Veterans' Choice of Representation Act of 2006

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 3421) to authorize major medical facility projects and major medical facility leases for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, under title I of the amended bill, veterans making claims would be able to hire an attorney or an agent after a notice of disagreement referred to as an NOD, with a VA benefits decision having been filed. In the spirit of compromise, we worked with our Senate counterparts to craft this provision in such a way as to provide veterans with the opportunity to retain representation while protecting them from unscrupulous attorneys, while at the same time with great hope, not adding to the burden on VA's already overwhelmed claims system.

Title II of the compromise language increases support of servicemembers returning from the war on terror by improving VA's outreach and increasing the number of clinicians treating post- traumatic stress disorder, referred to as PTSD, and improving their training.

The funds will also expand telehealth initiatives that are invaluable to rural veterans and expand the number of community-based outpatient clinics able to treat mental illnesses. The title further authorizes spending for collaboration and PTSD diagnosis and treatment between the VA and the Department of Defense. Families contending with the loss of a loved one will also benefit from bereavement counseling authorized under this bill.

Mr. Speaker, veterans undergoing blind rehabilitation treatment for Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, and those trying to break the cycle of homelessness, will also see increased support under this legislation. The bill authorizes $2 billion for blind rehabilitation specialists and increases the number of facilities where these specialists will be located. It also authorizes the VA to designate six Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers of Excellence and at least two multiple sclerosis centers of excellence.

The compromise legislation also strengthens VA's homeless grant and per diem programs. The provisions in title III would also make modifications to veterans education programs.

Mr. Speaker, I have been fortunate to meet some of these spouses of our severely wounded veterans, and I must say there is no one more deserving than these spouses who care for their wounded, America's heroes and their husbands on a daily basis.

Therefore, section 3 of the compromise contains a provision to authorize the VA to provide these education benefits under chapter 35 of title 38 of U.S.C. to these spouses' independent children of these severely injured servicemembers prior to the members' discharge, these servicemembers who in the opinion of the VA will most likely be discharged with permanent and total service-connected disabilities.

Rather than wait the 2- or 3-year time period, let us permit the spouses then to obtain their educational benefits so they can gain an education. When the husband or wife receives his or her discharge, they are then able to care for the family. Given the long convalescence many of these severely injured servicemembers experience while being on active duty, this provision, I think, makes a great deal of sense in how we support our families.

This is not a new benefit. The current law requires severely injured servicemembers to already be discharged for a condition qualifying for a chapter 35 benefit. We merely authorize the VA to pay these benefits sooner to those who would qualify following a member's discharge.

Mr. Speaker, under title III of the amended bill, it would also clarify the VA's pro rata refund policy for nonaccredited education institutions. We extend the authorization for work-study positions located at the VA cemeteries, State veterans homes and State approving agencies through June 30, 2007. We would require the VA to report on methods to improve and streamline the administrative processes and procedures of education programs in chapters 30 through 36 of title 38 of the United States Code and restore lost entitlement for certain chapter 35 education beneficiaries forced to discontinue a course of education due to being called to full-time National Guard duty.

Mr. Speaker, title IV, section 402, contains a provision that would extend for 1 year the VA Secretary's authority to provide the family of a veteran interred in a private cemetery with a government marker or any headstone. Congress had previously given the Secretary a 5-year authority effective for deaths that had occurred as of September 11, 2001. However, this authority expires on December 31 of this year.

Section 403 of the compromise agreement would allow tribal governments to participate in the VA's State Cemeteries Grants Program. This program dates back to 1978 and complements the department's National Cemetery System.

Title V of the compromise language improves the status of veteran and disabled veterans small businesses when competing for contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs. There would be a reasonable expectation, Mr. Speaker, that all of the Federal Government's agencies in the Department of Veterans Affairs would be a leader in achieving the President's goal for annual procurement from at least 3 percent of the disabled veteran-owned businesses. Sadly, our most recent data from fiscal year 2005 indicates that the VA did barely over half of what the President directed and the public law required.

Mr. Speaker, the compromise agreement would also require the VA Secretary to establish annual contracting goals for small businesses owned and controlled by veterans and service-disabled veterans. The goal of the service-disabled veterans would not be less than 3 percent of these contracts. The veteran and disabled veteran-owned small businesses would be given priority in VA contracting as well as priority among other set-aside groups eligible for preferential treatment under the Small Business Act.

Title VI of this compromise bill contains provisions affecting the Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service. The compromise agreement would also clarify the part-time employment of DVOPS and LVERs, which is half-time employment, and require that DVOPS and LVERs hired after the date of enactment successfully complete training by the National Veterans Training Institute within 3 years of appointment.

Finally, title VI of the compromise would establish a 3-year demonstration program to identify not less than 10 military occupational specialties that would lead to State licensing and authorize the use of any unobligated funds for the project through fiscal year 2009.

Title VII provisions of the legislation strengthen support for homeless veterans, increasing authorization for housing, per diem payments and other specialized services. It also creates a VA Office of Rural Health and dramatically improves outreach for rural veterans.

State veterans homes will now be reimbursed by VA for the cost of care provided to veterans with 70 percent or higher service-connected conditions. Further, veterans in these homes with service-connected conditions rated at

least 50 percent would receive their medications free of charge. In order to increase access to long-term care, VA would conduct a pilot program that makes non-VA facilities, such as community hospitals, eligible for State veterans home per diem payments.

Mr. Speaker, title VIII of the compromise language authorizes $36.8 million for advanced planning of a collaboration project between the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, S.C. and the adjacent Medical University of South Carolina, referred to as MUSC.

The project is likely to ensure that veterans in the low country of South Carolina receive the highest quality and state-of-the-art facilities. It would replace the aging infrastructure of the VA facilities and combine this with the MUSC facilities which are adjacent. Connecting these facilities, not just the sharing of clinicians, which is now the case, is the way to go.

There is very expensive and advanced medical equipment, lab and ancillary services. That is the goal of this collaboration. Both VA and the Medical University will remain committed to preserving VA's unique identity and commitment to veterans priorities. The enhanced collaboration envisioned in Charleston is innovative and will serve as a national model as its design and operation benefiting from the best minds in the public and private sectors will afford South Carolina veterans higher quality, more efficient care and truly state-of-the-art facilities.

This is a big deal, Mr. Speaker. It is a big deal because this idea is going to be leveraged also into Louisiana.

We are authorizing over $600 million for repair and replacement of flood and hurricane-damaged facilities in New Orleans and along the gulf coast of Mississippi.

The bill authorizes $98 million for the replacement of the VA Medical Center in Denver and directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to explore the viability of public-private partnerships as he moves forward in Denver.

Twenty-two other major construction projects in 15 States are authorized in this bill, which also approves continued leasing of eight medical facilities and requires the VA to explore options for construction of a new facility in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Mr. Speaker, on May 3, 2006, an incident of a VA employee's stolen laptop computer potentially put at risk the personal data of 25.6 million veterans and 2.2 million Active Duty, Guard and Reservists. This was the largest information security breach to have occurred in government and it is the second largest such security breach in the Nation's history.

Title IX of the compromise bill would protect our veterans and servicemembers from the misuse of their sensitive personal information. The bill directs the VA to provide breach notification to individuals, reports to Congress, broad alerts, data breach analysis and credit monitoring services, and identify theft insurance.

Title IX, what we do is direct the Secretary to issue implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment of this bill.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, title X of the compromise language makes technical and clarifying amendments to title 38

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?

Ms. Berkley, I want to thank you. I want to thank you for your tenacity, for your commitment to your veterans that you serve, not only in your district, but across the country. I have enjoyed working with you on your project in Las Vegas. I enjoyed my visits with you when I was out there.

One of the challenges which we face is the growth of population that you have in Las Vegas, which is like none other in the country. I know that Ms. Brown believes that Orlando is growing the fastest, but Las Vegas, it is beyond comprehension how you are able to stay ahead of it.

So whatever we plan today, what I have learned about working with you, what we planned 2 years ago is already obsolete today. This is an ongoing issue that I want to work with the gentlelady with, and I compliment your effort and leadership

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Brown), the subcommittee chairman on health.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman), subcommittee chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues from the committee from both sides of the aisle for their bipartisanship in the crafting and supporting of a substantive and forward-thinking bill. It enhances veterans health care and benefits both through stronger veterans programs and through fundamental organizational reforms and innovation.

I would also like to thank the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member Ike Skelton. Mr. Skelton, if you please, extend to your staff, they worked through the night with us, because there are certain things in our bill that mentioned DOD and they were wonderful to work with. So please extend our appreciation for their work.

I would also like to thank the leadership of Chairman Henry Brown and Ranking Member Mike Michaud for their good work on the Health Subcommittee; Chairman Jeff Miller and Berkley on their leadership on benefits; Chairman John Boozman and his leadership, along with Ms. Herseth on economic opportunity; Chairman Michael Bilirakis and Mr. Strickland on ONI.

I would also like to extend an appreciation to Ranking Member Lane Evans and that of the acting Ranking Member, Mr. Filner. I also extend deep appreciation to Senator Larry Craig and Ranking Member Akaka of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee whose vision and collaborative spirit do veterans justice.

Without the around-the-clock efforts by our dedicated staff both in the House and the Senate, I would not be standing here today, nor would our veterans and their families be the beneficiaries of a better VA system tomorrow.

I also want to thank Senator Lindsey Graham and former Senator Ernest Hollings and Dr. Ray Greenberg of MUSE, who recognized the value of the ``Charleston model'' that will now be hopefully leveraged across the country to bring state-of-the-art medicine to veterans.

I also want to thank Senator Richard Burr from North Carolina for his leadership and care to provide for America's homeless veterans.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks, and that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous matter on S. 3421.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank the gentlelady. Having visited her area, I understand the fast growth that she is experiencing with VA and her veterans. So I strongly support a new facility in her area, and will talk in a few minutes about the needs of the veterans in Central Florida for over 25 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Veterans Benefit Health Care and Information Technology Act of 2006. This bill, as its title suggests, authorizes new benefits and health care programs for veterans. The bill authorizes needed construction of VA medical facilities and leases for VA clinics across the Nation. The bill also addresses significant vulnerabilities in VA's information technology security.

I am proud that working with the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Buyer, the chairman of our committee, and our colleagues in the Senate, Chairman

Craig and Ranking Member Akaka, we have been able to draft a solid veterans bill before we recess.

Mental health: I have been a firm advocate that we must do more to help veterans with mental health concerns and their families. The legislation we consider today has many important mental health provisions which will expand VA capacities to address the mental health concerns of veterans.

One example, the bill authorizes the VA to have marriage and family therapists and the other mental health professionals. Today we are sending a clear signal that we want to help the families of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder stay strong, stay resilient and stay together.

This bill requires the VA to ensure that each community-based outreach clinic has the capacity to provide mental health services. This bill requires the VA to increase the number of vet centers able to use telemedicine to provide counseling for veterans. This is especially important for veterans living in rural areas. This bill requires VA to increase the outreach service of vet centers.

Passing this legislation is an important first step, but we must be vigilant to be sure that VA implements the law as we intended them.

Long-term care: In just a few years, VA estimates that there will be 1.3 million veterans who will be 85 years old and older. Because of their age, these men and women will most likely need long-term nursing care or other assistance. This bill requires VA to develop and publish a comprehensive plan for the long-term care of veterans.

Since 1888, State veterans homes have played an important role to provide care for our Nation's disabled veterans. This bill enhances this important Federal and State partnership by ensuring that medication is provided at no cost to veterans with a 50 percent or more service-connected disability. This bill also increases veterans reimbursement for the cost of care for veterans with significant service-connected disabilities.

Rural care: We all have heard of the frustration and challenges rural veterans face in trying to access medical care from the VA. This legislation helps focus VA efforts on addressing the needs of veterans in rural areas. The bill establishes a VA Office of Rural Health Care and requires the director of the new office to develop a plan to improve rural veterans access to VA care.

Outreach to recent veterans. This bill also requires the VA to conduct an extensive outreach program to veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and have returned home to rural communities.

This provision is proactive and presses VA to reach out to veterans and build on the strengths of our small towns and communities.

Construction. This omnibus measure also authorizes VA major facility construction projects and leases. It has been some time now since Congress acted to address the health care infrastructure of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

At this time, I want to mention the facility in Orlando, which has been in the pipeline and gone through the process for over 25 years, and that is one reason why I am extremely pleased that we are bringing this bill up today. The veterans in our area that have come from all over the country can no longer wait for a facility, and I am very pleased that the facility in Orlando and the facility not just in Orlando but in Florida and all over the country, including New Orleans whose facility was destroyed, and other places will get the authorization that it needs to move forward.

While I am proud that we are moving forward on important veterans legislation, I remain deeply frustrated and concerned that it still appears that we are still ending this congressional session leaving veterans without a funding bill. Even with a continuing resolution, we are undermining VA's health care system and shortchanging veterans. At the medical center level, a delay in the fiscal year 2007 funding translates into delays in hiring nurses and other hospital staff. It means staff work longer hours and are stretched thin. It means quality of care is put at risk. It means longer waiting lines for veterans.

This failure to pass a budget is a clear illustration of the need for mandatory or assured funding of VA health care, and I firmly support it. In the next Congress, we need to look seriously at alternate ways to assure adequate funding for veterans health care.

Needed action. This bill is a good bill, but even this hefty omnibus bill leaves some of our work incomplete.

I believe that we owe it to our newest veterans to modernize the GI bill, especially including meaningful benefits for the Guard and Reserve.

We must increase VA's capacity to meet the rehabilitation and long- term care needs of veterans with traumatic brain injuries.

We must continue to monitor and strengthen VA's capacity to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health concerns.

As we work to address the emerging issues of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, we must also continue to press VA to meet the health care needs of veterans exposed to Agent Orange and veterans struggling with a range of Gulf War illnesses.

Today's bill permanently authorizes VA's homeless grant and per diem program, which I think is very important because I know that we have all looked in our area and seen the homelessness. We know that one- third of those homeless are veterans, and so this bill helps homeless grants and per diem programs. This is a good program. We must help it grow to address more than a fraction of the homeless veterans on the streets. This is really unacceptable.

We need to work together in the next Congress to acknowledge where there are problems in the VA system and fix them.

Finally, I want to thank all of the VA staff on both the Republican and Democratic side for their dedication and hard work, and I know they have worked into the night for the last two nights to serve our Nation's veterans. I personally appreciate the work that they have done, and I appreciate the work that the leadership has done. I think it is a good bill. It is a good start, and I urge my colleagues to support it

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), my classmate.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests

for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I seek recognition to express my support for the House amendment to S. 3421, the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006. This bill contains more than 60 provisions that will improve the lives and well-being of servicemembers, veterans, and other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries. I would like to address a few of the provisions contained in the compromise agreement.

Section 101 of the House amendment would permit veterans and other claimants seeking benefits from VA to have the choice of hiring and paying an attorney to represent them before the agency once a notice of disagreement has been filed. Current law prohibits an attorney from receiving a fee for representing a claimant until the Board of Veterans' Appeals renders its first decision on the claim. Unfortunately, the claims process has become very complex and can be very overwhelming to some claimants. This provision would give veterans the option of hiring an attorney earlier in the process if they believe they need assistance with their claim. Unlike some who have opposed this policy change, I believe veterans are competent to make their own decision as to whether they want to hire an attorney to assist them with their claim. This section is similar to a bill I introduced earlier this year, H.R. 5549, the Veterans' Choice of Representation Act of 2006.

Section 401 of the House amendment would authorize the Secretary to furnish a memorial headstone or marker for an eligible dependent child whose remains are unavailable, or, if feasible, add a memorial inscription to an existing headstone or marker provided by VA. Currently, VA may provide a memorial headstone or marker for a veteran, spouse, or surviving spouse when remains are unavailable. However, if a spouse and child die at the same time and in the same manner and their remains are unavailable, a veteran cannot receive a memorial headstone honoring the child. The provision would correct this inconsistency and is identical to a provision what was passed by the House in July 2006.

Section 402 of the House amendment would extend, until December 31, 2007, the Secretary's authority to furnish a government marker to those families who request one for the marked grave of a veteran buried at a private cemetery and who died on or after September 11, 2001. Under current law the Secretary's authority expires on December 31, 2006. This provision was also passed by the House in July of this year.

Section 403 of the House amendment would authorize the Secretary to make grants to tribal organizations to assist them in establishing, expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries on trust lands. Under current law, tribal organizations are not eligible for state cemetery grants. This provision was passed by the House in July 2006.

Section 404 of the House amendment would direct the Secretary of the Army to remove the remains of Russell Wayne Wagner from Arlington National Cemetery and establish procedures that the Secretary must follow in carrying out this directive. Mr. Wagner was a convicted murderer who died in prison but slipped through a crack in the law and was inurned at Arlington National Cemetery. Congress amended the law to tighten eligibility standards earlier this year and this provision would restore the sanctity of Arlington by removing his remains from this hallowed ground. I support this provision, which is similar to section 3 of H.R. 4352, a bill I introduced in November 2005.

I would like to mention one final provision that is of interest to me. Section 823 of the House amendment would require the VA, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Air Force, to submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the options for the construction of a new medical facility in Okaloosa County, Florida. The report would be due 180 days after the date of enactment of this bill. This report is an important step forward in determining the best way to address the VA health care needs of veterans and servicemembers in and around Okaloosa County.

In closing, it has been an honor to serve with the dedicated members of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and to chair the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs during the 109th Congress. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the 110th Congress to continue to build on the good works we have done this Congress.

The bill before us today represents the culmination of thousands of hours of work and a great amount of energy expended by members and staff of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees and the provisions of this bill will benefit veterans and other VA beneficiaries.

I urge my colleagues to support the House amendment to S. 3421.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Let me begin by thanking our esteemed chairman Mr. Buyer for all his hard work this Congress. Under his leadership, this committee has fought to do what is right for veterans, and I am proud to serve on this committee and even more proud to call him my friend.

I also want to thank our ranking member, Mr. Evans, and acting ranking member, Mr. Filner, and my ranking colleague Mr. Michaud for all of their efforts. I have a great deal of respect for the bipartisan commitment to our Nation's veterans this committee holds and look forward to continuing our work together next year.

Likewise, Chairman Craig and Ranking Member Akaka of our sister committee in the Senate have also made enormous contributions to the bill before the House today, and I appreciate their support for moving this compromise agreement before this Congress adjourns.

All of us have had the opportunity to spend time with some of the men and women who have been injured as a result of their service to this Nation. There are few more important ways we could demonstrate our appreciation for their sacrifice than to set in place authorizations that will help improve the quality and access to health care services these folks will require. I believe we have accomplished that in this bill.

The legislation we are now considering incorporates substantial measures contained in a number of House and Senate bills addressing veterans health care benefits. As the Health Subcommittee chairman, I am especially pleased that this bill supports new and innovative collaborative partnerships between VA and medical universities and Federal, State and local health entities and the private sector to improve the quality of care delivered to those who have faithfully

served this country. The chairman believes, as I do, that local health care economies can and should be leveraged whenever possible to enhance VA health care delivery and keep pace with 21st-century technology.

Collaboration is becoming increasingly essential in delivering health care across the Nation. So long as we remain true to the distinct identity of the VA, and so long as we ensure the continued quality associated with VA care, VA collaboration on joint ventures with its extensive medical university affiliations and the Department of Defense could be mutually advantageous for all organizations.

In the package before us today, we have a number of exciting possible collaboration projects, including one that is certainly dear to me, and that is the authorization of the advanced planning and design for what might someday be a joint hospital complex between the VA and the Medical University of South Carolina. Likewise, the bill also authorizes co-location of a new VA medical center with the Louisiana State University in New Orleans, a project that is incredibly important considering the devastation that was visited on the area by Hurricane Katrina.

As I have stated, I believe the collaborative projects are critically important in terms of fully leveraging available local resources, and I am hopeful that the diligent and bipartisan work of the committee in this area will continue in the new Congress.

In addition to the construction-related provisions of this bill, I would like to briefly mention a few of the important health measures this bill includes:

Improves VA's ability to respond to the mental health needs of our veterans, including increasing mental health care funding, expanding mental health services at all VA facilities and increasing the number of clinical care providers dedicated to the treatment of PTSD;

Establishes an Office of Rural Health and improves outreach programs to increase access to care for veterans in rural areas;

Requires the Secretary of the VA to establish a strategic plan for long-term care; and

Extends and improves programs for homeless veterans, including grants for community care providers and VA treatment and rehabilitation services for homeless veterans who are mentally ill.

Whether it is improved access to vet centers for newly returning veterans, the improved access to telehealth services, or the codification of the Parkinson's disease and MS centers, this bill is important. It is not only important because of the authorizations it contains but because it represents our commitment to those who have served. I am committed to doing what is right on their behalf, and I know my colleagues on the committee feel the same.

So I would urge the rest of my friends in this body to support this bill, and in doing so, send a strong signal to our servicemembers letting them know that we support them, not only when they are in harm's way but upon their return as well.

Again, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation

Mr. Speaker, I want to particularly thank the gentlelady for yielding. We have a bit of a time crunch, and I appreciate her graciousness.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Buyer, Ranking Member Evans and acting Ranking Member Filner for moving forward on this bill. This legislation will provide our veterans with a number of important benefits, and I am absolutely delighted to be able to be here and speak in favor of it.

I want to particularly mention a provision in this legislation that will permit Native American tribal organizations to apply for VA State cemetery grants. This will allow tribes such as the Paiutes in Nevada to build or expand cemeteries on their reservations so that Native American veterans can be laid to rest near their families in veterans cemeteries.

In addition, with this bill, veterans will have the choice as to whether to have attorney representation in the VA claims process. While some veterans may choose to hire a lawyer, veteran service organizations will continue to maintain their traditional role in the VA claims process.

I am pleased that this legislation includes a number of safeguards. For example, veterans will only be able to hire an attorney after they actually disagree with the VA decision. This provision is from similar legislation that Lane Evans and I introduced earlier. This legislation is about giving veterans a choice. Now our Nation's heroes will simply have the option of hiring an attorney if they choose to.

I am delighted that this bill includes four lease authorizations on leases that will soon expire in Las Vegas, and perhaps most important and most sought after is a $406 million authorization for a new VA medical center in Las Vegas on which we broke ground this past October. This complex will include a hospital, an outpatient clinic and a nursing home. My veterans desperately need this facility as Las Vegas has the fastest growing veterans population in the United States, but does not have a VA medical center or hospital or clinic.

This authorization is crucial, crucial, to veterans in Southern Nevada. I am pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement on these provisions during a time of war and when we are seeing new veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. We must provide our veterans with the benefits and care they deserve, they have earned, and that they are entitled to.

I fully support this legislation, and I urge its support.

I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, while I don't want to turn Congress into a mutual admiration society, let me thank the chairman for helping make this compromise a reality. I know that he must have been working very late into the night last night. This is important stuff. We both know it. We all know it. I am very glad we were able to bring this to the floor. Thank you very much for your sensitivity to my veterans needs. I don't think Las Vegas will soon forget your visit to our fair city.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I thank Congresswoman Brown.