Legislation Enacted into Law
The Clay Hunt SAV Act (H.R. 203)
Introduced by Rep. Tim Walz
H.R. 203 would increase access to mental health care and capacity at VA to meet demand, improve the quality of care, boost accountability at VA, and develop a community support system for veterans.
Status: Public Law No: 114-2 (Signed 2/12/2015)
Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act (H.R. 2496)
Introduced by Rep. Mike Coffman
H.R. 2496 To extend the authorization for the replacement of the existing Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, to make certain improvements in the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, and for other purposes.
Status: Public Law No: 114-19 (Signed 5/22/2015)
Veterans Identification Card Act 2015 (H.R. 91)
Introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan
H.R. 91 would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to issue, upon request, veteran identification cards to certain veterans.
Status: Public Law No: 114-31 (Signed 7/20/2015)
To designate the arboretum at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, VIrginia, as the "Phyllis E. Galanti Arboretum" (H.R. 2693)
Introduced by Rep. Dave Brat
H.R. 2693 would designate the arboretum at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, as the ``Phyllis E. Galanti Arboretum.''
Status: Public Law No: 114-103 (Signed 12/18/2015)
Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 (H.R. 3236)
Introduced by Rep. Bill Shuster
H.R. 3236 would provide an extension of Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, to provide resource flexibility to the Department of Veterans Affairs for health care services, and for other purposes.
Status: Public Law No: 114-41 (Signed 7/31/2015)
To provide for the conveyance of land of the Illiana Health Care System of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Danville, Illinois (H.R. 3262)
Introduced by Rep. John Shimkus
H.R. 3262 provides for the conveyance of land of the Illiana Health Care System of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Danville, Illinois.
Status: Public Law No: 114-129 (Signed 2/29/2016)
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to convey to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs all right, title, and interest of the United States to the property known as "The Community Living Center" at the Lake Baldwin Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Orlando, Florida (H.R. 4056)
Introduced by Rep. John Mica
H.R. 4056 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to convey to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs all right, title, and interest of the United States to the property known as "The Community Living Center" at the Lake Baldwin Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Orlando, Florida.
Status: Public Law No: 114-130 (Signed 2/29/2016)
To extend the deadline for the submittal of the final report required by the Commission on Care (H.R. 4437)
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller
H.R. 4437 extends the deadline for the submittal of the final report required by the Commission on Care.
Status: Public Law No: 114-131 (Signed 2/29/2016)
An act to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the inurnment in Arlington National Cemetary of the cremated remains of certain persons whose service has been determined to be active service (H.R. 4336)
Introduced by Rep. Martha McSally
H.R. 4336 amends title 38, United States Code, to provide for the inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery of the cremated remains of certain persons whose service has been determined to be active service.
Status: Public Law No: 114-158 (Signed 5/20/2016)
To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in The Dalles, Oregon, as the "Loren R. Kaufman VA Clinic" (H.R. 1762)
Introduced by Rep. Greg Walden
H.R. 1762 designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located at 704 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Oregon, as the "Loren R. Kaufman Memorial Veterans' Clinic."
Status: Public Law No: 114-179 (Signed 6/22/2016)
To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Sevierville, Tennessee, the Dannie A. Carr Veterans Outpatient Clinic (H.R. 2814)
Introduced by Rep. Phil Roe
H.R. 2814 names the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Sevierville, Tennessee, the Dannie A. Carr Veterans Outpatient Clinic.
Status: Public Law 114-164 (Signed 6/3/2016)
Veterans' Compensation COLA Act of 2016 (H.R. 5588)
Introduced by Rep. Ralph Lee Abraham
H.R. 5588 increases, effective as of December 1, 2016, 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.
Status: Public Law 114-197 (Signed 7/22/2016)
To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Laughlin, Nevada, as the "Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean VA Clinic" (H.R. 3969)
Introduced by Rep. Joseph Heck
H.R. 3969 designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Laughlin, Nevada, as the "Master Chief Petty Officer Jesse Dean Department of Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic."
Status: Public Law 114-220 (Signed 9/23/2016)
To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into certain leases at the Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, California, to make certain improvements to the enhanced-use lease authority of the Department, and for other purposes (H.R. 5936)
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller
H.R. 5936 authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into certain leases at the Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, California, to make certain improvements to the enhanced-use lease authority of the Department, and for other purposes .
Status: Public Law 114-226 (Signed 9/29/2016)
To amend title 36, United States Code, to authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to acquire, operate, and maintain the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-Coquette, France, and for other purposes (H.R. 5937)
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller
H.R. 5937 amends title 36, United States Code, to authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to acquire, operate, and maintain the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-Coquette, France, and for other purposes .
Status: Public Law 114-227 (Signed 9/29/2016)
Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016 (H.R. 5985)
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller
H.R. 5985 amends title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Status: Public Law 114-228 (Signed 9/29/2016)
To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Newark, Ohio, as the Daniel L. Kinnard Va Clinic (H.R. 960)
Introduced by Rep. Patrick Tiberi
H.R. 960 designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Newark, Ohio, as the Daniel L. Kinnard Va Clinic.
Status: Public Law 114-280 (Signed 12/16/2016)
Veterans Mobility Safety Act of 2016 (H.R. 3471)
Introduced by Rep. Jackie Walorski
H.R. 3471 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that an eligible disabled veteran provided an automobile or other conveyance is given the opportunity to make personal selections relating to the automobile or other conveyance.
Status: Public Law 114-256 (Signed 12/14/2016)
To name the Department of Veterans Affairs temporary lodging facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the "Dr. Otis Bowen Veteran House" (H.R. 5509)
Introduced by Rep. Susan Brooks
H.R. 5509 names the Department of Veterans Affairs temporary lodging facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the “Dr. Otis Bowen Veteran House”.
Status: Public Law 114-259 (Signed 12/14/2016)
No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act (H.R. 5392)
Introduced by Rep. David Young
H.R. 5392 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to improve the Veterans Crisis Line.
Status: Public Law 114-247 (Signed 11/28/16)
Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016 (H.R. 6416)
Introduced by Rep. Phil Roe
H.R. 6416 amends title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Status: Public Law 114-315 (Signed 12/16/2016)
Faster Care for Veterans Act of 2016 (H.R. 4352)
Introduced by Rep. Seth Moulton
H.R. 4352 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to begin an 18-month pilot program in at least three Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) under which veterans use an Internet website or mobile application to schedule and confirm appointments at VA medical facilities.
Status: Public Law 114-286 (Signed 12/16/2016)
House-Passed Bills
VA Accountability Act of 2015 (H.R. 1994)
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller
H.R. 1994 amends title 38, United States Code, to provide for the removal or demotion of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs based on performance or misconduct, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 7/29/2015)
Veteran Information Modernization Act (H.R. 2256)
Introduced by Rep. Dan Benishek
H.R. 2256 amends title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report on the Veterans Health Administration, to provide for the identification and tracking of biological implants used in Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 7/21/2015)
Veterans Employment, Education, and Healthcare Improvement Act (H.R. 3016)
Introduced by Rep. Brad Wenstrup
H.R. 3016 amends title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to health care, educational assistance, and vocational rehabilitation, to establish the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 2/09/2015)
To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recoup bonuses and awards paid to employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (H.R. 280)
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller
H.R. 280 authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue an order directing a VA employee to repay the amount, or a portion of the amount, of an award or bonus paid to the employee if: (1) the Secretary determines that such repayment is appropriate, and (2) the employee is afforded notice and an opportunity for a hearing. Makes the Secretary's repayment decisions final and unreviewable by any other agency or any court.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 3/2/2015)
Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act (H.R. 294)
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller
H.R. 294 authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), during the three-year period beginning on October 1, 2015, to transfer a veteran for whom the Secretary is required to provide nursing home care to a medical foster home that meets VA standards pursuant to a contract or agreement with the VA, at such veteran's request. Requires such veteran to agree, as a transfer condition, to accept VA home health services.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 3/2/2015)
VA Medical Center Recovery Act (H.R. 3234)
Introduced by Rep. Martha Roby
H.R. 3234 amends title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to evaluate the ability of each medical center of the Department to provide quality health care to veterans, to ensure that the Secretary improves such medical centers that are underperforming, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 2/9/2016)
Construction Reform Act (H.R. 3106)
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller
H.R. 3106 amends title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the administration of Department medical facility construction projects.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 2/9/2016)
Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 2915)
Introduced by Rep. Julia Brownley
H.R. 2915 amends title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to identify mental health care and suicide prevention programs and metrics that are effective in treating women veterans as part of the evaluation of such programs by the Secretary, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 2/9/2016)
Career-Ready Student Veterans Act (H.R. 2360)
Introduced by Rep. Mark Takano
H.R. 2360 amends title 38, United States Code, to improve the approval of certain programs of education for purposes of educational assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 2/9/2016)
Ruth Moore Act of 2015 (H.R. 1607)
Introduced by Rep. Chellie Pingree
H.R. 1607 amends title 38, United States Code, to improve the disability compensation evaluation procedure of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for veterans with mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 7/25/2015)
Honor America's Guard-Reserve Retirees Act (H.R. 1384)
Introduced by Rep. Timothy Walz
H.R. 1384 amends title 38, United States Code, to improve the disability compensation evaluation procedure of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for veterans with mental health conditions related to military sexual trauma, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 11/16/2015)
BRAVE Act (H.R. 1382)
Introduced by Rep. Kathleen Rice
H.R. 1382 amends title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in awarding a contract for the procurement of goods or services, to give a preference to offerors that employ veterans.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 5/18/2015)
Dignified Interment of Our Veterans Act of 2015 (H.R. 1338)
Introduced by Rep. Bill Shuster
H.R. 1338 requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on matters relating to the burial of unclaimed remains of veterans in national cemeteries, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 11/16/2015)
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Relief Act (H.R. 1313)
Introduced by Rep. Jerry McNerney
H.R. 1313 amends title 38, United States Code, to enhance the treatment of certain small business concerns for purposes of Department of Veterans Affairs contracting goals and preferences.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 5/18/2015)
Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act (H.R. 1038)
Introduced by Rep. Ryan Costello
H.R. 1038 amends title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to retain a copy of any reprimand or admonishment received by an employee of the Department in the permanent record of the employee.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 5/18/2015)
American Heroes COLA Act of 2015 (H.R. 677)
Introduced by Rep. Ralph Lee Abraham
H.R. 677 amends title 38, United States Code, to provide for annual cost-of-living adjustments to be made automatically by law each year in the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled veterans, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 2/9/2016)
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2015 (H.R. 675)
Introduced by Rep. Ralph Lee Abraham
H.R. 675 increases, effective as of December 1, 2015, 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, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, to improve the processing of claims by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 7/28/2016)
Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 474)
Introduced by Rep. Brad Wenstrup
H.R. 474 amends title 38, United States Code, to provide for a five-year extension to the homeless veterans reintegration programs and to provide clarification regarding eligibility for services under such programs.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 5/18/2016)
Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 216)
Introduced by Rep. Corrine Brown
H.R. 216 amends title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a Future-Years Veterans Program and a quadrennial veterans review, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Chief Strategy Officer, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 3/24/2015)
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of adult day health care services for veterans (H.R. 2460)
Introduced by Rep. Lee Zeldin
H.R. 2460 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into an agreement or a contract with each state home to pay for adult day health care for a veteran eligible for, but not receiving, nursing home care.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 5/24/2016)
Final Farewell Act of 2016 (H.R. 3715)
Introduced by Rep. Corrine Brown
H.R. 3715 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to permit the interment or funeral, memorial service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran at a national cemetery during weekends, other than federal holiday weekends, upon the request of the veteran's next-of-kin made for religious or cultural reasons.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 5/24/2016)
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a plan to hire directors of the medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes (H.R. 3956)
Introduced by Rep. Mike Bost
H.R. 3956 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop and implement a plan to hire a director for each VA medical center without a permanent director.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 5/24/2016)
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the process for determining the eligibility of caregivers of veterans to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes (H.R. 3989)
Introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik
H.R. 3989 permits an individual to elect to have an independent contractor perform an external clinical review.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 5/24/2016)
Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act (H.R. 4063)
Introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis
H.R. 4063 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to jointly update the VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 5/11/2016)
Improving Transition Programs for All Veterans Act (H.R. 5229)
Introduced by Rep. Mark Takano
H.R. 5229 authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out certain major medical facility projects for which appropriations are being made for fiscal year 2016, and for other purposes.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 5/24/2016)
Fiscal Year 2016 Department of Veterans Affairs Seismic Safety and Construction Authorization Act (H.R. 4590)
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller
H.R. 4590 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to study and report on programs to assist veterans in their transition to civilian life.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 6/21/2016)
Veteran Engagement Teams Act or VET Act (H.R. 3936)
Introduced by Rep. Ryan Costello
H.R. 3936 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a three-year pilot program under which the VA shall carry out Veteran Engagement Team events in which veterans will be assisted in completing VA disability and pension claims.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 6/21/2016)
To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs health care center in Center Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the "Abie Abraham VA Clinic" (H.R. 5317)
Introduced by Rep. Mike Kelly
H.R. 5317 designates the Department of Veterans Affairs health care center in Center Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the “Abie Abraham VA Clinic.”
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 6/21/2016)
VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 (H.R. 5620)
Introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller
H.R. 5620 authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove or demote a VA employee based on performance or misconduct and provides that specified federal employee performance appraisal provisions shall not apply to such removals or demotions.
Status: Pending in Senate (House Passed 9/14/2016)
Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act (H.R. 3839)
Introduced by Rep. Kristi Noem
H.R. 3839 transfers jurisdiction over certain public land from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for inclusion in the Black Hills National Cemetery.
Status: Passed House (House Passed 9/6/2016)
VET Act (H.R. 3216)
Introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse
H.R. 3216 amends title 38, United States Code, to clarify the emergency hospital care furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to certain veterans.
Status: Passed House (House Passed 9/27/2016)
Vet Connect Act of 2016 (H.R. 5162)
Introduced by Rep. Beto O'Rourke
H.R. 5162 amends title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disclose to non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers certain medical records of veterans who receive health care from such providers.
Status: Passed House (House Passed 9/27/2016)
To name the Department of Veterans Affairs temporary lodging facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the "Dr. Otis Bowen Veteran House" (H.R. 5509)
Introduced by Rep. Susan Brooks
H.R. 5509 names the Department of Veterans Affairs temporary lodging facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, as the “Dr. Otis Bowen Veteran House”.
Status: Passed House (House Passed 9/27/2016)
To authorize the Directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts with appropriate civilian accreditation entities or appropriate health care evaluation entities to investigate medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs (H.R. 6435)
Introduced by Rep. Markwayne Mullin
Status: Passed House (House Passed 12/7/2016)
