Mike Bost

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2201) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve claims, made under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, regarding military sexual trauma, and for other purposes, as amended.

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. 2201, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.R. 2201, as amended. This bill was introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Young Kim. This bill would require that VA claims processors and contracted disability compensation examiners undergo annual sensitivity training to prevent retraumatizing survivors of military sexual trauma who are pursuing claims for VA benefits. The bill would also ensure that VA employees receive better training and obtain all relevant military service records so veterans can receive more accurate decisions on their military sexual trauma claims. Because military sexual trauma often goes unreported, a veteran's military service records rarely prove that they experienced an MST. This bill would ensure that VA claims processors review and understand the types of evidence that can prove an MST claim. Further, veterans relive what they suffered through during service when they file a claim based on military sexual trauma. We must ensure that every interaction VA has with them is trauma-informed. Representative Kim's bill would decrease the risk of retraumatizing veterans who have endured MST. Her bill would also streamline the MST claims process for them so that these veterans can more easily access their disability benefits. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2201, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), the chief sponsor of this bill.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1364) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide clarification regarding the inclusion of medically necessary automobile adaptations in Department of Veterans Affairs definition of ``medical services'', as amended.

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. 1364, 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. 1364, as amended. The bill was introduced by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barrett), my friend and a fellow veteran. H.R. 1364, as amended, would allow eligible disabled veterans to receive adaptive automobile equipment that they may need to safely operate their vehicles. Right now, there are too many restrictions on eligible items that veterans could use under this program. Mr. Barrett's bill would close that loophole and give disabled veterans the flexibility that they need to live independent lives. Additionally, the bill would include adaptations for driver and passenger use to get veterans where they need to be. This Congress, the Trump administration has committed to making VA work for veterans again. This bill would cut the bureaucracy nonsense from the last administration and do just that. Mr. Speaker, I thank the VFW, the WWP, and PVA for supporting this bill. I also thank Representative Barrett for introducing this bill and for his work on behalf of disabled veterans across the country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1364, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Barrett), the key sponsor of this bill.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, 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. 1578) to amend title 38, United States Code, to promote assistance from persons recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary, as amended.

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. 1578, 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. 1578, as amended, introduced by my colleague from California (Mr. Peters). This bill would ensure veterans know about the availability of accredited representatives, including those who help with filing initial VA benefit claims at no cost. It would also give veterans the information and online resources they need to find an accredited representative who is right for them and to report any unaccredited bad actors who wrongfully charge a fee for their services. This bill would also require the VA to review its accreditation process and give Congress recommendations for improvement. Veterans and their families deserve all the information they need to decide who will provide the best assistance with their claim. This bill ensures just that. I thank Representative Peters for his work on this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1578, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Illinois Trooper Clay Matthew Carns, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 23, 2024. Clay Carns was born on October 23, 1989, in Carbondale, Illinois, to Danny and Patricia Carns. First home schooled, he later graduated from Pinckneyville High School and went on to earn a communications degree from the University of Illinois. He proudly answered the call to public service and joined the Illinois State Police in 2014. On December 23 of last year, Trooper Carns stopped to remove roadside debris along Interstate 55 when he was struck by a passing motorist and tragically killed. Throughout his dedicated years of service, Trooper Carns embodied the highest standard of a law enforcement officer. He was awarded a Medal of Honor Department Commendation, a Unit Meritorious Performance award, and many other commendations for his commitment to public safety. Beyond his service, Trooper Carns had a strong devotion to his family. He was a devoted husband to his loving wife, Meghan, and a proud father to Gray and Ally. Trooper Carns took great delight in fatherhood, describing his family as the light of his life. He is also survived by his parents; as well as his siblings, Erica, Chad, and Elyssa; and a large and loving extended family. Madam Speaker, Trooper Clay Matthew Carns embodied the heroism and devotion to others we expect from our finest law enforcement officers. He committed his life to serving and protecting. While we mourn the loss of a precious life gone far too soon, I know he leaves a legacy that lives on in the hearts of those he loved and who loved him. Madam Speaker, in addition to honoring Trooper Carns, this week we also honor those police officers who have served around this Nation as they come here to Washington. We say thank you and remember that they served us every day. This week, we also will honor those like State Trooper Carns who fell in the line of duty. Please, Madam Speaker, we must remember those who serve us so well.

Mr. BOST

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

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, once again, we are seeing fear-mongering from the other side of the aisle. VA's decision to phase out the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program, or VASP program, is an important step by the Trump administration. Last Congress, the Biden-Harris administration, during an election year, created VASP instead of implementing a partial-claim program. This decision added billions of dollars to the VA budget without any assurance to the taxpayer that this was a good decision. The average amount that a veteran had to pay back in their mortgage was less than $25,000. Instead of solving the problem, VA chose to purchase the entire loan, which, on average, was about $321,000. In no way does this make sense to solve a $25,000 problem with a $320,000 solution. Therein lies the problem with our colleagues across the aisle. Rather than being wise and trying to fix it for the veterans and for the veterans in the future, Democrats instead do a political thing during an election year that ends up costing the taxpayers. I will say it again that veterans are taxpayers. This is why, under my leadership, House Republicans have a solution, the alarm on the Biden administration program and the risk it could bring to VA home loans. This is also why House Republicans have a solution in this problem, H.R. 1815, introduced by my friend, Representative Van Orden. Mr. Speaker, if the ranking member is so concerned about the veterans, I ask him and his side of the aisle why my Democratic colleagues haven't introduced a solution to aid veterans and still make sure that it actually deals with the veterans' problems, not just all of a sudden spends not only more money than they have to fix their problem, but creating a problem for other veterans because Democrats are going to drain this system. Now, I welcome the ranking member and other colleagues on the other side of the aisle to cosponsor Mr. Van Orden's legislation and get it out of the House to the Senate. Instead of complaining, the ranking member should join us in this legislation. I, once again, encourage people to get back to the issue at hand and support the bill that we were debating before. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of our colleagues to vote for that bill, 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. 1228) to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the organization of the Office of Survivors Assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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. 1228.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 981) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the processes to approve programs of education for purposes of the educational assistance programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 981.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 981 offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), my friend and colleague. The bill would improve the information schools are required to give individuals regarding GI Bill benefits. Currently, schools are required to give an estimated cost of education to anyone who potentially will use the GI Bill. However, there are cases where a school cannot accurately estimate the tuition and expenses for the year. This means that the schools are providing misleading information that serves the interests of the institution over the veterans due to bureaucratic obstacles. I support a veteran getting accurate estimates of what their expenses would look like. I do not support veterans having to choose a school based off of incorrect financial information. Without this fix, veterans are having to make a choice that could harm them financially in the future. This change is a commonsense addition to the Trump administration's mission to make VA work for veterans. Finally, this bill would also ensure that schools have a central place to find information to train their staff in charge of helping to make sure students and veterans understand. In a time when government is filled with bureaucratic red tape, I am happy that we, as a Republican majority, are making it easier for veterans to get an education. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 981, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), who is the chief sponsor of the bill.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I encourage all of our Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.