Assuring Quality Care for Veterans Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the Chair regarding the votes that I missed on the following dates:

May 12, due to the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson, I missed the following votes:

Rollcall vote No. 259, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 260, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 261, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 262, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote No. 263, I would have voted no;

Rollcall vote 264, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 265, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 266, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 259-266 on Wednesday, May 12, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during roll call 259-266 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. Had I been present, for rollcall vote 259, on agreeing to the resolution, H. Res. 1344, ``Providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 5116, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 260, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5014, `` To clarify the health care provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that constitutes minimum essential coverage,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 261, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended, H. Con. Res. 268, ``Supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's Health Week, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 262, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Gordon Amendment No. 1,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 263, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Hall of Texas Amendment No. 6,'' I would have voted ``no''; for rollcall vote 264, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Markey of Massachusetts Amendment No. 10,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for rollcall vote 265, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``George Miller of California, Amendment No. 12,'' I would have voted ``aye''; for roll call vote 266, on agreeing to the amendment to H.R. 5116, ``Reyes of Texas Amendment No. 13,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

Tuesday, May 18, due similarly to the passing of my mother:

Rollcall votes 273 to 275, motion to suspend the rules, rollcall vote 273, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 274, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 275, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 273-275 on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during roll-call 273-275 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 273, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 2288, ``Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Improvement Act of 2009,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 274, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 4614, ``Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act of 2010,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 275, on motion to suspend the rules and agree, H. Res. 1327, ``Honoring the life achievements, and contributions of Floyd Dominy,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

On the 20th of May, due to the passing of my mother, I missed the following votes:

Rollcall vote 284, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 285, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 286, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 287, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 288, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 289, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 290, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 284-290 on Thursday, May 20, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 284-290 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 284, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5327, ``To authorize assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system,'' I would have voted ``aye''.

For rollcall vote 285, on motion to suspend the rules agree to, H. Res. 1256, ``Congratulating Phil Mickelson on winning the 2010 Masters golf tournament,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 286, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to, H. Res. 1336, `` Congratulating the University of Texas men's swimming and diving team for winning the NCAA Division I national championship,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 287, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 1361, ``Recognizing North Carolina Central on its 100th anniversary,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 288, on ordering the previous question, H. Res. 1363, ``Granting the authority provided under clause 4(c)(3) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the Committee on Education and Labor for purposes of its investigation into underground coal mining safety,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 289, on agreeing to resolution, H. Res. 163, ``Granting the authority provided under clause 4(c)(3) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the Committee on Education and Labor for purposes of its investigation into underground coal mining safety,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 290, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5128, ``To designate the Department of the Interior Building in Washington, District of Columbia, as the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

Accordingly, I continued to miss time on the passing of my mother on May 24, and I missed rollcall votes 291 to 293.

I would have voted, on rollcall vote 291, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 292, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 293, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 291-293 on Monday, May 24, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 291-293 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 291, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 278, ``Expressing the sense of Congress that a grateful Nation supports and salutes Sons and Daughters in Touch on its 20th Anniversary that is being held on Fathers Day, 2010, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, the District of Columbia,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 292, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 1017, ``Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act,'' I would have voted ``aye'';

For rollcall vote 293, on motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended, H.R. 5330, ``To amend the Anti-trust Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act of 2004 to extend the operation of such Act for a 5-year period ending June 22, 2015, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye''.

On Tuesday, May 25, accordingly, I missed the following votes pursuant to the earlier statement:

Rollcall vote 294, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 295, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 296, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 297, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 298, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 299, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 300, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 301, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 294-301 on Tuesday, May 25, 2010.

I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall 294-301 because I was in bereavement of the passing of my mother, Ivalita Jackson. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted had I been present.

For rollcall vote 294, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 5145, ``Assuring Quality Care for Veterans Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 295, on motion to suspend the rule and agree to H. Res. 437, ``Expressing support for designation of May 2010 as Mental Health Month,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 296, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1382, ``Expressing sympathy to the families of those killed by North Korea in the sinking of the Republic of Korea Ship Cheonan, and solidarity with the Republic of Korea in the aftermath of this tragic incident,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 297, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 584, ``Recognizing the importance of manufactured and modular housing in the United States,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 298, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H.Res. 3885, ``Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 299, on motion to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to H.R. 2711, ``Special Agent Samuel Hicks Families of Fallen Heroes Act,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 300, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res.

1189, ``Commending Lance Mackey on winning a record 4th straight Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 301, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1172, ``Recognizing the life and achievements of Will Keith Kellogg,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

May 26, I was unavoidably detained on official business. I missed rollcall vote 302. I would have voted aye;

Rollcall vote 303, I would have voted ``aye'';

Rollcall vote 304, I would have voted ``aye''; and

Rollcall vote 305, I would have voted ``aye''.

I rise to address the Chair regarding my absence from rollcall votes 302-305 on Wednesday, May 26, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I was not able to cast my votes during rollcall on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, because I was away from the office on official business. I would like to state for the Record how I would have voted, had I been present.

For rollcall vote, 302, on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1347, ``Honoring the workers who perished on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, extending condolences to their families, and recognizing the valiant efforts of emergency response workers at the disaster site,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 303, on motion to suspend the rule and agree to H. Res. 1385, ``recognizing and honoring the courage and sacrifice of the members of the Armed Forces and veterans, and for other purposes,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 304, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res 1316, ``Celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

For rollcall vote 305, on motion to suspend the rules and agree as amended to H. Res. 1169, ``Honoring the 125th anniversary of Rollins College,'' I would have voted ``aye.''

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

Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 5145, as amended, the Assuring Quality Care for Veterans Act.

It would amend title 38 of the United States Code to improve continuing professional education reimbursements provided to health care professionals employed at the Department of Veterans Affairs. This legislation increases by $600 the continuing professional education reimbursement for VA's health professionals. It would also expand those eligible to receive such reimbursements to include health professionals from a wide range of medical specialties, and it would clarify that reimbursements may only be provided for such continuing education expenses that the VA does not offer, itself.

While we can all be proud of the quality of care provided to veterans at VA facilities, we should always be looking for ways to improve the VA's provision of medical services, ensuring that the VA's health professionals are continually kept on the cutting edge of modern medical advances. It is important to ensure high-quality medical care continues to thrive at the VA. H.R. 5145, as amended, would provide VA employees with more opportunities to improve their knowledge base and skill sets, and it would provide veterans with superiority when it comes to care that they, I believe, deserve.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise).

I want to thank the gentleman for coming to the floor today. The issue before us deals with increasing the reimbursement on professional

education with regard to VA's health professionals.

I understand the gentleman has every reason to be upset with regard to what is occurring in the Gulf with regard to the oil spill. This oil should almost be treated as an invasion of our country. I understand why he is upset.

The legislation before us deals with veterans issues. It deals with making sure that the professionals that work in the VA are able to be reimbursed for their continuing professional education.

I want to thank Chairman Filner right now for his patience. I want to thank you for that. I think we can feel for Mr. Scalise as he just returned from Louisiana, how upset and how high the emotions are in New Orleans and Louisiana, not only from Katrina but also the oil spill, and I can understand where he is coming from. But I want to bring us back to the issue of the bill itself. So I want to thank Mr. Filner for being very patient with our colleague from Louisiana.

One point that we probably haven't talked about with regard to this is the challenge, Chairman Filner, that we have in front of us with regard to nursing and the nursing shortage. So many of the nurses are going to be retiring now over the next 12 years, and as we look at the ability for us to replenish that hole that is going to be created, there is going to be a dynamic shift within our health professions. So a lot of jobs and responsibilities that the nurse corps would be providing today, they are not going to be providing 10 years from now.

Actually, there will be a dynamic shift within health care itself and their profession. Their skill sets are actually going to get higher and even better and more improved, and jobs which they are doing today are going to have to be back-filled by nursing assistants. So for us to step forward and do this type of reimbursement to increase the quality of what they are about to provide, this is extremely important.

I want to thank the majority for bringing this type of bill, because we are going to have to help them increase the standards. It is the only way we are going to be able to actually deal with this hole that we are going to have in our health system and the increased demand that it is going to be placing upon the health system itself, because we don't have all the nursing slots in the education system to be able to do this.

I want to thank you for stepping into the breach. This is the right thing for us to do, especially when I look back at the years in which I served as a legal advisor for a hospital with regard to quality assurance and risk management. These are always extremely important issues. So I want to thank the chairman.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 5145, as amended, the Assuring Quality Care for Veterans Act.

It would amend title 38 of the United States Code to improve continuing professional education reimbursements provided to health care professionals employed at the Department of Veterans Affairs. This legislation increases by $600 the continuing professional education reimbursement for VA's health professionals. It would also expand those eligible to receive such reimbursements to include health professionals from a wide range of medical specialties, and it would clarify that reimbursements may only be provided for such continuing education expenses that the VA does not offer, itself.

While we can all be proud of the quality of care provided to veterans at VA facilities, we should always be looking for ways to improve the VA's provision of medical services, ensuring that the VA's health professionals are continually kept on the cutting edge of modern medical advances. It is important to ensure high-quality medical care continues to thrive at the VA. H.R. 5145, as amended, would provide VA employees with more opportunities to improve their knowledge base and skill sets, and it would provide veterans with superiority when it comes to care that they, I believe, deserve.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise).

I want to thank the gentleman for coming to the floor today. The issue before us deals with increasing the reimbursement on professional

education with regard to VA's health professionals.

I understand the gentleman has every reason to be upset with regard to what is occurring in the Gulf with regard to the oil spill. This oil should almost be treated as an invasion of our country. I understand why he is upset.

The legislation before us deals with veterans issues. It deals with making sure that the professionals that work in the VA are able to be reimbursed for their continuing professional education.

I want to thank Chairman Filner right now for his patience. I want to thank you for that. I think we can feel for Mr. Scalise as he just returned from Louisiana, how upset and how high the emotions are in New Orleans and Louisiana, not only from Katrina but also the oil spill, and I can understand where he is coming from. But I want to bring us back to the issue of the bill itself. So I want to thank Mr. Filner for being very patient with our colleague from Louisiana.

One point that we probably haven't talked about with regard to this is the challenge, Chairman Filner, that we have in front of us with regard to nursing and the nursing shortage. So many of the nurses are going to be retiring now over the next 12 years, and as we look at the ability for us to replenish that hole that is going to be created, there is going to be a dynamic shift within our health professions. So a lot of jobs and responsibilities that the nurse corps would be providing today, they are not going to be providing 10 years from now.

Actually, there will be a dynamic shift within health care itself and their profession. Their skill sets are actually going to get higher and even better and more improved, and jobs which they are doing today are going to have to be back-filled by nursing assistants. So for us to step forward and do this type of reimbursement to increase the quality of what they are about to provide, this is extremely important.

I want to thank the majority for bringing this type of bill, because we are going to have to help them increase the standards. It is the only way we are going to be able to actually deal with this hole that we are going to have in our health system and the increased demand that it is going to be placing upon the health system itself, because we don't have all the nursing slots in the education system to be able to do this.

I want to thank you for stepping into the breach. This is the right thing for us to do, especially when I look back at the years in which I served as a legal advisor for a hospital with regard to quality assurance and risk management. These are always extremely important issues. So I want to thank the chairman.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, last week, due to a death in the family, I was not present to vote on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have cast the following votes:

Rollcall 291: H. Con. Res. 278 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree--``yes.''

Rollcall 292: H.R. 1017 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 293:. H.R. 5330 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 294: H.R. 5145 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 295: H. Res. 1258 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 296: H. Res. 1382 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 297: H. Res. 584 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 298: H.R. 3885 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 299: H.R. 2711 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendments--``yes.''

Rollcall 300: H. Res. 1189 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 301: H. Res. 1172 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 302: H. Res. 1347 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 303: H. Res. 1385 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 304: H. Res. 1316 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 305: H. Res. 1169 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 306: H. Con. Res. 282 On Agreeing to the Resolution--``no.''

Rollcall 307: H. Res. 1404 On Agreeing to the Resolution--``no.''

Rollcall 308: H. Res. 1161 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 309: H. Res. 1372 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 310: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``yes.''

Rollcall 311: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``yes.''

Rollcall 312: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 313: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``yes.''

Rollcall 314: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 315: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 316: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``yes.''

Rollcall 317: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 318: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``yes.''

Rollcall 319: H.R. 5136 On Approving the Journal--``no.''

Rollcall 320: H. Res. 1391 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 321: H. Res. 1403 On Ordering the Previous Question--``no.''

Rollcall 322: H. Res. 1403 On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 323: H. Res. 1403 On Agreeing to the Resolution, as Amended--``no.''

Rollcall 324: H.R. 4213 On Concurring in the Senate amdt with amdt (except portion comprising section 532--``no.''

Rollcall 325: H.R. 4123 On concurring in Senate amdt with portion of amdt comprising section 523--``no.''

Rollcall 326: H.R. 5116 First Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 327: H.R. 5116 Second Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 328: H.R. 5116 Sixth Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 329: H.R. 5116 Seventh Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 330: H.R. 5116 Eighth Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 331: H.R. 5116 Ninth Portion of the Divided Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 332: H.R. 5116 On Passage--``no.''

Rollcall 333: H.R. 5136 On Agreeing to the En Bloc Amendments, as Modified--``yes.''

Rollcall 334: H.R. 5136 Table Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair-- ``no.''

Rollcall 335: H.R. 5136 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 336: H.R. 5136 On Passage--``no.''

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5145) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the continuing professional education reimbursement provided to health professionals employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5145, as amended.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5145, the Assuring Quality Care for Veterans Act.

I thank my colleague from California (Mr. McNerney) for his diligent advocacy on behalf of our veterans. His talent and hard work have culminated in this important piece of legislation.

Many key health care professionals require continuing professional education in order to maintain their licensure. Such education can be costly, and the VA has long reimbursed up to $1,000 annually to physicians and dentists. This reimbursement program has been an important part of the VA's efforts to recruit and to retain high- quality health care personnel. Moreover, it ensures that the VA employees are well-informed and knowledgeable about advances or new information in their chosen fields.

Organizational efforts to improve access to knowledge and opportunities have been shown to improve job satisfaction. However, since its inception, this program has only been open to physicians and dentists. It unfairly excludes many key health care providers who face similar licensing requirements. This act would correct this inequity by expanding the program to such key health care personnel as nurses, pharmacists, and physical therapists.

This legislation would recognize that the maximum reimbursement rate of $1,000 is outdated, its having been unchanged for nearly two decades. H.R. 5145 would reflect inflationary increases since the last update by increasing the cap to $1,600 annually.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation. Not only does it recognize the hard work of health care providers in the VA system, but it also empowers the VA to hire and retain talented health care personnel and to offer them the tools they need to remain extremely skilled and knowledgeable.

I would urge the support of all of my colleagues, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I do urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5145, as amended.

Like the gentleman from Indiana, I understand the outrage and anger of the gentleman from Louisiana as we are facing probably the biggest environmental disaster of this century. And yet, Madam Speaker, I find it more than ironic, I find it irresponsible, that the very same people who say ``drill, baby, drill,'' the very same people who are always against government interference, the very same people who are always against Big Government, all of a sudden, when it is their district, they want Big Government, and they want regulation, and they want government to clean up the environmental disaster.

Well, we all have to get in there, and BP had better recognize its corporate responsibility for this. But, Madam Speaker, these people always scream against Big Government, but they are the first who want Big Government to come in and save them. So, let us understand the irony and the irresponsibility of those who keep yelling against government regulation, and government interference, but when it affects their district, they want it.

I ask for unanimous agreement on this measure.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.