House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Support Veterans
The House recently passed several bills to provide comprehensive support for veterans’ education, career opportunities, and healthcare, as well as increased transparency at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA):
Education: The G.I. Bill was crafted in the 1940’s and provides opportunities for servicemembers and veterans to utilize their earned education benefits as they transition to the civilian workforce. In a bipartisan improvement, this legislation — also known as the “Forever G.I. Bill” — which I helped introduce, will eliminate the current 15-year cap on accessing benefits under the law, allowing future veterans access to G.I. Bill benefits throughout their entire lives. Additionally, the Forever G.I. Bill will increase funding for those serving as Reservists and Guardsmen, and provide greater opportunities for training in high technology programs — an important addition as individuals prepare for the modern workforce. Click here to learn more about why this legislation is a significant step forward.
Career Opportunities: The Supreme Court previously ruled that veteran-owned small businesses should be prioritized when the VA considers and awards contracts. However, the VA purchases certain supplies from a separate federal agency, the General Services Administration (GSA), which does not give preference to veteran-owned small businesses. The Ensuring Veteran Enterprise Participation in Strategic Sourcing Act would address this loophole and require the VA to work with GSA to reform and increase opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses to compete for such contracts.
Healthcare: The Veterans Affairs Medical Scribe Pilot Act would assist in increasing efficiency by implementing a pilot program in certain VA medical centers, where there would be an increase in hiring medical scribes. Medical scribes are responsible for patient data entry and can help ensure accuracy, as well as streamline productivity. The VA would provide reports on the pilot program.
Transparency: Just like all federal agencies, the VA has a responsibility to be a careful steward of hard-earned taxpayer dollars. The Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act will provide more transparency into high-dollar awards to certain senior-level employees from the VA by requiring an annual report to Congress that detail the bonuses. Details would include information on the employee, such as where they serve and their title, as well as the amount of the bonus.
In January, my legislation to increase accountability and transparency regarding employee records of disciplinary action was the first bill to pass the House. To read more, click here.
