Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5293, the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2021. This bill is sponsored by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Mrvan), and I thank him for introducing this bill to extend expiring authorities and programs.

The VA Expiring Authorities Act of 2021 would make VA dental insurance programs permanent so that veterans under VA's care are able to buy low-cost dental insurance coverage.

It would also allow veterans to continue to receive travel benefits when seeking support at vet centers.

It would also extend VA's Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed, or CHIP IN for Vets pilot program by an additional 5 years.

The CHIP IN program allows VA to accept real property donations from nongovernment entities. The program was established by Congress in 2016. It has already proven successful in delivering VA medical facilities to veterans in Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Extending this program has been a priority of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Jackson) and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon). I appreciate their leadership on this.

I am also grateful to my fellow House and Senate committee leaders-- Chairman Takano, Chairman Tester, and Ranking Member Moran--for their work on this bill.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of H.R. 5293.

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I just urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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