To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary, to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6064) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary, to individuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 6064.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6064, introduced by Representative Nehls.

Given the unfortunate prevalence of military sexual trauma among veterans and the broad and long-lasting impacts it can have on a survivor, it makes sense to have a neutral research party assess the adequacy of compensation examinations conducted by VA examiners to ensure we are fully addressing the needs of our veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma.

The sensitive nature of MST evaluations requires competent and compassionate care. Having a better understanding of the academic preparation and credentialing of medical and mental health practitioners will allow the VA to adjust and amend existing policy to provide more appropriate compensation examinations.

The National Academies of Science provides independent and objective research that informs public policy. To that end, an empirical review of the practitioner training associated with MST compensation examinations will strengthen stakeholder confidence in the overall process, improve customer service, and enhance claim decisions to benefit veterans who experienced MST.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Nehls for offering this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 6064, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6064, and I thank Congressman Nehls, Congresswoman Luria, and the leaders of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, for introducing this bill.

This bill would require the VA to partner with the National Academies to conduct an independent review of the VA's delivery of benefits for claims related to MST.

The National Academies would also provide recommendations that the VA could implement to improve the disability claims process for MST survivors.

For decades, the National Academies has led research into the VA disability benefits process, including reports on the health effects of toxic exposures and VA's handling of traumatic brain injury claims.

This study is needed to help Congress and VA better understand what changes need to be made in this process to ensure that veterans receive quality, timely, and compassionate consideration of their disability claims.

For too long, we have heard that the MST claims process can be insensitive. This is unacceptable, and VA must do better.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged and that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the following bills en bloc: H.R. 6064, H.R. 6604, H.R. 6961, H.R. 7299, H.R. 7335, and S. 4949.

I ask unanimous consent that the bills, en bloc, be considered read a third time and passed and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

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

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