The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H4067-H4069 on March 30, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009
Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1171) to amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1171
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 ``Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009''.
SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HOMELESS
VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.
Section 2021(e)(1)(F) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``2009'' and inserting ``2014''.
SEC. 3. HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH
CHILDREN REINTEGRATION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Grant Program.--Chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 2021 the following new section:
``Sec. 2021A. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration grant program
``(a) Grants.--Subject to the availability of appropriations provided for such purpose, the Secretary of Labor shall make grants to program and facilities that the Secretary determines provide dedicated services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children.
``(b) Use of Funds.--Grants under this section shall be used to provide job training, counseling, placement services
(including job readiness and literacy and skills training) and child care services to expedite the reintegration of homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children into the labor force.
``(c) Requirement To Monitor Expenditures of Funds.--(1) The Secretary of Labor shall collect such information as that Secretary considers appropriate to monitor and evaluate the distribution and expenditure of funds appropriated to carry out this section. The information shall include data with respect to the results or outcomes of the services provided to each homeless veteran under this section.
``(2) Information under paragraph (1) shall be furnished in such form and manner as the Secretary of Labor may specify.
``(d) Administration Through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.--The Secretary of Labor shall carry out this section through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training.
``(e) Biennial Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Labor shall include as part of the report required under section 2021(d) of this title an evaluation of the grant program under this section, which shall include an evaluation of services furnished to veterans under this section and an analysis of the information collected under subsection (c).
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) In addition to any amount authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 2021 of this title, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
``(2) Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall remain available until expended. Funds obligated in any fiscal year to carry out this section may be expended in that fiscal year and the succeeding fiscal year.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2021 the following new item:
``2021A. Homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration grant program.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Halvorson) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Illinois.
Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I would like to thank my distinguished colleague, Congressman John Boozman of Arkansas, for crafting H.R. 1171, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, to help our Nation's veterans overcome the barriers of homelessness. I would also like to thank Chairman Bob Filner and the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Chairwoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota for the strong bipartisan leadership she demonstrated in working on this legislation.
H.R. 1171, as amended, would augment current Federal programs by reauthorization of the Labor Department's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program through fiscal year 2014.
Specifically, this program would allocate grants for State and local workforce investment boards, local public agencies, nonprofit and community organizations to provide employment assistance and supportive services, such as transportation assistance in finding housing and referral for mental health treatment or substance abuse counseling.
Furthermore, this legislation would authorize $10 million for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to expand the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program to address the unique needs of homeless women veterans and veterans with children.
While the exact number of homeless veterans is unknown, the VA estimates that approximately 154,000 veterans were homeless across the country during the last week of January 2007. These homeless veterans will benefit from organizations like the Volunteers of America in Illinois, Medical Professionals for Home Health Care, and the Inner Voice, Incorporated, which currently participate in the homeless veterans reintegration program in my State of Illinois.
Providing these organizations the resources to improve preventive measures and address the unique health and mental illness needs of veterans will help ensure our homeless veterans succeed in life after their service to our country. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in reaffirming our Nation's commitment to care for our servicemembers, veterans, and their dependents by supporting H.R. 1171.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 1171, as amended, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. This bill would extend the Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program, HVRP, through fiscal year 2014. This bill was introduced by Ranking Member Dr. John Boozman and the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, and I am proud to join him as an original cosponsor.
I would also like to thank Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity and Chairman Filner and Ranking Member Buyer of the full Committee on Veterans' Affairs for moving this important measure with our first group of authorizing bills.
At the proper time, I will yield to Ranking Member Boozman to describe his bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. HALVORSON. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman).
Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I want to first thank the chair of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, Herseth Sandlin, and the committee chairman, Mr. Filner, for bringing forth H.R. 1171, as amended, to the House. I am also grateful to Ranking Member Buyer for being an original cosponsor.
Today, VA estimates that 154,000 veterans are homeless, down from 250,000 just a few years ago. While the VA data shows that we are making progress in reducing the number of homeless veterans, there is still a need to get our veterans off the streets and into jobs.
{time} 1415
That is why we need to continue the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, known as HVRP, administered by the Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service, or VETS. Madam Speaker, HVRP is being cited by GAO as an example of a successful program designed to put homeless veterans back to work. It is a relatively inexpensive program, authorized at $50 million per year and funded last year at about $26 million.
The goal of HVRP is to put homeless veterans back to work. The latest data shows that in fiscal year 2007, HVRP providers served 13,446 homeless veterans and put 9,061 back to work for a placement rate of 67 percent. The average wage was $13 per hour with a cost per placement of about $2,407. If you figure a wage of $26,000 per year, a veteran in the 15 percent tax bracket would pay about $3,900 in Federal income taxes alone. That is a bargain for taxpayers who have gained another contributor to society.
To be successful in returning veterans to full members of society, it is vital that homeless veterans programs offer more than just shelter and meals. Services such as substance abuse treatment and mental health services are needed to lay the foundation for a return to work whenever possible. It is the ability to make one's way in the world, to contribute rather than just take, that gives us a sense of self-worth and pride.
I am also pleased that the Veterans' Affairs Committee voted unanimously to amend H.R. 1171, as amended, by adding the provisions of Ranking Member Buyer's H.R. 293, a bill that would create a separate program to employ homeless women veterans and veterans with children. Unfortunately, the homeless veteran population is seeing an increase in these two groups, and it is time to incentivize homeless providers to meet the needs of women veterans and veterans with children.
Clearly, HVRP has played an important role in reducing homelessness among veterans, and that is why it is important to extend the program, which would otherwise expire next September.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield the gentleman as much time as he may consume.
Mr. BOOZMAN. H.R. 1171, as amended, would continue the program through 2014. As always, I appreciate the hard work of our staffs, both on the Republican and Democratic side, in regard to this legislation.
Madam Speaker, I would urge each of my colleagues to support H.R. 1171, as amended.
Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 1171, as amended, includes an amendment offered by Ranking Member Buyer during our full committee markup session on March 25, 2009. This amendment is similar to language in H.R. 293, the Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans With Children Act of 2009, or what is also referred to as HVRP-W.
Mr. Buyer's amendment adds the provisions of H.R. 293 to H.R. 1171, as amended, to create a new grant program that complements the current HVRP program with a focus on homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children.
As amended, H.R. 1171 authorizes a separate appropriation of $10 million to fund grants to community organizations that provide service to homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. Today, VA estimates there are about 154,000 veterans counted among the homeless, and this is indeed a tragedy. As many of you may be aware, women now comprise a larger percentage of our military, and in addition to sexual trauma, women are increasingly exposed to the same stressors and dangers as men, and we are now seeing more women in need of homeless services, including the training and employment services offered through HVRP.
This legislation is critically important to our Nation's veterans, and expanding the program to include additional grant services for homeless women veterans and veterans with dependent children continues our mandate to care for those who fought so bravely for many freedoms which we, as a Nation, enjoy.
Madam Speaker, despite the headway this country has made in reducing the number of homeless veterans, we have much further to go in order to end homelessness among our Nation's heroes. I believe H.R. 1171, as amended, will go a long way towards this goal.
I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Having no further requests at this time, I yield back the balance of my time.
General Leave
Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1171, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1171, as amended, the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. Ranking Member John Boozman of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity introduced this bill to extend the Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) through fiscal year 2014, and I am proud to join him as an original cosponsor.
I would also like to thank Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity and Chairman Filner of the Full Committee on Veterans' Affairs for moving this important measure with our first group of authorizing bills.
Madam Speaker, I am also proud that H.R. 1171, as amended, also includes an amendment that I offered in the full committee markup. My amendment is similar to H.R. 293, The Homeless Women Veterans and Veterans with Children Act of 2009, or what I refer to as HVRP-W.
H.R. 293 was one of several bills I suggested that House Leadership include in the original stimulus package and is part of what I call the Noble Warrior Initiative which has received widespread support from the VSO community. My amendment adds the provisions of H.R. 293 to H.R. 1171, as amended, to create a new grant program that complements the current HVRP program with a focus on homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children.
As amended, H.R. 1171 authorizes a separate appropriation of $10 million to fund grants to community organizations that provide services to homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children.
Today, VA estimates there are about 154,000 veterans counted among the homeless. With women comprising a larger percentage of our military, in addition to sexual trauma, women are increasingly exposed to the same stressors and dangers as the men and we are now seeing more women in need of homeless services including the training and employment services offered through HVRP.
Therefore, I believe we need to add the focus of the HVRP-W to make sure that job skill services are being provided to homeless women veterans and veterans with children. These two groups have separate and unique needs and wants from those of what we think of as the traditional homeless veteran population.
Here are a few facts from VA regarding homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children:
VA's March 2007 Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC) contacted 38,667 homeless veterans. About 4 percent were women.
In 2008 VA and communities held 157 Stand Downs and aided 2,347 homeless women veterans and 1,327 children.
Last year VA's community based Homeless Grant and Per Diem program served 19,345 veterans including 1,277 women veterans.
VA's Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans treated 5,905 veterans including 242 female veterans.
The HUD-VASH housing voucher program for homeless veterans referred 8,000 veterans of whom 880 were women. 1040 veterans (male and female) housed through HUD-VASH had dependent children.
Madam Speaker as you may know, despite the headway in reducing the number of homeless veterans, there is still much more work ahead of us to end homelessness among our nation's heroes. I believe H.R. 1171, as amended, will go a long way towards this goal and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support H.R. 1171, as amended.
I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Halvorson) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1171, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, and for other purposes.''
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
