh dispensed with and without objection so ordered. The gentleoman is recognized for five minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Chairman.
▶ 0:53:21Since the must Trump administration's return to office executive order, we've all seen the alarming reports of VA providers assisting veterans in spaces that do not ensure the privacy and the security that a health consultation deserves. Uh the ranking member showed us some of those images just a few moments ago. Let's take for example the VA's uh vision level clinical contract centers. VA's clinical contract centers are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so that they can address a variety of needs.
▶ 0:53:51Some of those needs are fully met remotely through telephone online chat, the VA video connect app on computers and mobile devices. Whether it's helping veterans with scheduling and counseling appointments, whether it's providing nurse advice and triage for urgent and emergent symptoms and concerns that are assisting veterans obtaining prescription refills and more.
▶ 0:54:15These centers are meeting veterans where they are and they're providing ondemand care when they need them most. Since veterans are already accessing their services from clinical contact centers remotely, it would be counterproductive to demand that providers report to in-person offices.
▶ 0:54:35Offices where they still have to provide the services the same way through teleaalth and where the VA hasn't been able to ensure that there's any privacy when they're conducting those appointments. Since many of the facilities don't have enough space to accommodate clinical resource hub staff, it follows that the VA will need to lease additional staff space in off-site buildings, all at a time that the administration is cutting funding for federal infrastructure.
▶ 0:55:03The decision to end effective teleawwork agreements is not just irresponsible, folks. It's ineffective and and it's expensive. It's wasteful, one might say. That is why my amendment would reinstate teleawwork agreements for employees of VA's uh VISN level clinical contact centers who had them in place prior to President Trump's January 20, 2025 return to office executive order and wish to have those agreements reinstated.
▶ 0:55:34I urge my colleagues, if you care deeply about our veterans, if you want to make sure they continue to have excellent care and we continue to improve that care, then support this common sense amendment which will enable the VISN clinical contract centers to continue functioning, improving the timeliness and accessibility of VA care for veterans nationwide. Thank you, chairman, and I yield back. Gentleoman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment.
▶ 0:56:03This amendment shifts the focus away from veterans who need tele medicine accessing access to federal employees who want tele medicine tell work flexibility. Uh as I mentioned previously I urge my members to vote no all members to vote no on these irrelevant amendments and that do not enhance this particular legislation. For these reasons I strongly oppose this amendment and I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on this amendment. Does any other member wish to have comment on the amendment?
▶ 0:56:33Seeing none, uh the question now occurs on uh agreeing to the RmIrez amendment number two HR 1107. All those in favor say I. All those opposed, no. No. In the opinion chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Chairman, I request a recorded vote. A record recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed.
▶ 0:56:58Uh, I now recognize Representative Morrison for to offer an amendment to HR Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to HR 1107 at the desk. The clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. The gentleoman is recognized for 5 minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 0:57:20My amendment would reinstate telework agreements for employees of VHA's offer of member services who had them in place prior to January 20th, 2025 and wish to have those agreements reinstated. Employees of VHA's office of member services are responsible for assisting veterans with determining eligibility for VA health care, helping veterans enroll in VA healthcare, and processing reimbursements for veterans who must travel to medical appointments, among other things.
▶ 0:57:44While some veterans may seek assistance from VHA member services in person at VA medical facilities, the majority of veterans connect with member services via telephone or by electronically submitting their enrollment forms and travel reimbursement forms online. Telework has significantly improved the timelines and responsiveness of VHA's member services operation even is as it is coping with a 25% vacancy rate.
▶ 0:58:09Remote work has also reduced the need for managers to be present at multiple physical locations as member services managers in any location can oversee employees anywhere in the country. In addition, remote work has reduced the need for VA to lease physical office space for member services staff. As of March 2025, about onethird of the member services workforce, 600 employees were working remotely in various locations nationwide that are well outside the 50-mi radius of the five key locations where member services offices exist.
▶ 0:58:38These employees handle highly sensitive data, including veteran social security numbers, financial information, and IRS data. These are not the kinds of employees who can work in open office settings where sensitive information can be overheard or compromised. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, which will allow VHA's member services workforce to continue performing its work remotely. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment.
▶ 0:59:03This amendment shifts the focus away from the veterans who need the tele medicine and uh access to the federal employee who wants teleawwork flexibility. As I mentioned previously, I urge members to vote no on these irrelevant amendments. Uh they do not enhance the existing legislation and for these reasons I strongly oppose this amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on this amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment?
▶ 0:59:30Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the Mor Morrison amendment number one to HR 1107. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. The opinion chair, the nos have it. The amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Chair, I ask for a recorded vote. A recorded vote has been requested. Pursuant to committee rules, this vote will be postponed. I now rec I now recognize Dr. Morrison uh to offer an amendment on HR 1107. Thank you, Mr.
▶ 1:00:00Chairman. I have an amendment to HR 1107 at the desk. The clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to H. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with and without objection so ordered. The gentleoman is recognized for five minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment would reinstate telework agreements for VHA employees who are responsible for coordinating veterans community care appointments and had them in place prior to President Trump's January 20th, 2025 return to office executive order.
▶ 1:00:28Many VA medical center employees who are involved in coordinating veterans community care appointments have worked remotely or from off-site offices since well before the VA mission act was enacted in 2018. Local level leaders have rightly prioritized space within their medical centers for the care VA provides directly rather than for the care purchases in the community. Community care referral coordination teams do not require face-to-face interaction with veterans or their colleagues. They perform their work using telephones, various online software systems, and electronic faxes.
▶ 1:00:57They do not need to report to offices to physically send or receive documents. The volume of care VA is purchasing in the community has risen steadily since 2020, and staffing levels for VA's community care teams have more than doubled. Even so, recent reviews by the VA Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office have identified staffing shortages among VA's community care referral coordination teams. These staffing shortages directly affect veterans wait times for community care appointments.
▶ 1:01:25I'm concerned that the administration's return to office order will only exacerbate existing staffing shortages. Many teleworking VA employees have organized their lives, including their parenting and caregiving responsibilities around the flexibility to work remotely. Now, in the face of this return to office order, some employees are choosing to resign or retire early rather than rearrange their lives to accommodate long commute times. I hope my colleagues will support my amendment which will restore teleawwork agreements for VA's community care referral coordination teams. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:01:55I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back and I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. The amendment shifts the focus away from the for veterans who need tele medicine uh access to the federal employee who want telework flexibility. As I mentioned previously, I urge my members to vote no and all members to vote no on these irrelevant amendments and do not they do not enhance the existing legislation. And for this reason, I strongly oppose this amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on the amendment.
▶ 1:02:22Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the motion uh to the Morrison second amendment uh to HR 1107. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. In the opinion chair, the nos have it. The amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Chair, I ask for a recorded vote. A recorded vote has been requested and pursuant to committee rules, this vote will be postponed. I now recognize Dr.
▶ 1:02:50Morrison for to offer an amendment to HR 1107. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to HR 1107 at the desk. The clerk should report the amendment. Amendment to HR. As unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, so order. The gentleoman is now recognized for 5 minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:03:09My amendment would require VA to report to Congress how many employees have had their remote work and telework agreements terminated since February 3rd, 2025 when VA announced its return to in-person work policy. Since the Trump administration issued its return to office executive order and VA began implementing it earlier this month, we have heard from countless employees that facilities are overcrowded, parking lots are so full of VA employee v vehicles that veterans have nowhere to park, and veterans are receiving care in areas that are inappropriate for clinical practice.
▶ 1:03:40As we saw and heard earlier uh during ranking member Takanos and Representative Conway's remarks, VA clinicians are providing mental health care in conference rooms, in hallways, and other areas where veterans don't feel comfortable sharing private health information. This is unacceptable, and it's clear that Secretary Collins's chaotic implementation of the return to office order has already begun impacting veteran care. Congressional oversight is critical in times of turmoil like we are seeing with the return to office order.
▶ 1:04:07On March 28th, I joined 48 other members of the House in sending a letter to Secretary Collins expressing concern about how VA is implementing the return to office order and urging him to exempt many of the categories of employees my colleague spoke about earlier. To date, he has not responded to our letter or provided the information we requested. My amendment would require VA to report the information Congress needs to provide robust oversight and ensure that this committee understands the scope of these changes.
▶ 1:04:34If Secretary Collins's VA has been implementing this return to office order in a responsible and measured way, the data required in this amendment should be easy to collect and easy to share with Congress. I hope my colleagues will join me in getting this information by supporting my amendment. And with that, I yield back. Mr. Chairman, gentle woman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. This amendment shifts the focus away from veterans who need tele medicine access to and and access to the federal employee who want teleaw work flexibility.
▶ 1:05:02As I mentioned in previous, I urge members to vote no on these irrelevant amendments and that do not enhance legislation and for these reasons I strongly oppose this amendment and I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on this amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Mr. Chairman, I would just offer uh to you know the very repetitive rebuttals that you have made to the amendments offered by Mr. Conaway, Miss uh, Miss Ramirez and Ms.
▶ 1:05:30Morzen and myself that the focus truly is on the veteran, making sure that we have the necessary personnel, the expertise which is often located in various parts of our country. uh that we have the personnel ready to meet the needs of our veterans and veterans are very much the center of our amendments and uh we we uh uh put the priority on their care.
▶ 1:05:58uh in many cases VA can achieve greater efficiencies uh than the presidential executive order which is a very blunt instrument uh and which is premised on the idea that return to work in person in all cases uh is best for the veteran. In many cases and maybe even the majority of the cases this is not true.
▶ 1:06:20um you know is in the case of oncology for example it is not necessary for an oncologist to see uh the patient on a regular basis in person and that the treatments can be managed uh you know from afar uh and when we have the leverage of a VA workforce that can work across state lines and many of the specialties um even mental health can be done by a practitioner uh say in Maine for somebody living in Alaska
▶ 1:06:50across time zones. Uh we should be looking at how we can be more efficient with the employees that we have through tele medicine. So with that um I yield back and I urge uh adoption of uh Dr. Morrison's amendment. I thank the ranking member. Does any other member wish to make a make comments on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the mo the Morrison amendment number three HR 1107. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 1:07:20All those opposed say no. No. The opinion chair the nos have it and the amendment is not to. Without objection the request as a recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed.
▶ 1:07:47Since votes are pending, we will move to the next bill. Uh I now call up the committee print reflects the ch wait. I now call up the committee print reflect the changes made at submitted subcommittee for HR1 1969, the no wrong door for veterans act. The clerk shall report HR1 1969.
▶ 1:08:18Circulated in advance and pursuant to committee rules. Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for amendment at any point. I now recognize Representative Miller Meek, Dr. Miller Meeks, for the purposes of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm proud to support the ANS to HR9. You have an amendment at the desk. I have an amendment at the desk. The clerk shall report. Amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 1:08:48I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment in the nature of a substitute be dispensed with. I ask that it be considered base text for the purposes of this markup and without objection so ordered. I'll now recognize Dr. Miller Meeks for 5 minutes to speak in support of the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Um, I'm proud to support the ANS to HR1969, the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act to include the Text of Sport Act.
▶ 1:09:16These two initiatives together would position the VA to set an example for treating veterans as whole persons rather than as collections of diseases and symptoms. First, this bill would make sure athletic prosthetics are defined as medically necessary for ampute veterans. Every year in my district, severely disabled veterans gather to play golf. This tournament is coming up uh in September.
▶ 1:09:39It's amazing to see how something so simple as long drives or a blind individual getting out on the golf course cars golf course and just walking on the green can improve veterans mental and physical well-being and sense of self.
▶ 1:09:54Further, I would like to say that in speaking of mental health that the VA staff has increased by 80,000 in the four years of the past the um the funding has increased by 126 billion, yet the number of veterans receiving benefits nationally has been level. I think Secretary Collins is on the right track.
▶ 1:10:16To that effect, this bill would also authorize the VA successful Fox Grant program, which enables community organizations to provide mental health services to veterans and connect them with the proper VA mental health support. This reauthorization would ensure successful organizations are able to expand their footprints and activities to reach more veterans.
▶ 1:10:38I urge everyone to support this bill and remind that despite all of the funding and the increase of 80,000 employees under the last administration, the suicide rate for our veterans has declined, which is why this bill is so important and necessary. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I yield back. Gentleoman yields back. I now recognize that myself in support of the amendment. The amendment would reauthorize the Fox grant program. This would ensure that more veterans have access to innovative mental health.
▶ 1:11:06This amendment would also cut out the red tape for disabled veterans who seek VA coverage for their prosthetic limbs to be uh adapted for uh recreation. These programs represent the best of VAS efforts to serve veterans in both mind and body. And I'm proud to support Dr. Miller Meeks's amendment and under and the underlying bill and thank her for her work on these forward thinking proposals for veterans and their families.
▶ 1:11:36Do any other members wish to comment on the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1969? Are there any me any members any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 1969? Mr. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to the ANS to HR1969 at the desk. I now recognize Representative Ramirez to offer the the amendment. Uh the clerk shall report. Substitute amendment to the amendment.
▶ 1:12:06I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. And without objection, so ordered. The gentleoman is recognized for five minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, chairman. As I mentioned earlier, last week's oversight and investigation subcommittee held a hearing on the VA's mental health policies. The testimonies made it clear that the uncertainty and chaos being driven by this administration's actions has dire consequences for the health and the well-being of our veterans.
▶ 1:12:34We cannot claim to support our veterans if we're not funding the programs and services that seek to prevent tragedies like suicide from occurring. Preventing suicide among our veterans is not just a policy goal for this committee. It's our responsibility and the promise that we have made to our veterans. We have to work as quickly as possible to ensure we're supporting new and innovative suicide prevention methods as well as bolstering those that this committee and Congress have already established.
▶ 1:13:03That's why we have to reauthorize and strengthen the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox suicide prevention grant program immediately. a program that has already proven to be a lifeline for many veterans and their families. And while I appreciate that House Subcommittee Chairwoman Miller Meeks has put forth a bill to reauthorize the Fox Grant program, I am however deeply concerned that the version of the bill before us today does not meet the moment and does not meet the needs of our veterans.
▶ 1:13:32That's why today I'm offering an amendment to replace the current text with the bipartisan Senate bill. the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox suicide prevention grant program. This is the bill that was led by senators Warner and Boozeman. The Senate version gives us the best chance at getting full congressional buyin rather than creating conflicting text that may complicate rather than improve our efforts to support veterans. I have many concerns about the language introduced by the gentleoman from Iowa.
▶ 1:14:01I believe that in establishing the suicide prevention grant program, Congress intended to gather evidence on the utility and the benefits of the program itself. But based on the preliminary data Congress received from the first two mandated reports evaluating the program itself, our efforts to gather data and assess the program are falling short.
▶ 1:14:22The Senate's bill requires that the VA secretary include additional gathering and metrics so that we can effectively measure success and make those improvements based on realworld results that save veterans lives. That is why I'm putting my amendment forward. It is crucial that our suicide prevention efforts are effective and that they're successful because veterans lives are literally on the line. And I know my colleagues share my commitment to supporting suicide prevention efforts for our veterans.
▶ 1:14:52Which is why I expect that they will demonstrate their commitment to our veterans and honor their service with action by supporting my amendment and ensuring that we reauthorize the Fox Grant program. With that chairman, I yield back. The gentle woman yields back and I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. I oppose the amendment and I'm proud of the Fox Grant program's early success expanding the reach of the VA's mental health services.
▶ 1:15:15This program came about because of the hard work of General Burkeman and others on this committee and I believe that this program will continue to save lives and we must protect it. I believe in order to keep moving this program forward important reforms must be made to ensure its effectiveness, its consistency and its accountability for the veterans and their families.
▶ 1:15:39Chairman Miller Meeks ANS would give us the time to have conversations with VA and the stakeholders regarding meaningful reform while still reauthorizing the program to ensure there is not a lapse in service. Extending this program without a pay for and without addressing its shortcomings like Representative Ramirez's amendments would do is not responsible.
▶ 1:16:02Now, I look forward to working with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle uh this Congress to ensure a successful mental health care support program like the Fox Grant program meets veterans needs. For these reasons, I strongly oppose the amendment and urge my colleagues to vote no with me. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the Ramirez uh substitute amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 1:16:32All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed, no. No. And the impending chair, the nos have it and it it is not agreed to. Mr. Chairman, I would like to request a recorded vote. A recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed. I now recognize Representative Bazinski to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to the NS to HR. The clerk shall report.
▶ 1:16:59Amendment to the amendment in the nature of I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with and without objection so ordered. The gentleoman is recognized for five minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment would require G grantees of the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox suicide prevention program to prioritize serving veterans who have experienced job loss or unemployment since January 20th, 2025.
▶ 1:17:23There is no question that many Americans are now facing economic and employment uncertainty under President Trump's administration. More than 700,000 veterans are federal employees. So fed so veterans make up a quarter of the entire federal workforce. Many of these individuals are either facing job loss or extreme uncertainty about their continued employment in light of President Trump's efforts to shrink the federal workforce.
▶ 1:17:49Worse, many veterans who have returned home to continue serving their fellow veterans as VA employees also found themselves facing job loss when the Trump administration fired 2400 VA probationary employees without warning in February of this year, falsely claiming that they had unsatisfactory job performance. While these firings have been challenged in the courts for many employees, their livelihoods remi remain in limbo.
▶ 1:18:16VA's own research and guidance recognizes that unemployment leads to higher suicide risk for both men and women veterans. Job insecurity when individuals feel that they are in danger of losing their job in the future is also associated with the higher risk of suicide ideiation.
▶ 1:18:35At a time when VA is considering cutting up to 15% of its workforce, possibly tens of thousands of VA employees, there is no question that the feeling of job insecurity is very real. It is important to acknowledge that there is no one single cause of suicide and that suicide is not inevitable. However, suicide prevention efforts must focus on minimizing risk factors.
▶ 1:18:59The primary goal of the Fox grants is to address the upstream suicide risk factors that veterans face, including economic factors through community-based suicide prevention efforts. My amendment would simply build on this goal to ensure that veterans who are facing these economic ris risk factors are prioritized by Fox grant grantees. I know we all share the goal of ending veteran suicide and I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort to do just that.
▶ 1:19:28Thank you and I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. I oppose this amendment. The committee is dedicated to serious proposals to end veteran suicide. But Representative Brzinski knows that veterans are already evaluated for various uh stressors including job loss and financial strain when they seek help for mental health support.
▶ 1:19:51And I am disappointed that the gentle lady from Illinois would use the committee to suggest that veterans are more suicidal since President Trump has sworn in has been sworn into office. This amendment only furthers the stigma and that this committee and my fellow veterans have worked to break for decades. I urge my colleagues to vote no on this amendment. And does any other member wish to comment on the amendment?
▶ 1:20:15Seeing none, the question now is it occurs on the agreement to the uh Brazinski amendment to the amendment in the nature of substitute. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it. The amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Chairman, may I ask for a recorded vote? A recorded vote has been requested. Pursuant to committee rules, this vote it this vote will be postponed.
▶ 1:20:39I now recognize representative ranking member Takano to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of substitute to HR1 1969 at the desk. The clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the I ask unanimous consent for further reading of the amendment be dispensed with and what objection so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain his amendment. Yeah. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:21:05One of my top priorities during my time on this committee has been and will continue to be veteran suicide prevention. The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox suicide prevention grant program is an important tool in our arsenal for this work. Community-based support programs are a crucial part of any public health approach to suicide prevention.
▶ 1:21:28However, I have significant concerns with the majority's amendment and nature of substitute to this bill, which I believe was intended to address concerns stakeholders have with the program, but which does not seem to fix any of those issues and instead introduces new concerns. With any congressionally created program, it's essential that we collect and evaluate data so we can understand the relative effectiveness of the programs we are investing in.
▶ 1:21:58In reviewing the two congressionallymandated reports that have been released about the Fox grants thus far and in receiving stakeholder feedback, it is clear that the ANS as drafted does not do enough to improve data collection and make clear what data grantees are responsible for collecting. to fully resolve any uh to resolve my concerns fully uh about this bill.
▶ 1:22:24I had hoped to engage in robust negotiation and discussion with my Republican colleagues to ensure we advance the strongest possible bill to prevent veteran suicide. In the absence of that process, the majorities and the majority's choice to withhold the text of this ANS until last Thursday afternoon. I am offering this amendment in an effort to address at least one of the concerns I've raised.
▶ 1:22:50My amendment would help strengthen the data collection requirements in this bill by requiring grantees to conduct post-intervention mental health assessments using the same validated mental health screening tool used to conduct the baseline mental health VA already requires Fox grantees to screen their participants using a number of validated screening tools both at the at baseline and after connecting veterans to additional support.
▶ 1:23:19However, some grantees have told the committee the assessment process is burdensome because they feel they must administer several assessments with overlapping questions which decreases participant Now, it is critical for grantees to demonstrate improvements in veteran suicides, veteran suicide risk factors to show that the program is working as intended.
▶ 1:23:43However, we do not want these measures to be burdensome for grantees or frustrating to veterans who feel they have to answer similar questions over and over again. My hope is that by ensuring the grantees are using the same qu same screening tools to conduct pre and post intervention screening that Congress will receive the data we need to conduct robust oversight. And I want to make clear that my amendment alone will not get this bill to where it needs to be.
▶ 1:24:09I hope we can work together along with our Senate counterparts to reauthorize the Fox Grants program and ensure it is effective and as robust and robust as our nation veterans deserve. Thank you and I yield back. Gentleman yields back and I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. I oppose this amendment and I appreciate the nature of the amendment to the enhance the Fox grant program. However, reforms are subject for a long conversation, not this markup.
▶ 1:24:38Right now, we are focused on reauthorizing the program so that the community uh organizations can continue their work. I therefore urge my colleagues to vote no on this amendment which would endanger the passage of underlying bill and does now does any other member wish to comment on the amendment. Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the TCO amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. For all those in favor, say I. I. All oppose, no. No.
▶ 1:25:07In the opinion of chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Since since uh votes are being postponed or are p pending, we will move to the next bill.
▶ 1:25:25I now call up HR1 1823 the to direct the secretary of veterans affairs and the controller gen general of the United States to report on certain funding shortfalls in the department of veterans affairs. The clerk shall report the bill HR 1823. The text was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules and without objection the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for amendment at any point.
▶ 1:25:55I now recognize Representative Burkeman for the purpose of offering amendment to in the nature of a substitute. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. The clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment in the nature of a substitute. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment in the nature of substitute would be dispensed with and I ask that it be considered base text for purposes of this markup. Without objection, so ordered. I now recognize Representative Burkeman for five minutes to speak in support of the amendment in the nature of substitute. Thank you, Mr.
▶ 1:26:25Chairman. Congress has the responsibility to provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with every single dollar it needs to give veterans the health care and benefits they have earned through their service. Budgeting failures at VA, like those we saw last year, are inexcusable and could directly impede our efforts on behalf of all the veterans. December tw in September of 2024, we in Congress approved a $3 billion stop gap spending bill for VA.
▶ 1:26:55We were told by VA that the shortfall was so dire that benefits checks for veterans could be delayed or halted at the start of the new fiscal year. Congress acted quickly to make sure this did not happen. However, despite these concerns, VA carried over $5 billion in unspent funds, meaning that even without the emergency additional spending, the the department would have had more than $2 billion in cash reserves.
▶ 1:27:24The previously estimated $12 billion shortfall for fiscal year 2025 is also expected to be much lower than initially reported to this committee. There are still a wide range of unanswered questions that the VA budget shortfall accountability act seeks to address. If there was a shortfall, why was the initial budget request insufficient? If the announced shortfall was inaccurate, then what led to this mistake?
▶ 1:27:50And finally, how did VA act to address these errors and keep Congress in the loop? This is not a partisan issue, nor is it an attempt to play political games with a bureaucratic mistake. This is why that the amendment in the nature of a substitute would require the comproller general to conduct subsequent annual reviews of the budgeting process for the next five calendar years following date of enactment.
▶ 1:28:19If there is a systemic problem in the VA budgeting process, we need to know about it and we need to fix it. Failure to do so will result in more mistakes, wasted taxpayers dollars, and veterans losing out on the benefits they earned. I urge my colleagues to support and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. I now recognize myself in support of the amendment.
▶ 1:28:41We only need uh a forensic We don't We only need a forensic audit of VA's accounts because of a disastrous uh miscalculation under the Biden administration without a bud with about a budget shortfall that didn't exist. Last July, VA informed this committee about a potential $15 billion shortfall. This notice came just four months after the Biden administration submitted its VA budget request.
▶ 1:29:09This supposed shortfall included an immediate request for $3 billion for the remainder of the fiscal year and another $12 billion for VA medical care. The following fiscal year, we passed a bill to address the so-called $3 billion shortfall. But we learned afterwards that that shortfall were fall required much less than $3 billion in taxpayer money.
▶ 1:29:36If there's anything that we've learned, it is that we need eyes on the VA's budget review. I'm proud to support General Burkeman's bill to ex to do exactly that. Do any members wish to comment on the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1823? Seeing none, are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute uh to HR1 1823? Mr.
▶ 1:30:05Chairman, I have an amendment to HR1 1823 at the desk. Yeah. Okay. All right. I uh Representative Ramirez, you have an I do. I have an amendment to HR1823 at the desk.
▶ 1:30:29The clerk will report amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1 1823 offered by Miss Ramirez. Section one report. The clerk should um I ask unanimous consent. The further reading of the amendment is dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. The gentle woman is recognized for five minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, chairman.
▶ 1:30:50Let me begin by saying that veterans, their loved ones, and every American taxpayer deserves clarity on how our resources are being used at the Department of Veteran Affairs. However, at best, the VA budget Accountability Act, as written, offers a narrow, retroactive review of the VA's budgets process. At worst, the bill fuels partisan narratives that blame frontline workers for systemic failures.
▶ 1:31:17failures that are more often than not driven by Congress's choices to deprive the VA of the resources and the funding that it needs. Delays in care and benefit processing are not just bureaucratic slipups. They're also the product of longstanding underinvestment and underst staffing. Two problems that according to reports and testimonies are being made worse by the current administration's actions and agenda.
▶ 1:31:42Our veterans are suffering the impact of the mass firings, the freezing of positions, and the end of critical funding. The Trump administration's efforts to privatize veteran care have a tangible impact on our veterans. That's why I'm offering this amendment. I believe that if we want to truly address delays in care and services, Congress has to conduct oversight on what Musk, what Trump, and the so-called Doge are doing to the VA.
▶ 1:32:09While I believe Congress should take accountability for its own role in the VA budget instability, my amendment would force the VA and the administration to answer for the opaque top-down decisions that are being made at the direction of Doge. The Trump administration would suggest that Doge hackers are driving positive changes in how the VA delivers care and how it allocates its resources. But we know better based on the testimony of the veterans themselves.
▶ 1:32:38And and in total overreach of executive power, Congress has virtually no insight on how Doge is operating. Contracts are being cancelled, staffing structures are shifting, and veterans and VA employees are left dealing with the consequences. That doesn't sound like transparency to me. There's no consultation. I find it unacceptable, and I find it disrespectful.
▶ 1:33:01If the VA is going to justify sweeping changes in the name of governance, then they owe this committee and our veterans a clear, detailed justification that's consistent with oversight, not hidden in agency jargon, not disclosed after action. We expect information proactively and publicly. This amendment doesn't solve the deeper funding and equity issues facing the VA, but it does shine some light on where it's desperately needed.
▶ 1:33:30I urge my colleagues to support it and to think twice before endorsing legislation that blames the VA for the outcome of congressional austerity. With that, chairman, I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. This proposed proposal is based on the uh ridiculous and false premise that Department of Government Efficiency or Doge is the boogeyman behind every decision the VA makes.
▶ 1:33:55It strips the uh underlying bill entirely and replaces it with a ridiculous report that that serves no uh real purpose other than to score cheap political points rather than take a serious look at VA's budget failures. Failures that resulted in a multibillion dollar mistake and mis misstatement. This amendment deflects the this and distracts.
▶ 1:34:21It does nothing to improve oversight, nothing to restore public trust, and nothing to ensure this doesn't happen again. For those reasons, I strongly oppose the amendment and urge my colleagues to vote with me as and on no on this amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the reme substitute member amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. No.
▶ 1:34:50In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Chairman, I'd like a recorded vote. The recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed. Uh I now recognize represent ranking member or ranking member Tano to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of substitute. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to the amendment in nature of substitute to HR1 1823 at the desk. The clerk shall report. Amendment to the amendment.
▶ 1:35:17I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with and without objection so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain his amendment. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have to say I was truly stunned to read your letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi last week regarding the Department of Justice investigate regarding requesting that the Department of Justice investigate uh the Biden administration VA officials.
▶ 1:35:42We litigated issues related to the VA budget shortfall ad nauseium last year on this committee. The inspector general investigated and did not find evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Let me repeat that. The inspector general investigated and did not find evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Which begs the question as to why my colleagues across the aisle are asking Trump's attorney general to waste resources and take a second look at this.
▶ 1:36:12The easy answer is political revenge. To smear the reputations and legacies of Biden officials who brought about the best VA era in recent years with record high levels of veteran satisfaction, workforce productivity and healthc care outcomes. Let me repeat that. The highest levels of veteran satisfaction, workforce productivity, and healthcare outcomes.
▶ 1:36:40My majority colleagues will do anything to avoid having to investigate and hold President Trump and Secretary Collins accountable for the ongoing dismantling of VA, including sending uh DOJ on a wild goose chase to find non-existent evidence that a that a crime was allegedly committed in the course of VA's budget submissions to Congress during the Biden administration.
▶ 1:37:08Their request is a red herring and a distraction to try to get veterans uh the uh try to get veterans, the American public to subvert their view from the destruction and chaos happening at VA at the hands of Trump and Collins. Now, my amendment simply requires DOJ to share with Congress any alleged evidence compiled in the course of any investigation it undertakes related to today's budget.
▶ 1:37:37My amendment requires transparency and accountability. Two things we have yet to see from this administration. Where is the secretary? Where is Secretary Collins? He's not come before us yet. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on my amendment to the ANS to HR1823. Gentleman yields back and I recognize myself in opposition. DA grossly mishandled the budget under the Biden administration.
▶ 1:38:06They spread fear among our veterans about the benefits being at risk. That is a sin in itself. Now, I trust the independent department of justice with handling all evidence related to fairly without fear or favor. Further, the committee would require the the committee would require more resources to process evidence from an ongoing investigation. Under these circumstances, duplicative evidence submission is not necessary.
▶ 1:38:34Also, just so you know, I know exactly where the secretary is today. He's appearing before the Senate. So, for this reason, I oppose this amendment and I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on the amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question occurs on agreeing to the TCO amendment number one to the amendment on the nature the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. In the opinion, chair, the nos have it. I request a recorded vote.
▶ 1:39:03A recorded vote has been requested pursuant committee rules. This vote will postponed. I now recognize Representative Bazinski to offer an amendment to the Nate. Oh, there is. I missed that. I apologize. Hold on just a minute. I do not. We went right from that script to the next one. So, hold on here. Be with you here in just a second.
▶ 1:39:34Not. All right. Yep. Nope. That's it. We got that one. Okay. Thank you. Bazinski will be next. Tano's first amendment.
▶ 1:40:04All right. I now recognize Representative Tano for amendment. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to the amendment in nature of substitute to HR. The clerk will report amendment. Amendment to the amendment. I ask unanimous consent further reading of the amendment be dispensed with and without the objection, the gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment requires that all of the funds diverted from VA contracts by DogeE must be reinvested in VA healthcare and employee assistance programs.
▶ 1:40:34This will ensure that any benefit derived from cancellation of these agreements will be felt by veterans and employees, not billionaires who seek profit who seek to profit from contracts with VA. The Doge has been on a rampage since January, cancelling contracts throughout VA with little forethought or transparency as to the reasoning behind the cancellations and any potential impact on veterans care and benefits.
▶ 1:41:03Some of those cancelled contracts uh had yet to be reinstated due to the mission uh critical nature of the services provided under the agreement. I have repeatedly asked Secretary Collins to brief my staff about the circumstances surrounding these contract cancellation.
▶ 1:41:23I have only received back a boilerplate nonresponse from the agency that explains little about how and why Doge continues to cancel contracts that help provide veteran services. Now, it is just plainly ridiculous that the VA refuses to answer our questions, including about how the funds diverted from these contracts are being used.
▶ 1:41:46It is our responsibility on this committee to guarantee that any funds resulting from the cancellation of a contract at VA are reinvested directly into care and benefits for veterans and support for employees who serve them. Otherwise, we leave VA vulnerable to Elon Musk awarding its business to himself and Trump's other billionaire friends. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on my amendment. And with that, I yield back.
▶ 1:42:14Gentleman yields back and uh I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. I oppose the amendment because it's completely under uh unrelated to the bill. decisions about resources allocations at VA are not being made by Elon Musk or Doge, but by the Secretary Collins and his leadership team. On the other hand, General Burkeman's bill does call for accountability for something that did happen during the Biden administration and is worth looking into.
▶ 1:42:41I think we're all getting a little tired of hearing about Doge Boogeyman. So let's consider uh concentrate on the real accountability for and real business that this committee is about. For that reason, I strongly oppose the amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on this amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to TCO amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 1:43:12All those opposed, no. And no. and the impending chairs nose have it and the amendment is not agreed to. I call for recorded vote. The recorded vote has been requested and pursuant to committee rules, this vote will be postponed. I now recognize Representative Kennedy for to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to the amendment. Report the amendment at the desk. Amendment to the amendment in the nature.
▶ 1:43:39I ask unanimous consent that further a reading of the amendment is be dispensed with and without objection so order. The gentleman is now recognized for five minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On January 28th, over 2 million people received an email from the Office of Personnel Management with the subject line fork in the road. The email announced a deferred resignation program offering employees full pay and benefits through September 30th in exchange for an early resignation.
▶ 1:44:08However, Congress never approved funding for this so-called buyout, leaving employees uncertain about what they would actually receive. While about 4% of the federal workforce accepted the offer, most saw right through it. When Elon Musk and Donald Trump saw the response fall flat, they began attacking and dismantling the federal workforce instead. On February 13th, they fired 1,000 VA employees.
▶ 1:44:35And 10 days later later, another 1,400, bringing the total to roughly 2400 VA employees fired just over a month into Trump's presidency. On March 4th, a memo was leaked by the VA with plans to eliminate over 83,000 jobs, gutting the workforce needed to serve veterans, especially those who are newly eligible under the PAC Act. About 30% of the VA workforce are veterans.
▶ 1:45:04Half of them service disabled veterans. Men and women who served our country and then chose to continue that service by helping fellow veterans get the care and benefits that they earn and deserve. Yet, they were not spared from these attacks, reflecting the callous disregard of Elon Musk, Secretary Collins, and President Trump for our veterans contributions and sacrifice.
▶ 1:45:29For Secretary Collins to announce the money he is finding by firing VA employees and claim that it won't impact care or benefits to veterans is just disingenuous. I'm personally disgusted with the way that they've been treated. It's heartbreaking, infuriating, and wrong. That's why I'm offering an amendment that adds section three and four of my legislation, the VA funding and workforce protection act to the underlying bill.
▶ 1:45:56This amendment requires VA to reinstate all veterans terminated since January 20th of this year, ban future hiring freezes, and prevent probationary employees from future terminations. Veterans bring unique skills, experience, and perspective to the workplace, making them invaluable to our government, especially at the VA. Who better to serve our veterans than those who have walked in their shoes?
▶ 1:46:24Our veterans deserve better and we as member of Congress have a duty to honor them with the dignity and respect that they deserve and my amendment does just that. I urge all my colleagues to vote yes on my amendment and I yield back. Gentleman yields back and I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. The hiring freeze started last Congress because the Biden administration overhired and had to hit the pause button. I've said it before and I'll say it again.
▶ 1:46:50If you've heard of any service being cut or dismissed, uh, diminished at VA as a result of the probationary employees being laid off, let me know. But I will not allow any of my colleagues to fearmonger. Rather than stirring up um hysteria, deal with the facts. For these reasons, I strongly oppose this amendment. Uh, does any other member wish to comment on the amendment?
▶ 1:47:19Seeing none, the question now occurs on the agree agreeing to Ken amendment number one. Uh in the nature of a substitute, all those in favor say I. Those opposed, no. No. In the opinion chair, the nos have it and thement is not agreed to. Mr. Chairman, I ask for a recorded vote, please. A recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed.
▶ 1:47:42I now recognize Representative Kennedy to offer the amendment number two to the nature of the substitute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute the desk. Clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with and without objection so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I understand that some members of this committee might not want to protect everyone who works for the VA as my previous amendment would have done.
▶ 1:48:11But what about the veterans who want to work for the VA at the end of their service? Do we believe that their goal is to be lazy as President Trump has accused the federal workforce of being? Are we going to assume that they automatically won't do a good job? More importantly, do we believe that veterans aren't meant for public service after putting their lives on the line to protect their fellow Americans from threats domestically and abroad?
▶ 1:48:38The bottom line is that I don't believe anything this president has accused federal workers of being, especially when it comes to our veterans who've made the righteous decision to continue serving our country after their service. These firings are nothing short of damning and despicable. Our veterans deserve only what's best from us. That's why I'm introducing an amendment that prevents all veterans who work for the VA from being terminated pursuant to any reduction in force.
▶ 1:49:07Because who better to help veterans navigate their benefits and healthc care than fellow soldiers who come with the ability to connect with, understand, and support their fellow comrades. I urge all my colleagues to vote yes on my amendment. Mr. Chairman, and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. And I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. This amendment misses the point of VA. VA programs are supposed to help veterans find employment, but VA itself is not the job program.
▶ 1:49:35For this reason, I strongly oppose the amendment. And does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on the agreeing to a Kennedy amendment number two, the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. In the opinion of chair, the nos have it and the agreement is amendment is not agreed to. I would ask for a recorded vote, please. A recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed.
▶ 1:50:06I now recognize Representative Kenny to offer amendment number three uh to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Uh you have an amendment. You have Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk. The clerk will shall report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with and the gentleman is now without without objection. So ordered.
▶ 1:50:36The gentleman is now recognized for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to see where the line is on the other side of the aisle here. You voted down my amendment to prevent veterans from being unjustly fired by Trump, Musk, and Collins. Let's see if you feel the same way about service connected disabled veterans.
▶ 1:50:52I do not understand how we can sit here as members of Congress, members of the Veterans Affairs Committee, and allow veterans who have sacrificed themselves for our safety in our country to be kicked to the curb because the richest man on earth told Trump to fire them. How are we all not disgusted with what's happening? This is not a partisan issue. Our veterans deserve better, especially those who are service disabled and have bled for this country.
▶ 1:51:22A couple of months ago, I spoke to a 90% service disabled veteran who worked as a federal worker for the VA for over a decade and a half. He took a promotion less than a year ago, and because of this administration, he was He was later asked back weeks later after he found another job elsewhere, but that he would be placed on leave.
▶ 1:51:49Thankfully, in retrospect, he decided not to go back because everyone that received the letter that the veteran service center he worked at ended up being fired again. What's interesting to note is that he never received any information on how to pull up from his TSP a re retirement savings account or information on what benefits or job resources might be available.
▶ 1:52:20What he did receive though was a letter notifying him of his termination in a few payubs. Our veterans are not nameless, faceless bureaucrats. These are our heroes committed to serving this country after military service. So I'm offering an amendment exempting any service disabled veteran from being removed from any reduction in force. This amendment puts everyone on record.
▶ 1:52:47Are we for protecting our veterans, especially service disabled veterans who have bled for this country? I urge all my colleagues to vote yes on my amendment. Mr. Chairman, and I yield back. The gentleman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment uh improving services for veterans is why VA exists. VA is not a job entitlement program.
▶ 1:53:09The money VA saves from eliminating Ber Biden era bloat goes to veterans facing health care benefits and services. The end result will be massive improvements to the VA's VA's operation. For these reasons, I strongly oppose the amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the Kennedy amendment number three to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 1:53:39All those opposed, no. No. Opinion chair. The nose have it. U. Mr. Chair, I ask for a recorded vote, please. A recorded vote being requested pursuant to committee rules. The vote will be postponed. Now, I recognize Representative Bzinski to offer an amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk. Clerk will report. Amendment to the amendment in the nature. I ask unanimous consent. Further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. And without objection, so ordered. The gentleoman is recognized for 5 minutes to explain her amendment.
▶ 1:54:09Thank you, Chairman Bost. Um, developing VA's budget is a complex process that requires collaboration among multiple offices and data drawn from several VA systems and applications. Budget estimates routinely involve uncertainty about future conditions such as surges in costs and use of services, new congressional mandates, and unforeseen economic events.
▶ 1:54:31The upcoming budget cycles at VA will be no different, but they will have the added complexity of the Department of Government Efficiency or DOE involved in formulating the AY's projections for its funding needs. Doge has been operating within the federal government under a veil of sec secrecy since the beginning of the new administration and it has been difficult for members of Congress to get answers to questions about how Doge is directly directing agency decisions making and on crit making on critical
▶ 1:55:02matters including their budgets. The lack of transparency is extremely concerning and undermines our ability as members of this committee to perform our constitutionally mandated oversight of VA. My amendment to the ANS to HR1 1823 improves the underlying bill by ensuring that Congress is thoroughly brief briefed by VA Doge and the Office of Management and Budget before submitting its budget.
▶ 1:55:29This amendment will add a muchneeded layer of transparency to the budget submission process and will allow members to ask questions about how VA is arriving at its projections for its funding needs.
▶ 1:55:42As Doge continues to be involved in what VA contracts to cancel, which buildings to sell, and which positions to eliminate, it is critical that we understand the reasoning behind these decisions and how those decisions may impact VA's ability to deliver worldclass care and benefits to our veterans. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1823. And I yield back. Gentleoman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment.
▶ 1:56:12I oppose the amendment because it has nothing to do with the underlying bill. Uh later this month, I expect secretary the secretary to come testify on the purpose of budget increases that w and what it means for expanding VA care. But this isn't the place for that. This bill is about holding VA accountable for real budget missteps, not scheduling unrealistic uh unrelated benefits. For these reasons, I strongly oppose the amendment.
▶ 1:56:39And does any other member wish to comment uh on the amendment? Seeing none, the question occurs on agreeing to the Bazinski amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say Opposed? No. No. In the opinion of chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Since votes are pending, we will move to the next bill and the next three- ring binder as well.
▶ 1:57:16I now call up the committee uh print reflect the changes made at the subcommittee for HR1 1336 the Veterans National uh Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act. The clerk shall report the bill HR1336. The text was circulated in advance pursuant to the committee rules and without objection the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for amendment at any point.
▶ 1:57:44I now rep I now recognize representative Murphy for the purposes of offering amend amendment in the nature of a Uh thank you Mr. Chairman. I have a amendment in the nature of the substitute at the desk. Clerk show report. Amendment in the nature of a substitute. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment in the nature of substitute will be dispensed with. I ask that it be considered base text for the purpose of this markup and without objection so ordered.
▶ 1:58:10I now recognize Representative Murphy for five minutes to speak in support of the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh daily now, depending upon who you believe in the counting, we lose 17, some reports say up to 25 veterans a day due to uh suicide. The main prim progenitor of all of these things is TBI and PTSD. and in treatment resistant um PTSD and TBI often result in suicide.
▶ 1:58:38There have been celeral maladies that we have uh dealt with um in trying to deal with this disorder. So many of our veterans unfortunately hit a wall. Now there is mounting evidence a uh mounting amount of evidence especially in Israel and a few other countries and here in the United States that hyperbaric oxygen therapy when given or certain protocols decreases their risk of suicide and decreases the risk of many other factors.
▶ 1:59:05Um when I was in the general assembly I sponsored a bill on this and now there's a a significant organization in North Carolina named HBOT for Heroes which treats over 200 veterans now a year. um suffering from PTSD. The executive director, Mr. Ed Deralamo, came and gave compelling testimony last year, as did veterans who had undergone this therapy themselves.
▶ 1:59:28I met with two actually in my office last week in the district who said that this particular therapy saved their lives. I want to thank my Democratic colleagues for their assistance in the two amendments um that I thought were helpful. Reps Brownley and Cherilus McCormack, their amendments have been incorporated into my bill and I'm grateful for their support. We now are at a crossroads. We're hitting um a hammer. No longer is trying to drive the nail. We need alternative therapies.
▶ 1:59:57Last year we dealt with chemical issues with psychedelics and I think this committee voted it out um with large favor. It was stopped unfortunately at another level. This is just yet another therapy proven worldwide to be able to move the needle and try to stop suicide um of our veterans. And I would encourage my committee members to give its full support. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize myself in support of the amendment.
▶ 2:00:24The bill as amended would create a pilot at the VA to prescribe uh hyperbaric oxygen therapy or HBOT for veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. Uh existing research demonstrates that veterans benefit from this therapy.
▶ 2:00:46This pilot would in an in an opport is an opportunity for VA to establish whether more veterans can benefit from this this safe uh promising therapy to ad uh to to try to stop uh TBI or PTSD. Uh I'm glad to support Dr. Murphy's uh initiative to increase HBO access to more veterans.
▶ 2:01:13Do any other members wish to comment on the amendment in the nature of a substitute to 1336? Seeing none, um I now recognize Dr. Conaway uh for are there any amendments? It's not in the SC, but okay. Are there any amendments? I now recognize Dr. Conaway to offer amendment number one to the amendment in nature of a substitute for HR 1336. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:01:42Uh, I do indeed have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk. Uh, the clerk will report. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 1336 offered by Mr. I ask unanimous consent further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Again, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:02:05My amendment would ensure that any veteran who loses their Medicaid coverage during the Trump administration will be made eligible for VA healthcare under priority group six. Our colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee as part of the majority's budget reconciliation process have been instructed to find $880 billion worth of cuts to fund President Trump's tax cuts for billionaires. There is no question that the vast majority of these cuts will come from the Medicaid program.
▶ 2:02:31And I'm hoping that we can all agree that cuts of this magnitude will be devastating for all Americans, but especially for our veterans. Approximately 1.6 million veterans are enrolled in Medicaid. For veterans who are not already already eligible for Medicaid, uh VA services, who don't live near a VA facility, who don't seek VA care for another reason, Medicaid may be their only lifeline and access to healthcare.
▶ 2:02:55For tens of thousands of veterans with complex health care needs, this loss of coverage would be financially and medically devastating. There is no reason that in a country such as the United States uh that we as a country should not be able to fulfill our promises to this nation's uh veterans. We at the very least uh should do all that we can to ensure that a veteran who loses access to their Medicaid coverage can receive access to VA care at priority group six. at the priority group six level.
▶ 2:03:25This will help ensure that they do not face any difficulties in accessing care. I hope that my colleagues will want to see uh that veterans uh are able to maintain their health care coverage and that they get the access to the health care that they need. I hope all of my colleagues will enjoy me in supporting this amendment. And I yield back. Gentleman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition the amendment.
▶ 2:03:48I oppose the amendment because it's irrelevant to the underlying legislation and does nothing to advance care of veterans with TBI RPTsd. We're here to pass meaningful policy, not engage in political theater. This bill will uh establish a pilot program to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans who need it most and that sound that and that should remain our focus. I urge my colleagues to vote no on with me on the amendment.
▶ 2:04:19Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the Conaway amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1336. All those in favor say I. All those opposed, no. No. Any opinion chair? The nos have it and the agreement the amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Chairman, I request recorded vote. A recorded vote has been requested.
▶ 2:04:47Pursuant to committee rules, this vote will be postponed. Conway amendment number one. Amendment. No, we are. Well, we have number one again in the script. I got it. Okay. I I now recognize Dr. Conway to offer his amendment to amendment number two in the nature of substitute to HR1336. Uh thank you Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:05:15I do indeed have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of of a substitute at the Uh clerk will report amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with. Without objection so ordered, the gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Again, thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment requires a report on the number of veterans who have lost access to VA funded clinical trials since January 20th, 2025.
▶ 2:05:45Um, and requires the VA to demonstrate that the steps it took to ensure that they were connected to other healthcare options. Since January 20th, many VA researchers have faced challenges in continuing their work with a do not to exceed or NTE term appointment that expired after Trump's hiring freeze went into effect. Uh these uh researchers were summarily dismissed from VA employment as the VA was prohibited from renewing their appointments.
▶ 2:06:15While VA later announced in mid-March that it would extend for 90 days the terms of all research employees who appointments uh were due to expire within 90 days from the date of the extension. This abrupt change in policy did not have any consideration for those researchers who had already lost their positions. Already cuts to VA research uh workforce and cancellations of key contracts have interrupted ongoing VA research projects, studies and including clinical trials.
▶ 2:06:41These actions have forced researchers to cancel or delay VAL clinical trials, leaving veterans out of receiving potentially life-saving treatments. By some stakeholder estimates, President Trump's hiring freeze executive order continues in effect. 370 extramural studies and clinical trials will be suspended or cancelled at the VA. 10,000 veterans that were relying on these clinical trials and studies will be denied care and the VA will lose $35 million in research funding due to de delays and cancellations.
▶ 2:07:11Oftentimes, this funding comes from sources external to the VA, which means the money is now wasted. For so many veterans, clinical trials might be their last best hope of finding and receiving treatments that help them. These chaotic cuts to research will only hurt veterans, and Congress has a duty to understand the extent and severity of these impacts.
▶ 2:07:30That's why I'm offering uh this amendment to ensure that Congress can perform its crucial oversight duty uh over how much money or rather over how much opportunity for groundbreaking research we are losing and how many veterans have lost access to clinical trials on which uh they were relying for care. Even more importantly, my amendment will require the VA to share how it is working to connect those veterans to other sources of care. We must ensure veterans uh veterans care is not impacted because of these workforce cuts.
▶ 2:08:01And unless u the VA provides the information required by my amendment, we cannot know for sure if we are upholding our promises to veterans. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. Once again, I oppose this the this uh unserious amendment because it is irrelevant to the bill at hand and distracts from our core mission expanding treatment options for veterans with PTSD and TBI.
▶ 2:08:26There are many ways to request a report or cancel clinical trials under this administration. Dr. Murphy bill is not one of those is not one of those ways. We're here to deliver care, not push political narratives. For this reason, I strongly oppose this admin this amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote no on with me on this amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment?
▶ 2:08:50Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the Conaway amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1336. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. In the opinion of chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. A a recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed.
▶ 2:09:16Since votes are po pending, we will move to the next bill. I have an amendment at the desk. The clerk shall wait a minute.
▶ 2:09:58I now recognize Representative Van Orton to offer his amendment in the nature of HR980. Okay. Do you have amendment at the desk?
▶ 2:10:31I have an amendment at the desk. The the clerk will report amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 980 offered by my suspend Mr. Van Orin of Wisconsin. This act may be cited as the Veteran Readiness and Employment Improvement Act of 2025. Okay. Section two. The clerk shall suspend with the reading. Uh it had been read in the record earlier.
▶ 2:10:59And the gentleman is now recognized to offer his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh as the chairman of the economic opportunity subcommittee, it's been a great privilege to see this bill move forward and to continue improving the VR& which is the veterans readiness and employment program. VR& program is one of the many many VA benefits I have used personally and when the program works well, it's dra it drastically improves the well-being of veterans and their families.
▶ 2:11:26Unfortunately, when VR& does not work well, it's a waste of time for both veterans and VA employees. My amendment in the nature of a substitute would reduce the bureaucratic red tape the VA used in the past and modernize the requirements for vet success on campus officers or VSOCs by removing a master's degree requirement to a bachelor's degree in the relevant field of study.
▶ 2:11:49It it improves the ability for our veterans to get the services that they earned through their service by making sure that we can appropriately staff these colleges and move the paperwork forward. This ANS includes an increase in oversight and transparency at the VRN program by implementing a call center specifically for the VR& program. For this to work well, it has to be transparent. It has to be efficient and it needs to be more robust.
▶ 2:12:15Finally, the ANS would also allow veterans in the VR&E program to nonol programs. So, I want to thank Mr. Alber Albernati Albernati, sorry about that. And Mr. Amade for championing the VR provisions which have been included in this bill. I look forward to working with our Democratic colleagues to move this bill forward and without a yield back. The gentleman yields back and I ask unanimous consent.
▶ 2:12:40I ask uh unanimous consent for the reading of the amendment in the nature of substitute is I ask that there be considerate base text for those purposes of markup and without objection so ordered. Does anyone else have an amendment uh for the for HR 980? I now recognize ranking member Takano to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:13:08I have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of substitute to HR980 at the desk. The clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of I ask unanimous consent. The further reading of the amendment is dispensed with and without objection so ordered. I now recognize ranking member Tano for five minutes to speak on his amendment. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment ensures that education services positions at VA do not become politicized through so-called schedule F.
▶ 2:13:33Reclassification of positions to schedule F would undermine the non-partisan nature of the civil service by making it easier to fire employees who are not loyal to the president. Schedule F will erode public trust in VA and make it easier for the agency to evade congressional oversight and accountability.
▶ 2:13:53I worry that injecting uh VA education services with partisan operatives would negatively impact not only the quality of service uh quality of service veterans receive when accessing their benefits, but the quality of education and training they receive.
▶ 2:14:10While I oppose schedule F reclassifications across the entire federal government, I offer this amendment today to reaffirm this committee's commitment to ensuring VA's education services remain nonpartisan so that veterans can use their earned benefits to receive education.
▶ 2:14:29As for-profit institutions continue their well-funded campaign to waste taxpayer dollars and defraud veterans, we must ensure that VA has strong nonpartisan oversight within its education services ranks to prevent these bad actors from abusing the system. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on my amendment to the amendment and nature of substitute to HR 980. And with that, I yield back. Gentleman yields back.
▶ 2:14:58I now recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. The amendment in the to the ANS would prohibit uh any layoffs from education service positions within the VA due to a reduction in force. We need to ensure VA has good governance and veterans are getting the quality services they deserve. As we all know, the secretary and his team are working to reorganize a re on a reorganization plan.
▶ 2:15:25He has said that no benefits or services would be reduced as part of this reorganization. This admin this amendment prejudges this uh comprehensive review. This is not this is nothing but a poison pill amendment to endanger the passage of this bill and I encourage all my colleagues to vote no. Uh does any other member wish to comment on the amendment?
▶ 2:15:51Seeing none, the question is now on occurs on the agreement of the ranking members amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. And no. In the opinion of chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Uh I now recognize rep. Uh ranking member Tano to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Mr.
▶ 2:16:20Chairman, I have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 980 at the desk. The clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute HR980 offered by Mr. Takana. Section six, prohibition on elimination of positions in education services. I ask unanimous consent the reading of be uh dispensed with and without objection so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain the amendment. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:16:49My amendment would exclude VA education services employees from any planned ongoing or future reductions in forced VA. Education services includes a wide range of personnel who perform duties including GI Bill claims processors, call center operators, and VR and VSOC counselors. The GI Bill education benefits are one of the main reasons people join the military in the first place.
▶ 2:17:18So we cannot risk delays uh in processing education benefits by underststaffing these important programs. Program effectiveness can sometimes be at odds with efficiency. But as the saying goes, we don't want to be pennywise and pound foolish about which positions should be eliminated.
▶ 2:17:39Supporting this amendment ensures that there will be adequate staffing to handle one of the most valuable benefits VA offers to those who have served. And I urge this committee to prioritize effectiveness of education services over delays and overburdened staff who will surely be asked to do more with less. Um, thank you and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. I now recognize myself in opposition to the amendment.
▶ 2:18:08This amendment to the ANS would prohibit uh any VA education s education services uh positions from being schedule F or career employees. The executive order to create schedule F is currently under litigation. So it would be improper for us to us to legislate it at this time.
▶ 2:18:32This provision has not gone through any regular order nor do we have an estimated cost associated with this provision and I urge my colleagues to vote no on the amendment and to the ANS and for that reason I strongly oppose this amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Mr. Chairman, parliamentary point of parliamentary inquiry. Are we in fact on my second amendment? We are on your second amendment. Your comments are are directed towards directed towards schedule. Give me just a moment.
▶ 2:19:23Was that the previous one? This is this is this one here is what the reduction of force
▶ 2:19:58We we did have the right one. We This This is the right one comment. You Your amendment number you these were Your two out of order. Okay. I mean, could the clerk repeat what the amendment was because I thought Can the clerk repeat the amendment we just worked on? We just had amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR980 offered by Mr. Takano.
▶ 2:20:28Section six, prohibition on elimination of positions and education services of the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to reduction in force. A position in education services of the Department of Veterans Affairs may not be eliminated pursuant to a reduction in That's the second. That was the second.
▶ 2:21:01Yeah, he did not. Okay, just read back. For the record, the amendment to the NNS would prohibit the layoffs of education services provisions within the VA due to the reduction in force. We need to ensure VA has good governance and veterans are getting to the quality service they deserve. Uh as we all of as we know the secretary and his team are working to reorganize.
▶ 2:21:27He has said that no benefits or services will be reduced as part of this reorganization. This amendment prejudges that comp uh comprehensive review and this is nothing but a position a poison pill to endanger the passage of this bill. I encourage my colleagues to vote no. And with that uh uh does any other member have any comments? Seeing none, the question occurs on the agreeing to the ranking members amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 2:21:57Those in favor say I. I. Those opposed, no. No. The opinion of the chair, the nos have it. Um Mr. Chairman, I request a recorded vote. A recorded vote being has requested and pursuant to committee rule, the vote will be postponed. That's right. That's correct. Yeah. We just want to make sure we had the right Yeah.
▶ 2:22:27I now recognize Dr. Conaway to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment uh to the amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk. Uh the clerk will report. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to ask consent further reading of the amendment is dispensed with without objection so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to to explain the amendment.
▶ 2:22:56Uh again, thank you Mr. uh chairman. My amendment would ensure that any veteran who loses their step SNAP benefit during the Trump administration due to changes in law will receive a cash subsidy from the VA. SNAP or supplemental nutritional program assistance program is a crucial program that brings food security to many Americans across our country including veterans.
▶ 2:23:16With about 1.2 million veteran households currently enrolled and dependent on SNAP, it is important that these veterans households uh can remain on SNAP to put food on the table for themselves and their families. It's important to ensure that SNAP monthly benefits are not cut. There should not be a decrease in benefits, but an increase so veterans can receive the assistance needed as food prices continue to rise. As um any proposed cut to this vital program would be catastrophic.
▶ 2:23:44A $100 billion cut in the overall SNAP account would result in $179 million reduction for my home state of New Jersey. This would lead to a decrease of $33 per month for households enrolled in SNAP. Any SNAP cut and/or any change in eligibility is unacceptable.
▶ 2:24:03At a time where food security is at stake and and SNAP is on the chopping block, my amendment will direct the VA to step in and bridge the gap so that veterans who become ineligible can receive the assistance they desperately need. I hope all my colleagues will join me in supporting this amendment. And I yield back. Gentleman yields back. I now um uh I now recognize myself in opposition of the amendment.
▶ 2:24:27The amendment is to the amendment in the nature of substitute uh would force VA to pay for SNAP benefits. VA is not the department of agriculture. This provision has not gone through any regular order nor do any of nor do we have any estimated costs associated with this uh provision. It also it's completely off base. With that, I urge my colleagues to vote no on the amendment to the ANS.
▶ 2:24:57And for these reasons, I strongly oppose the amendment and I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on the amendment. Does any other member wish to seek to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to Dr. Conaway's amendment to the amendment in the nature of nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Mr.
▶ 2:25:21Chairman, I a rec recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed. I now recognize Dr. Conaway for amendment number two. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. The clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 980 offered by Mr.
▶ 2:25:51Conway. The amendment in the nature of sub wait a minute getting back to where I am at. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with without objection. So order. The gentleman now is recognized for five minutes to explain his amendment. Again, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:26:11Uh during the last economic opportunity subcommittee markup in April, my colleague Chris Papus introduced a similar amendment to give us the opportunity to reverse course and keep the veterans affairs servicing purchase program in place and until we could come up with a feasible policy solution, one that would do the least harm to our veterans and service members fa uh facing financial difficulties with respect to their mortgages.
▶ 2:26:36Instead, since then, Secretary Collins decided to accelerate and end uh the vast program on May 1st with very little notice or guidance to anyone who's affected. While my Republican colleagues uh on the economic opportunity subcommittee failed to share their sense of urgency because the announcement to end VASP in April had just been recently announced, I now ask the full committee to support this amendment that will reestablish VAST while we continue to work on a bipartisan solution to establish a partial claims program.
▶ 2:27:06I ought to note uh that the manner in which VAS was ended is alarming because it left no time for veterans and their mortgage services to work through the VA's process. Let me highlight the timeline of events. On April 3rd, German bust put out a statement that VASP would be ending without much detail. On March, rather on April 9th, VA shares with congressional staff that VAS will end on April 30th, 2025.
▶ 2:27:33On April 24th, VA issues a circular stating that VASP will end on April 30th at midnight. This leads most veterans affected to believe they have until that date to get their application in for approval. On April 30th, veterans made the committee aware that the mortgage services um had to have the application in in two weeks prior to April 30th, rendering the public deadline of April 30th grossly misleading at best.
▶ 2:28:01In essence, many veterans who could have applied for VAS were already too late and will most likely lose their homes. This committee must recognize by ending VAS foreclosures are inevitable. And to be clear, this amendment is not a means for keeping VAS indefinitely to avoid establishing a partial claims program. To my recollection, no one on this committee has objected to establishing a partial claims program.
▶ 2:28:27This amendment would allow VASP at least until Congress works um its will and the partial claims program is established, allowing veterans to access the same options and protections as other federally uh governmentbacked loan programs. This is the right thing to do to give veterans and service members a chance to stay in their homes while this committee continues to do its important work to deliver policies that best serve our veterans. Thank you and I yield back. Gentleman yield yields back.
▶ 2:28:58I now recognize myself in opposition to the uh amendment. The amendment to the amendment in nature of a substitute would reinstate vast program. Uh the previous administration sought to solve a $25,000 mortgage rears problem with a $321,000 solution by purchasing the whole loan through the vast program. VA did this without assuring uh Congress that this program would be had had been stressed, tested, and was the best solution.
▶ 2:29:28I support Secretary Collins decision to phase out VASP. The this amendment would do undo what the administration has already undone. It is we favorably forward the ANS so we can implement a backup plan for veterans experiencing financial hardship.
▶ 2:29:49I encourage my colleagues to vote no on this amendment as it does uh as it goes against the admin administration and good bipartisan work our staff have done to move the principal claims uh our partial claims bill forward. For those reasons, I strongly oppose this amendment and I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on the amendment. Does any other member wish to have a comment on the amendment? Question now occurs on the agreement to Dr.
▶ 2:30:19Conaway's amendment in the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. The impending chair, the nos have it. Um um Mr. Chairman, I request A recorded vote has been requested. Pursuant to committee rules, this vote will be postponed. Since votes are pending, we will move on to the next amend next bill.
▶ 2:30:51I now call up committee print reflecting the changes made at subcommittee for HR1364, the automotive support services to improve safe transportation act of 2025 or the assess act of 2025. The clerk shall report the bill HR13. Text was circulated in advance and pursuant to committee rules.
▶ 2:31:18Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for amendment at any point. And I now recognize Representative Barrett for the purposes of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. Clerk shall report the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 2:31:37Amendment in the nature of a ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment in nature of a substitute be dispensed with and I ask that it be considered base text for the purpose of this markup without objection so ordered. I now recognize Representative Barrett for five minutes to speak in the support of the amendment in the nature of a Thank you Mr. Chairman again and to uh ranking member Tano. Thank you both for taking up this bill. Appreciate your consideration. and the rest of the committee as well.
▶ 2:32:04Um, this uh amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 1364 or the assist act of 2025. I'm proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with Representative Maggie Goodlander, a good friend of mine from New Hampshire, um, who is working on this bill and co-leading it with me. I'm excited to see this bill on the agenda for today's markup. My bill would ensure disabled veterans with help from the Department of Veterans Affairs are empowered to make the vehicle modifications they need to travel safely and achieve their fullest potential.
▶ 2:32:33Specifically, the bill would give the VA greater flexibility to offer financial assistance for a wider range of medically necessary vehicle adaptations that would improve veterans quality of life. Currently, the VA is restricted to funding only a limited list of adaptive equipment, which really restricts the full portfolio of what veterans needs are.
▶ 2:32:52This unintentionally limits them and in many cases prevents altogether some veterans from being able to make necessary modifications to their vehicles such as ramp and kneeling systems, mobility device lifts, and ingress and egress accessibility modifications. The assist act fixes this gap in assistance and would make sure that disabled veterans can continue traveling safely and freely when they return to civilian life.
▶ 2:33:18This is a common sense fix that removes bureaucratic red tape and gives veterans the resources they deserve till the life fully after service. No veteran should be denied essential mobility assistance because of an outdated government list. I'm excited to offer this amendment in the nature of a substitute today and continue to strengthen this legislation and I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. Gentleman yields back. I now recognize myself in support of the amendment.
▶ 2:33:44This amendment in the nature of a substitute would allow eligible disabled veterans to receive any of the adaptive automobile equipment they may need. During the 117th Congress, this committee made the mistake of locking in eligible items veterans could use under this program. the ANS would write this wrong and allow for the flexibility with items needed for disabled veterans to meet their needs.
▶ 2:34:15I thank the VFW, the WWP, and the PVA for supporting this bill. I also thank uh Representative Barrett for introducing this bill and for his work on behalf of the disabled veterans across the country. Do any other members wish to comment on the amendment nature of substitute to HR 1364? Seeing none, are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of substitute for HR1 1364?
▶ 2:34:41Hearing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 1364. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. The opinion of chair, the eyes have it and the amendment in the nature of substitute is agreed to. I now recognize ranking member Tano for a motion. Mr. Chairman, I move that HR 1364 as amended be reported favorably to the House. The question is on favorably be reporting the bill HR 1364 as amended to the full house.
▶ 2:35:11All those in favor say I. All those opposed, no. In the opinion chair, the eyes have it. The motion is agreed to and HR 1334 is amended. It it is reported favorably to house. Without objection, the motion reconsidered laid on the table. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Rule 11 clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting reviews views views on HR 1364 as amended. Without objection.
▶ 2:35:39I now call up HR 1458, the Vets Opportunity Act of 2025. The clerk shall report the bill. HR 1458. Text was circulated in advance pursuant to to committee rules and without objection, the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for amendment at any point. I now recognize myself for the purposes of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The clerk shall report the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 2:36:05I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment in the nature of a substitute be dispensed with. And I ask that it be considered base text for the purpose of this markup. Without objection so ordered. I now recognize myself for five minutes to speak in support of the amendment in the nature of a substitute. This ANS would would make improvements to the GI bill by offering hybrid and online independent study programs to meet veterans needs during the coid9 pandemic.
▶ 2:36:34These instructions were able to to offer classes in an online hybrid setting to help save lives and were allowed to receive GI funding, GI Bill funding. Many of these situations even were even told uh to move their programs to fully remote. Uh many of those institutions were were asked to do that.
▶ 2:37:01This bill would allow these programs to receive funding again and get veterans into the workforce. Additionally, the ANS would ensure guard and reserves who can who get called up on orders during the semester can receive a grade.
▶ 2:37:17Finally, this ANS would allow service members and veterans who paid into uh the Montgomery GI Bill to receive their $1,200 re refund if they choose to use their post 911 GI Bill. I'm fully supportive of these changes and as we must ensure the VA services veteran service veterans first.
▶ 2:37:39Under the ANS, veterans would have more choices to go to school and would receive more protection when called up to protect this country. I thank the PVA for supporting this bill. I also thank uh Representative James and Representative Jackson for introducing the provisions of this language and Representative Sisammani for introducing this bill. Do any members wish to comment on the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1458?
▶ 2:38:10Are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR58? I now recognize representative of the ranking member Tucano with with the amendment in offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Mr. Chairman, uh I have an amendment to the amendment in nature of substitute to HR 1823 at the desk. The clerk will report the amendment.
▶ 2:38:33Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 1458 offered by Mr. Takana. Will the clerk just spend 145? We're on 1458. 1458. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm um Thank you for catching that. Uh let me restate. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to the amendment in nature of substitute to HR 1458. Now the clerk will report.
▶ 2:39:03Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR14. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the minutes is dispensed with without objection so order. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain his amendment. Uh thank you Mr. Chairman. The the Trump administration continues to issue executive orders that will greatly impact veterans education particularly with respect to accreditation and financial aid programs.
▶ 2:39:28During last month's exe uh economic opportunity subcommittee markup when this bill was under discussion there was uh too much uncertainty about the department of education's capacity to handle title 4 approvals and uh the EO subcommittee ranking member Papus uh recently submitted a letter requesting additional information without fully understanding how the approval process will be managed and transferred to another agency when And if
▶ 2:39:58the Department of Education ceases to exist, this committee needs to establish safeguards against unintended consequences of this bill. In addition to Title 4 approvals, now we must consider the impacts uh to the accredititation process.
▶ 2:40:15The executive order issued on April 23rd, 2025 sets forth provisions in which new accredititors may be recognized by the Department of Education and allows institutions to change accredititors because this bill is asking the Department of Education to take on new accredititation processes. It and it's unclear uh that uh what that will look like given the dire situation within the Department of Education itself.
▶ 2:40:45However, we should all be able to agree that schools need to be held accountable for student outcomes and that the veterans that veterans can use their benefits at institutions that provide highquality, highv value academic programs while we ensure that veterans are not targeted by schools that inflate their credentials and burden students with additional costs.
▶ 2:41:08This committee has heard of too many cases in which lowquality education and training programs have been approved for GI Bill funds only to leave the veteran worse off and in debt for an education or a job training program with little prospects of gainful employment.
▶ 2:41:26In the spirit of bipartisanship, I ask this committee to support an amendment that aligns with the Trump administration's executive order to ensure our veterans receive highquality education and training programs that are accredited. Thank you and I yield back. Gentleman re yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment.
▶ 2:41:47the this would amendment would seem uh has seen no regular order and has no has received no views during the legislative process and I re encourage the ranking member in the future to bring this uh proposal months ago during a legislative hearing and submit uh subcommittee markup instead of waiting till the full committee markup to do so. This amendment would also limit veterans choice in their education and prevent veterans from using the GI bill to a advance their career.
▶ 2:42:17I urge my colleagues to vote no on this amendment as it does goes against the administration and putting the veterans into a to the workforce. For these reasons, I strongly oppose the amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on the agreeing to the ranking members amendment to the amendment in the nature of substitute. All those in favor say I. All those opposed? No. No. In the can opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 2:42:47I now hold on here. We did it again. Hold on just a I now recognize uh Representative Ramirez to offer the amendment in the amendment. Amendment in the nature of a substitute. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to HR415 1458 at the desk. The clerk should report the amendment.
▶ 2:43:16Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with and without objection so order. The gentleoman is recognized for five minutes to explain her the amendment. Thank you chairman.
▶ 2:43:29Today I wish to offer as an amendment HR1 1423 guard and reserve GI Bill parody act of 2025 that was introduced by my colleague Leven in Illinois third congressional district I have the honor of representing 20,727 veterans.
▶ 2:43:47So when I come to this committee to discuss policies that improve the lives of my constituents, these policies at minimum have to ensure that every veteran has access to the benefits they've earned and that were promised to them. That means access to affordable quality education as one of those benefits. The GI bill is a critically important policy that makes educational opportunities affordable and accessible to veterans.
▶ 2:44:13It is why I reintroduced the Student Veteran Benefits Restoration Act, which would establish a uniform process to restore GI Bill benefits to veterans who've been defrauded by predatory institutions of higher education. But my bill is not the only action needed to ensure par of benefits and to protect our commitment to ensuring that every single veteran receives the quality education they deserve.
▶ 2:44:39Today I want to draw attention to Replein's bill to fulfill the promise of service for every member of the National Guard and every reserveist. Guard and reserve GI Bill parody is not let me say that again. Reserve GI Bill par is not a new provision of our committee. In fact, it had previously passed the House. It has Republican support in the Senate and it was part of our subcommittee's most recent legislative hearing.
▶ 2:45:07The purpose of my amendment and repleance bill is simple. Fairness and equity. As it stands, members of the National Guard Reserveist who are more and more frequently asked to do the same jobs as their active duty counterparts do not earn the education benefits under the GI Bill at the same rate. That inequity clearly demonstrates that the promise of education we have not yet fulfilled for those who serve.
▶ 2:45:37Every veteran we know deserves the choice and the ability to pursue an education and our policies have to reflect that commitment in our action. My amendment would ensure that every day in uniform counts towards the education benefits National Guard members and reserveists have already earned. It's not just good policy. It's what equity and what fairness demand. And it's actually what our veteran community has long called for. We have to listen and we have to act.
▶ 2:46:08We have an opportunity today to honor our veterans service with action. I urge all my colleagues support this amendment and bring long overdue parody to the members of our garden reserve. And with that, chairman, I thank you and I yield back. The gentleoman yields back. Uh, I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment.
▶ 2:46:31This amendment would add Representative Lebanon's guard and reserve parody GI Bill Act to the bill. This amendment has been drafted by the minority without offset. Additionally, this legislation would increase spending $6.5 billion over 10 years.
▶ 2:46:52Finally, as currently ri written, the language would give an additional individuals in the National Guard who never deployed a better GI bill than individuals who protected our country from 2001 to 2008. While the Democrats seek to find parody through this legislation, passing this bill would be a disservice to those who served overseas.
▶ 2:47:19I look forward to the minority spending time on this bill to fix policies concerns and to find an offset before proposing this as an amendment. For these reasons, I strongly oppose the amendment. I urge my colleagues to vote no on the amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on amendment? The question, seeing none, the question is now occurs on agreeing to Representative Ramire's amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor will say I.
▶ 2:47:50I. Those opposed, no. No. The nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to request a recorded vote. A recorded vote has been requested. Pursuant to committee rules, this vote will be postponed. Since votes are pending, we will move to the next bill.
▶ 2:48:10I now call up the committee print reflecting the changes made at the subcommittee for HR1815, the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act. The clerk shall report the bill. HR1 1815. Text was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules and without objection, the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for amendments at any point.
▶ 2:48:36I now recognize Representative Van Orton for proposed offering of an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, unfortunately for the Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. The clerk will report. Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR. I ask unanimous consent, but further reading of the amendment in the nature of substitute is dispensed with. I ask it be considered as base text for the purpose of this markup and without objection to order.
▶ 2:49:06I now recognize Representative Van Orton for five minutes to speak in support of the amendment and the nature of the substitute. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Um, unfortunately for the last 100 plus days, we've been doing clean up on Biden and one of the most egregious uh breaches of what I view of congressional intent was the creation of the VASP program by some unnamed bureaucrats. Uh, I'm going to read right off the VA website. It's benefits.va.gov.
▶ 2:49:33It says, "VA home loans are provided by private lenders such as banks and mortgage companies. VA guarantees a portion of the loan, enabling the lender to provide you with more favorable terms." So, a program like VAS has not existed since someone lent someone seashells to buy a cave. And some uh genius bureaucrats at the VA decided to start purchasing loans and trying to administer the loans. And that is not okay.
▶ 2:49:59To the tune of $5.5 billion and over the next five years, they're talking about $18 billion. We never signed that check. And that is our responsibility, not the VAS. So, however, many people veterans have been uh on on this program and we will not be sir throwing veterans uh out of their homes. So, this bridges that gap.
▶ 2:50:21This aligns the Veterans Affairs Administration with uh Fanny May and Freddy Mack so that there is a partial claim system to make sure that we give our veterans who have earned this benefit the most possible, excuse me, the most options as possible to stay in their homes. And I think it's critical. Uh so I do encourage all of my colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, to make sure that we do everything we possibly can to make sure that our veterans remained housed.
▶ 2:50:47And this is a way to close the gap that was opened by the Biden administration through uh some foolish, unfortunately, unnamed, faceless, unelected bureaucrats signing a $18 billion check for Congress. With that, I yield back. Gentleman yields back. I now recognize myself in support of the amendment. For the last year, the Republican majority uh on the committee have raised concerns about the BAS program.
▶ 2:51:13However, we have also recognized that a fiscal responsible solution needs to be at the VA VA for veterans in home loan debt. Uh, subcommittee chairman Van Horton's bill is the result of over a years of discuss a year of discussion between VSOs, veterans and lenders and members across the aisle. This bill is the only fiscal responsible solution to a problem that Mr.
▶ 2:51:39Van Orton and I have been sounding the alarm for for a year. I thank everyone who has come together to get this bill in a really good place. I appreciate my Democrat colleagues for their support of this legislation and hope we can swiftly move this towards passage through the House. Does any member wish to comment on the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1815?
▶ 2:52:06Seeing none, are there any amendments in the nature of any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR18 15? I now recognize ranking member Takano to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to HR1815 at the desk. The clerk will report amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1 1815 offered by Mr. Takano.
▶ 2:52:36moratorum on foreclosure on loans guaranteed by the department of veterans It is the other amendment that the clerk would designate amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1 1815 offered by Mr. Takano of California. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes. Uh, I thank the chairman for joining me on this amendment.
▶ 2:53:06Our committee has been made aware of over 80,000 veterans and active duty service members that are now facing a foreclosure crisis. A crisis of the Trump administration's own making, the Trump administration's own making. To me, that is unconscionable. the idea that we would shut off assistance to homeowners who are asking for a hand up, not a hand out.
▶ 2:53:33Uh I've made my opposition to the cancellation of the VAS program clear. But regardless of my colleagues position on VASP, we owe it to veterans not to cancel a program until there is a viable option to put in its place. Uh, and that is what I hope the TCO bast substitute amendment offers veterans.
▶ 2:53:55The text of the TCO bast amendment would create a new program for homeowners to avoid foreclosure through a partial claims program. The terms of that program would ensure that veterans impacted by the national disaster declarations would never be left behind. But let me share my concern with where we are. Last week, VA ended the VAS program, uh, the program of last resort.
▶ 2:54:23That means the 80,000 veterans I referred to earlier are facing foreclosure today. Today, we will pass this legislation. We don't know when it will go to the House floor. We don't know how the House majority will vote on the floor. We don't know what the Senate thinks or if the Senate even intends to act on partial claims legislation. We don't even know what the administration thinks of this proposal.
▶ 2:54:49Finally, even if everyone agrees, it may take months to implement this solution. In the meantime, what happens to those 80,000 homeowners? That is why VASP or some action by the administration is needed now to clean up a program that that to clean up a problem to clean up a problem that didn't need to happen. So I will close by urging my support support for my amendment and if passed the underlying bill.
▶ 2:55:20But I also urge to the administration to see uh Congress is working but these veterans deserve assistance now not months from now. And I yield back. Thank the gentleman for yielding back. I recognize myself in support of the amendment. These changes are common sense and provide a fiscal responsible solution to VASP. both sides of the aisle should be in uh rallying behind this legislation to get it needed uh relief to our veterans who need it.
▶ 2:55:48Uh if Biden Harris administration had not put Congress in this situation over two years ago, Congress wouldn't wouldn't need to find a solution. For the most part, I'm pleased that now both sides of the aisle have finally realized that it is time to put the committee support behind Representative Van Ororton's bill. Finally, I would like to thank uh ranking member for working with us to to include the grant and pdeium language in the amendment.
▶ 2:56:18This is an include this inclusion uh would be would would not have been necessary if previous administrations had informed Congress before the Dole Act was passed that changes were needed to implement this language. However, under my leadership, this committee will honor the commitment to all veterans, including ensuring that proper funding is provided for the GPD providers. The authorization cap in the amendment is a placeholder.
▶ 2:56:48Once we receive the correct data for VA on what this number should be to match what we authorize in the Dole Act, we will adjust that the legislation. If the ranking member and the other side of the aisle are serious about helping veterans keep their homes, I urge them to support this language. I urge my colleagues to vote yes with me on this amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Mr. Chairman, Representative Ben Horton.
▶ 2:57:18Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh this is what this committee is supposed to look like. This is a a a fantastic example of bipartisanship. When Mr. Ramirez initially uh put this language in during our subcommittee hearing, it just wasn't it wasn't ready for prime time, but our staffs were uh handinand glove. Uh we spoke to everybody. I consulted several of my uh veteran friends, including uh Mr. Morgan Latrell uh and we got it right.
▶ 2:57:47And so I just want to thank the ranking member Tano. I want to thank Mr. Ramirez for their very hard work. And I want you to know that when me and Mr. Papus are are talking and that subcommittee is my ranking member and I'm very uh proud to have him there that when we say we're going to do something we get it done and so again this is bipartisanship this is how this committee should be structured without a yield back any other member seeking comment the question now occurs on agreeing to the TCO amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute all those in favor say I I those opposed no in the opinion of chair the eyes
▶ 2:58:17have it and the amendment is agreed to a Okay. Yeah. I now recognize ranking member Dano to offer amendment number two in the nature of a substitute. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to HR 1815 at the desk. The clerk shall report. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. I ask unanimous consent that all that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain its amendment.
▶ 2:58:48Mr. Mr. Chairman, if this committee wishes to move forward with establishing a partial claims program, at the very least, we should consider a moratorum on foreclosures until that program is ready to stand up. This amendment would would pause foreclosures during the initial 90-day period after enactment of this bill.
▶ 2:59:09Again, this committee's goal should be to help as many veterans in financial distress as possible while simultaneously using less expensive options to foreclosures. The current economic forecast is bleak with some experts warning of a recession. Uh we do not want a repeat of the great recession in which millions of people lost their jobs and homes. Another lesson learned from previous eras is that foreclosures are the most expensive option.
▶ 2:59:39I ask this committee to support this amendment as a final gesture to veterans in danger of losing their homes. Thank you and I yield back. Gentlemen, yield back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. The ranking members amendment would encourage VA to use authorities the Biden and Harris administration cobbled together to create BASP. As I have made clear many times, a partial claim program is the only way forward to solve the VA's mess.
▶ 3:00:06Uh rein instituting VAS would put the program at risk and would cost the taxpayers billions of dollars. Additionally, I must oppose the ranking members amendment because of the inclusion of a foreclosure moratorum in the language. the Biden Harris administration overuse of foreclosure uh moratorum is that what got VA in trouble in the first place.
▶ 3:00:31Finally, in a time where partisan bip by bipartisanship it partisanship is more apparent than ever. I'm disappointed to see where the ranking member has taken this bill. Our our staff worked out a bipartisan deal over the weekend to get the bill in place where it could pass the House and the Senate as quickly as possible.
▶ 3:00:56Part of the agreement was that this bill must go through without partisan amendments to show the Senate bipartisan support. The ranking member staff stated that they were very confident that this deal would be upheld. They even asked for the deal to be written to them over an email, which my staff agreed to.
▶ 3:01:22Now, I wonder if the ranking member and his staff ever wanted a deal when it is clear that this amendment was received days after that agreement was made. I understand that instead of taking ownership of not upholding their end of the bargain, staff told my staff that this is just life.
▶ 3:01:44Unfortunately, the ranking members decision not to uphold any deal will put not only the part partial claim program at risk, but the GDP GPD funding both sides of the aisle have fought for. The passage of this bill is potentially at risk because of the ranking members needless partisan jabs on mustpass legislation.
▶ 3:02:09I hope the ranking member and his staff take ownership for their actions and honor the agreement made. I urge my colleagues to vote no and with me on this amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Mr. Chairman. Yes, Mr. Mr. Van Orton. Mr. Chairman, I I need to echo your comments.
▶ 3:02:32Um just I mean less than seven minutes ago, I was complimenting the minority about working in a bipartisan way. And unless we can trust each other, uh it this is never going to work. So if I give you my word like I did, Miss Ramirez, I'm good for it. And I would hope that that would be reciprocated. Uh oftentimes it is. In this time it has not been. and that's simply not okay.
▶ 3:02:59Uh, as stated, you know, VAS was a disaster. And me and Mr. Papus are responsible for the two greatest government programs ever developed in the United States. The first one is the GI Bill, which allows our our vets to go to college, to educate themselves, to listen lift some themselves out of poverty, to make their family better. The second one is the VA home loan guarantee program.
▶ 3:03:24And VASP puts the VA home loan guarantee program at risk by bankrupting the VA. And and we can't do that. And I will not do that. I will not helm the ship that drives the second best program ever developed in this nation into the Scholes. That will not happen on my watch.
▶ 3:03:46And again, I would encourage my Democrat colleagues that when they are negotiating things, if they say they're going to do something, they do it because this is the the grossest breach of trust that I've seen since I've been in Congress for for two years and, you know, 100 days or whatever it is. And we we can't run a railroad like this.
▶ 3:04:07So I I strongly encourage my colleagues first and foremost to be good for their word and second to vote this down because it will reinstate VASP which has the potential to destroy the second most productive program ever developed by the United States government. With that I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Anyone else seek recognition? Mr. Dr. And I and I'll be brief.
▶ 3:04:32Um I I'm sure that um like many programs that are put forward, there are criticisms that might be brought forward. But I just would come comment that um and and looking at this legislation uh and the um the fact that there are many veterans, tens of thousands that are are in risk of of losing their homes.
▶ 3:04:54uh that uh critical action, timely action is needed and indeed preserving someone in their home is a less costly alternative than going through a foreclosure process and more expensive for the federal government and that there federal government is backing these loans. And so I'm for preserving veterans in their home and doing that and at and as an as costeffective way as possible. Foreclosures cost money.
▶ 3:05:22keeping a veteran in their home and preserving uh and adjusting that mortgage to keep them in their home home saves money uh when compared to the option of foreclosure. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Gentlemen, yield back. Representative Papis, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I do want to celebrate the bipartisanship here that's going to allow us to pass a partial claims program that will provide um real support for veterans who are in need of this uh to make sure that they're staying in their homes and avoiding foreclosure.
▶ 3:05:51Uh but I do think we have to recognize that with VASP abruptly ending that there's a need to provide a safe landing for veterans today that um are at risk of foreclosure. My office has already heard from one such veteran who was hopeful that he would be able to enroll in VASP. Um he was seeking that uh with his loan serer prior to VASP ending uh but wasn't able to get that help. Um he's a 100% disabled veteran from the first Gulf War. His name is Daniel Gel.
▶ 3:06:21He's from Raymond, New Hampshire. Uh his loans in forbearance and he wanted to enroll in VASP. Uh but again, his serer couldn't put him in the program. This was a few weeks ago. So without support now, he's unsure whether or not he's going to be able to stay in his home and whether he and his service animals are going to have a safe place to go. So we're going to continue to try to assist this veteran to the degree that we can. But uh we are concerned about what this means.
▶ 3:06:46And so I do think that while we see a partial claims program stood up and implemented, um we need to be giving veterans like Daniel uh who are worried about losing their homes a little bit of breathing room in the interim. And so I think um this sort of moratorum is an important intermediate step that we can take while we get to the point of having a bipartisan program that's implemented. So support the underlying um amendment in the nature of of a substitute, but also support this amendment too. Thank you. I yield back. Gentleman yields back.
▶ 3:07:16Representative Lutrell. I yield my time to Mr. Van Orton. Gentleman's recognized. Thank you, Mr. Lutrell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I appreciate what you're saying, Chris. I I get it completely, but I Dr. Conway, I'd just like to address this briefly. Um, so the VA home loan guarantee program is not a VA home loan program. And the Biden administration unilaterally changed that. So, as opposed to backing a loan, they're buying a loan.
▶ 3:07:43And in fact, it is as expensive as foreclosure. The average amount of money that the veteran is in a rears, it was around $25,000. And the average amount that the Biden administration purchased those home loans for was $320,000. So there it's actually economically disastrous. So there there's a fundamental difference between the two. And I've used this program to buy three different homes throughout the years.
▶ 3:08:08You know, I only have one now obviously, but so it the VA home loan guarantee program is not a VA home loan program. It's a fundamental difference and it it is again economically disastrous. And if it were to continue, if this amendment went through and reinstated VAS, it could bankrupt the entire thing. And I'm unwilling to allow that to happen.
▶ 3:08:30And I want every single veteran, every single active duty person, and every single person that's thinking about joining the military to be able to use the VA home loan guarantee into the future and in perpetuity. And with that, I yield back. Is anyone else seeking recognition? Mr. Chairman, I yield my time to ranking member Tako. Gentleman's recognized. I just want to clarify to the gentleman from Wisconsin that this amendment is not about uh restoring VASP.
▶ 3:08:58Um because VASP was abruptly ended uh May 1st actually it ended uh effectively uh the second week of of April. Um it has put the 80,000 veterans who are at risk of losing their homes currently now at risk. This is not about restoring VAS but simply putting a moratorum on foreclosures until partial claims can be stood up.
▶ 3:09:26And the legislative process is what it is. Uh it still has to get to the floor. There is a potential pay for issue uh related to partial claims. Uh and so we don't know uh if even the majority will be able to pass this bill on the floor, how quickly they'll be able to pass this bill on the floor.
▶ 3:09:47uh again whether or not uh it will pass the Senate in an expeditious manner and of course standing up a new uh a new program uh through VA will also take some time that is uh we estim you know we've estimated a certain amount of time we said a 90-day time period from when this bill is enacted um this is a very modest modest I think proposal to say to those veterans 80,000 veterans who are out there whose
▶ 3:10:18u home ownership is at risk uh that uh we're going to put a pause on foreclosures. Uh but we are not saying uh that we are reinstating VASP. So that the the issue here is not turning the switch back on VASP but simply saying to those veterans until partial claims can come to the rescue uh Mr. Van Orton's bill. Let's let's give you some some some grace time until uh that program is stood up. I yield back.
▶ 3:10:49Anyone else seeking recognition? Seeing none, the question now occurs on the agreement of the TCO amendment number two and the nature of a the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I opposed. No. No. The opinion chair the nos have it. Um and the amendment isn't a recorded vote having been requested pursuant to committee rules. The vote this vote will be postponed. Since votes are pending, we will move to the next bill.
▶ 3:11:19I now call up the committee print reflect the changes made by the subcommittee to HR647, the Ensuring Veterans Final Resting Place Act of 2025. The clerk shall report the bill. HR6. The text was circulated in advance and pursuant to committee rules. Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for amendment at any point.
▶ 3:11:46I now recognize myself for the purposes of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The clerk should report the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Amendment in the I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment in the nature of a substitute be dispensed with. I ask that it considered the base text for purposes of this markup without objection so ordered. I I now recognize myself for 5 minutes to speak in support of the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 3:12:14This legislation would ensure that veterans can be buried and mourned together with their fa and with their family members. Under current law, when a veteran's surviving spouse chooses a VA furnished uh pla earn or plaque, the veteran is no longer allowed to be laid to rest in a VA national cemetery. Yet, the veteran surviving spouse retains their right to be buried in a VA national cemetery.
▶ 3:12:43This means that when the veteran spouse later passes away, their family members cannot lay them to rest together in a VA national cemetery. This is unacceptable. Pres uh Representative uh Yakam's bill would close that loophole and allow our nation's military families to make the best decision for their loved ones and ensure that veterans have a uh dignified final resting
▶ 3:13:13place in a VA national cemetery with family. Further, under current law, VA cannot provide headstones or markers for veterans loved ones who passed away before November 11th, 1998, and those remains are unavailable uh unavailable for for burial.
▶ 3:13:34In other words, if a veteran surviving spouse passes away before the date, then their remains cannot be recovered via VA does not inscribe their name on the veteran's grave site. their families face the heartbreak of not being able to mourn their loved ones together.
▶ 3:13:53HR647 as amended includes representatives uh Rosenthal's um bill which would give VA the authority to provide headstones or markers to those veterans loved ones no matter when they pass away. Also, my amendment would fully offset the cost of this bill.
▶ 3:14:14I thank Representative Yakam and I repres and Rosenthaler for their work on this legislation that only begins to repay the debt we owe to our veterans by fixing the pro process by which military families can bury them and their loved ones. Do any members wish to comment on the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR647? Are there any amendments in the amendment in the nature of substitute? Mr.
▶ 3:14:43Chairman, Rep. I recognize Representative Kennedy to offer an an amendment to in the amendment in the nature of substitute. Thank you. I have an amendment to the amendment in nature of a substitute at the desk. The clerk will report amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR647 offered by Mr. Kennedy of New York. Section five, Department of Veterans Affairs pilot program to furnish headstones and burial markers to cover veterans. I ask unanimous consent.
▶ 3:15:10Further reading of the amendment is dispensed with and without objection, so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm encouraged that this committee is considering expanding what the National Cemetery Administration can provide to veterans and their families. This is not just the right thing to do. It's the kind of work we should be doing to honor and support those who've served. Unfortunately, as the law is currently written, not every family can honor their loved ones for service.
▶ 3:15:40My constituent Jodie Malki has been trying for years to memorialize her late father, Technical Sergeant Florian Fenclaw, but cannot because of an outdated regulation. Technical Sergeant Fencloud was a World War II veteran, prisoner of war, and recipient of the Purple Heart Medal and Distinguished Service Medal. My amendment gives families like Jod's the ability to honor their loved ones service to our country.
▶ 3:16:10By adding my bill, the Honoring Our Heroes Act, to the underlying legislation, the National Cemetery Administration will be required to create a pilot program to allow families of veterans who passed away before November 1st, 1990 to request a governmentissued headstone. Our service members made the greatest sacrifice for our country and we owe it to our heroes and their families to provide a tribute at their final resting place befitting of that service.
▶ 3:16:41I urge a yes vote on my amendment and with that, Mr. Chairman, I back. The gentleman yields back. I uh I now recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. This amendment would allow any individual desiring to honor a veteran who passed away before November 1st, 1990 to apply for a headstone uh or a marker.
▶ 3:17:06Uh it appears that this amendment would be would abandon long-standing policy that priority prioritize requests for headstones or markers for from veterans family members. Importantly, we have received no views from the veteran service organization uh and surviving advocates on this amendment.
▶ 3:17:27We have also received no views from the department on any of the unknown uh consequences of this amendment and we have received no estimates for the cost of this amendment from the uh Congressional Budget Office. Therefore, I will vote no on this amendment and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Does any other member wish to be recognized on to comment on this amendment?
▶ 3:17:53Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the Kennedy amendment uh to the amendment in the nature of the substitute. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. The opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. is I now recognize Representative Kennedy to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for amendment number two. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk.
▶ 3:18:22The clerk will designate the amendment. Amendment in the nature of substitute. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute HR647 offered by Mr. Kennedy of New York. Section five. I ask unanimous consent further reading of the amendment. It be dispensed with and with no without objection. So order. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 3:18:45The National Cemetery Administration is critical in providing a dignified resting place for our nation's heroes and memorializing their service. The Western New York Cemetery, located just outside of my district in Corw, New York, serves more than 98,000 veterans, spouses, and eligible children. Before the creation of the cemetery in 2016, Western New York had the largest veteran population without a nearby veteran cemetery.
▶ 3:19:15Today, it serves as the final resting place of so many in my community who dedicated their lives to service. Employees of the National Cemetery Administration are tasked with maintaining these sacred spaces while assisting loved ones with navigating the range of burial benefits available, including grave sites, headstones, and perpetual care, all at no cost to the family. The individuals are nothing less than spectacular.
▶ 3:19:44No outside group could do what the employees of the National Cemetery Administration are trained to do. Which is why I'm incredibly concerned with President Trump's decision to bring back schedule F. For those of you that don't know, schedule F is an administrative directive that takes away due process for certain government employees, effectively making them at will. While I strongly support Mr.
▶ 3:20:10Yakam's bill and want to give veterans and their families the resources they deserve. How can we possibly expect the National Cemetery Administration employees to carry out this bill when this administration is trying to get rid of them all? These are members of our community who decided that they want to serve our veterans and their families as their own lives work.
▶ 3:20:35That's why my amendment would prevent the arbitrary firing of National Cemetery Administration employees by making them exempt under schedule F and protecting the dedicated National Cemetery employees and allow them to do their job on behalf of our veterans and their families. I urge all of my colleagues to vote yes on my amendment and I yield back. Gentlemen, yield back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment.
▶ 3:21:02This amendment would ensure that no National Cemetery Administration position can be at will employment under the schedule F executive order that is currently the subject of the litiga of litigation. We have yet to hear from the administration as to whether any NCA position would be reclassified as exception accepted service.
▶ 3:21:27Um, not only is it this amendment premature, but it could hinder the passage of this important bill. As I have said before, HR647 is critical legislation that would ensure veterans can be buried and mourned with their family members. I will not allow Washington politics to prevent families from making the best decision for their loved ones in final resting place.
▶ 3:21:58This a this amendment would do that. Therefore, I will vote no on this amendment and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on the agreeing to the Kennedy amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 3:22:26Since votes are pending, we will move to the next bill. I now call up HR1286, the Simplify Forms for Veterans Claim Act. The clerk shall report the bill. HR 1286 to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to text was was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for amendment at any point.
▶ 3:22:55I now recognize myself for the purposes of offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The clerk should report the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Amendment in the nature of I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment in the nature of substitute be dispensed with and I ask that it be considered as a base text for the purpose of this markup without objection so ordered.
▶ 3:23:15I now recognize myself for 5 minutes to speak in support of the amendment and nature of a HR1286 would require VA to improve VA forms that veterans and their families must complete to pursue their claim for the VA benefits. Incorrectly filed forms can force veterans to wait long for longer for their decision on their claim or veterans could get a wrongful denial of their claim.
▶ 3:23:42However, veterans and their advocates tell us time and time again how disorganized and difficult it is to understand these form these forms. As a veteran, I recently completed one of these forms myself and it was a challenge to say the least. VA standard forms should not be a barrier to veterans accessing their earned benefits.
▶ 3:24:07We must make VA standard forms more modern and understandable for veterans and their families so they can easily file and pursue their claims for the VA benefits. This bill would ensure just that. This bill would require VA to contract with non-partisan third-party research in entities to make recommendations to improve VA forms.
▶ 3:24:35and B VA BA would be required to implement those recommendations. Also, my amendment in the nature of a substitut would fully offset the cost of this bill. I am grateful to Representative Braznahan for his work on this uh common sense bill to keep pushing VA forward to better serve veterans. And I am proud to co-lead it.
▶ 3:25:01Do any other members wish to comment on the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1286? Seeing none, are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1286? Hearing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1286. All those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed say no.
▶ 3:25:28In the opinion chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is in the nature of the substitute is agreed to. I now recognize ranking member Takano for a motion. Mr. Chairman, I move that HR 1286 as amended be reported favorably to the house. The question is on favor reporting HR 1286 as amended to the full house. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed no. The impendent chairs the I have it.
▶ 3:25:55The motion to is agreed to and HR 1286 as amended is reported favorably to the full house. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Rule 11 clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR 1286 as amended. Without objection, I now call up HR1041, the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act. The clerk shall report the bill.
▶ 3:26:24HR 10 texted was circulated in advance and pursuant to the committee rules. Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for amendment at any point. I recognize myself to offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The clerk shall report the the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 3:26:44I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment in the nature of a substitute be dispensed with and I ask that that it be considered base text for the purpose of this markup without objection so order. I have I now recognize myself for five minutes to explain the amendment in the nature of a substitute. My bill is simple. It would con cement due process for veterans with fiduciaries to protect their constitutional rights.
▶ 3:27:11My amendment in the nature of a substitute would prohibit VA from sending a veteran's name to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System or Nyx list.
▶ 3:27:25Unless a judge or court first decides that veteran could be in danger to themselves or to others, VA will sometimes appoint a fiduciary for a veteran to help them manage their VA financial benefits. As I said earlier, that appointment of a fiduciary has nothing to do with a veteran being a danger to themselves or others.
▶ 3:27:53Yet, as soon as a veteran set gets a fiduciary, a VA bureaucrat automatically is sends the VA's the veteran's name to the next list. No due process exists. None. Veterans with fiduciaries are then prohibited from owning or buying a firearm for whatever reason for whatever reason they want.
▶ 3:28:24Whether it is to themselves, protect their families, go hunting, taking their grandchildren hunting. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle will say that this is a madeup issue. But I have personally had veterans tell me for years that this current practice is the number one reason why they will not go to the VA for care and services.
▶ 3:28:52Unlike every other American, veterans with fiduciaries do not get their day in court before the government takes away one of the rights that they fought to defend in the Constitution. As a sportsman, as a veteran, and most importantly, as an American, I have always found this policy incredibly wrong.
▶ 3:29:16Veterans who fought and sacrificed for freedom are not given the same due process rights as every other citizen simply because they need help managing their finances. These men and women who wore the uniform are treated worse than That is unacceptable.
▶ 3:29:39And I'm proud that my bill would ensure that veterans with fiduciaries get their day in court and that a judge, not a VA employee, would decide whether or not a veteran should be stripped of their constitutional right to bear arms. I also want to thank uh Representative Crane for working with me on this amendment and being a strong advocate for this issue.
▶ 3:30:06This amendment would fix how VA has already reported hundreds of thousands of veterans to the NYX list without due process. The amendment would require VA to not notify the attorney general that the FBI must remove veterans who are currently on the next list solely because they had a fiduciary. Let me be clear. This amendment would not automatically remove every veteran.
▶ 3:30:36Veterans who are on the next list because a state has reported a veteran to the next list because of a jud a court judge found them to be a danger to themselves or others would stay on the next list. But we cannot ignore the hundreds of thousands of veterans whose constitutional rights have already been violated simply because they needed help from a fiduciary with their finances.
▶ 3:31:06Representative Crane's amendment would ensure these veterans rights are finally I'm proud that my bill was included in consolid the consolidated appropriation act of 2024 and recently continued resolution.
▶ 3:31:27But once the act expires, VA testified that it will resume reporting veterans with fiduciary to the next list without any due process. This amendment, in the nature of a substitute, is a permanent solution, one that we owe our veterans and one that they deserve.
▶ 3:31:49Not only does my bill end the dangerous stigma that every veteran is un uh un unpredictably dangerous, and they not. But it also protects the rights that are not decided by me or any of you. Those being every single American's rights that are bestowed in the constitution.
▶ 3:32:18I want to thank the following organizations for their support of good government policies in the House Republican in this House Republican bill. The National Disabled Network, the BZ Bezalone Center for Mental Health Law, the American Legion, the Vietnam Veterans of America, Gun Owners of America, National Rifle Association, National Association of Gun Rights, National Shooting Sports Foundation,
▶ 3:32:48uh Mission Roll Call, Association of Mature American Citizens Actions, Black Veterans Empowered Council, National Association of of County Veteran Service Officers, a New York City council woman, Vicky uh Paladino. Together, they represent millions of veterans voices nationwide. We should listen to them. Now, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the intent of my bill.
▶ 3:33:18And does any other member wish to comment on the amendment in on the me nature of a substitute on HR1041? Seeing none. Amendment, please. Are there any amendments uh to the nature of substitute? Uh yeah, Mr. Chairman, I have I think we have the order is we got Dr. Morrison first. Oh. Oh, yeah. Dr. Morrison. I now recognize Dr.
▶ 3:33:46Morrison uh to offer her amendment number one, the amendment in the nature of substitute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to an amendment. The clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 104. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment in is dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. The gentleoman is recognized for 5 minutes for her to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 3:34:10My amendment would create a carveout in this legislation for beneficiaries who are suffering from severe mental illness or impairment, including conditions like schizophrenia, dementia, Alzheimer's, or mental conditions with psychotic features. As a physician and the wife of an Army combat veteran, I care deeply about making sure that every veteran gets the care, including the mental health care they've earned through their service.
▶ 3:34:33This amendment is not about stigmatizing severe mental illness or impairment, but rather about managing risk and preventing harm. The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that 46% of people who die by suicide suffered from a known mental health condition. A few years ago, the VA's estimate suggested that veterans are 57% more likely to die by suicide than non-veterans.
▶ 3:34:56While me mental illness and impairment certainly do not lead to suicide on their own, we must be cognizant of those who might be at greater risk than the general population. There's a great deal of unknowns about the effect of this legislation. But we do know that it has the potential to put more guns in hands of the most vulnerable veterans in VA's system. We also know that both veterans and people suffering from serious mental illness are at an increased risk of death by suicide.
▶ 3:35:21At the very least, we must continue to protect those with the most serious mental impairments by continuing their reporting to nicks. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. Each of the amendments offered today by my colleagues across the aisle are an attempt to risk the passage of HR1041. These amendments ignore how veterans need us to pass HR1041.
▶ 3:35:48Now, we must ensure that veterans have the same constitutional rights as every other American. Every other American gets their day in court before their second amendment rights are taken away. But veterans who fought for the constitutional rights are being treated like secondclass citizens. I will not allow the politics of Washington to prevent me from protecting veterans constitutional rights, which they fought for.
▶ 3:36:15The amendments offered today by my colleagues across the aisle are the poison pill that would make passage of this bill more difficult. For example, we have received no views from veteran service organizations on this amendment. Also, we have received no views from VA on any of the unknown consequences of this amendment.
▶ 3:36:39We have received no estimates of cost of this amendment from the constitutional or from the congressional budget office. All of these unknown risks the passage of HR1041. For this reason, I strongly oppose this amendment as well as the other amendments that are being offered by my colleagues across the aisle today.
▶ 3:37:03We ensure must ensure that my bill has the best chance of passing so that the veterans can finally have the same rights as every other American. I urge my colleagues to vote no with me on this amendment and all the others that would risk the passage of HR1041.
▶ 3:37:24And do any other members see to give comment on I wish to comment on the on their amendment on this amendment? Yes. The gentleman's recognized. Uh thank you Mr. Chairman. Thank you Dr. Morrison for your leadership on this issue and on this committee and I strongly support this amendment. I urge its adoption. As I said before, we know that VA beneficiaries assigned a fiduciary are among the most vulnerable in the system.
▶ 3:37:52Many are elderly and most have severe mental illnesses that prevent them from managing their own affairs. The committee has received evidence that many of these beneficiaries suffer from conditions such as schizophrenia, dementia, and bipolar disease. Illnesses that, as we all can agree, could increase the risk of harm if the individual has access to a firearm.
▶ 3:38:16Given this, it is only reasonable for the VA to continue reporting beneficiaries with these conditions to the next database, which this amendment ensures. I fully support Miss Morrison, Dr. Morrison's amendment and appreciate her efforts in bringing it forward, and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Does anyone else seek recognition? The question now occurs on agreeing to Dr. Morrison's amendment on number one, the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I.
▶ 3:38:45I all those opposed? No. No. In the opinion of the chair, the nose have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Chair, I ask for a recorded vote. A recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed. I now recognize ranking member Takano to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Uh, Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to the amendment in substitute to HR 1041 at the desk. The clerk will report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment.
▶ 3:39:14Ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with and without objection so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain his amendment. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh it is no secret that I am firmly against the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act. And it's not because I am against the Second Amendment uh nor am I anti veteran or anti-constitution.
▶ 3:39:39Rather, I oppose HR 1041 because at a time when veteran suicide remains stubbornly high and suicide prevention continues to be VA's top clinical priority, it is unconscionable that we would deprive VA of a critical tool to prevent harm to an especially vulnerable population.
▶ 3:40:00I truly understand that veterans feel singled out by the fiduciary process, but I will remind everyone that VA beneficiaries constitute barely 0.6% or 610 of a percent of entries into the next database. 200,000 out of a database of 33 million. 200,000 out of a database of 33 million.
▶ 3:40:27Again, 0.6% 6% of entries into the next database. I will also remind everyone that in spite of what my colleagues may say about VA's decisions on competency are based on medical evidence, not math tests.
▶ 3:40:45Uh, and the people reviewing the medical evidence are not faceless bureaucrats, but rather dedicated VA employees who have hours and hours of training and how to properly review that evidence. Far more training than any judge that may be dragged into this process. I'm also sensitive to the fact that there is a real and troubling stigma around seeking mental health care among veterans.
▶ 3:41:12It is a pervasive sentiment that we should all be fighting. Instead, this bill which is predicated on the falsehood that somehow veteran second amendment rights have been are are are being unconstitutionally a bridged because of a lack of judicial process. It only adds to that sentiment, that stigma. The majority is perpetuating the very sentiment they purport to be fighting against.
▶ 3:41:38Lastly, I will say that having been an elected official for some time now, I am deeply I deeply understand how emotionally heated and sometimes illogical the politics of guns can be. But we owe it to our veterans to be truthful, open, and honest here. And I can honestly say this debate isn't about due process or protecting veterans constitutional rights.
▶ 3:42:01I wonder what the chairman would say if I asked him if he agreed with the president that he's not sure he even has to he even has to uphold the constitution or if he supports due process protections for deported veterans. Uh and there are a host of there there are a host of constitutional rights the majority party is actively working to undermine bodily autonomy and voting rights for example.
▶ 3:42:26Rather, this is purely about the majority's longheld desire to deify firearms. And in this case, they will risk the lives of veterans and their families to do so. So, I encourage my colleagues to vote against this measure. And I implore the majority to take a more responsible, reasoned path that doesn't put veterans at risk.
▶ 3:42:47I said at our full committee legislative hearing on this bill, I am pleased to see that the majority has finally come round to our position on this idea of of potential dangerousness of a beneficiary. It's an idea we pitched years ago, but that was summarily rejected because for the majority, this is a political exercise, not a policy one.
▶ 3:43:10So, I'm equally pleased to offer this amendment today, which would require VA uh would require VA seek a secondary mental health opinion to corroborate its initial diagnosis prior to reporting a beneficiary to the next database.
▶ 3:43:26We feel this adds an additional layer of protection for the veteran but maintains VA's ability to protect the beneficiary from potential harm as these determinations can be obtained much more quickly than a judicial order as contemplated by the chairman's bill. This determination could even come from VA VHA itself in order to expedite the process.
▶ 3:43:48But most importantly, it is that the medical professionals who would be providing this opinion are far better situated to determine whether some someone poses a potential danger to themselves or others than some untrained judge who may may or may not have ever uh read medical files in their life, let alone the complex medical histories of veterans.
▶ 3:44:11So, I think this amendment strikes a better balance between the majority's goals of ending Nick's reporting and allowing VA to continue to use uh and allowing VA to continue to use a valuable harmvention tool and I hope my colleagues will support it. I yield back. Gentleman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition the amendment. As I stated before, I oppose any amendment that would allow veterans to continue having fewer rights than other Americans.
▶ 3:44:38The ranking members amendment attempts to replace that every provision uh in my amendment in the nature of a substitute HR1041. Even though I have stated before organizations representing millions of veterans and the disabled community as a whole support the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1041.
▶ 3:44:59The ranking members amendment would wholesale replace my legislation and his language ignores how even criminals get their day in court before the constitutional rights are stripped away but not veterans with fiduciaries. They have fewer rights than the civilians that they fought to protect. Instead of admit amending this is a pro instead of admitting this is a problem.
▶ 3:45:25on the ranking member uh amendment risks the passage of HR1041. We have received no views from VSOs on this amendment. We have also received no views from the department on any of the unknown consequences of this amendment and we have received no CBO score. Therefore, I will vote no on this amendment and urge my colleagues to do the same. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment?
▶ 3:45:55Seeing none, the question now occurs on the agreeing to the Takano amendment in the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed, no. No. The opinion of the chairs of the nos have it and I request a record. A recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This this vote will be postponed. The chair would now like to make an announcement.
▶ 3:46:22the the um votes have been called uh on the floor and we will re recess uh until about 10 minutes after. Please come back as quick as possible after the last vote about 10 minutes after that. Uh we have uh three more amendments on this bill. Uh we have one bill that has three amendments and then two other bills that have no amendments still to cover today before we go to votes.
▶ 3:46:50So, thank you and we will see you back here as soon as 10 minutes after the last vote.
▶ 4:24:19Committee will come to order. We were on uh HR1041. U I now recognize Representative McGarvey to offer an amendment to the amendment on the nature of substitute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have registered my cons. Oh, what's that? You have a amendment at the desk. Amendment at the desk.
▶ 4:24:44The clerk will there will amendment to the report the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 1041 offered by Mr. McGarvey. I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with and without objection so order. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We've talked about this bill in uh subcommittee before and in committee and and I have registered my underlying concerns as it's made its way through the DAMA subcommittee.
▶ 4:25:12One of those concerns is that the bill is silent as to what judicial authority the order needs to come from. I think it's really important. So, my amendment makes a small change. It refineses HR 1041 by clarifying which court the VA should approach for the required judicial order. The most appropriate choice is the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims or the CAVC given it's indep it's independent from the VA.
▶ 4:25:42uh it has deep expertise in veterans law and it has the ability to evaluate medical evidence related to veterans claims. Also, due to the heightened risk of self harm by the population we're talking about here, the court of appeals for veterans claim should establish an expedited review process for these orders. They've got to get to them quickly. This amendment just provides that technical tweak to ensure quick and efficient processing.
▶ 4:26:10I appreciate your consideration and I urge you to vote in favor of this amendment. I yield back my time. The gentleman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. I've stated before I oppose any amendment that puts at risk the passage of HR1041 and the reporting authority would be the exact same reporting authority that you any other person that's not a veteran would report to and that would be a judge. So that's so we have received no views on this amendment by VSOs.
▶ 4:26:36We have also received no views from VA on the US Court of Appeals veterans claims on any of the unknown unknown consequences of this amendment. And importantly, we have received no CBO score. Therefore, I will vote no on this amendment. I urge my colleagues to do the same. Does any other member wish to speak? Ranking member, you Well, well, thank you. And I want to thank uh Congressman McGarvey for offering this amendment and I appreciate his engagement and expertise on this issue.
▶ 4:27:05The majority's bill completely overlooks the fact that veterans already have the right to seek judicial relief if they object to their name being added to the next database. This is a madeup issue. Given this oversight uh on their part is unsurprising that the bill also fails to specify which judicial authority the VA should turn to if it decides to seek an order to report a beneficiary to to Nyx.
▶ 4:27:34It seems only logical that an independent judicial body, one outside the VA and with significant experience in veterans law and the interpretation of medical evidence in veterans claims would be the most appropriate venue. The Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims or CAVC fits this role perfectly.
▶ 4:27:58Furthermore, it makes sense for the CAVC to expedite these cases to ensure swift resolution. I appreciate Representative McGarvey's for I appreciate Representative McGarvey for introducing this amendment to clarify where VA should turn when seeking judicial orders under this bill. I strongly urge uh the support of my colleagues for Mr. amendment and I yield back. Anyone else seeking recognition?
▶ 4:28:27The question occurs on agreeing to the McGarvey amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. All those posted say no. No. The chair the eye nose have it. The nose have it. Um I now recognize chairman. I request a A recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules that this vote will be postponed. Uh I now call up uh recognize represent Dr.
▶ 4:28:55Morris to offer her amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to HR 1041 at the desk. Clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 1041 offered by Miss I ask unanimous consent. The further reading of the this amendment is dispensed with and without objection so ordered. The gentleoman is recognized for five minutes to explain her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment is very simple.
▶ 4:29:23It would just delay implementation of this legislation until the Secretary of the VA certifies to Congress that it will not lead to an increase in veteran suicide with a firearm. As I just said moments ago, there are many unknowns about what would happen if this proposal were to become law, but I believe it would inject a great deal of risk into the system, including the risk of increased death by suicide among veterans. For that reason, we must be certain that this legislation will not put more veterans in harm's way before it allow it we allow it to take effect.
▶ 4:29:53I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and I yield back. Gentlewoman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition the amendment as I have stated before. I will oppose the amendment and will allow uh viol will not allow violations of veterans constitutional rights. This amendment ignores how today's dis disabled veterans do not have the same rights as every other American. Dr.
▶ 4:30:17Morris, this amendment is a barrier to putting a stop to veterans being treated like secondclass citizens. We also this amendment is also would be at put this bill at risk. We have not heard from VSOs on the amendment. We have not also not heard from VA on any of the unknown consequences of this amendment and we have received no CBO score. Therefore, I will vote no on this amendment and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
▶ 4:30:46Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Ranking member. Well, I want to also thank Dr. Morrison for offering this amendment. I strongly support it and encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Chairman, I've heard you state that ending veteran suicide is one of your top priorities, and I have no reason to question your sincerity. In fact, I wholeheartedly share that goal, as I'm sure everyone on this committee does.
▶ 4:31:13That is why it is so perplexing that we are considering a bill uh today that appears to move us in the wrong direction. Among the many uncertainties surrounding this debate and the potential consequences of the majority's proposed policy, one fact is clear and is certain. It will result in more firearms in the hands of vulnerable of vulnerable beneficiaries.
▶ 4:31:40We must be especially cautious cautious not to introduce unnecessary risk into the system as doing so could lead to increased self harm among veterans, survivors, and other beneficiaries. Dr. Morrison's amendment is a matter of common sense. It simply ensures that the bill cannot take effect until we are certain it will not contribute to a rise in suicide among the fiduciary population. Mr. Mr.
▶ 4:32:07Chairman, I believe that the physician's oath that physicians take an oath with one of the one of its core principles being quote, "First, do no harm." End quote. The majority's bill has the potential to cause significant harm. And it is only reasonable to pause and finally understand its implications before moving forward. And for these reasons and more, I strongly support Dr. Morrison's amendment and encourage my colleagues to do the same. And I yield back. Anyone else seeking recognition?
▶ 4:32:36Seeing none, the question occurs on agreeing to Morris amendment number two. The amendment is in the nature of a substitute and all those in favor say I. I. Those opposed say no. In the opinion of chair, the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to. Mr. Chair, I I asked for a recorded vote. A recorded vote having been requested. Pursuant to committee rules, this vote will be postponed.
▶ 4:33:03Uh since we are since voters or since yeah since votes are pending we will now move to the next bill. I call up HR 3132 the choice for veterans act of 2025. The clerk shall report the bill. HR 3132. The text was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules.
▶ 4:33:27Without objection, the first reading is with and the bill is now open for amendments at any point. I recognize Representative Burkeman for a statement on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of HR 3132, the Certified Help Options in Claims Expertise or Choice for Veterans Act.
▶ 4:33:53This bill, which Chairman Boss joined me in introducing, is the culmination of more than two years of negotiation, feedback, and fine-tuning. It effectively builds on our previous work through the Plus for Veterans Act and the discussion draft considered during the DAMA subcommittee legislative hearing last March. The goals of the bill are simple.
▶ 4:34:16to prevent and punish bad actors seeking to take advantage of veterans while protecting veterans options and choice when it comes to seeking assistance with their disability applications. Everyone on both sides of the aisle agrees that Congress must take action to ensure that veterans looking for help navigating the VA disability benefit system are not defrauded or otherwise taken advantage of.
▶ 4:34:44However, it would be unacceptable for us to push a heavy-handed ban on the entire industry of legitimate businesses, often veteranowned, that have helped thousands of veterans get the claims they deserve.
▶ 4:34:59The Choice for Veterans Act preserves the right for veterans to get help from the private sector when preparing disability applications by incorporating these agents into the VA accreditation system, all while imposing penalties on bad actors that seek to exploit veterans. This will ensure that veterans will have protection against abuse and recourse if they're taken advantage of and that VA will have the teeth it needs to punish bad actors.
▶ 4:35:29The bill creates extensive guard rails to prevent abuse, including informing veterans of free options for assistance, preventing unreasonable fees, requiring HIPPA compliance servers, banning the use of overseas call centers, preventing conflicts of interest with doctors providing private medical evidence, and restricting the charging of fees for recently separated veterans.
▶ 4:35:53The Choice for Veterans Act also includes a new guard rail requiring requiring that veterans are given the option to pay any fees in increments that do not exceed their monthly increase in benefits. Meaning that no veteran will ever be forced into debt if they choose to pay for these services. Fundamentally, the Choice for Veterans Act recognizes that veterans are capable of choosing what options are best for them when seeking assistance in obtaining benefits.
▶ 4:36:23Denying the right denying this right is not protecting veterans. It's treating them like children. I urge my colleagues colleagues to support HR 3132 and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. I now recognize myself for five minutes in support of the bill. I'm proud to be a co-lead of the Choice for Veterans Act with with General Burkeman.
▶ 4:36:44This bill is a federal solution that would not only put a stop to predatory claims companies, but also would allow veterans and their families the freedom to choose who may help them file their initial claims for VA benefits. I think we can all agree that no one should ever charge a veteran tens of thousands of dollars to help them file a single initial claim for their benefits.
▶ 4:37:11The Choice for Veterans Act would find or jail those predatory claim sharks. But time and time again, we have heard from veterans that they want the option to choose who they believe would provide them the best assistance with their claims. Veterans have the right to make the choice for themselves.
▶ 4:37:31We have heard from VA employees who know how com uh complicated the VA claim process can be that they themselves have chosen to pay companies for help filing their own claims. There are companies many run by veterans trying in good faith to help veterans receive their earned benefits fast. Those companies should not be confused with the crooked cla claim sharks.
▶ 4:38:00Further, fam veterans should not be treated like children by big government. If they want to pay a reasonable fee for assistance filing their initial VA claim, they should have that option. The bill would give them that option. It would also include comprehensive guard rails to protect veterans against predatory business practices.
▶ 4:38:22For example, the bill would guarantee a payment plan so no veteran ever goes into debt to pay for help with their claim. Also, every person who ch charges a fee at the initial claim stage would have to satisfy all of VA requirements to be recognized as an accredited agency or attorney.
▶ 4:38:47These are just a couple of many many of the guardrails included in this bill that would protect veterans who choose to pay for help on their initial claims. This bill would also require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the new process. It would also require VA to be more transparent about uh the its accreditation process.
▶ 4:39:12And this bill includes Representative Peters HR578 which would improve which would improve VA's outreach to veterans about a available accredited representatives who help with the initial claim at no cost.
▶ 4:39:34It is one of my top priorities to ensure that bad actors are punished while also guarantee veterans have the freedom to shop around and for accredited accredited representatives who are paid for their honest service.
▶ 4:39:50I thank the general Burkeman for leading this bill and for work and a lot of work that he's done uh with myself to add guard rails for that for the stakeholders such as veteran service organizations have as that they've they've urged us to do. This is the right solution to ensure veterans can have access to assistance they may need when navigating the VA uh benefit process. Does any other member wish to comment on the bill?
▶ 4:40:21Ranking member. Uh, Mr. Chairman, I strongly Mr. Chairman, I strongly support the amendment for Mr. Papus. Oh, we have it up. Sorry. I I withdraw. Does any member wish to offer an amendment to HR 3132? I now recognize Representative Papis uh to offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute to the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk.
▶ 4:40:51The clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment in the nature of a substitute. Unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain the amendment and nature of a substitute. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the opportunity to speak in support of my amendment which would strike the underlying language and insert the text of my bill HR 1732, the Guard VA benefits act.
▶ 4:41:14I and other members of this committee along with most of the VSO community have repeatedly raised alarm about the rise of unacredited claims consultants profiting from veterans disability claims. While only VA accredited representatives are legally allowed to assist with claims, the VA lost its ability to enforce that law nearly two decades ago. As a result, predatory companies now exploit this loophole, charging veterans thousands of dollars while raking in millions.
▶ 4:41:39Since I first introduced this bill, these companies have tried to argue that VA's accreditation process is so flawed that they couldn't become accredited even if they wanted to. But that's simply not true. They choose not to apply because VA accreditation regulates their fees, what they can charge, and when. These companies know if they were to become accredited, their entire profit model would collapse.
▶ 4:42:00Now, instead of restoring VA's authority to penalize illegal behavior, HR 3132 would legalize it, granting accreditation without safeguards and allowing companies to charge up to $12,500 just for helping a veteran file their claim. Worse still, it indexes these fees to inflation, meaning that the fees they charge veterans could rise every year, unlike veterans benefits, which don't rise based on inflation.
▶ 4:42:25So, ironically, the bill includes my own language to reinstate criminal penalties, but this is nothing but a smokeokc screen for bad actors to hide behind because the bill also rewrites the law to exempt the very conduct that should remain illegal from being penalized. That's why my amendment is necessary. If we want to stop bad actors, we must restore the criminal penalties full stop. If these companies want to help veterans legally, they should get accredited like everyone else.
▶ 4:42:50So rather than rewriting the law to suit the interests of those who are already breaking it, we should focus on protecting veterans and their hard-earned benefits. So it's simple. Put veterans first, not profits. The solution isn't to legalize predatory practices. It's to enforce the law and to hold violators accountable. So if these companies truly believe that they're helping veterans, they should have nothing to fear from the Guard Act or the VA's accreditation process. But the reality is, if you exploit a loophole to profit off veterans, that's wrong.
▶ 4:43:19That's something I can't support and so I hope my colleagues agree and support this amendment. I I yield back. Gentleman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. The amendment attempts to replace a choice for veterans act with the guard act. The guard act simply imposes fines on crooked claim sharks and takes advantage of veteran that take advantage of veterans. But we have been down this road before. The guard act cannot pass the Senate and could not pass during the last two congresses.
▶ 4:43:48We must enact a federal solution now and the choice for veterans act has the best chance of passing. We discussed the guard act along with the plus act and a compromised proposal at a legislative hearing earlier this year. The choice for veterans act is the result of those discussions. This amendment ignores the feedback we received at the hearing.
▶ 4:44:14As I have stated before, veterans have told us they want options for who will help them file their claims. This amendment would not allow veterans and their families the freedom to choose who they believe would provide them with the best assistance with their claims. Many veterans have been happy with the help they've received from companies who provide them honest services for a reasonable fee.
▶ 4:44:40By moving those option by removing those options, this amendment implies that veterans are unable to make decisions for themselves. I therefore urge my colleagues to vote no with me on this amendment. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment? Mr. Chairman, thank you, member. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I strongly support the amendment from Mr. Papus, and I encourage others to do the same. The bill we have before us today isn't about choice.
▶ 4:45:10Veterans already have choice and they make use of that choice every single day. And the majority isn't even choosing to legislate solutions to make the claims process easier to navigate. The only choice here today is the one the majority is making with this bill, choosing profits over patriots.
▶ 4:45:30Instead of addressing the fundamental issue here, which is that the veterans often find the disability claims process cumbersome and need help to navigate it, the majority has given has chosen to give amnesty to companies who are illegally stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from veterans. This is the veterans money earned through blood, sweat, and tears during their service to this great nation.
▶ 4:45:54Yet the majority thinks it is fine for corporate interests to siphon that money away from the veteran. It's unconscionable. There is a better way and it starts by rejecting this profits over patatriots act and cracking down on these companies who have been skirting the law for too long. For too long, veterans have come under attack from a barrage of companies seeking to pry their disability benefits out from under them.
▶ 4:46:23These companies take advantage of a loophole created by the Senate decades ago in order to avoid prosecution for their illegal activity. This must end immediately. No longer should we allow these people to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from veterans. The solution to this problem is a very easy one, though.
▶ 4:46:46With Rep Representative Papus' amendment, which includes the text of the Guard Act, the solution is to very simply reinstate criminal penalties for bad actors and their illegal activity, not to give them amnesty. I will note nothing in either the Guard Act or this amendment actually makes anything new illegal. It very simply puts things back to the way they were before these companies drove a truck through a loophole. the Senate created.
▶ 4:47:17So, if you are not doing uh any if you're not doing anything illegal now, then this bill will not affect you at all. But the opposition we have seen to the Guard Act. And I suspect that this amendment as well most likely derives from these companies desire to keep up the illegal activity that is so profitable to them.
▶ 4:47:39So again, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support Representative Papus's amendment to crack down on illegal claims consultants and put money back in the pockets of our veterans where it belongs. And I yield back, Mr. Chairman. Gentleman yields back. Does anyone else seek recognition? The question now, if not not, the question now occurs on agreeing to the papus amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 3132. All those in favor say I.
▶ 4:48:09All those opposed? No. No. In the opinion of the chair, the I nos have it. The nose have it. And again, a recorded vote has been requested. Pursuant to committee rules, the vote will be postponed. I now recognize ranking member Jano to offer an amendment to the bill. Uh Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment um at the desk uh for HR 3132. The clerk will will report the amendment. Amendment to HR.
▶ 4:48:39I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with and without objection so ordered. The gentleman is recognized for five minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If it wasn't already clear that the majority's profits over Patriots act is just another Republican corporate giveaway, let me point out one provision they saw fit to include in it. The amount of money uh these for-profit companies would be allowed to charge veterans is indexed for inflation.
▶ 4:49:09Index for inflation. This means that no matter what, these companies would be able to siphon off more and more of a veterans earn benefits every year. Do you know what is not indexed for inflation? Veterans disability benefits. Uh you know what is also not indexed for inflation? dependency and indemnity and compensation for our veterans brave survivors. Every year we must affirmatively pass a whole new law to increase those benefits.
▶ 4:49:38Thankfully, we have been able to reliably do that in the past. But given that the majority has rapidly and intentionally destroyed the norms of governing, it is not as much of a certainty as it has been in the past. And and hence the need for my amendment, which I hope everyone will support um is I think very palpable.
▶ 4:49:56This amendment simply amends the bill to automatically increase the rates of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation every year based on the annual change in the social security index. If we're going to allow for-profit companies to take more and more of a veterans benefits every year, as this profits over patriots act does, the very least we can do is put those veterans benefits on equal footing.
▶ 4:50:23Otherwise, our veterans and survivors are subject to the whims of greedy companies or a fickle congress. I for one want to prot pre prevent that. So again, I hope everyone will support this amendment and I yield back. The gentleman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. The amendment would automatically and annually adjust for inflation the amounts of certain compensation benefits for veterans and their families.
▶ 4:50:48While this amendment may be well-intentioned, it is a it is a poison pill that would risk the passage of the Choice for Veterans Act. Each year, Congress passes a bill that will adjust benefits for inflation. This year, that that bill is led by Representative Latrell, chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Representative Latrell's bill was discussed at a legislative hearing earlier this year.
▶ 4:51:17On the other hand, we have received no views from the department on any of the unknown consequences of ranking members ranking members amendment. We also have not heard from veteran service organizations on this amendment. And importantly, we have received no estimates of cost uh of this amendment from the Congressional Budget Office. Given all of these unknowns, the ranking members amendment would risk the passage of HR 3132.
▶ 4:51:44I will not allow anything to stop me from ensuring that bad actors and are punished and veterans have the freedom to choose who can best help them file their claims. Therefore, I will vote no on this amendment and I urge the col my colleagues to do the same. Does any other member wish to speak on the amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the TCON amendment on HR 3132. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No.
▶ 4:52:14In the opinion of the chair, the nose have it. The nose have a recorded vote has been requested. Pursuant to committee rule, this vote will be postponed. I now recognize Representative McGarvey for offering an amendment to the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk. The clerk will designate the amendment. Amendment to HR 3132. I ask unanimous consent that further re reading of the amendment is dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered.
▶ 4:52:44The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes to explain his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment to HR 3132 ensures that employees who are in key positions, including those in the office of general counsel working on the VA's accreditation, discipline, and fees program, as well as the veteran service representatives, rating veteran services representatives, and board judges or attorneys, cannot be designated as schedule F employees. This is for a simple reason. They need to be protected.
▶ 4:53:12This protection prevents them from being arbitrarily dismissed and replaced by appointees. We need to keep experienced, skilled professionals in these roles, people who are safe from arbitrary firing. That that is essential to preserving the integrity of the benefits process. Ensuring that our veterans, our veterans we're trying to support, that they receive the support they are entitled to without the risk of fraud or mismanagement. Everything we do on this committee is for the veterans.
▶ 4:53:43This amendment is no different. It makes sure that the benefits of our veterans are not put at risk. So I appreciate your consideration and I urge you to vote in favor of this amendment. I yield back my time. Gentleman yields back. I recognize myself in opposition to the amendment. The amendment is clearly a poison pill that would greatly risk the passage of HR 3132.
▶ 4:54:07This amendment would ensure that certain positions in the VA Office of General Counsel Veterans Benefits Administration Board of Veterans Appeals cannot be at will employee under the section F executive order and is currently subject to litigation. As I have stated before, we have yet to hear from the administration as to which position uh would be realistic as an as an expected service.
▶ 4:54:33Uh this amendment is uh premature and would hinder the passage of this important bill. As I have stated before, it is one of the top priorities to ensure crooked claim sharks are punished while also guaranteeing veterans the freedom to choose honest paid services. This amendment would endanger the fed federal solution. Therefore, I will vote no on this amendment and urge my colleagues to do the same. Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment?
▶ 4:55:03Seeing none, the question now occurs on the agreeing with the McGarvey amendment to HR 3132. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose say no. No. Opinion chair the nos have it. A recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules that this vote will be postponed. Since votes are pending, we will move to the next bill.
▶ 4:55:30I now call HR1860, the Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act. The clerk shall report bill. HR1 1860 to designate to designate. The bill was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules and without objection, the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is open to amendment at any point. I now recognize myself for 5 minutes to speak in favor of the legislation.
▶ 4:55:56This bill would require VA to designate CO coordinators for breast and uh gen gynecologist cancer care at each of the 18 veterans uh integrated services networks. This bill is is meant to ensure that VA has champions for these special areas in women veterans health.
▶ 4:56:24I appreciate uh Representative Garcia's uh passion to support women veterans and thank her for her bill. I now recognize ranking member Takano for 5 minutes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm I'm pleased uh we are considering my colleague Representative Sylvia Garcia's Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act.
▶ 4:56:49uh though its system through its system is of excellence VA provides world-class care for many cancers and is on the forefront of research and cutting edge treatments. Uh VA's breast and gyne gynecologial excuse me gynecological oncology system of uh excellence gives women veterans access to VA oncology surgical and nursing specialists who provide the critical care they need.
▶ 4:57:16Uh the system of excellence also helps connect veterans with care in the community when necessary. Even with the system of excellence assisting women veterans, cancer treatment can be very complex to navigate. And often women veterans seeking treatment see many different providers for various treatments and aspects of their care. In this vulnerable time, women veterans need the highest level support that VA can provide.
▶ 4:57:42That is why I'm glad to support Representative Garcia's bill, which will help improve the quality of VA's care and coordination for breast and gynecological cancers. Her bill will require VA to designate a regional breast and gynecological uh cancer care coordinator with each vision who would be responsible for helping veterans navigate treatment both within both within and in the community.
▶ 4:58:12um both within VA and in the community. Women veterans need our support and I hope my colleagues will join me in voting in favor of this bill and I yield Gentleman yield the gentleman yields back. Uh does any other member have wish to comment on the bill. I now recognize myself to offer an amendment to the bill. Uh the clerk shall report the amendment. Amendment to I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment is dispensed with. Without objection so ordered.
▶ 4:58:40I now recognize myself to explain the amendment. This amendment fully offsets the cost of the bill. And with that, I yield back. Does any other member wish to recognize on the amendment? Hearing none, the question occurs on agreeing to the Boston amendment to HR1860. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, nay. The eyes have it and the amendment is agreed to.
▶ 4:59:07A uh does any other member wish to offer an amendment to HR1860? Seeing none, hearing none, I know I now recognize ranking member Tano for a motion. Mr. Chairman, I move that HR1860 as amended to be reported favorably to the Yeah. Yeah.
▶ 4:59:32The question the question is on favorably reporting bill HR1860 as amended. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed, nay. In the opinion of chair, the eyes have it. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The motion is agreed HR1860 as amended is reported favorably to the house. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Rule 11 Clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR1860 as amended.
▶ 5:00:02Without objection, I now call up HR1578, the Veterans Claim Education Act 2025. The clerk shall report the bill. 1578 to amend title 38. The text was circulated in advance and pursuant to the committee rules without objection the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for an amendment at any point. I now recognize ranking member Dano for the purposes of offering amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 5:00:32Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment in nature of a substitute of of a substitute to HR1578 at the desk. The sher the clerk shall report the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 1578 offered by Mr. Takana. I ask unanimous consent that all further reading of the amendment in nature of substitute be dispensed with and I ask that it be be considered base text for the purposes of this markup and without objection so ordered. I now recognize ranking member for 5 minutes to speak in support of the amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 5:01:02Uh thank you Mr. Chairman. I'm pleased we're considering HR1578 today the Veterans Claims Education Act introduced by my good friend and fellow Californian Representative Scott Peters. The underlying bill would would oblige VA to notify veterans and other beneficiaries who are filing a claim for compensation of the availability of free accredited representation to assist them in their claim.
▶ 5:01:26This effort would aid VA in their effort to ensure that beneficiaries aren't being taken advantage of by illegal and unscrupulous actors by better publicizing the good guys. We know that beneficiaries represented by a highly qualified accredited agent or attorney typically have better outcomes for their claims. So, it is imperative that we help steer these claimments to the right people.
▶ 5:01:50So, I strongly support this bill and I'm pleased to offer this amendment in the nature of a substitute which simply offsets the implementation costs of the bill. I also encourage my colleagues to support the bill as well and I will add that the majority apparently likes this language so much that they borrowed it uh and added it to their claim sharks bill we previously considered. So I it should be easy for an easy yes for everyone and I yield back. The gentleman yields back.
▶ 5:02:17I now recognize myself in support of the amendment with this bill would ensure that veterans know uh uh accredited representatives are available to help them at no cost with their initial claims or VA benefits. It would also ensure veterans know how to report to VA when bad actors have taken advantage of them. Filing a claim for VA benefits can be a confusing process.
▶ 5:02:43Veterans and their families deserve the best to get all the information they need to choose who they believe can best help them with their claim. This bill would ensure that and I thank Representative Peters for his work on this bill. Do any other members wish to comment on the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR578? Seeing none, are there any amendments to the amendment in the nature of substitute for HR1578? Hearing none.
▶ 5:03:13The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1578. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed? No. In the opinion chair, the eyes have it and the amendment in nature of a substitute is agreed to. I now recognize ranking member Takano for a motion. Mr. Chairman, I move that HR 1578 as amended be reported favorably to the house. The question is on favorably reporting the bill HR1578 as amended to the full house.
▶ 5:03:43All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed? No. And pendant chair the eyes have it. The motion is agreed to HR 1578 as amended is reported favorably to the house and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr. Chairman pursuant to house rule 11 clause 2 I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR578 as amended.
▶ 5:04:05Without objection, I now ask unanimous consent to consider in block the following bills that do not have amendments HR 2201, HR2625, and HR 658. Hearing no objection, so ordered, the clerk shall report the bills on block to include HR.
▶ 5:04:26Bills were circulated in advance and pursuant to committee rules, I ask the reading of the bills and resolution be dispensed with and the bills and resolution be open to amendment at any point without objection so ordered. Does any member wish to speak on any of the bills or resolutions including the end block included in the end block? Ranking member. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 5:04:49I'm pleased to support the three bills being considered on block which includes Representative Julia Brownley's bill HR 658 which in which relates to the qual to qualifications for VA's licensed marriage and family therapists as well as Representative Don Davis's bill HR 2020 2625 the very act thanks to Representative Brownley's bill this committee will be one step closer to ensuring equity for licensed marriage and family therapists regardless of the organization
▶ 5:05:19by which they have been certified to have completed supervis supervisory training. Uh licensed marriage and family therapists provide veterans and their families with the support they need to navigate major life challenges, develop coping strategies, and navigate familial and interpersonal uh conflicts.
▶ 5:05:40Currently only those therapists who are who are credentialed as supervisors through the commission on accredititation for marriage and family therapy education program can be promoted to a supervisory position.
▶ 5:05:54This precludes the many individuals who have completed super supervisory uh training with the American Association for Family and Family Therapy from the Association for Marriage and Family Therapy from being promoted to supervisory roles at VA. Representative Brownley's bill will ensure that all qualified licensed marriage and family therapists can serve veterans to the fullest extent of their training, including super supervising other therapists.
▶ 5:06:24Now, turning to Representative Davis's bill, which modernizes the veteran readiness and employment program by properly recognizing barriers to employment for disabled veterans. This bill passed the House last Congress and I hope to see it become law this year and uh and I yield back. Gentleman yields back. Does any member wish to offer an amendment to any of these bills?
▶ 5:06:51Seeing none hearing none, I now recognize ranking member Takano for a motion. H sorry. Yeah. Could I speak one? Representative Brazinski. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you. I want to first thank um Representative Young Kim for her leadership and collaboration on HR2201, the improving VA training for military sexual trauma claims.
▶ 5:07:15Veterans who file military sexual trauma MST claims have already endured unimaginable experiences. Navigating the VA system should never add to that pain. That's why I introduced this bipartisan legislation to ensure the VA's claims process supports rather than retraumatizes survivors of MST.
▶ 5:07:36Right now, contracted disability compensation CDCE, are only required to complete outdated online sensitivity training before handling these deeply sensitive claims. This insufficient preparation can make the claims process retraumatizing for those who have already suffered. MST affects veterans of all genders. While it is more common among women, many male veterans are also impacted.
▶ 5:08:02We must ensure that all survivors are treated with dignity and care. The improving VA training for military sexual trauma claims act would modernize and strengthen the training required for VA staff and contractors who work on MST claims and help cut through the red tape that too often delays justice and support. I want to sincerely thank again Congresswoman Kim for her partnership and commitment to standing with survivors. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Thank you and I yield back.
▶ 5:08:33Does anyone else seek recognition? Now is any member have any any me any amendments to these bills? Seeing none hearing none I now recognize ranking member for a motion. Mr. Chairman, I move that the bills considered on block HR 2201, HR 2625, and HR 658 be reported favor favorably to the House.
▶ 5:08:57There is a motion to favorably report the bills uh included in the onblock to the House of Representative. All those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed? No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the bill and resolutions are favorably reported to the House. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Rule 11 clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR2201, HR 2625, and HR 658.
▶ 5:09:27Without objection, eight, it is now in order to consider the question agreed upon agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 647 as those in all those in favor say I. I. All those opposed? No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the nature of the substitute is agreed to. I now recognize ranking member Takano for a motion. Uh Mr.
▶ 5:09:55Chairman, I move that HR 647 as amended be reported favorably to the house. The question is favorably reporting bill HR647 as amended to the full house. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. The motion is agreed to and the and HR 647 as amended is reported favor of the House. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr.
▶ 5:10:23Chairman, pursuant to House Rule 11, clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR 647 as amended. Without objection, we will now take a brief 15minute break recess to ensure we are on the same page with the on the votes for what's all going to be votes. Uh come back when we will take a um a practice vote with the new system and then we will go through the votes that we have before us.
▶ 5:10:52So uh see you in 15
▶ 5:25:44We're missing Dr. Mel. right. Meeting come back to order. Um we are we're going to do a test vote. Um so if the clerk will open the role everybody please do your test now.
▶ 5:26:16Yellow green I don't care. Testing. Testing. picture. Whatever you feel like right now. cool. All right, everybody's got the system. It's working. Dr.
▶ 5:26:36Miller makes a test vote is all we're doing right Everybody got it figured out? Oh, there we go.
▶ 5:27:01We're checking your remote there, Oh, okay. Everybody's there. All right, we can clear that. And now we'll start everybody realize where your your name is so you can watch it come up when we All right.
▶ 5:27:24The committee postponed further proceedings on the Takano number one amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR107. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. The the members will record their votes using electronic voting device. The chairman intends to vote nay. Uh ranking member votes uh intends to vote yes.
▶ 5:27:54The clerk will open the vote the on the cono amendment to the amendment in the nature of substitute or HR107. Have all members have all members voted?
▶ 5:28:20Anyone wish to change their The clerk will take the record. The clerk will announce. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to. Without objection, the motion reconsider is laid on the table.
▶ 5:28:43Next we will call up uh the committee postpone further proceedings on the Conaway number two amendment to the amendment in the nature of the substitute uh on HR 11107. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members are will record their vote using electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Ranking member will vote yes.
▶ 5:29:07The clerk will open the vote on the Conway 2 amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute on to HR 1107. Have all members voted? Does anyone wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr.
▶ 5:29:36Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nazs are 13. The amendment is not agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postpone further proceedings on the the Ramirez number three amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 1107. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. The members will record their vote using electronic voting system. The chairman intends to vote no. A ranking member will vote yes.
▶ 5:30:06The clerk will now open the vote on the Ramirez number three amendment to the amendment on nature of a substitute to 11107. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote. Announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nazs are 13. The amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 5:30:36Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postponed further proceedings on the RmIrez number four amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 1107. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote using the electronic voting system. The chairman intends to vote no. Ranking intends to vote yes.
▶ 5:31:00The clerk will now open the vote on the Ramirez number four amendment in to the amendment in the nature of a substitute on HR 1107. All have all members voted. Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr.
▶ 5:31:27Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nose naz are 13. The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion reconsider is laid upon the table. The committee postpone further proceedings on the Morris number five amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute on HR 1107. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote using electronic voting system. The chairman intends to vote no.
▶ 5:31:56Ranking member intends to vote yes. The clerk will now open the vote on the motion on on the Morrison 5 amendment to the amendment in the nature of substitute to HR 1107. Have all members vote? Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11.
▶ 5:32:25Any nays or 13? The amendment is not agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. We will now the committee will postpone further proceedings on the motion number Morrison amendment number six to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 1107. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. The chairman intends to vote no.
▶ 5:32:54Uh, ranking member 10 vote yes. The clerk will now open the vote on the Morrison number six amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 1107. Have all members Dr. Miller Mix? Yep. Does anyone wish to change their vote?
▶ 5:33:22Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postponed further proceedings on the Morrison number seven amendment to amendment in the nature of substitute on HR 1107. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment.
▶ 5:33:49Members will record their votes using their electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Ranking member intends to vote yes. The clerk now can now open the vote on Morrison number seven amendment to the amendment in the nature of the substitute on HR 1107. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote?
▶ 5:34:17Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Uh I now now we're moving to final passage of HR 1107. I now recognize General Burkeman for a motion. Mr.
▶ 5:34:46Chairman, I move that the committee report HR 1107 as amended favorably to the house. The question is on favorably reporting bill 1107 to the house. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed, no. No. No. The independent chairs the eyes have it and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.
▶ 5:35:16The motion is agreed to. HR 1107 is reported favorably to the house. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to house rule 11 clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR 1107.
▶ 5:35:31Without objection, the committee postponed further proceedings on the uh substitute amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute referred off offered by representative Ramirez to HR1 1969. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote by using the electronic voting system. The chairman intends to vote no. Ranking member intends to vote yes.
▶ 5:36:01The clerk will now open the vote on the Ramirez substitute amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute uh to HR1 1969. Have all members voted? Dr. Morrison. Have all members voted?
▶ 5:36:30Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13. Without the amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postponed further proceedings on the amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by representative Bzinski in to HR1969.
▶ 5:36:59The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Thank you. Member intends to vote yes. The clerk will now open the vote on the Bazinski amendment in to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1 Representative K. There we go.
▶ 5:37:29Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nazs are 13. The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Final passage on HR1 1969. The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 1969. All those in favor say I.
▶ 5:38:00I. All those opposed say no. No. The opinant chair the eyes have it. The amendment is in the nature of substitute is agreed to. I now recognize Representative Burkeman for a motion. Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee report HR1 1969 as amended favorably to the House. Question is on favorably reporting the bill HR1 1969 as amended to the full house. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed, no. No.
▶ 5:38:30And in the opinion chair, the eyes have it. The motion is agreed to and HR 1969 as amended is reported favorably to the house. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Rule 11, clause two, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR1 1969 as amended.
▶ 5:38:55objection, the committee postponed further proceedings on the substitute amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by representative Ramirez for HR1823. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote using electronic voting system. The chairman intends to vote no. Ranking member intends to vote yes. The clerk will now open the vote on the Ramire's substitute amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for to HR1823.
▶ 5:39:37Have all members voted? Do does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postponed further proceedings on the TCO number one amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute on HR1823. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment.
▶ 5:40:06Members will record their vote using the electronic voting system. The chairman intends to vote no. Ranking member tends to vote yes. The clerk will now open the vote on the takano number one amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1
▶ 5:40:38Has all members any All right. Does any member wish to change their vote? Miller Meeks vote, sir. Uh, Miller Meeks has recorded as a no. Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nazs are 13.
▶ 5:41:03The the amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postpone further proceedings on the Takano amendment number two amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1823. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote using electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Uh ranking member intends to vote yes.
▶ 5:41:27The clerk will now open the vote on the Takano number two amendment to the amendment in nature of a substitute on HR1823 have all voted. Is anyone wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 5:41:56Without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postponed further proceedings on the Kennedy number one amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HRS 1823. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote using the electronic voting system. The chairman intends to vote no. Ranking member tends to vote yes.
▶ 5:42:18The clerk will now open the vote on the Kennedy number one amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1823. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nazs are 13.
▶ 5:42:46The amendment is not agreed to and without objection the motion reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postpone further proceedings on the Kennedy number two amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1823. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote by using electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Ranking member intends to vote yes.
▶ 5:43:10The clerk will now open the vote on the Kennedy amendment number two amended to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1 1823. Have all members voted? Anyone wish to change their vote?
▶ 5:43:36Hearing none, the clerk will will close the vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. We're now the committee has postponed further proceedings on the Kennedy number three amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1823. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members are to record their vote using electronic voting system. The chairman intends to vote no.
▶ 5:44:08rank tens. Yes. The clerk will now open the vote on the Kennedy number three amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1823. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr.
▶ 5:44:36Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nazs are 13. The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. HR 1823 final passage. The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1823. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed say no. No. And according to to the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to.
▶ 5:45:17Wave through here. I now recognize General Burkeman for a motion. Mr. Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee report HR1 1823 as amended favorably to the house. The question is on favorably reporting HR1 1823 as amended to the full house. All those in favor say I. I. All those votes say no. No. The opinion of chair the eyes have it. The motion is agreed to and HR1 1823 as amended is reported favorably to the house.
▶ 5:45:47Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Rule 11 clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental, additional or dissenting views on HR1 1823 as amended. Without objection, the committee postponed further proceedings on the amendment to the amendment in the nature of substitute offered by Representative Conway number one uh to HR1336. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment.
▶ 5:46:16Members will record their vote using the electronic voting system. And the chair intends to vote no. A ranking member intends to vote yes. The clerk will o now open the vote on the Conaway amendment number one to the amendment in the nature of a substitute on HR 1336. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote?
▶ 5:46:44Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postponed uh further proceedings on the amendment to the amendment nature of substitute offered by representative Conaway number two to HR1 1336.
▶ 5:47:12The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. The members will record their vote using electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote nay. Ranking member intends to vote yes. The clerk will now open the vote on the economy amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1336.
▶ 5:47:48Have all members voted? Is there any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. HR1336, final passage. The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 1336. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 5:48:18All those opposed say no. No. In the opinion of the chairs, the eyes have it. And the amendment in the nature of the substitute is agreed to. I now recognize General Burkeman for a motion. Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee report HR1 1336 as amended favorably to the House. The question is on favorably reporting bill HR1336 as amended to the full house. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No.
▶ 5:48:47Opinion of chair. The eyes have it. The motion is agreed to and the HR1336 as amended is reported favorable favorably to the house. Without objection. The motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr. Mr. Chairman, pursuant to House Rule 11 clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR 1336.
▶ 5:49:08Without objection as amended without without objection, uh the committee postpone further proceedings on the TCO amendment number one to the amendment in the nature of a substitute on HR 980. The question occurs on agreeing with the amendment. Um this should be amendment number two. This should Okay, I'm sorry. I will rephrase this. The committee amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 980. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment.
▶ 5:49:37Members are to record their vote by using electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Ranking member intends to vote yes. The clerk will now open the vote on to TCO amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR980.
▶ 5:50:02There it is. Have all members voted. Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.
▶ 5:50:34Okay. The committee postponed further proceedings on the Conaway amendment number one to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 980. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote using electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Ranking member intends to vote yes. The clerk will now open the vote for on the Dr.
▶ 5:51:02Conaway amendment number one to the amendment in the nature of the substitute to HR 980. You haven't moved yet. Oh, there you go. Has everyone voted? Anyone wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13.
▶ 5:51:30The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. We will now the committee with postpone further proceedings on the Conaway amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 980. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members are to record their vote using the electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Chair uh ranking member tends to vote yes. The clerk will now open the vote on Dr.
▶ 5:51:59Conaway's amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR980. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 5:52:27When without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table. HR 980 final passage. The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR980. All those in favor say I. I. All opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment in the nature of substitute is agreed to. I now recognize ranking member Takano for a motion. Mr.
▶ 5:52:55Chairman, um I move that HR uh 980 as amended be reported favorably to the House. The question is on favorably reporting the bill HR980 as amended to the full house. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. In the opinion of chairs, the eye of have it. The motion is agreed to in HR980 as amended is reported favorably to the house and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr.
▶ 5:53:24Chairman, pursuant house uh to house rule 11 clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR 980 as amended. Without objection, the committee postponed further proceedings on the amendment to the amendment in the nature of substitute offered by representative Ramirez to HR1458. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. The members will record their vote using electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Ranking member intends to vote yes.
▶ 5:53:53The clerk will now open the vote on the amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1458. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13.
▶ 5:54:23The amendment is not agreed to. Without objection, the motion reconsiders laid on the table. Final passage on HR 1458. The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR 1458. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment is in nature of a substitute is agreed to. I now recognize General Burkeman for a motion. Mr.
▶ 5:54:52Chairman, I move that the committee report HR 1458 as amended favorably to the House. The question is on favorably reporting the bill HR1458 as amended to the full house. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed say no. No. In the opinion of chair, the eyes have it. The motion is agreed to and HR1 1458 as amended is reported favorably to the house and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr.
▶ 5:55:20Chair and pursuant to House Rule 11 clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR1458 as amended. Without objection, the committee postpone further proceedings on the takano amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for HR1815. The question occurs on green agreeing to the amendment. Members are to record their vote using electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Thank you. Remember attendance vote yes.
▶ 5:55:50The clerk will now open the vote on the takano amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of the substitute to HR185. Have all members voted? Do any me does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nays are 13.
▶ 5:56:20The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion reconsider is laid on the table. Final passage for HR1815. The question now occurs on agree agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to hear to HR1815 as amended. All those fa in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no.
▶ 5:56:46In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to. I'm getting there. The clerk. Nope. All right. Got it. I now recognize Representative Burkeman for a motion. Mr.
▶ 5:57:15Chairman, I move that the committee report HR1815 as amended favorably to the House. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. The opinion of chair, the eyes have it, the motion is agreed to HR 185 as amended is reported favorably to the house. Uh, Mr.
▶ 5:57:36Chairman, pursuant to House Rule 11 clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR1815 as amended. Without objection. Do what now? You do?
▶ 5:58:10Okay. All right. The committee postponed further proceedings on amendment number one to the Morrison amendment to to amendment. Is that correct? Amendment number one. Amendment number one to the amendment in the nature of a substitute uh offered by Representative Morrison uh to HR1041. The question occur occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote using electronic voting system.
▶ 5:58:39The chair intends to vote no. Ranking member intends to vote yes. The clerk will now open the vote on Morrison amendment number one to the amendment in the nature of a substitute for to HR1041.
▶ 5:59:10Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk should close vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11. Any nays are 13. The agreement the amendment is not agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.
▶ 5:59:33The committee postpone further proceedings on the amendment to the amendment in the nature of substitute offered by representative Tano to HR 1041. The question occurs agreeing on agreeing to the amendment members will record their votes using electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Ranking member intends to vote yes.
▶ 5:59:53The clerk will now open the vote on the Takano amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1041. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote?
▶ 6:00:20Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.
▶ 6:00:38The committee postponed further proceedings on amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representative McGarvey to The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote using electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Thank you member intends to vote yes.
▶ 6:00:57The clerk will now open the vote on the Maccgarvey amendment to the amendment and nature of substitute to HR1041. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13. The amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 6:01:25Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postponed further proceedings to on amendment number two to the amendment of the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Morris Morrison to HR01041. The question occurs. On agreeing to the amendment, members will record their vote using the electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Ranking member intends to vote yes.
▶ 6:01:51The clerk will now open the vote on the Morse amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of substitute for HR1041. Have all members voted? Do any member does any member wish change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13.
▶ 6:02:22The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Final passage of HR1041. The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute HR1041 as amended. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed? No. No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. And the amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to. Request a quarter vote. A recorded vote has been requested.
▶ 6:02:51The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1041 as amended. Members will record their vote by using the electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote yes. Ranking member intends to vote no. I really thought you'd come around on that one. I really No way. Do I?
▶ 6:03:26Is everyone voted? Does anyone wish to change their vote? The clerk will now Oh, the clerk will close and announce. Yeah, there we go. Announce the totals. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 13 and the nays are 11.
▶ 6:03:51The amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR1041 as amended is agreed to. And without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. I now recognize Representative Burkeman for a motion. Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee report HR1041 as amended favorably to the House. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, no. No. In the opinion chair, the eyes have it.
▶ 6:04:20The motion is agreed to and HR1041 as amended is reported favorably to the House floor. Mr. Chairman, I request a recorded vote. The gentleman requests for a recorded vote. All members are to record their vote with the electronic voting system. The chairman intends to vote I. Ranking member intends to vote no.
▶ 6:04:44The clerk will open the vote on 1040 HR 1041 being favorably reported to the house.
▶ 6:05:13Have everyone voted? Does anyone wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce the total. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 13 and the nazs are 11. The amendment is agreed to and without objection motion. No, I'm sorry. The the the bill is favorably reported to the house. Without objection, uh the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr.
▶ 6:05:42Chairman, uh pursuant to house rule 11 clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views dissenting views on HR 1041 as amended. Without objection. Committee postponed further proceedings on the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by uh representative Pepis to HR 3132. The question occurs on agreeing with the a to the amendment. Members will record their vote using the electronic voting system.
▶ 6:06:12The chair intends to vote nay. Ranking member intends to vote yes. The clerk will now open the vote on the papus amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 3132. Have all members voted?
▶ 6:06:35Does anyone wish to change their change their vote? Uh hearing none, the clerk will close the vote and announce a total. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 12 and the nazs are 12. The there are 12 eyes, 12 nos.
▶ 6:06:59The amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postponed further proceedings on the amendment offered by ranking member Takano to HR 3132. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote using the electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Thank you. member tense vote yes.
▶ 6:07:26The clerk will now open the vote on the TCONo amendment to HR Maybe these things that responsible. Okay. Has everyone voted? Does anyone wish to change their vote?
▶ 6:07:56Hearing none. All right. The clerk uh hearing none. The clerk will now close the vote and report. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 11 and the nazs are 13. The motion the amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 6:08:25Uh without objection, the motion is to reconsider is laid on the table. The committee postpone further proceedings on the amendment offered by Representative McGarvey to HR 3132. The question occurs on agreeing to the amendment. Members will record their vote using electronic voting system. The chair intends to vote no. Thank you member intends to vote yes.
▶ 6:08:46The clerk will now open the vote on the McGarvey amendment to HR 3132. Have all members voted? Do any members wish to change their vote?
▶ 6:09:14Hearing none, the clerk will close the vote. Announce the total. Mr. Chairman, the eyes are 11 and the nays are 13. The a the amendment is not agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Final passage of HR 3132. I now recognize General Burkeman for a motion. Mr. Chairman, I move that the committee report HR 3132 favorably to the House.
▶ 6:09:44The question is on favorably reporting the bill HR 3132 to the house. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed say nay. Nay. In the opinion of the chair. The eyes have it. The chair requests a code a recorded vote. A recorded vote has been requested. The clerk will now open the vote on HR 3132. Uh the the chair intends to vote yes.
▶ 6:10:15Uh ranking member intends to vote Has
▶ 6:10:45everybody voted who wishes? Does anyone want to change their vote? The clerk will record the clerk uh will record the total. Close the vote and record total, please. Mr. Chairman, the eyes's are 12 and the nazs are 11. The motion to fa was that to favor report. Yeah. Okay.
▶ 6:11:13The motion to favor report is agreed is agreed to and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The motion is agreed to. HR 3132 is reported favorably to the Um Mr.
▶ 6:11:29Chairman, uh, pursuant to House Rule 11, clause 2, I give notice of intent to file minority supplemental additional or dissenting views on HR objection, that concludes today's markup. Let me say a couple things here. First off, let me say a very, very, very, very, very, very, very special thank you to staff that worked very hard and long hours to put this markup together.
▶ 6:11:56Uh, now the committee has voted to report favorably 18 bills to the full house. I ask unanimous consent that committee staff be authorized to make technical, clerical, and conforming changes to the bills favorably reported today. Without objection, so ordered. I also ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extenduous material on any of the bills reported favorably today without objection. So ordered.
▶ 6:12:26I thank the members for for their attendance today. The committee for on veterans affairs is adjourned.