,,ib ,union ,calendar ,no4 #aef #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hac ,report ,no4 #aac-bab ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,february #be1 #bjac,mr4 ,miller of ,florida 7for himself and ,mr4 ,michaud7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs ,september #ag1 #bjac;,additional sponsors3 ,mrs4 ,roby1 ,ms4 ,brownley of ,california1 ,mr4 ,gene ,green of ,texas1 ,mr4 ,lamborn1 ,mr4 ,o',rourke1 ,mr4 ,lynch1 ,mrs4 ,kirkpatrick1 ,mr4 ,carson of ,indiana1 ,mr4 ,connolly1 ,mr4 ,holt1 ,ms4 ,michelle ,lujan ,grisham of ,new ,mexico1 ,mr4 ,johnson of ,ohio1 ,mr4 ,jones1 ,mr4 ,loebsack1 ,mr4 ,amodei1 ,mr4 ,wittman1 ,ms4 ,sinema1 ,mr4 ,stivers1 ,ms4 ,schakowsky1 ,mr4 ,veasey1 and ,mr4 ,latham ,september #ag1 #bjac,reported with amendments1 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union1 and ordered to be printed,strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic ,a ,,bill ,to amend title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to provide for advance appropriations for certain discretionary accounts of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,putting ,veterans ,funding ,first ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,advance appropriations for certain discretionary accounts of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,section #aag of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking medical care accounts of the ,department each place it appears and inserting discretionary accounts of the ,department2 7#b7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 by striking medical care accounts of the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs account and inserting accounts of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs account2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a71 by inserting ,veterans ,health ,administration1 after 7#a72 7,c7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting ,veterans ,health ,administration1 after 7#b72 7,d7 in paragraph 7#c71 by inserting ,veterans ,health ,administration1 after 7#c72 7,e7 by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#d7 ,veterans ,health ,administration1 ,medical ,research and ,support4 7#e7 ,national ,cemetery ,administration4 7#f7 ,veterans ,benefits ,administration1 ,native ,american ,veteran ,housing ,loan ,program ,account4 7#g7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,general ,administration1 ,general ,operating ,expenses4 7#h7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,general ,operating ,expenses1 ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7#i7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,information ,technology ,systems4 7#aj7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,office of the ,inspector ,general4 7#aa7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,construction1 ,major ,projects4 7#ab7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,construction1 ,minor ,projects4 7#ac7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,grants for ,construction of ,state ,extended ,care ,facilities4 7#ad7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,grants for ,construction of ,veterans ,cemeteries4 2 and 7,f7 in the subsection heading1 by striking ,medical care accounts and inserting ,discretionary accounts2 and 7#c7 in the section heading1 by striking certain medical care accounts and inserting certain discretionary accounts4 7b7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to fiscal year #bjaf and each subsequent fiscal year4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,putting ,veterans ,funding ,first ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,scoring of budgetary effects ,the budgetary effects of this ,act1 for the purpose of complying with the ,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of #bjaj1 shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled ,budgetary ,effects of ,,paygo ,legislation for this ,act1 submitted for printing in the ,congressional ,record by the ,chairman of the ,house ,budget ,committee1 provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage4 #c4 ,advance appropriations for certain discretionary accounts of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,in general ,section #aag of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking medical care accounts of the ,department each place it appears and inserting discretionary accounts of the ,department2 7#b7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 by striking medical care accounts of the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs account and inserting accounts of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs account2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a71 by inserting ,veterans ,health ,administration1 after 7#a72 7,c7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting ,veterans ,health ,administration1 after 7#b72 7,d7 in paragraph 7#c71 by inserting ,veterans ,health ,administration1 after 7#c72 7,e7 by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#d7 ,veterans ,health ,administration1 ,medical and ,prosthetic ,research4 7#e7 ,national ,cemetery ,administration4 7#f7 ,veterans ,benefits ,administration1 ,native ,american ,veteran ,housing ,loan ,program ,account4 7#g7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,general ,administration1 ,general ,operating ,expenses4 7#h7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,general ,operating ,expenses1 ,veterans ,benefits ,administration4 7#i7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,information ,technology ,systems4 7#aj7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,office of the ,inspector ,general4 7#aa7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,construction1 ,major ,projects4 7#ab7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,construction1 ,minor ,projects4 7#ac7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,grants for ,construction of ,state ,extended ,care ,facilities4 7#ad7 ,departmental ,administration1 ,grants for ,construction of ,veterans ,cemeteries4 2 and 7,f7 in the subsection heading1 by striking ,medical care accounts and inserting ,discretionary accounts2 and 7#c7 in the section heading1 by striking certain medical care accounts and inserting certain discretionary accounts4 7b7 ,clerical ,amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of chapter #a of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking the item relating to section #aag and inserting the following new item3 #aag4 ,advance appropriations for certain discretionary accounts4 4 7c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to fiscal year #bjaf and each subsequent fiscal year4 #d4 ,comptroller ,general review of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical care budget submission ,section #d of the ,veterans ,health ,care ,budget ,reform and ,transparency ,act of #bjji 7,public ,law #aaa-ha2 #ch ,u4,s4,c4 #aag note7 is amended to read as follows3 #d4 ,comptroller ,general review of ,department of ,veterans ,affairs medical care budget submission 7a7 ,review of budget submission2 reports ,for each of fiscal years #bjae1 #bjaf1 and #bjag1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall-- 7#a7 review the budget requests for the medical care accounts of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs in the ,president's budget request submitted pursuant to section #aaje of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7#b7 submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs1 ,appropriations1 and the ,budget of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives a report or reports on the results of each such review4 7b7 ,timing and scope of reports ,in determining the timing and scope for the submittal of the report or reports required under subsection 7a71 the ,comptroller ,general shall consult with the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives4 7c7 ,medical care accounts ,in this section1 the term medical care accounts of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs means the following medical care accounts of the ,veterans ,health ,administration1 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs account3 7#a7 ,medical ,services4 7#b7 ,medical ,support and ,compliance4 7#c7 ,medical ,facilities4 4 #e4 ,department of ,veterans ,affairs budget planning reform 7a7 ,future-,years ,veterans ,program 7#a7 ,in general ,chapter #a of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #aai4 ,future-,years ,veterans ,program 7a7 ,submission to ,congress ,the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress each year1 at or about the time that the ,president's budget is submitted to ,congress pursuant to section #aaje7;a7 of title #ca1 a ,future-,years ,veterans ,program reflecting the estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations included in that budget4 ,any such ,future-,years ,veterans ,program shall cover the fiscal year with respect to which the budget is submitted and at least the four succeeding fiscal years4 7b7 ,consistency 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that amounts described in subparagraph 7,a7 of paragraph 7#b7 for any fiscal year are consistent with amounts described in subparagraph 7,b7 of such paragraph for that fiscal year4 7#b7 ,amounts referred to in paragraph 7#a7 are the following3 7,a7 ,the amounts specified in program and budget information submitted to ,congress by the ,secretary in support of expenditure estimates and proposed appropriations in the budget submitted to ,congress by the ,president under section #aaje7;a7 of title #ca for any fiscal year1 as shown in the ,future-,years ,veterans ,program submitted pursuant to subsection 7a74 7,b7 ,the total amounts of estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations necessary to support the programs1 projects1 and activities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs included pursuant to paragraph 7#e7 of section #aaje7;a7 of title #ca in the budget submitted to ,congress under that section for any fiscal year4 7c7 ,contents ,the ,future-,years ,veterans ,program under subsection 7a7 shall set forth the five-year plan of the ,department to address the commitment of the ,united ,states to veterans and the resources necessary to meet that commitment and shall be developed and updated1 as appropriate1 annually by the ,secretary4 ,each ,future-,years ,veterans ,program shall include an explanation of-- 7#a7 the information that was used to develop program planning guidance for the ,future-,years ,veterans ,program2 and 7#b7 how the resource allocations included in the ,future-,years ,veterans ,program correlate to such five-year strategy4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #aah the following new item3 #aai4 ,future-,years ,veterans ,program4 4 7#c7 ,effective ,date ,section #aai of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 as added by paragraph 7#a71 shall apply with respect to the preparation and submission of the fiscal year #bjah budget request for the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7b7 ,quadrennial ,veterans ,review 7#a7 ,in general ,such chapter is further amended by adding after section #aai1 as added by subsection 7a77#a71 the following new section3 #abj4 ,quadrennial veterans review 7a7 ,requirement 7#a7 ,not later than fiscal year #bjag1 and every fourth year thereafter1 the ,secretary shall conduct a review of the strategy for meeting the commitment of the ,united ,states to veterans and the resources necessary to meet that commitment 7in this section referred to as a quadrennial veterans review74 7#b7 ,each quadrennial veterans review shall include a comprehensive examination of the policies and strategies of the ,united ,states with respect to veterans1 including recommendations regarding the long-term strategy and priorities for programs1 services1 benefits1 and outcomes regarding veterans and guidance on the programs1 assets1 capabilities1 budget1 policies1 and authorities of the ,department4 7#c7 ,the ,secretary shall conduct each quadrennial veterans review in consultation with key officials of the ,department1 the heads of other ,federal agencies1 and other relevant governmental and nongovernmental entities1 including ,state1 local1 and tribal government officials1 members of ,congress1 veterans service organizations1 private sector representatives1 academics1 and other policy experts4 7#d7 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that each quadrennial veterans review is coordinated with the ,future-,years ,veterans ,program required under section #aai of this title4 7b7 ,contents of review ,in each quadrennial veterans review1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 delineate a veterans strategy consistent with the commitment of the ,united ,states to veterans and refine a strategy for the types of1 and provision of1 programs1 services1 benefits1 and outcomes consistent with current authorities and requirements2 7#b7 outline and prioritize the full range of programs and capabilities regarding veterans provided by the ,federal ,government2 7#c7 identify the budget plan required to provide sufficient resources to successfully execute the full range of such programs and capabilities2 7#d7 include an assessment of the organizational alignment of the ,department with respect to the strategy referred to in paragraph 7#a7 and the programs and capabilities referred to in paragraph 7#b72 7#e7 review and assess the effectiveness of the mechanisms of the ,department for executing the process of turning the requirements identified in the quadrennial veterans review into a plan to meet such requirements1 including an expenditure plan for the ,department2 and 7#f7 identify emerging trends1 problems1 opportunities1 and issues that could affect veterans or the ,department during the ten-year period following the period covered by the review4 7c7 ,submission to ,congress 7#a7 ,the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,house of ,representatives a report regarding each quadrennial veterans review4 ,the ,secretary shall submit the report in the year following the year in which the review is conducted1 but not later than the date on which the ,president submits the budget for the next fiscal year to ,congress under section #aaje of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,each report submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 the results of the quadrennial veterans review2 7,b7 a description of the challenges to1 and opportunities for1 the assumed or defined veterans-related interests of the ,nation that were examined for the purposes of that review2 7,c7 the strategy for meeting the ,nation's commitment to veterans1 including a prioritized list of the missions of the ,department2 7,d7 a description of the interagency cooperation1 preparedness of ,federal assets1 infrastructure1 budget plan1 and other elements of the programs and policies of the ,nation associated with the strategy referred to in subsection 7b77#a7 that are required to execute successfully the full range of programs and capabilities identified in such strategy and the programs and capabilities outlined under subsection 7b77#b72 7,e7 an assessment of the organizational alignment of the ,department with the strategy referred to in subsection 7b77#a7 and the programs and capabilities outlined under subsection 7b77#b71 including the ,department's organizational structure1 management systems1 budget and accounting systems1 human resources systems1 procurement systems1 and physical and technical infrastructure2 7,f7 a discussion of the status of cooperation among ,federal agencies in the effort to promote national support for veterans2 7,g7 a discussion of the status of cooperation between the ,federal ,government and ,state1 local1 and tribal governments in supporting veterans and providing programs1 services1 benefits1 and outcomes to assist veterans2 7,h7 an explanation of any underlying assumptions used in conducting the review2 and 7,i7 any other matter the ,secretary considers appropriate4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #aai1 as added by subsection 7a77#b71 the following new item3 #abj4 ,quadrennial veterans review4 4 7c7 ,policy ,guidance 7#a7 ,in general ,such chapter is further amended by adding after section #abj1 as added by subsection 7b77#a71 the following new section3 #aba4 ,policy guidance ,the ,secretary shall provide annually to the appropriate officials of the ,department written policy guidance for the preparation and review of the planning and program recommendations and budget proposals of the elements of the ,department of such officials4 ,such guidance shall include guidance on the objectives of the ,department in accordance with ,future-,years ,veterans ,program under section #aai of this title and the quadrennial veterans review under section #abj and the resource levels projected to be available for the period of time for which such recommendations and proposals are to be effective4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #abj1 as added by subsection 7b77#b71 the following new item3 #aba4 ,policy guidance4 4 7d7 ,chief strategy officer of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7#a7 ,in general ,chapter #c of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #cbc4 ,chief ,strategy ,officer 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall designate the ,assistant ,secretary whose functions include planning1 studies1 and evaluations as the ,chief ,strategy ,officer of the ,department4 ,the ,chief ,strategy ,officer shall advise the ,secretary on long-range strategy and implications4 7b7 ,responsibilities ,the ,chief ,strategy ,officer is the principal advisor to the ,secretary and other senior officials of the ,department1 and shall provide independent analysis and advice to the ,secretary and such officials4 ,the ,chief ,strategy ,officer shall carry out the following responsibilities3 7#a7 ,conducting cost estimation and cost analysis for the programs of the ,department4 7#b7 ,establishing policies for1 and overseeing the integration of1 the planning1 programming1 budgeting and execution process for the ,department4 7#c7 ,providing analysis and advice on matters relating to the planning and programming phase of the planning1 programming1 budgeting and execution process1 and the preparation of materials and guidance for such process1 as directed by the ,secretary1 working in coordination with the ,assistant ,secretary for ,management4 7#d7 ,developing and executing the ,future-,years ,veterans ,program of the ,department1 as specified under section #aai of this title4 7#e7 ,developing resource discussions relating to requirements under consideration in the quadrennial veterans review under section #abj of this title4 7#f7 ,formulating study guidance for analysis of alternatives for programs and initiatives1 including any necessary acquisitions1 development1 or procurement commensurate with such alternatives1 and performance of such analysis as directed by the ,secretary4 7#g7 ,reviewing1 analyzing1 and evaluating programs for executing approved strategies and policies1 ensuring that information on programs and expected outcomes is presented accurately and completely4 7#h7 ,ensuring that the costs of programs and alternatives are presented accurately and completely by assisting in establishing standards1 policies1 and procedures for the conduct of cost estimation and cost analysis throughout the ,department1 including guidance relating to the proper selection of confidence levels in cost estimates generally and for specific programs of the ,department4 7#i7 ,conducting studies at the request of the ,secretary regarding costs1 policy assumptions1 and strategic implications of current policies and possible alternatives4 7#aj7 ,communicating directly to the ,secretary and the ,deputy ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs about matters for which the ,chief ,strategy ,officer is responsible without obtaining the approval or concurrence of any other official within the ,department4 4 7#b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #cbb the following new item3 #cbc4 ,chief ,strategy ,officer4 4 #f4 ,study on the functions and organizational structure of the ,office of the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs and of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7a7 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs ,study ,the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall conduct a study of the functions and organizational structure of the ,office of the ,secretary and of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7b7 ,contents of ,study ,in conducting the study under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall consider whether the allocation of functions and the organizational structure of the ,department1 as of the date of the enactment of this ,act1 constitute the most effective1 efficient1 and economical allocation and structure to assist the ,secretary in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the ,secretary4 ,the ,secretary shall also consider-- 7#a7 whether the organization of the ,office and the ,department is-- 7,a7 optimally structured to assist the ,secretary in the effective exercise of control over the ,department1 including-- 7i7 policy development and strategic planning2 7ii7 programming1 planning1 and budget development and policy1 program1 and budget execution2 and 7iii7 contingency planning2 and 7,b7 the most effective and efficient organization for the initiation1 development1 and articulation of veterans' policy and the provision of benefits and services2 7#b7 means of improving and strengthening the oversight and accountability within the ,office and ,department2 7#c7 factors inhibiting efficient and effective execution of the functions of the ,office and the ,department1 including factors relating to-- 7,a7 any duplication of functions 7both within and between the ,office and ,department72 7,b7 the availability to the ,secretary of sufficient and detailed information regarding the operation of the ,department to enable effective planning1 policy execution1 and oversight2 and 7,c7 the sufficiency of resources1 including personnel1 to carry out current and projected requirements in a more effective and efficient manner2 and 7#d7 possible alternative allocations and realignments of authorities and functions within the ,office and ,department to improve the ,department's overall operation and better provide benefits and services4 7c7 ,independent ,contractor ,study ,the ,secretary shall enter into a contract with an appropriate entity under which the entity shall carry out an independent study of the same matters required to be considered by the ,secretary under subsection 7b74 ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the entity has full access to such information as the contractor requires in order to conduct the study and that the contractor otherwise receives full cooperation from all officials and entities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs4 7d7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs shall submit to the ,committees on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate and ,house of ,representatives a report on the ,secretary's study under subsection 7a74 ,the report shall include-- 7#a7 the findings and conclusions of the ,secretary with respect to each of the matters set forth in subsection 7b72 7#b7 any recommendations of the ,secretary for organizational changes in the ,office of the ,secretary and the overall ,department and a description of the means for implementing each recommendation2 and 7#c7 a copy of the report of the independent contractor under subsection 7c71 together with such comments on such report as the ,secretary considers appropriate4 #g4 ,performance awards in the ,senior ,executive ,service ,for each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjah1 the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs may not pay any performance awards under section #echd of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 ,amend the title so as to read3 ,a bill to amend title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code1 to provide for advance appropriations for certain discretionary accounts of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 to direct the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to submit to ,congress a ,future-,years ,veterans ,program and a quadrennial veterans review1 to establish in the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs a ,chief ,strategy ,officer1 and for other purposes44 ,september #ag1 #bjac,reported with amendments1 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union1 and ordered to be printed