Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014

Floor Speech

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I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the amendment to H.R. 5404 would extend a number of expiring current authorities and critical programs at both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor. These programs include authorizations for veterans' health care and homeless programs, benefits for disabled veterans, and home loan programs.

These noncontroversial programs are set to expire at the end of this fiscal or calendar year. These are not new programs, and the costs have either been fully offset or have been assumed in the baseline budget for this year.

The amendment to H.R. 5404 would also make certain technical and conforming changes to Public Law 113-146, the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014. These changes are needed to ensure proper and swift implementation of this important law that provides veterans whose care at VA is delayed with a choice to obtain private care and provides the Secretary the tools he needs to hold senior VA managers accountable. The changes have the support of the majority and minority leadership of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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