H.R.7319 , the “VA Bonus and Relocation Recovery Act”

Good afternoon. Today we are considering eight bills, which I will be asking unanimous consent to consider in two en blocs. All of these bills were considered at a legislative hearing in this subcommittee. In accordance with committee rules, the subcommittee has contacted the Congressional Budget Office seeking informal preliminary cost estimates for each of the bills being considered today. I now recognize the distinguished member ranking ranking member for any opening remarks she may have.

Thank you, Chairwoman. Good afternoon. I I wanna thank you, Chair Kiggins, for organizing today's mark-up. In lieu of making opening remarks, I will comment on the individual bills as they are called up so that we can quickly proceed to considering the two en blocs of legislation on today's agenda. With that, I yield back.

Thank you, ranking member Ramirez. I now ask unanimous consent to consider en bloc amendments in the nature of a substitute for the following bills that were included in the notice for this mark-up. H. R. seventy-nine fifty, establishing the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, and H. R. seventy-six eighty-three, the VA Fiscal Management Modernization Act. Hearing no objections, so ordered. The clerk shall report the bills.

H. R. seven nine five zero, to amend title thirty-eight, United States Code, to establish the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs in the Department of Veteran Affairs and for other purposes.

The bills were circulated in advance, so pursuant to committee pursuant to committee rules. I ask that the reading of the bills be dispensed with, and the bills be open to amendment at any point. Without objection, so ordered. There is an amendment in the nature of a substitute. For each of these bills is considered base text for purposes of mark-up. Without objection, so ordered. I now recognize myself for a moment to speak in support of both the VA Fiscal Management Modernization Act and legislation to codify the Office of Congressional At their core, these bills address long-standing bipartisan concerns related to the VA's fiscal management, accounting practices, and transparency with Congress. These are not new issues and they are not partisan issues, they are oversight issues. We've all seen the consequences of VA's disjointed financial management structure. The recent alleged budget shortfall from the previous administration raised serious concerns about how the VA is tracking, projecting, and communicating its financial position. When Congress is presented with shifting numbers and unclear explanations, it becomes incredibly difficult to fulfill our constitutional responsibility to appropriate and oversee tax dollars. And that's just one example. Time and time again, members of this committee on both sides of the aisle have struggled to receive clear, timely, and complete answers from the VA. Whether it is budget data, program execution, or policy implementation, the lack of responsiveness and transparency undermines our ability to do our jobs effectively. That is why these reforms matter. The VA Fiscal Management Modernization Act would establish a clear line of accountability by consolidating financial authority under a single chief financial officer. That is a common-sense step to improve coordination, strength and oversight, and ensure that the VA's financial practices are accurate, consistent, and transparent. Similarly, codifying the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs sets a clear expectation for how the VA engages with Congress. Oversight should not depend on informal and shifting internal or political practices. It should be grounded in statute, with defined roles, responsibilities, and accountability. These bills are about restoring trust, trust between the VA and Congress, and ultimately trust with the veterans we serve. Now I understand members of the minority may have concerns or suggestions regarding these proposals. Let me be clear, we are willing to work through those in good faith. If there are ways to improve these bills, strengthen them, or address unintended consequences, we are open to that conversation. But what we cannot do is merely acknowledge that these problems have persisted, haven't persisted for years, and then not be willing to legislate. I urge my colleagues to support these important reforms and I yield back. Does any member wish to speak on any of the bills or the amendments in the nature of a substitute included in the on in the en bloc?

Yes. Thank you, Chair.

Recognized Ranking Member Ramirez.

I want to start by telling you that I appreciate my colleagues' work on these bills. Uh, but for the record, it's important for me to note that I have serious concerns with the current drafts and hope that we can continue to work on this language, as it proceeds through committee. Democrats on this committee, including myself, have been unsatisfied with information received from the current VA chief, financial officer, Richard Topping. The budget he and his office formulated for year twenty twenty seven may cut to critical VA functions things like research with little justification. Further, Miss Miss Topping is leading a nearly trillion dollar acquisition for the community care next generation contract. You all could not answer basic questions from me and my colleagues about how VA would fix its past mistakes in management of the community care program. Voting for this bill would signal to the VA that we approve of Miss of Miss uh Mister Topping, sorry, Mister Topping's performance and we do not. Before we go as far as to codify the CFO role at the VA, we need to have a fuller understanding of how the VA plans to consolidate power in that office. Recently, we found out that the VA is moving most IT and construction I've concerns about the shift of these programs and how it's going to actually in fact affect VA operations. Additionally, it is unclear how this bill meshes with the acquisition reform and cost assessment of twenty twenty five or ARCA which is a priority for both chambers I fear that if both HR seventy six eighty three and ARCA were to become law they would create unnecessary conflicts in authority related to acquisitions at the VA. This would result in further slowing down VA's contracting process, which would hinder the agency from procuring the goods and services it needs to function best for our veterans. I will now turn to H. R. seventy-nine fifty, a bill that would codify the VA office of congressional and legislative affairs. Well, look, I appreciate the intent behind this bill that would would ensure as members of Congress receive accurate and timely information from the VA, I do believe there are some aspects of the current bill, as it's currently written, that are unrealistic and may result in unintended consequences. You see, many of the penalties in this bill would make it harder, not easier, for Congress to fulfill its oversight responsibilities by potentially decimating the O- the OCLA workforce. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to work with us to make the changes necessary to both ANS to HR seventy-six, eighty-three, and H R seventy nine fifty heading into full committee mark-up. And with that, Chairwoman, I yield back.

Thank you. The chair now recognizes representative Saul for five minutes.

Uh, thank you, uh, Madam Chair. Um, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on behalf of my bill, H R seventy nine fifty. This bill is about building a foundational and dependable relationship between Congress and VA. Right now, That relationship is too often stained by delays and gaps in information. We must do something. My bill takes a structured approach to the problem. It does not just ask for better communication, it builds a system designed to produce it. By codifying the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs in statute, we are setting expectations that are transparent and enforceable. A clear structure, lines of responsibility, will be established. If the department fails to meet its obligations, this bill provides consequences. There will be funding restrictions, potentially inspector general review. Congress does not ask for information to burden the department. We ask for it to do our job, to legislate effectively, to allocate resources responsibly, and to hold the system accountable when it falls short. And that last part is very much needed. When Congress cannot get timely, clear answers, our ability to serve veterans suffers. If we are serious about improving outcomes for veterans, rather than just providing inputs all the time, the foundation to do that must be solid. This bill lays that foundation. VA must be responsive to Congress. Uh, thank you, Madam Chair. I yield back.

Does any member wish to offer an amendment to any of the amendments Hearing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to each of the amendments in the nature of a substitute included in the en bloc. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. I now recognize representative self for a motion.

Uh, Madam Chair, I move that the subcommittee favorably forward HR seventy nine fifty and seventy six eighty three as amended to the full committee.

There's a motion to favorably forward the bills as amended, included in the en bloc to the full committee. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it, and the bills, H R seventy nine fifty as amended and H R seventy six eighty three as amended are favorably forwarded to the full committee. The motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. I now ask unanimous consent to consider en bloc the following bills that do not have amendments. H. R. eighty-fifty-two, the Veterans Infection Prevention Act H. R. sixty-six fifty-four, the VA MOSA Act of twenty twenty-five H. R. eighty eighty-forty-three, the Vets Clear Act H. R. seventy-two, eighty, the Veteran Data Act H. R. eighty-forty-one, the Supporting VA Families Act and H. R. eighty-ten, the VA Police Recruitment and Retention Act of twenty twenty-six. Hearing no objection, so ordered. The clerk shall report the bills.

En bloc number two, H R eight zero five two, to amend title thirty eight, United States code, to require that sterile processing technician

The the the bills were circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules, so I ask that the reading of the bills be dispensed with, and bills be open to amendment at any point. Without objection, so ordered. I now would like to recognize myself to speak in support of the bills and the en bloc. I want to express my strong support for the Veteran Infection Prevention Act, the Vets Clear Act, And the VAMOSA Act, three bills that take targeted, common sense steps to improve safety, accountability, and efficiency across the VA. First, the Veteran Infection Prevention Act addresses a basic but critical educational benchmark by ensuring that those responsible for sterilizing medical equipment are properly trained and certified. This bill requires sterile processing technicians within the Veterans Health Administration to obtain professional certification and provide scholarship opportunities to help current employees meet that requirement. This is about patient safety. Veterans should have absolute confidence that the equipment used in their care meets the highest standards. Requiring certification is a straightforward way to reduce preventable infections and ensure consist- consistency across the VA facilities. Second, the Vets Clear Act focuses on improving the way the VA recovers and manages funds related to medical care. This bill would give the VA greater flexibility and authority to recover and collect revenue, whether through administrative, legal, or audit processes, and allows those funds to be more efficiently deposited to the medical care collections fund. Finally, the VA MOSA, the MOMOSA Act, addresses how the VA manages its software and technology assets. This bill would require the VA to establish a comprehensive department-wide software asset management policy including maintaining a full inventory of software identifying waste and duplication, and ensuring cost-effective licensing practices. We know that poor IT asset management can lead to over-procurement, underutilized licenses, and unnecessary spending. This bill would bring discipline to that process by requiring coordination, regular review, and accountability. Taken together, these bills are practical reforms that would improve safety, strengthen oversight, and ensure the VA is using its resources more effectively. I urge my colleagues to support these bills. Does any other member wish to speak on any of the bills included in the en bloc?

I do.

The chair now recognizes the ranking member for five minutes.

Thank you, Chair Kegins. I wanna start uh just by saying how much I've appreciated our staff's uh being able to work to come to bipartisan agreement on the bills included in the en bloc. While I'm disappointed that my bill, H R seven nine four eight, the VA employee family care expansion act was not included in today's mark-up, I do look forward to working with you, with Chairman Komar and Ranking Member Garcia to move that legislation forward through our two committees of jurisdiction. Making sure that the VA workers have the rights they deserve is one of my top priorities. I was glad to see VA finally do the right thing and comply with the court order to reinstate collective bargaining agreements with AFGE but it's also imperative that all collective bargaining agreements are restored at VA so I will continue to fight for union rights for federal workers around the country. Additionally, I I hope you can continue to further improve your bill, HR eighty fifty-two, the Veteran Infection Prevention Act. I know that our staffs have worked together to ensure that this bill does not create unnecessary in hiring and retaining serial processing technicians. I look forward to adapting those changes at a future full committee mark-up. With that, Chairwoman, I yield back.

The chair now recognize Representative Kendi for five minutes.

Thank you, Chair Kegins. I uh want to also thank uh Ranking Member Ramirez, members of the subcommittee, for considering my bill, H R eighty ten, the VA Police Recruitment and Retention Act of twenty twenty six, which would prohibit secretary Collins from downgrading VA police officers to lower pay for doing the job they're already doing. This mark-up follows our legislative hearing on March twenty-fifth, where we heard firsthand from Sergeant Dennis Guerrero, a current VA police officer and a twenty year Air Force veteran, who told this committee that VA police are already stretched thin and that the VA's proposal to slash their pay is about to make that problem significantly worse. The VA's own Inspector General found that nearly sixty percent of VA facilities report police staffing shortages making this one of the most severe staffing gaps across the department. On the ground that means fewer officers to respond to emergencies, officers miles from clinics in situations where time is of the essence, and staff and patients left more vulnerable every day. These officers are responding to violent incidents, mental health crises, and threats against staff and patients. They're working overtime, being denied leave, and burning out. And the message they're receiving from the VA is not one of support, but rather a potential pay cut. In places like Buffalo, entry-level VA police salaries are about fifteen thousand dollars less than the local law enforcement officers. Officers told us directly at our hearing, if the VA moves forward with these downgrades, more officers will leave for better paying police departments, and the VA will not be able to replace them. At a time when the VA cannot fill the post it already has, it should not be driving away the officers who are already in them. Secretary Collins' pol- policies have consequences. Fewer officers, slower response times, understaffed facilities, and a serious safety risk for veterans and the health care workers they depend on. That's not a risk we should be willing to take, not for our veterans, and not for the people who care for them. I bill the VA Police Recruitment and Retention Act of twenty twenty six as a targeted, common sense fix that simply prevents VA from cutting pay for our brave law enforcement officers. I want to thank my colleagues again for their support on this important initiative, and with that I urge all to support the bill, and I yield back.

Does any member wish to offer an amendment to any of these bills? Hearing none, I now recognize ranking member

kennedy for motion two two two thank you madam chair

yeah it's too much

well well sorry we'll recognize regular mayor since she is still here sure of course

yeah uh well you do your motion yeah yeah you do the motion you can do the motion conscious yeah

ok we'll recognize representative kennedy for motion

you can do your motion

uh thank you madam chair i move that the following bills on block hr eighty fifty two hr sixty six fifty four hr eighty forty three hr eighty forty one hr seventy two eighty and hr eighty ten be reported favorably to the full committee

there is a motion to favorably forward the bills included in the en bloc to the full committee all those in favor say aye aye all opposed say no and the opinion of the chair the ayes have it and the bills hr eighty fifty two hr sixty six fifty four hr eighty forty three hr seventy two eighty hr eighty forty

Well I wanna thank you,

Thank you.

Chair Kiggins, I look forward to continuing our work on this piece of legislation, as we prepare for a full committee mark-up next week.

Thank you. I thank the members for their attendance today and the subcommittee is now adjourned. Sorry, sorry about that.

No, this is the end of this meeting.

Sorry about that.