Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9124) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Auburn, California, as the ``Louis A. Conter VA Clinic''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 9124.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9124, a bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Auburn, California, the Louis A. Conter VA Clinic.

Louis Conter was born in Wisconsin in 1921. He enlisted in the Navy in 1939 and was assigned to the infamous USS Arizona.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Louis was standing watch on the deck of the Arizona when it came under attack by Japanese bombers.

As the infamous explosion that ignited the ship's magazine happened, Louis was thrown to the ground. As the ship began to sink, he aided the wounded. In the following days, Louis helped put the fires out and recover the bodies from the wreckage.

Following the attack, as the war kicked into high gear, Louis was selected for pilot training. He deployed to the Pacific theater and was shot down twice. Again, defying all odds, he survived and reached the rank of lieutenant, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Louis was reactivated during the Korean war in the 1950s, eventually retiring from the Navy in 1967 at the rank of lieutenant commander. After his service, he lived out the rest of his life as a real estate developer and author.

Louis Conter was the last known survivor of the USS Arizona before passing away on April 1, 2024.

I am proud to name the VA clinic after him to memorialize his historic story of service. I thank the sponsor of this bill, Representative Kiley, as well as the entire California delegation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 9124, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley), who is the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 141) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve certain programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs for home and community based services for veterans, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks for

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 141, authored by my friend and colleague, Senator Moran, from Kansas. The House came together 1 month ago and passed H.R. 8371, the Dole act, with a bipartisan vote of 389-9.

This vote was a strong message from the House of Representatives, Republicans and Democrats, to improve the veterans program and deliver on promises we made to those who served.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to finish the commitment we made 1 month ago. The Dole act would improve veterans' homeless programs, expand nontraditional education and employment programs, protect servicemembers while they are deployed, put veterans' healthcare back in the hands of the veterans, and hold VA officials accountable.

This bill has many House Republican priorities that we have worked this Congress to pass. The Dole act is not only a commonsense bill, but one that would save lives and push the VA forward and not backward.

I thank the over 40 veterans service organizations, advocacy organizations, and stakeholders from every corner of this country for their support of the Dole act. Their advocacy was the push we all needed to get the bipartisan bill done.

I also thank the Senate for making technical changes to the language to make sure we sent the best version of this to the President's desk.

Mr. Speaker, before I reserve the balance of my time, I thank Mr. Ciscomani and dozens of other Members on both sides of the aisle who have provisions in this bill. This legislation will make a difference for veterans and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support veterans by supporting this good bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Luttrell).

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage all Members to support this legislation. It is life-changing legislation for our Nation's veterans.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2513) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2513.

I thank my friend, Representative Luttrell, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, for leading the House companion to this important bill.

This legislation would make vital improvements for veterans and survivors who are navigating a VA disability claims and appeals process. Both Representative Luttrell and I have gone through the disability claims process, and we have seen firsthand how challenging it is.

S. 2513, and Mr. Luttrell's companion bill, would streamline the VA claims process and make it easier for veterans to access the benefits they have earned.

This bill would require VA to publish disability compensation exam questionnaires on VA's website so that healthcare professionals can properly complete exams for veterans seeking disability benefits.

It would also ensure that contracted examiners communicate with veterans' representatives when scheduling disability compensation exams.

S. 2513 also includes Representative Ciscomani's companion proposal to create a new internship program at the VA Board of Veterans' Appeals. This program would encourage law school graduates to join the fight for veterans and improve hiring at VA.

Finally, this bill includes Representative Self's companion proposal to ensure that the U.S. Court of Appeals for veterans claims has enough judges to provide veterans and survivors with timely decisions on their claims.

These commonsense solutions would help veterans and their families receive faster decisions on their claims for VA benefits.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Luttrell, Mr. Ciscomani, and Mr. Self for their important work on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support S. 2513, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Luttrell), the sponsor of the bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 8976, to rename the post office in Millstadt, Illinois, in honor of a fallen hero, Corporal Matthew Wyatt.

Matt was a marine, serving in Iraq's Al Anbar Province when a suicide bomber approached his base in a truck loaded with explosives. Matt and another marine quickly took action to attempt to block the breach, but the explosion killed both servicemen instantly.

Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of their passing. Now, despite the passage of time, it is a mile marker that I am sure gets no easier for his loved ones left behind. It is a pain many of us could not imagine.

Matt had something special. He had something he couldn't learn by watching television or even being taught in a classroom. He was instilled with a commitment to his country that is really tough to find today.

Now, I spoke about Matt's background when I introduced this legislation in the spring, but it is important for me to share it again. Military service was in Matt's blood. It came from his father, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Alan Wyatt, and two grandfathers, one Army and one Navy.

When his mother, Verlene, asked if he was willing to go to war, without hesitation Matt said yes. His bravery in battle earned him the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. His commanding officer personally traveled to Millstadt to present the family with his medals.

Though we mourn a precious life cut short, we honor a legacy that runs long. This is a small and meaningful tribute to a small-town southern Illinoisan who made a big difference for his country.

I am proud today that the people's House is taking the opportunity to honor him. I encourage all of my colleagues here to support this bill and pass H.R. 8976 in honor of Corporal Matthew Wyatt of Millstadt, Illinois. Semper fi, marine. Oorah.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3126. This bill was introduced by Senator Braun.

I thank my friend, Representative Luttrell, who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, for leading the House companion bill to this important bill.

The Mark Our Place Act would ensure that every Medal of Honor recipient is properly honored where they have been laid to rest.

Under current law, only Medal of Honor recipients who served on or after April 6, 1917, can receive a headstone, grave marker, or medallion that reflects the Medal of Honor status. S. 3126 would remove that unjust date limitation.

It should go without saying that every Medal of Honor recipient's story of service should be displayed on their headstone should their family wish to do so.

The Medal of Honor is our Nation's highest military award. It is reserved for servicemembers who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice in combat. Over 2,000 servicemembers were awarded Medals of Honor before April 6, 1917, and this bill would ensure that they are all recognized for their bravery.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 3126, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Luttrell), who is my good friend and the chairman of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.

Madam Speaker, I have no more speakers.

Madam Speaker, I encourage Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2181) to amend title 38, United States Code, to repeal the sunset on entitlement to memorial headstones and markers for commemoration of veterans and certain individuals and to repeal the sunset on authority to bury remains of certain spouses and children in national cemeteries, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on S. 2181, as amended.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2181, as amended. This bill was introduced by Senator Peters. My colleagues, Representative James and Representative Reschenthaler, introduced companion bills.

This bill would ensure that veterans can be laid to rest and mourned together with their spouses and children.

Under current law, VA can inter certain family members together with their veteran loved one in a VA national cemetery only if those family members passed away before September 30, 2025.

VA can provide headstones or markers for certain family members whose

remains are unavailable for burial only if they passed away before September 30, 2025. S. 2181, as amended, would extend those date limitations.

As a veteran myself, this is a deeply personal issue to me. We must ensure that veterans and their families have the option of being laid to rest together. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 2181, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am ready to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7653) to amend title 38, United States Code, to update certain terminology regarding veteran employment.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7653 offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Davis).

Madam Speaker, the VERY Act would strike the term ``employment handicap'' from the law that authorizes the Veteran Readiness and Employment program and replace it with the term ``employment barrier.''

This term is used in the law to describe participants who are eligible and entitled to receive benefits and services. The bill is a simple fix that would remove a negative view of the term ``handicap'' and replace it with a more positive word.

This Congress, VA has made significant mistakes that have damaged their relationship with veterans, and it is our job as Congress to help VA rebuild trust with our veterans.

While the new Trump administration has many issues to fix that were created by the current administration, this change is a step in the right direction. This Congress, the Republican majority has worked hard to improve the VR&E program.

Now, we have put the VA's feet to the fire to ensure that veterans are put first when using the VR&E program. Representative Davis' bill takes a step in the right direction to do exactly that.

We must continue to break down barriers to level the playing field for veterans seeking employment. I thank the VFW and the DAV for supporting this bill. I also recognize the work of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7653.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Madam Speaker, once again, I encourage Members to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8371) to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 8371, as amended.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8371, as amended, offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani), my friend and colleague.

For nearly the entire 118th Congress, the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs have worked together to develop a bipartisan package of commonsense proposals. The Dole act is the result of that work and would enhance, reform, and modernize nearly every part of the

Madam Speaker, while I think we could and should have been able to pass this bill months ago, I am pleased to be here today. I know that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle took issue with some provisions in the Dole act due to a disagreement on the provision's intent.

The provision that was opposed only affected about 6 percent of the VA's current community referrals. This provision would rightfully make sure that VA bureaucracy cannot veto a doctor's medical decisions.

Veterans groups understand this, and that is why they support this bill from the start and without reservation. Thanks to the hard work of these groups of pushing Members to do the right thing, we have come to a compromise on the language before us today. I think it is obvious to everyone that our veterans and their families simply can't wait.

Before I reserve my time, I will thank Representative Ciscomani and dozens of Members that have provisions in this bill. I am so happy to have Members like Representative Ciscomani on our team.

I also thank my friend, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, for bringing the Dole act to the floor. He has reaffirmed his and the rest of the House Republicans' commitment to veterans, servicemembers, and their families.

Last but certainly not least, I will personally thank my friend and recent Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, this bill's namesake, Senator Elizabeth Dole, for working for months to get this bill to where it is today. Our Nation's veterans have no better friend than Senator Dole, and I am honored that she is with us here today.

Madam Speaker, 2 weeks ago the American people voted and gave us a mandate to fix problems they talk about at their kitchen tables that affect their families and communities every single day. The Dole act is the foundation for that work to begin for the veteran community, and I urge my colleagues to do right by the veterans and support the bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Natural Resources,

Washington, DC, November 4, 2024.

Hon. Mike Bost,

Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding H.R. 8371, the

``Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and

Benefits Improvement Act,'' which contains legislative

provisions within the jurisdiction of the Committee on

Natural Resources.

In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed

expeditiously to floor consideration, the Committee on

Natural Resources will forgo formal consideration of the

legislation. I do so with the understanding that the

Committee on Natural Resources does not waive any future

jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in

the bill that fall within its jurisdiction. I also request

that you urge the Speaker to name members of this committee

to any conference committee which is named to consider such

provisions.

Please place this letter into the Congressional Record

during consideration of this legislation on the House floor.

Sincerely,

Bruce Westerman,

Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bergman).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Luttrell).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani), the chief sponsor of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the Representative from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Baird).

Madam Speaker, may I inquire of the Chair as to how much time is remaining.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. I offer a very special thank-you to the ranking member, the staff who have been involved in the negotiations back and forth, the Senate, all of our VSOs that came out--as I said in my opening, there were over 50--in support of this bill, and for the hard work and pushing forward that Senator Elizabeth Dole has done on this bill. We are so glad that we can call it up tonight.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 8371, as amended, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6656) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Commissioner of Social Security to implement automated systems with callback functionality for each customer service telephone line of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration, respectively, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 6656, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6656, offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), my good friend and colleague.

The Stuck on Hold Act would require the VA to implement an automated callback system. This bill would inform veterans of the expected wait time for their call to be answered. This change would make life easier for veterans while ensuring the VA responds to them in a timely manner.

During my time in Congress, I have long heard horror stories from veterans about waiting on hold for over an hour to talk to someone at the VA. That is unacceptable in today's digital age, and the VA needs to do better.

Representative Calvert's bill is in lockstep with the House Republicans'

effort to modernize VA care and services. I thank the VFW and DAV for their support of this bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6656, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 522) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide or assist in providing a vehicle adapted for operation by disabled individuals to certain eligible persons, to pay expenses associated with the delivery of such vehicle, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 522, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 522 offered by my friend and colleague, Delegate Moylan from Guam.

This bill would allow VA to pay for the shipping price of specially adapted vehicles for disabled veterans.

Currently, service-connected disabled veterans who are unable to drive due to their disability can work with the VA to get an adapted vehicle for their use. Unfortunately, shipping costs are not currently under the program, so it is difficult for a disabled veteran to have an adapted vehicle shipped to them.

While this might not be an issue for some veterans, other veterans are unable to use the program because the resources are not available close to home to make the modifications necessary.

Delegate Moylan's bill would correct this issue by allowing shipping costs to be covered by the VA. At a time when people across the country are feeling the effects of the Biden-Harris economic policies, Congress needs to help veterans stretch their dollars a little further.

This bill would do just that, and it would save potentially thousands of dollars for disabled veterans. I thank the DAV and VFW for their tireless work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 522, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Moylan), the sponsor of this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7323) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disapprove courses of education offered by a public institution of higher learning that does not charge the in-State tuition rate to a veteran using certain educational assistance under title 10 of such Code, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 7323, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7323 offered by my friend and fellow veteran, our Economic Opportunity Subcommittee chairman, Representative Van Orden.

This bill would reduce tuition costs for Montgomery GI Bill selected reservists by making them eligible for the same in-State tuition waiver that the other GI Bill recipients receive.

Representative Van Orden's bill would also reduce the cost for veterans seeking to become pilots. Veterans attending flight training schools would not be charged unlimited fees but instead would pay fees equal to those charged by a 4-year private college or university.

Student veterans would also be able to complete their flight training faster because they would be able to attend flight training year-round under this bill.

I fully support this bill that would ensure VA can protect the integrity of the GI Bill and provide veterans with the best economic and educational opportunities out there.

I thank the VFW, the ROA, and the DAV for supporting this bill, and I also thank my friend and colleague from New Jersey, Representative Kean, for his work on the flight school enhancements that are included in this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 7323, as amended. I reserve the balance of my time.

Committee on Armed Services,

House of Representatives,

Washington, DC, September 12, 2024.

Hon. Mike Bost,

Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Bost: I write concerning H.R. 7323, a bill

sponsored by Representative Van Orden of Wisconsin. As a

result of your having consulted with us on provisions within

H.R. 7323 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the

Committee on Armed Services, I agree to forego any further

consideration of this bill so that it may proceed

expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.

The Committee on Armed Services takes this action with our

mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R.

7323 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over

subject matter contained in this or similar legislation and

that our committee will be appropriately consulted and

involved as this bill or similar legislation moves forward so

that we may address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction.

Finally, I ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on

this matter be included by House Committee on Veterans'

Affairs in the Congressional Record during floor

consideration, to memorialize our understanding. Thank you

for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding

this matter and others between our respective committees.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Rogers,

Chairman, House Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Kean).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 656) to amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the rules for approval by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of commercial driver education programs for purposes of veterans educational assistance, and for other purposes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 656 offered by my colleague, Senator Fischer from Nebraska. This would cut through the red tape for the approval process for commercial driving schools across the country.

House Republicans' priority is to expand the employment opportunities for veterans after they leave the military.

As a former truck driver and a former manager of our family's trucking business, which I was raised in, I know how important it is to have qualified drivers.

The American Trucking Institute said they need 60,000 more drivers to keep the economy moving. This bill allows veterans to help meet that demand.

We may need to make changes to the law to address some concerns in the future. However, it is essential that we advance the bill to create more job opportunities for our veterans. I look forward to continuing to improve CDL programs, and I urge my colleagues to support S. 656.

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

You have my word we will continue to work with your staff to do the best we can. I think this bill is in very, very good shape the way it is. As the only one that actually has a CDL, we should probably realize that the safety is here, that is all good, but I would be willing to work on it in the future to move it on out today.

Yes.

Ask that question again. I am sorry.

Yes.

The updated language is in the Dole Act, if we can have the opportunity to have the Dole Act, too.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards).

Mr. Speaker, as a veteran and as a person that drove big stuff, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6324) to authorize major medical facility projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2024, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 6324, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6324, as amended. H.R. 6324 will authorize major VA medical construction projects in Washington, Texas, Maryland, Oregon, Nevada, California, Missouri, Connecticut, and Puerto Rico.

Updating VA's aging infrastructure is a constant process. In order to best serve our Nation's veterans and provide them with the modern healthcare that they deserve, it is essential that we fund projects like these.

The projects in this bill include new healthcare centers, a community living center, specialty care buildings, mental health clinics, research facilities, and others. The average VA medical center is decades older than the average private hospital.

I still believe the best way to solve the problem would be to align spending on VA facilities with the veteran population. Unfortunately, that is not being taken care of in the Senate. We have passed it out of here.

We also need to fund the construction projects VA is requesting right now. This legislation would deliver new facilities in communities throughout the country.

I recognize the work of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for helping with this legislation and bringing this bill to the floor on behalf of our Nation's veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6324, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am ready to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7777) to increase, effective as of December 1, 2024, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7777, offered by my friend and fellow veteran, Representative Luttrell.

This bill will ensure that VA compensation benefits for veterans and their surviving loved ones keep pace with inflation and the increased cost of living.

Veterans and their families often depend on VA compensation benefits to pay for daily living expenses and to support their families. This bill would help them meet their financial needs by increasing the amount of certain disability compensation benefits by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase for Social Security benefits recipients.

Congress must pass the cost-of-living adjustment every year to ensure that our veterans and their loved ones cover their expenses and keep food on the table for their families.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7777, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Luttrell), the sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage Members to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7100) to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the organization of the Office of Survivors Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 7100.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7100, as offered by Representative Ciscomani.

This bill would ensure that VA prioritizes care, services, and benefits for the surviving family members of veterans as much as VA does for the veterans.

The bill would do so by ensuring the VA Office of Survivors Assistance conducts its mission with the Office of the VA Secretary.

In 2008, Congress created an Office of Survivors Assistance to serve as the Secretary's principal adviser and to serve as a resource on all benefits and services for veterans' surviving loved ones.

The Biden-Harris administration did veterans' survivors a disservice by moving this office from the Secretary's office to the Veterans Benefits Administration's Pension and Fiduciary Service. This office is nowhere near the top of the organization chart, and the office no longer advises the Secretary on all benefits and services for those survivors.

The Office of Survivors Assistance is understaffed and no longer has resources for survivors on all care, services, and benefits offered by all VA offices.

Mr. Ciscomani's bill would correct the Biden-Harris administration's misguided changes and ensure survivors have a seat at the table again.

We must ensure the voices of veterans' surviving families are heard and that they are prioritized by the VA. This bill will ensure that.

I am proud to be co-lead of this bill with Representative Ciscomani, and I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 7100.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani), the sponsor of this bill.

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