Mike Bost

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Madam Speaker, once again, I encourage Members to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7653 offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Davis). Madam Speaker, the VERY Act would strike the term ``employment handicap'' from the law that authorizes the Veteran Readiness and Employment program and replace it with the term ``employment barrier.'' This term is used in the law to describe participants who are eligible and entitled to receive benefits and services. The bill is a simple fix that would remove a negative view of the term ``handicap'' and replace it with a more positive word. This Congress, VA has made significant mistakes that have damaged their relationship with veterans, and it is our job as Congress to help VA rebuild trust with our veterans. While the new Trump administration has many issues to fix that were created by the current administration, this change is a step in the right direction. This Congress, the Republican majority has worked hard to improve the VR&E program. Now, we have put the VA's feet to the fire to ensure that veterans are put first when using the VR&E program. Representative Davis' bill takes a step in the right direction to do exactly that. We must continue to break down barriers to level the playing field for veterans seeking employment. I thank the VFW and the DAV for supporting this bill. I also recognize the work of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7653. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, while I think we could and should have been able to pass this bill months ago, I am pleased to be here today. I know that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle took issue with some provisions in the Dole act due to a disagreement on the provision's intent. The provision that was opposed only affected about 6 percent of the VA's current community referrals. This provision would rightfully make sure that VA bureaucracy cannot veto a doctor's medical decisions. Veterans groups understand this, and that is why they support this bill from the start and without reservation. Thanks to the hard work of these groups of pushing Members to do the right thing, we have come to a compromise on the language before us today. I think it is obvious to everyone that our veterans and their families simply can't wait. Before I reserve my time, I will thank Representative Ciscomani and dozens of Members that have provisions in this bill. I am so happy to have Members like Representative Ciscomani on our team. I also thank my friend, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, for bringing the Dole act to the floor. He has reaffirmed his and the rest of the House Republicans' commitment to veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Last but certainly not least, I will personally thank my friend and recent Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, this bill's namesake, Senator Elizabeth Dole, for working for months to get this bill to where it is today. Our Nation's veterans have no better friend than Senator Dole, and I am honored that she is with us here today. Madam Speaker, 2 weeks ago the American people voted and gave us a mandate to fix problems they talk about at their kitchen tables that affect their families and communities every single day. The Dole act is the foundation for that work to begin for the veteran community, and I urge my colleagues to do right by the veterans and support the bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC, November 4, 2024. Hon. Mike Bost, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding H.R. 8371, the ``Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act,'' which contains legislative provisions within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Natural Resources. In the interest of permitting your committee to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration, the Committee on Natural Resources will forgo formal consideration of the legislation. I do so with the understanding that the Committee on Natural Resources does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill that fall within its jurisdiction. I also request that you urge the Speaker to name members of this committee to any conference committee which is named to consider such provisions. Please place this letter into the Congressional Record during consideration of this legislation on the House floor. Sincerely, Bruce Westerman, Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8371) to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. I offer a very special thank-you to the ranking member, the staff who have been involved in the negotiations back and forth, the Senate, all of our VSOs that came out--as I said in my opening, there were over 50--in support of this bill, and for the hard work and pushing forward that Senator Elizabeth Dole has done on this bill. We are so glad that we can call it up tonight. Madam Speaker, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 8371, as amended, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I am ready to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Madam Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 6656, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6656, offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), my good friend and colleague. The Stuck on Hold Act would require the VA to implement an automated callback system. This bill would inform veterans of the expected wait time for their call to be answered. This change would make life easier for veterans while ensuring the VA responds to them in a timely manner. During my time in Congress, I have long heard horror stories from veterans about waiting on hold for over an hour to talk to someone at the VA. That is unacceptable in today's digital age, and the VA needs to do better. Representative Calvert's bill is in lockstep with the House Republicans' effort to modernize VA care and services. I thank the VFW and DAV for their support of this bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6656, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 522) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide or assist in providing a vehicle adapted for operation by disabled individuals to certain eligible persons, to pay expenses associated with the delivery of such vehicle, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Yes.

Mr. BOST. Yes.

Mr. BOST. Ask that question again. I am sorry.

Mr. BOST. The updated language is in the Dole Act, if we can have the opportunity to have the Dole Act, too.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, as a veteran and as a person that drove big stuff, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 656 offered by my colleague, Senator Fischer from Nebraska. This would cut through the red tape for the approval process for commercial driving schools across the country. House Republicans' priority is to expand the employment opportunities for veterans after they leave the military. As a former truck driver and a former manager of our family's trucking business, which I was raised in, I know how important it is to have qualified drivers. The American Trucking Institute said they need 60,000 more drivers to keep the economy moving. This bill allows veterans to help meet that demand. We may need to make changes to the law to address some concerns in the future. However, it is essential that we advance the bill to create more job opportunities for our veterans. I look forward to continuing to improve CDL programs, and I urge my colleagues to support S. 656. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. You have my word we will continue to work with your staff to do the best we can. I think this bill is in very, very good shape the way it is. As the only one that actually has a CDL, we should probably realize that the safety is here, that is all good, but I would be willing to work on it in the future to move it on out today.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards).

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 7323, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7323 offered by my friend and fellow veteran, our Economic Opportunity Subcommittee chairman, Representative Van Orden. This bill would reduce tuition costs for Montgomery GI Bill selected reservists by making them eligible for the same in-State tuition waiver that the other GI Bill recipients receive. Representative Van Orden's bill would also reduce the cost for veterans seeking to become pilots. Veterans attending flight training schools would not be charged unlimited fees but instead would pay fees equal to those charged by a 4-year private college or university. Student veterans would also be able to complete their flight training faster because they would be able to attend flight training year-round under this bill. I fully support this bill that would ensure VA can protect the integrity of the GI Bill and provide veterans with the best economic and educational opportunities out there. I thank the VFW, the ROA, and the DAV for supporting this bill, and I also thank my friend and colleague from New Jersey, Representative Kean, for his work on the flight school enhancements that are included in this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 7323, as amended. I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, September 12, 2024. Hon. Mike Bost, Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Bost: I write concerning H.R. 7323, a bill sponsored by Representative Van Orden of Wisconsin. As a result of your having consulted with us on provisions within H.R. 7323 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services, I agree to forego any further consideration of this bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration. The Committee on Armed Services takes this action with our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 7323 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Finally, I ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included by House Committee on Veterans' Affairs in the Congressional Record during floor consideration, to memorialize our understanding. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective committees. Sincerely, Michael D. Rogers, Chairman, House Committee on Armed Services.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7323) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disapprove courses of education offered by a public institution of higher learning that does not charge the in-State tuition rate to a veteran using certain educational assistance under title 10 of such Code, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden).