Access to Timely Information Act

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 2302, as amended, contains provisions from three different bills. Section one retains the transparency concepts in the original version of the bill but responds partially to VA's concerns about the scope of covered conferences by increasing the reporting threshold to conferences costing $20,000 or more. The catalyst for this provision was a large VA conference held recently in Scottsdale, Arizona, that lasted 11 days and included $97,000 for consultant services out of a total cost of $221,500. At a time when every tax dollar is precious, it is our duty to ensure that VA conferences spend those dollars wisely. This would be an appropriate provision in any economic situation, not just in today's stagnant economy.

Section 2 includes the provisions of Chairman Miller's bill, H.R. 2388, that would streamline the committee's ability to get information from the VA. It has been our experience that VA incorrectly uses the Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility Act, or HIPAA, to deny or delay providing information needed to resolve our constituents' cases. This bill would make it clear that requests for information for the committee's constitutional oversight duties are deemed to be an authorized disclosure under the Privacy Act and HIPAA.

Section 3 includes provisions introduced by the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Mr. McNerney, that would require the Department of Labor to include veterans' employment information submitted by Federal contractors on the Department's Web site.

Madam Speaker, title 38, United States Code, section 4212 requires Federal contractors to implement an affirmative action plan to hire veterans and to report on the success of that program. It is unfortunate that the Department of Labor, under several administrations, has largely ignored data that shows the extent to which Federal contractors are complying with the law. While I am aware of renewed efforts by the Office of Federal Contractor Compliance to enforce the law, Mr. McNerney's provision will help focus their attention on this issue, and I thank him for this important provision.

Each of these provisions will increase the transparency of Federal programs and improve our ability to hold the Federal Government accountable for not just funding but also its actions in managing the programs under our jurisdiction. I am also happy to report that my amendment has been scored by CBO as having insignificant costs.

So I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2302, and I thank Ranking Member Braley for his support of the subcommittee's work.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2302) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify Congress of conferences sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, as amended.

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

I rise in strong support of H.R. 2302, as amended. It amends title 38, United States Code, that directs the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to notify Congress of certain conferences sponsored by the VA. It's a good government bill. It provides additional transparency. It shifts VA and Department of Defense GI Bill reporting requirements from chapter 30 to chapter 33.

This legislation is sponsored by the chairman of our Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Stutzman). My thanks go out to him as well as the ranking member, Mr. Filner, and also the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Braley of Iowa, for their efforts.

With that, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Stutzman), chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 2302, as amended.

I once again encourage all my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I endorse the arguments just made by the chairman of the subcommittee.

I have no requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

General Leave