Mike Bost

Mr. BOST

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

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2701) to direct the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a program to identify American-Jewish servicemembers buried in United States military cemeteries overseas under markers that incorrectly represent their religion and heritage, and for other purposes, as amended.

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. 2701.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2701, as amended, offered by Representative Wasserman Schultz. This bill would propel VA to identify and correct the gravestones of fallen American-Jewish servicemembers who were killed in World War I and World War II. An estimated 900 American-Jewish servicemembers were mistakenly buried under a Latin cross headstone at overseas U.S. veterans cemeteries. This bill would seek to right this wrong by creating the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program. It would direct the ABMC, which maintains our cemeteries overseas, to contract with nonprofit organizations to identify these servicemembers and correct this to properly honor them. Since the Revolutionary War, Jewish Americans have fought to defend our Nation's freedoms. Madam Speaker, it should go without saying that they deserve to be honored properly with the dignity that they have earned. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, H.R. 2701, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I have no more speakers. I am ready to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3481) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for electronic communication relating to educational assistance benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes, as amended.

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. 3481, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3481, as amended, offered by my friend and colleague, Representative Tom Barrett from Michigan. This bill would allow veterans to opt in to receive messages digitally regarding the GI Bill education benefit. Under current law, veterans in education programs can only receive time-sensitive information from VA through the mail. The outdated practice forces veterans to wait weeks for information they could receive in minutes through a text message. Further, this bill would modernize VA's Solid Start program by authorizing it to communicate with veterans via text message. Right now, VA is only able to reach out to veterans in Solid Start by calling them. While the older generation of veterans pick up the phone, the VA Solid Start program has seen a concerning drop-off among younger veterans. This bill would bridge the gap in communication. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Barrett for championing this bill and for finding solutions in the technology space to ensure student veterans and transitioning servicemembers are receiving up-to- date and timely information. Madam Speaker, this bill is in lockstep with the Republican majority's efforts to properly propel VA to meet veterans where they are. Madam Speaker, I also thank Representative Van Orden for his continued efforts to make necessary improvements to the Transition Assistance Program, or the TAP program. Under my leadership, my committee will continue to honor its commitment to all veterans, ensuring the VA is working for our veterans. Madam Speaker, I also give special thanks to The American Legion, the PVA, and the VFW for their support. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3481, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3494) to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out an information technology system and prioritize certain requirements to manage supply chains for medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as amended.

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. 3494, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3494, as amended, offered by Representative Kiggans. This bill would ensure VA finally has a reliable system to track hospital supplies and equipment. For too long, an unreliable system has wasted taxpayer dollars and left doctors and nurses searching for basic tools they need to care for our veterans. That kind of mismanagement is unacceptable. Veterans should never face delays in treatment because a hospital can't find the supplies and equipment it needs. A modern supply chain means stronger care for our veterans, smarter spending for taxpayers, and greater accountability at the VA. It means no excuses, no wasted dollars, and no veterans left waiting because the system failed them. That is exactly what this bill delivers for our Nation's heroes. I thank Representative Kiggans for her continued leadership on the committee and her tireless commitment to solving this problem at the VA. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 3494, as amended. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4446) to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the conditions under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to redevelop the individualized vocational rehabilitation plan for a veteran, and for other purposes.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 4446.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4446 offered by my colleague, Representative Maxine Dexter, from Oregon. H.R. 4446 would allow a veteran who has changed in their disability rating to apply for changes in their Veterans Readiness and Employment, or the VR&E plan, instead of being forced to complete their current rehabilitation plan first. This bill is a simple fix that would remove the outdated practice that requires disabled veterans to complete their current plan before switching to a plan that may better fit the changes in their disability. During the Biden Administration, VA damaged their relationship with veterans in the VR&E program. Under President Trump's Secretary Collins' leadership, VA is rebuilding that trust and is working to fix the program. This Congress, the Republican majority has worked hard to improve VR&E by modernizing the program, increasing transparency, and introducing accountability to both the VA and the veterans. While this bill is a step in the right direction, I hope my colleagues recognize that there is much more work to be done to get VA to work for the veterans first. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 4446, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. In closing, Madam Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support the legislation. I want to congratulate the gentlewoman for passing her first piece of legislation in the House, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a very important person in my life, who is actually a distant cousin. His mother was actually a Bost, a cousin of my grandfather. His name was Ray Doerr. He is from Vergennes, Illinois. He passed away on July 12 at the age of 98. Ray gave back to his community in big ways and small. He served as a trustee in Vergennes for 67 years and as mayor for 10 years. He was the chairman of the Republican Party of Jackson County for 24 years. He was a friend to Governors and Senators, but he never let politics change who he was. He stayed grounded. He stayed loyal to his roots. Mr. Speaker, I will say, personally, I stand here today because of Ray. He was one of the first people who encouraged me to get into public service. He saw something in me early on and never stopped offering his advice. When I say ``early on,'' I was 23 years old when he encouraged me to get involved in local politics. I will always value our friendship. Ray was a proud Navy veteran who answered the call to serve our country during World War II. He enlisted at just 17 years of age, serving in the South Pacific, including during the invasion of Okinawa. When he came home, he married his wife, Ime, and began a life rooted in faith, hard work, and service to others. He worked in the mines. He delivered gas to farmers. He was a sales manager for Massey Ferguson. He farmed. He served as an auditor for the Illinois Secretary of State, and he was an auctioneer for 80 years. He was one of the hardest working men I have ever known. He and Ime were married 68 years at the time of her passing in 2012. Together, they raised a son, Jeffrey. Jeff built a family business and shaped a community. Ray's legacy is not just titles he held, but the lives he touched. He was a mentor, a friend, and a man of his word. He loved southern Illinois and served it every day of his life. We are all better for having known him. May God bless Ray Doerr and may He bring comfort to his family and all his loved ones.

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. 2625.

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