Lane Evans

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, once again the Republicans have presented an economic stimulus bill that falls short in aiding those most affected by the recession and continues to reward the wealthy and traditional Republican party donors. Under a ``compromise'' plan, Republicans offer a bounty of corporate tax giveaways at the behest of layed-off workers and their families who are left out in the cold during this Christmas season. The Republican economic stimulus continues the long-standing Republican tradition of corporate giveaways that does nothing for the constituents of Western and Central Illinois. Republicans continue to insist on eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax, which would allow thousands of profitable corporate giants to go untaxed. Republicans also continue to accelerate the Bush tax cut, which has erased the budget surplus and reversed four years of budget surpluses. Economists universally agree that these types of tax cuts will do nothing in the short term to stimulate the economy or aid those most affected by the economic downturn. Americans who have lost their jobs in this economic downturn need immediate help to ensure that they do not also lose their health insurance. But, the Republican's health tax credit proposal falls dramatically short by only providing a partial tax credit to purchase COBRA or private health insurance. By relying on tax credits, Republicans expect recently layed-off workers to come up with hundreds of dollars for overpriced health insurance, while waiting months for government reimbursement of a partial tax credit. My congressional district has witnessed thousands of layoffs and cutbacks. I am uncompromising on the issue of helping ordinary Americans and therefore support a compassionate and fiscally responsible Democratic economic stimulus plan that provides immediate assistance to those most affected by the recession. The Democratic plan expands COBRA and provides assistance in purchasing COBRA coverage. Moreover, by providing coverage through COBRA, we can guarantee affordable coverage even for workers with preexisting conditions and make a promise that will not have to wait until April 15th to be realized. The Democratic plan also increases unemployment benefits and ensures recently unemployed low income workers receive fair unemployment benefits. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the Democratic plan would reach almost three times as many displaced workers as the Republican plan. Overall, the Republican stimulus plan would hurt the economy by growing the budget deficit by over $200 billion dollars, including the necessary debt maintenance.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. EVANS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks and to include extraneous matter.)

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, here is another issue in which our leadership of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs is paying off, to the great benefit of our veterans. The gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), on every piece of legislation today that we are offering, has exerted his leadership and demanded a lot out of us. We worked a lot of hard hours to get this legislation to this point today, so we salute him for his efforts. I also want to acknowledge and thank the leaders of the Subcommittee on Benefits, the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson), and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), members of the subcommittee, and the committee's staff, for their invaluable contributions to this legislation. In particular, I also want to acknowledge and thank Mary Ellen McCarthy, Todd Houchins, and Beth Kilker from my staff for their work on this issue. Every member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs has recognized the need for a meaningful increase in the Montgomery G.I. bill. I was proud to co-author this legislation, the Montgomery G.I. Bill Improvements Act of 2001, with my good friend, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell). H.R. 310 will pay the full costs of tuition, fees, books, and supplies, as well as a living stipend. Increased veterans educational benefits have also been proposed under H.R. 1280, authored by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows). Additionally, I was an original cosponsor of H.R. 1291, the 21st Century Montgomery G.I. Bill Enhancement Act, introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). I am pleased that the bills before us today embody the essence of H.R. 1291, as originally supported by the House. Our veterans should receive the best possible education benefits for their honorable service to our country, and this is a positive step forward in that regard. As a long-term supporter of benefits for those who suffered from the effects of exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange, I am pleased that H.R. 1291 changes an erroneous decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims. Congress has clearly reaffirmed in H.R. 1291 the presumption of exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange for veterans who fought in that conflict. I strongly support the provision removing the 30-year limitation on the presumptive period for Vietnam veterans diagnosed with cancers of the respiratory tract. This provision is similar to H.R. 1587, introduced in the House by the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. McKinney). I want to thank her for her leadership on this important issue. I am also pleased this legislation includes a statutory presumption that makes clear to veterans that eligibility for service-connection of diabetes associated with exposure to herbicides is a protected statutory right. I also strongly support section 202 of the bill, based on H.R. 1406, which I introduced, which overturns the narrow and erroneous opinion of the Department of Veterans Affairs general counsel. Thousands of veterans who were healthy before their service in that country, in that region, and who now experience a variety of unexplained symptoms, will qualify for benefits under this provision. Section 202 of H.R. 1291 emphasizes that Congress initially intended it by focusing on the symptoms which have a disabling effect that affects some of our Gulf War veterans. Section 203 of H.R. 1291 gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the authority to protect the service-connection of veterans receiving compensation benefits. Last year, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps), and I became acquainted with her work, that the VA was having difficulty in recruiting veterans to participate in VA research studies concerning the prevalence of ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, in Gulf War veterans who returned with problems. This section is intended to provide the VA with the authority to enable veterans to participate in medical research studies without fear that their benefits would be placed in jeopardy. I am also pleased that the bill contains provisions expanding eligibility for low-income wartime vets who seek a nonservice-connected pension. Nonetheless, I am concerned that these major policy and legal changes were recently implemented by the VA under verbal instructions to regional office directors. It is critical that all branches of the government recognize and foster the rule of law. The bill also recognizes the VA's efforts to provide veterans dependents with information concerning benefits and health care services under programs administered by the Secretary of the Army whenever they first apply for benefits. This provision is derived from legislation authored by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Doyle), the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell); and both are committed advocates for our veterans. I salute them for their efforts. Again, I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Chairman Smith) for his hard work in bringing this bill forward, and I urge every Member of this body to support H.R. 1291, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time both sides have at this point?

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes).

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows).

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire again how much time is remaining on our side?

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall).

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps).

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), a great advocate for the people of American Samoa.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. EVANS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2716. I commend and thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his effective leadership on this legislation. I thank the many other Members who have supported this legislation, and also salute the staff who contributed to this bill before us today. I appreciate the work of the Committee staff, and in particular, the work of Susan Edgerton and Sandra McClellan of my staff for their contributions to this measure. This bill will greatly benefit our homeless veterans, and it is a bipartisan measure in the best tradition of this committee. The legislation contains provisions which I originally proposed in H.R. 936, and also contains provisions authored by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). The bipartisan legislation now on the floor is worthy of the strong support of every Member of this body. H.R. 2716 recognizes and addresses the needs of a special group of veterans, our Nation's homeless veterans. The preponderance of the evidence is that the male population of veterans suggests a compelling need for legislation that specifically addresses the needs of this extremely complex and vulnerable population. The legislation before the House today will greatly benefit our homeless veterans. It maintains the focus of my original bill which emphasizes mental health and substance use disorder treatment as essential building blocks in the effort to restore veterans' functionality and independence. There are simply not enough vital substance abuse and mental health programs today to help veterans onto the path of sobriety and increased functionality. Additional resources are needed to help more homeless veterans and this legislation provides needed added resources. Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of this legislation, and include for the Record a summary explanation of this legislation. Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001--H.R. 2716, as amended Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to revise, improve, and consolidate provisions of law providing benefits and services for homeless veterans, and for other purposes. H.R. 2716, as amended would: 1. Provide that this bill may be cited as the ``Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001''. 2. Establish a national goal to end chronic homelessness among veterans and encourage all governmental and private agencies to work together to achieve this goal. 3. Provide a ``Sense of the Congress'' regarding the needs of homeless veterans and the responsibility of federal agencies in meeting these needs. 4. Consolidate and improve laws relating to homeless veterans into a new chapter of title 38, United States Code. Include provisions to increase per diem payments for the care of homeless veterans by community providers up to the rates paid to state home domiciliaries, authorize appropriations for the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program, coordinate outreach services among agencies dealing with homeless individuals, and undertake an outreach demonstration program within VA. Other provisions would authorize establishment of a grant program for homeless veterans with special needs, a limited dental care benefit for veterans using VA homeless programs, technical assistance grants to nonprofit community based groups, and establish an Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. 5. Establish evaluation centers for programs that serve homeless veterans and require reports of annual program assessments to be submitted to Congress. 6. Require a study of outcome effectiveness of a new grant program for homeless veterans with special needs. 7. Require VA to develop a plan to provide mental health services at all VA primary care sites; expand the comprehensive homeless service center program; and require a plan to provide substance use disorder treatment, including opioid substitution therapy at every VA medical center. 8. Require disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives to coordinate employment services with entities receiving financial assistance under homeless veterans' reintegration programs. 9. Establish priorities for homeless programs when VA considers disposing of real property or entering into enhanced-use lease arrangements. 10. Require an annual meeting of the Interagency Council on Homeless. 11. Set aside rental assistance vouchers for HUD VA- Supported Housing Program. Effective Date: Date of enactment. Cost: The Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of H.R. 2716, as amended, would authorize funding or modify provisions governing discretionary spending in additional outlays of about $90 million in 2002 and about $945 million over the 2002-2006 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts. Because the bill would not affect direct spending or receipts, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes).

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2540, as amended. I again want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his leadership on this important legislation and for his continuing efforts on behalf of our Nation's veterans. I also want to thank the leaders of our Subcommittee on Benefits, the gentleman from Idaho and the gentleman from Texas, as well as the other members of this subcommittee, for their support of this important legislation. This measure deserves the support of every Member of this House. The importance of this bill cannot be overstated. It protects the purchasing power of disability benefits which our Nation's service- connected veterans have earned by virtue of their military service and provides similar protection for the recipients of DIC payment for compensation. Under H.R. 2540, effective December 1 of this year, a cost-of-living adjustment will be provided for service-connected disability compensation and DIC benefits. The adjustment, 2.6 percent, will be the same as that provided to Social Security recipients. I call on every Member of this body to join the chairman of this committee in supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes).

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. EVANS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. I want to thank the chairman again, the gentleman from New Jersey, who has been a long and undeterred advocate for this legislation. I want to thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner), the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health, for their continuing work on the complex issues in this bill. I want to particularly recognize the abiding interest of the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) in ensuring better access to health care services for our veterans. At her urging, we have included a comprehensive study of telephone services available through the Department. I also want to express my appreciation to members of the committee staff on both sides of the aisle for their persistence in reaching a good compromise on this bill. For many years, I have strongly advocated the provision of chiropractic care as an alternative source of health care for veterans. Medicare, most State Medicaid programs, and the Department of Defense have developed means of reimbursing or even, in the latter case, hiring chiropractors to meet their beneficiaries' needs. VA, unfortunately, has been slower to adopt chiropractic care. As a result, the legislation requires VA to have a permanent, national chiropractic program; and I trust VA will now ensure that veterans are better able to access these important services. The chairman mentioned the nurses that are the backbone of any health care system. We also listed them. I want to thank the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) for introducing H.R. 3017, which contains many of the nurse recruitment and retention provisions that have been included in this bill. This bill recognizes that income alone is not a fair measure of a veteran's standard of living because of geographic cost-of-living differences, which can be significant. Veterans in the Chicago area, for example, may not be able to stretch their dollars as far as veterans in lower-cost areas. I am pleased that, in recognition of these differing costs of living, this bill will reduce the burden of acute hospital inpatient copayments for some veterans. In a report I requested from the GAO last year, they said that VA could not confirm that these important but expensive programs for veterans with longer term service-connected conditions were not being eroded under fiscal pressure to treat more veterans at a lower cost per patient. I am pleased that this bill also provides a strong reporting requirement for specialized programs for disabled veterans. Following the trend to place care in community and outpatient settings, the committee has been greatly concerned with the availability of VA health care services for seriously mentally ill veterans. Veterans' advocates, advocates of mentally ill people and even internal working groups have continually validated these concerns. The legislation will allow the Congress to monitor these important programs and intervene if measures indicate that would be necessary. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation. I believe in the long run we will be able to ensure an improved health care system for our Nation's veterans. This important measure provides a number of changes in current law that will allow VA to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining its nurse workforce. Critically, this measure retains and strengthens reporting requirements on the specialized programs for veterans with disabilities, many of which VA has perfected since the days following World War II. It will provide some relief in meeting VA copayment requirements for acute hospital inpatient care to veterans with marginal incomes. It will also address a significant deficit in the VA's care continuum by developing a permanent program for chiropractic care within the Department of Veterans Affairs. I believe this bill moves VA in the right direction to meet new and evolving challenges and I am proud to have participated in its development. I want to thank my Committee Chairman, the gentleman from New Jersey, Chris Smith, who has been a strong and undeterred advocate of this legislation. I want to thank Jerry Moran and Bob Filner, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Health Subcommittee, for continuing to work on the complex range of issues this bill addresses. I also want to thank Congresswoman Lois Capps for her abiding interest in ensuring better access to health care services for veterans. At her urging, we have included a comprehensive study of telephone services available through the Department. I also want to express my appreciation to members of the Committee staff from both sides of the aisle for their persistence in reaching a good compromise on this bill. For many years, I have strongly advocated the provision of chiropractic as an alternative source of health care for veterans. Chiropractors are capable of promoting wellness and preventing illness without relying upon pharmaceutical drugs or surgical interventions. For the millions of Americans who choose to use chiropractors--often paying for their services ``out-of-pocket''--the benefits of chiropractic care are clear. Gradually, the federal government has recognized the importance of the care chiropractors provide in the health care continuum--Medicare, most state Medicaid programs, and the Department of Defense have developed means or reimbursing or even, in the latter case, hiring chiropractors to meet their beneficiaries' needs. Many private insurers also reimburse care from chiropractors. VA has been much slower to adopt chiropractic. Under the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act, VA was directed to develop a policy on chiropractic care. Unfortunately, it appeared that the VA circled the wagons and resorted to practices that have actually reduced veterans' use of chiropractic in the last year. I called on VA and representatives of chiropractic providers to discuss opportunities for VA to develop a policy on chiropractic care as the Millennium Act had directed it to do. After several interactions with chiropractor representatives this summer, VA ultimately told me that if I and the other Members that participated in this dialogue wanted VA to increase or enhance its use of chiropractors in VA, we would have to mandate VA to do it. We have now developed an approach that requires VA to have a permanent, national chiropractic program, and I trust VA will now ensure that veterans are better able to access these important services. This bill adjusts copayments for veterans with marginal incomes. In so doing, it recognizes that income alone is not a fair measure of a veteran's standard of living because of the often significant differences in geographic costs-of-living. Veterans in the Chicago area, for example, may not be able to stretch their dollars as far as veterans in lower cost areas. I am pleased that, in recognition of these differing ``costs of living'', this bill will reduce the burden of acute hospital inpatient copayments for some veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Programs Enhancement Act of 2001 will allow VA to remain a competitive employer during the current scarcity of nurses in the labor market. I want to thank my friend Tom Udall for introducing H.R. 3017, which contains many of the nurse recruitment and retention provisions that have been included in this bill. Nurses are the backbone of any health care system and their role is no less critical within VA. Yet, it is easy to see why this profession is once again facing a crisis in developing and maintaining its workforce. My mother was a nurse so I well understand the demands and pressures of this vocation--hours are long and often unpredictable. The work takes a psychic and physical toll. In recent years, nurses complain of having more of their time devoted to administrative activities than to working with their patients--often the most satisfying part of their job. H.R. 3447 will help address some of the reasons this profession is facing its current challenges by having experts offer solutions to some of the issues that confront the profession, by providing more flexible educational tools as incentives for its current and future workforce, and by ensuring that the Department is reviewing safe staffing patterns and practices to support its dedicated workforce. I am pleased that this bill also provides a strong reporting requirement for specialized programs for disabled veterans. Some of these programs were developed in direct response to the needs of veterans returning from war with combat-incurred disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, blindness, or post-traumatic stress disorder, and have become unique chronic care programs in a health care world that generally seems to prefer dealing with acute illnesses. In a report I requested from the General Accounting Office last year, GAO said that VA could not assure that these important, but expensive, programs for veterans with longer-term service-connected conditions were not being eroded under fiscal pressure to treat more veterans at a lower cost per patient. Following a new trend to place care in community and outpatient settings, this Committee has also been greatly concerned with the availability of VA services for seriously mentally ill veterans-- veterans' advocates, advocates of mentally ill people and even internal working groups have continually validated these concerns. This legislation will allow Congress to monitor these important programs and intervene if measures indicate that would be necessary. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this legislation. I believe that in so doing we will ensure an improved health care system for our nation's veterans. SUMMARY--H.R. 3447--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, my district is composed of hard working Americans who build tractors, refrigerators, and furnaces. Blood, sweat and tears are what brings home the bacon in my district. But their way of life is endangered by both this bill and our flawed trade policy. This year, two steel mills in my district closed their doors forever. I have witnesses numerous other manufacturing plants close because they are not allowed to compete fairly against foreign imports. Some of these very companies have reopened facilities overseas only to export their products back into the U.S. In the past few months, I have assisted hundreds of my layed-off constituents in filing for unemployment and TAA benefits. These hard working folks have lost their jobs because we have set course on a flawed trade policy that puts cheap imports ahead of their good paying jobs. Trade Promotion Authority is a dangerous leap of faith for an administration that has pursed a unsound trade policy. Our flawed trade policy has most recently led to the demise of our nation's steel industry. The inaction of Congress and the willingness of the President's chief trade negotiator to eliminate anti-dumping regulations has driven US steel into the ground. And we want to give them even more authority to negotiate trade agreements? Mr. Speaker, my district is blessed with thousands of acres of the most fertile farmland in the country where John Deere revolutionized agriculture with the invention of the steel plow. The farmers in my district have struggled as corn and soybean prices have dropped in half over the last five years. In these times of rock bottom crop prices, they depend more than ever on farm subsidies. But, in the infinite wisdom of our trade policy we have offered to eliminate these indispensable price supports. I cannot in good faith support a fast track bill at the same time the administration tries to kill the price supports that my farmers depend on. I am further ashamed our flawed trade policy does little to further human rights. We blindly turn our heads when countries use children, prisoners, and slave labor to undercut American workers. This does not represent the values of the people I represent, but it represents the trade policy of an administration that now wants even more latitude in trade negotiations. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a working class district, where folks still make a living by the sweat of their brow. I made a promise to protect their jobs and support their economic security. This administration has instead pursued a flawed trade policy and has let them down at every major trade negotiation. They now want even more latitude in negotiating trade agreements. My Colleagues, I cannot and will not support this administration's request for fast track authority and urge you to vote against this bill.

Mr. EVANS

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of our distinguished colleague, Jerry Solomon, and in strong support of renaming the Saratoga New York National Cemetery as the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. It is a well-deserved honor for an outstanding public servant. I want to thank the Speaker of the House, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), and the chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), for bringing this bill to the floor today. I also want to recognize my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty), for introducing a similar bill in the 105th Congress. I am sure he will be pleased by the bill, and I look forward to his remarks. Throughout his 20-year term in this Chamber, Jerry Solomon demonstrated an unyielding commitment to the men and women who risked their lives for the safety and welfare of this Nation. As a strong advocate of America's military veterans, I appreciate his efforts over the years to improve their benefits and health care through substantive and proactive legislation. Jerry grew up in New York State and attended Siena College and St. Lawrence University before serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1951 to 1952, and I very much appreciate the chairman's remarks about his affiliation with the Marine Corps. I had some disagreements with the gentleman from New York, and we never took it out in the committee room. So he was a gentleman, and he worked hard to leave a great impression on the people that he met on a day-to-day basis. Earlier this year, the President appointed Jerry to lead the President's Task Force to Improve Health Care Delivery for our Nation's Veterans. As an original cosponsor of this measure, I can think of nothing more appropriate than to rename this cemetery. Jerry was interested in this cemetery, which was in large part due to his 15-year personal commitment to establish this cemetery. It was a privilege to work with Jerry Solomon on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and on committee issues. I am proud that I am able to join my colleagues in offering this measure in tribute to a great American, Jerry Solomon. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.