Mike Bost

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 1767, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), the sponsor of this legislation. I appreciate the fine job he has done coming forward with this.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5914) 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, 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. 5914, as amended, offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), my friend and colleague. This bill, as amended, would improve the information schools are required to give individuals regarding their GI Bill benefits. Right now, schools are required to give an estimated cost of education to anyone using the GI Bill. However, there are cases where the school cannot accurately estimate the tuition and expenses for that year. This could cause veterans to pick a school based off incorrect information that might harm them financially in the future. Now, I support getting veterans all the information they need to make the right decision about their education. I do not support schools being forced to give a favorable financial estimate before the student enrolls. This bill would also ensure that schools have a central place to find information to train their staff in charge of helping student veterans use their benefits. Finally, this bill, as amended, would improve opportunities for veterans wanting to get commercial driver's licenses. I thank my colleague from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards), as well for his work on key provisions of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5914, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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. 5914, as amended.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4016) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the repayment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of benefits misused by a fiduciary.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation to help improve the way veterans receive VA services, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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. 3738, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3738, as amended, offered by my friend and colleague from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup). H.R. 3738, as amended, would establish a new administration called the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration within the Department of Veterans Affairs. For years, the Veterans Benefits Administration has been overburdened and overwhelmed with bureaucracy and red tape. Right now, VBA simply has too many important duties to fulfill on behalf of veterans and is pulled in too many directions. Even with the PACT Act giving record funding to reduce backlogs and increase veteran benefits, this committee still sees poor performance from this part of the VA. Dr. Wenstrup's bill, as amended, would increase accountability and provide additional needed manpower for veterans and certain programs. For years, we have let the VA use their own judgment on how to handle these programs. VBA is making too many decisions without notifying veterans; putting new, burdensome requirements on schools; and creating new programs that will cost billions of taxpayer dollars. Changes are frequently made to the program with little input from Congress or stakeholders and with little recourse for schools or veterans. While the Biden administration has been especially guilty of this, it must stop, regardless of who is in the White House. This bill on the floor today is just the beginning of our efforts to improve the delivery of benefits to veterans and their families. I thank the VFW, SVA, DAV, and The American Legion for their support of this bill. I also thank my friend, Dr. Wenstrup, for continuing to be an advocate for this bill before he retires from Congress. I also thank my colleagues across the aisle for cosponsoring and supporting the legislation through the committee process. The legacy of this bill will make a difference for veterans and their families. This will match the important legacy of Dr. Wenstrup's steadfast support of veterans and servicemembers as a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 3738, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the service of one of our staffers on the VA Committee. Ms. Christine Hill has dedicated decades of her career to this Nation's servicemembers, veterans, and their families. She got her start in Congress as a military legislative assistant for Elizabeth Dole before being appointed and confirmed by the Senate to serve as the VA Assistant Secretary for congressional and legislative affairs in the Bush administration. Christine then went on to advocate for veterans in the VSO world until we were able to bring her here to the committee where she has served as the Subcommittee on Health staff director for over 10 years. Christine has helped advance dozens of bills supporting veterans and their families, most notably: giving veterans greater control over the healthcare that works for them through the Choice and the VA MISSION Acts, expanding mental health care and support through the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, fighting for toxic-exposed veterans to get them the healthcare and benefits they have earned through the PACT Act, and so many other landmark pieces of legislation. It is important to note that she only began her impressive civilian career after a full 20-year career in the United States Air Force. Christine's entire life is marked by service, and she, without question, represents the best that America has to offer. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, Christine held numerous positions as a KC-135 navigator, flying combat support during Desert Storm. Christine was handpicked to become the first woman assigned to fly the B-1B bomber and concluded her military career at the Pentagon, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. You would never guess any of these things about Christine. She is one of the kindest, most humble people I have ever met, and she has been an absolute pleasure to work with during my time leading this committee. She is a dear friend of mine, and she will be sorely missed. Mr. Speaker, I thank Christine. I want her to have a wonderful life in the things she pursues from here on out. This Nation thanks her for the job she has done both in the military and for this institution.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cris Edwards of Olney, Illinois, for being named a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Cris is the principal for Richland County Elementary School, which serves nearly 1,000 rural students. The elementary school's mission is to ``develop respectful, responsible learners and leaders.'' Under Cris Edwards' watch, that mission is being fulfilled. Her devotion is recognized by students, parents, and teachers alike. The school was given the high honor of ``Legacy School'' by the Leader in Me program. They host ``High Five Fridays'' to build connections in the community. And they launched a mobile library in an old school bus to deliver books in the summer. Cris has earned her status as a National Distinguished Principal, just as she has earned her new position as the incoming president of the Illinois Principals Association. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Cris Edwards for all she has done to provide a positive learning environment for Richland County schoolchildren.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Cris Edwards of Olney, Illinois, for her being named a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Cris is the principal of Richland County Elementary School, which serves nearly 1,000 rural students. The school's mission is to develop respectful and responsible learners and leaders. Under Cris Edwards' watch, that mission is being fulfilled. Her devotion is recognized by students, parents, and teachers alike. The school was given the high honor of a legacy school by the Leader in Me program. They host High Five Fridays to build connections in the community, and they launched a mobile library in an old school bus to deliver books in the summer. Cris has earned her status as a National Distinguished Principal just as she has earned her position as the incoming president of the Illinois Principals Association. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Cris Edwards for all she has done to provide a positive learning environment for Richland County schoolchildren.

Mr. BOST

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. Res. 848.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, while I understand the concerns of the minority, I would remind the minority that both sides of the aisle on this committee are committed to this legislation. The Colmery Act and reducing veteran homelessness is a priority for us, and now that the House is back in business, I hope to see it on the floor very soon. Mr. Speaker, if 208 Democrats had put their country first and not voted for the chaos of the 3 weeks of being without a Speaker, then maybe they have a complaint. Nonetheless, now, because of that chaos, maybe we would have already had these things picked up. I disagreed. I look forward to working with both leadership and the minority to pass it out of the House with bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, I also respectfully remind the ranking member that Speaker McCarthy's proposal to increase the grant per diem rate during the COVID pandemic would have helped address this problem. However, Democrats, who were in the majority at the time, made us reduce the rate and put veterans homelessness providers in the situation we are in today with GPD. Rates are not in line with rising inflation. We have been very successful in making smart investments in the VA program in recent years to reduce veteran homelessness. I agree with the minority that now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. I will agree with them on that. Important legislation, such as Representative Chavez-DeRemer's bill, is one of the best ways to build our success and get veterans housed, which is why we are not going to stop improving these programs now. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I will get back to the resolution we have in front of us. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), who is the sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 848, and I thank my fellow veteran, Representative Van Orden, for his leadership on this resolution. As the chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I believe that we should celebrate the service of our veterans every day, not just like we did this weekend for Veterans Day. Every day, I am grateful to our veterans for their service to our country. That is why this resolution is so important. Too many of our veterans are suffering in silence. Too many of our veterans are struggling to find their way. We owe it to them to do our part and reach out to let them know they are not alone. This resolution encourages all Americans to connect with the persons in their lives who have served and offer a listening ear. Representative Van Orden's resolution implores all Americans to help servicemembers and veterans find solutions and treatment for the wounds of battle that may not be visible. This resolution also highlights the importance of taking care of our brothers and sisters in arms before, during, and after their service. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to my colleague for introducing it, and I urge all Members to support it. To any veteran who may be watching, please reach out to talk. Hope and help are available by dialing 988 and pressing 1. We need you, and we want to help you. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, the ranking member knows that H.R. 542, the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023 has my full support, but in spite of the incredible efforts to get a realistic CBO score, the bill still comes with a cost and the cost is one that we need to resolve, along with the Toxic Exposure Fund, or the TEF issue. We are working closely with our Senate counterparts to get this bill and several other high-priority pieces of legislation through both Chambers by the end of the year, and you know that I support them. Mr. Speaker, let me talk about the resolution that is in front of us. I do know and understand that this is an excellent bill, and I encourage all Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 848) encouraging the connecting of members of the Armed Forces in the United States to support structures necessary to transition from the battlefield.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 593) to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Hinesville, Georgia, as the ``John Gibson, Dan James, William Sapp, and Frankie Smiley VA Clinic.''

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

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 593, a bill to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Hinesville, Georgia, as the John Gibson, Dan James, William Sapp, Frankie Smiley VA Clinic. I would take a moment to tell each of these Americans' stories of service. John Gibson was born in Riceboro, Georgia, and later joined the Marine Corps where he rose to the rank of private first class. He deployed to Vietnam in 1967, served 100 days in-country, 65 of which were in combat. He was killed by small arms fire on February 7, 1968, in Quang Nam, South Vietnam, during the Tet Offensive at just 21 years old. Dan Ninkey James was also a native of Riceboro, Georgia, and deployed to Vietnam in 1968. He was an SP4 in the Army's 25th Infantry Division. While in Vietnam, out of a total of 100 days in theater, he also saw 65 days of combat. Dan James was killed in action by small arms fire on December 29, 1968, in Hua Nghia, South Vietnam. He was recently married and was just 20 years old. Their fellow Georgian, William Edward Sapp, was born on March 12, 1943. He joined the Army's 4th Infantry Division during the war, reaching the rank of SP4. While deployed in Vietnam, he served 114 days in combat out of a total of 175 days in theater. William Sapp was killed in action on June 7, 1968, in Kon Tum, South Vietnam, at the age of 25. Last, but certainly not least, Frankie Lee Smiley was born in Miami, Florida. He joined the Marine Corps and rose to the rank of lance corporal in the 1st Marine Division. He deployed to Vietnam in 1968. He served 205 days in theater, with 133 days of combat. Lance Corporal Smiley was killed by small arms fire on August 25, 1968, in Quang Nam, South Vietnam, at the age of 24. He is buried in Cay Cemetery in Dorchester, Georgia. All of these men rose to the call of the Nation and made the ultimate sacrifice. All of these men were 25 years old or less. To give your life for your country at the dawn of your life is an incredible sacrifice and one we can't forget. By naming the clinic after these men, they will continue to be remembered and honored in the place they called home. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Buddy Carter for introducing this bill and his work in making this happen. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 593, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), a very close friend.