S. 923 is a bill to deny burial in a national cemetery to veterans convicted of capital offenses. During our committee hearings on this measure, and a similar measure which the gentleman from Illinois and I introduced, we heard testimony…

the American people want responsible Federal Government and bills that make sense. We should all be pleased with the Forage Improvement Act of 1997, because it improves Federal management responsibilities and will result in a more…

A lot of people put a lot of time in achieving this bill, and I especially want to thank the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. Everett], the chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr…

I rise on this occasion to offer remarks on the imminent departure of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown. Secretary Brown is due to leave the helm of the second largest Federal agency at the conclusion of this month. Special…

Mr. Chairman, I rose in opposition not because I am in opposition to the gentleman's amendment but merely to express my thanks to him for withdrawing his amendment or he is about to. In the rush to deal with the McVeigh issue, everyone…

veterans health care needs are critically important to the VA Committee. We will maintain a close watch on the impact of this year's budget development on veterans health care concerns. The administration's budget was a package flawed from…

Mr. Speaker, many consider Bob Hope's most important contribution to American society to be entertaining this Nation's troops overseas. From World War II to the Persian Gulf, Bob Hope performed for millions of American GI's stationed all…

H.R. 1090 extends the grounds upon which a veteran may appeal an adverse benefit decision to the Board of Veterans Appeals and to the Court of Veterans Appeals. The bill allows appeals based on what is known as a clear and unmistakable…

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…

Mr. Speaker, the House-Senate agreement, which produced this legislation, includes provisions from several bills passed by the House during the 104th Congress. These bills are H.R. 1384, to allow VA employees to work outside the VA; H.R…

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3458, as amended, the COLA bill, increases 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…

Mr. Speaker, the provisions of this bill come from both House and Senate-passed initiatives during the 104th Congress to enhance, improve, and continue many veterans benefits. The bill makes positive changes to the administrative functions…

H.R. 3118, the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, is hopefully the first step toward overhauling the confusing eligibility requirements currently confronting our veterans. This bipartisan legislation will move the VA…

this bill increases 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. The increase would be effective on…

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3674, is one of the most significant pieces of veterans legislation to be considered by the House in some time. It is probably the largest expansion of benefits for veterans since the Persian Gulf war. As provided for in…

H.R. 3673, the veterans' compensation and readjustment benefits amendments of 1996, makes various improvements to VA disability programs, education benefits, and administration of the home loan program. It also reauthorizes the Homeless…

Our amendment would increase the funds available for administration of the Veterans Employment and Training Service by $3.8 million. This increase would be offset by a reduction in funding from the national activities account of the…

Mr. Chairman, the Veterans' Affairs Committee has worked hard this Congress to improve the operations of the Veterans Employment and Training Service and employment opportunities for veterans. And one again, we've done it in a bipartisan…

this bill authorizes $422 million in VA major medical facility construction for fiscal year 1997. I want to thank the ranking member of the committee, my good friend, Sonny Montgomery, for his work on this measure. I also want to thank Tim…

as a strong advocate of immigration reform, I am extremely pleased that the House has turned its attention to an issue that has a growing impact on our lives and is very important to those we represent. Due to the hard work and…

Mr. Speaker, in 1995 the House passed H.R. 1536, H.R. 1575, H.R. 2289, and H.R. 2353. These bills extended a variety of VA authority for veterans health care and benefits. The other body combined the provisions of these 4 bills and…

I am proud to be one of 21 current Members of the House of Representatives being honored for military service during World War II. We, along with the millions of other young men and women who served our country in uniform during that war…

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2394, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 1995, would authorize the VA to provide the same cost-of-living adjustment [COLA] payable to Social Security recipients. However, the bill is consistent…

H.R. 1384 would exempt VA professional nurses, physicians' assistants, and expanded-duty dental auxiliaries from restrictions regarding outside professional activities for remuneration. Mr. Speaker, the CBO has stated H.R. 1384 would have…

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1536 would extend until December 31, 1997, the authority to permit VA Medical Center Directors to use nurse anesthetist contract agency compensation data to adjust locality-based nurse pay rates. This would only be done…