Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1092 has several provisions which, one, extends the authority of the VA to enter into enhanced-use leases for VA property, renames the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals, renames the National Cemetery System, codifies the increased compensation rates authorized in last year's COLA bill. Enhanced-use leasing is a tool with which the VA can work with the private sector to develop VA property for mutual beneficial uses. This authority has proven effective in developing child care centers, parking facilities, and regional offices on VA campuses. We want to encourage the Department to continue and expand these efforts. The bill also changes the name of the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. According to Chief Judge Nebeker, this will clarify that the court is independent of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Changing the name of the National Cemetery System to the National Cemetery Administration would make it consistent with other administrations within the VA. Finally, the bill codifies the compensation and D-I-C increase we enacted in last year's COLA bill. This will make the correct rates available to more people, and has no effect on the amounts actually paid.”