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“DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXPIRING AUTHORITIES ACT OF 2016” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H5387-H5390 on Sept. 13, 2016.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXPIRING AUTHORITIES ACT OF 2016
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5985) to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5985
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2016''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects.
TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE
Sec. 101. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for hospital care and nursing home care.
Sec. 102. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Sec. 103. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance and support services for caregivers.
Sec. 104. Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of cost of care and services furnished to veterans with health-plan contracts for non-service-connected disability. Sec. 105. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for child care for certain veterans receiving health care.
Sec. 106. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans.
Sec. 107. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from service.
Sec. 108. Extension of deadline for report on pilot program on use of community-based organizations and local and State government entities to ensure that veterans receive care and benefits for which they are eligible.
TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS
Sec. 201. Extension of authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real property at time of foreclosure.
Sec. 203. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.
Sec. 204. Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces with severe injuries or illnesses.
TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS
Sec. 301. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration programs.
Sec. 302. Extension of authority for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration program.
Sec. 303. Extension of authority for referral and counseling services for veterans at risk of homelessness transitioning from certain institutions.
Sec. 304. Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for homeless veterans.
Sec. 305. Extension and modification of authority to provide financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing.
Sec. 306. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless veterans with special needs.
Sec. 307. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless
Veterans.
Sec. 308. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans.
TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER
MATTERS
Sec. 401. Extension of authority for transportation of individuals to and from Department facilities.
Sec. 402. Extension of authority for operation of the Department of
Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines.
Sec. 403. Extension of authority for monthly assistance allowances under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and
Special Events.
Sec. 404. Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative error.
Sec. 405. Extension of authorization of appropriations for adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the
Armed Forces.
Sec. 406. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority
Veterans.
Sec. 407. Modification to authorization of appropriations for comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.
Sec. 408. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance for certain veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating.
Sec. 409. Extension of authority for specially adapted housing assistive technology grant program.
Sec. 410. Extension of authority to guarantee payment of principal and interest on certificates or other securities.
Sec. 411. Extension of authority to enter into agreement with the
National Academy of Sciences regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides.
Sec. 412. Extension of authority for performance of medical disabilities examinations by contract physicians.
Sec. 413. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers.
Sec. 414. Extension of requirement for annual report on Department of
Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency
Program Office.
Sec. 415. Extension of authority to approve courses of education in cases of withdrawal of recognition of accrediting agency by Secretary of Education.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 3. SCORING 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.
TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE
SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS
FOR HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.
Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME
CARE TO CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED
DISABILITIES.
Section 1710A(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR
ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS.
Section 1720G(e) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'';
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) $734,628,000 for fiscal year 2017.''.
SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY FROM THIRD
PARTIES OF COST OF CARE AND SERVICES FURNISHED
TO VETERANS WITH HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS FOR NON-
SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY.
Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and inserting
``October 1, 2017''.
SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON
ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS
RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.
(a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (e) of section 205 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1144; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of such section is amended by striking ``and 2016'' and inserting ``2016, and 2017''.
SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS
SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF
HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.
Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1154; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON
COUNSELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN
VETERANS NEWLY SEPARATED FROM SERVICE.
(a) Extension.--Subsection (d) of section 203 of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010
(Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1143; 38 U.S.C. 1712A) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting
``December 31, 2017''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of such section is amended by striking ``and 2016'' and inserting ``2016, and 2017''.
SEC. 108. EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR REPORT ON PILOT PROGRAM
ON USE OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND
LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO ENSURE
THAT VETERANS RECEIVE CARE AND BENEFITS FOR
WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.
Section 506(g)(1) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 523 note) is amended by striking ``180 days after the completion of the pilot program'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE VETERANS' ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.
Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF
REAL PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.
Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2016'' and inserting ``October 1, 2017''.
SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.
Section 3733(a)(7) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''; and
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 2016,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017,''.
SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION
AND VOCATIONAL BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED
FORCES WITH SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES.
Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of Public Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 458; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting
``December 31, 2017''.
TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESS VETERANS
SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.
Section 2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS
AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN
REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.
Section 2021A(f)(1) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR REFERRAL AND COUNSELING
SERVICES FOR VETERANS AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS
TRANSITIONING FROM CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS.
Section 2023(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING
ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.
Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 305. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
FOR VERY LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN
PERMANENT HOUSING.
Subparagraph (E) of section 2044(e)(1) is amended to read as follows:
``(E) $320,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2017.''.
SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR
HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 307. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ON HOMELESS VETERANS.
Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 308. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND
REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY
ILL AND HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
(b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 2033(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND OTHER
MATTERS
SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPORTATION OF
INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.
Section 111A(a)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE
IN MANILA, THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR MONTHLY ASSISTANCE
ALLOWANCES UNDER THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL
VETERANS SPORTS PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.
Section 322(d)(4) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE REPORTS TO
CONGRESS REGARDING EQUITABLE RELIEF IN THE CASE
OF ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR.
Section 503(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR
ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS
AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
Section 521A is amended--
(1) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''; and
(2) in subsection (l), by striking ``2016'' and inserting
``2017''.
SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
MINORITY VETERANS.
Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 407. MODIFICATION TO AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS
VETERANS.
Section 2013(7) is amended by striking ``$250,000,000'' and inserting ``$257,700,000''.
SEC. 408. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF
ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING
ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WITH
DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY AMBULATING.
Section 2101(a)(4) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2016'' and inserting
``2017''.
SEC. 409. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED
HOUSING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 2108(g) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 2017''.
SEC. 410. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO GUARANTEE PAYMENT OF
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON CERTIFICATES OR OTHER
SECURITIES.
Section 3720(h)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 411. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REGARDING
ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN DISEASES AND EXPOSURE TO
DIOXIN AND OTHER CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN
HERBICIDES.
Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-4; 38 U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 412. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL
DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT
PHYSICIANS.
Subsection (c) of section 704 of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (38 U.S.C. 5101 note) is amended by striking
``December 31, 2016'' and inserting ``December 31, 2017''.
SEC. 413. RESTORATION OF PRIOR REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS.
Section 406 of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-175; 38 U.S.C. 3684 note) is amended by striking ``two-year'' and inserting
``three-year''.
SEC. 414. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORT ON
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS INTERAGENCY PROGRAM OFFICE.
Section 1635(h)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2017''.
SEC. 415. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO APPROVE COURSES OF
EDUCATION IN CASES OF WITHDRAWAL OF RECOGNITION
OF ACCREDITING AGENCY BY SECRETARY OF
EDUCATION.
Section 3679(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``Any course'' and inserting ``(1) Except as provided by paragraph (2), any course''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) In the case of a course of education that would be subject to disapproval under paragraph (1) solely for the reason that the Secretary of Education withdraws the recognition of the accrediting agency that accredited the course, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, and notwithstanding the withdrawal, may continue to treat the course as an approved course of education under this chapter for a period not to exceed 18 months from the date of the withdrawal of recognition of the accrediting agency, unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the appropriate State approving agency determines that there is evidence to support the disapproval of the course under this chapter. The Secretary shall provide to any veteran enrolled in such a course of education notice of the status of the course of education.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hultgren). Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentleman from California
(Mr. Takano) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
General Leave
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add extraneous material on H.R. 5985, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5985, as amended, would extend a number of expiring authorities and critical programs at both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor. These include extensions for veterans' health care and homeless programs, benefits for disabled veterans and their caregivers, vocational rehabilitative programs for servicemembers and veterans, home loan programs, and a variety of advisory committees and pilot programs.
Absent passage of this legislation today, these important and noncontroversial authorizations and programs are set to expire at the end of this fiscal or this calendar year. These are not new programs, and the costs associated with them have either been fully offset or have been assumed in the baseline budget for fiscal year 2017.
Furthermore, both the majority and minority of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs have worked on this language and agree on the need to extend all of these programs.
H.R. 5985, as amended, includes an extension of authority which would allow VA to continue to approve schools for GI Bill benefits for up to 18 months, even if the school's accreditor loses formal recognition by the Department of Education.
Mr. Speaker, this change is necessary to provide student veterans with the same protections that students using title IV funds would have, and it would ensure that our Nation's veterans don't immediately have their GI Bill benefits, including their housing allowances, halted by a DOE decision to no longer recognize an accrediting body.
This provision is a must-pass, as there is possibly an imminent decision by the Department of Education to do just that and to withdraw the approval of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
While I am not going to comment today on the Secretary of Education's decision, we have been told it could come as early as this month, and it is this body's duty to protect an estimated 18,000 veterans from losing their benefits instantaneously through absolutely no fault of their own.
The language in this bill would mirror language that is already included in the law governing nonveteran student aid and is supported by numerous veterans service organizations and other stakeholders, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Student Veterans of America, and the National Association of State Approving Agencies.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 5985, as amended.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 5985, a bill to extend certain expiring provisions related to care at the Department of Veterans Affairs. This bill makes sure that some of the vital programs we have in place to take care of our veterans continue past the end of the fiscal year and continue to help our veterans. Included in this bill are provisions related to health care, benefits, homeless veterans, and other related issues.
I am pleased to support extending programs related to support services for caregivers, child care for certain veterans receiving health care, and a pilot program on counseling in retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from the service.
It also has provisions to extend the authority related to rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the armed services with severe injuries or illnesses, homeless veterans' reintegration programs, homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children and providing housing assistance for homeless veterans.
The final section of the bill deals with the GI Bill and when an institution of higher education loses its accreditation. This section aligns GI Bill benefits in law with all other higher education benefits, such as Pell and Federal student loans.
Now, this provision is crucial because soon the Department of Education may withdraw recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. I support this move by the Department of Education. It is a long time coming.
But without section 415, when this happens, GI Bill benefits will be cut off for student veterans in schools accredited by this agency. It puts the 37,000 student veterans and dependents receiving GI Bill benefits in schools accredited by this agency on the same footing as all other students receiving Federal higher education benefits. It allows them the time they need to recoup.
Section 415 is strongly supported by veterans service organizations such as Student Veterans of America and is the result of bipartisan agreement.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from the Fifth District of Colorado (Mr. Lamborn), a very active member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the great work. We are going to miss his leadership next year when he goes into other pursuits. He will be sorely missed, and veterans will miss him.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of a missed opportunity in H.R. 5985. At present, the VA is pushing a rule that permits certified registered nurse anesthetists to practice without the supervision of a physician. This is a huge mistake. This bill should extend a 1-year period where the VA cannot implement this rule.
Opponents to this provision cited conditions present in forward-
deployed locations as justification for implementing a change of this magnitude. Be that as it may, just because certain practices are permitted in forward-deployed locations due to military necessity does not mean that those risky practices should be forced upon our veterans at all other times and places.
Our veterans deserve the absolute best care possible. They should not be used as test subjects when the VA tries to change how it delivers services. It is not right for the VA to give our veterans unsafe and risky health care.
Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I simply want to urge my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 5985, as amended. I want to thank, sincerely, the work that we have done together with Chairman Miller on this legislation. I am so pleased that we are passing this in the manner we are.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 5985, as amended.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5985, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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