Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5293) to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and modify certain authorities and requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5293

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2021''. SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR DENTAL INSURANCE PLAN FOR VETERANS AND SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS OF VETERANS.

Section 1712C of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (j). SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS AND ALLOWANCES FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN CONNECTION WITH VETERANS RECEIVING CARE FROM VET CENTERS.

Section 104(a) of the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 (Public Law 112- 154; 126 Stat. 1169), as most recently amended by section 5109 of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (Public Law 116-159; 134 Stat. 749), is further amended by striking ``September 30, 2021'' and inserting ``September 30, 2022''. SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON ACCEPTANCE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF DONATED FACILITIES AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS.

Section 2(i) of the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-294; 38 U.S.C. 8103 note) is amended by striking ``the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``December 16, 2026''. SEC. 5. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

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Mr. TAKANO. 5293.

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Mr. TAKANO. 5293, the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2021, offered by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Mrvan), the chairman of our Technology Modernization Subcommittee and my good friend.

This package ensures continued operations of several programs that are vital to addressing the needs of veterans we serve.

First, this bill removes the December 31, 2021, expiration date and makes permanent VA's dental insurance program. This benefit allows qualifying veterans, survivors, and dependents the opportunity to purchase discounted dental insurance coverage that includes preventive, diagnostic, endodontic, restorative, surgical, and emergency dental services.

Each individual covered by the program pays the entire premium for coverage in addition to the full cost of any copays. Enrollment is voluntary and does not affect eligible individuals' entitlement to existing VHA outpatient dental services and treatment.

Second, H.R. 5293 will extend VA's authority to provide travel reimbursement for certain veterans living in highly rural areas to receive care at vet centers. These centers serve as a lifeline for veterans who may not feel comfortable seeking services at traditional VA medical facilities. They offer individual and group therapy, marriage and family counseling, and assist veterans in connecting to other VA benefits.

H.R. 5293 extends VA's authority to reimburse mileage, tolls, and other travel expenses veterans from highly rural areas may incur when traveling to vet centers.

Finally, H.R. 5293 will extend for 5 years VA's authority to operate the Communities Helping Invest through Property and Improvements Needed for Veterans Act of 2016 or the CHIP IN Act.

This program allows VA to accept donations from non-Federal entities of buildings and land that VA will use to address long-term infrastructure needs, including the delivery of healthcare services.

Examples of non-Federal entities that can make donations under the pilot include State and local authorities, a donor or donor group, limited liability corporations, or tax-exempt organizations.

The CHIP IN Act allows VA to use funds that have already been appropriated for a particular facility's construction project to assist a donor of real property and improvements with financing, designing, or constructing the facility to suit VA's needs.

Thus far, VA has accepted two donations: design and construction of a facility on the grounds of the VA Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska; and construction of an inpatient facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This bill will extend VA's authority to accept similar donations in other locations.

Once again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5293, which will authorize the continued operation of these important programs.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5293, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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