I 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 216 

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs to submit to Congress a Future-Years Veterans Program and 

a quadrennial veterans review, to establish in the Department of Veterans 

Affairs a Chief Strategy Officer, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 8, 2015 

Ms. BROWN of Florida (for herself and Mr. MILLER of Florida) introduced 

the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

A BILL 

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a Future-Years Veterans Program and a quadrennial veterans 

review, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Chief Strategy Officer, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Department of Vet5 erans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015’’. 

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1 SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF STRATEGIC PLANS TO IM2 PROVE PROGRAMS AND BENEFITS FOR VET3 ERANS. 

4 (a) FUTURE-YEARS VETERANS PROGRAM.— 

5 (1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 of title 38, United 

6 States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 

7 following new section: 

8 ‘‘§ 119. Future-Years Veterans Program 

9 ‘‘(a) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary 

10 shall submit to Congress each year, at or about the time 

11 that the President’s budget is submitted to Congress pur12 suant to section 1105(a) of title 31, a Future-Years Vet13 erans Program reflecting the estimated expenditures and 

14 proposed appropriations included in that budget. Any such 

15 Future-Years Veterans Program shall cover the fiscal year 

16 with respect to which the budget is submitted and at least 

17 the four succeeding fiscal years. 

18 ‘‘(b) CONSISTENCY.—(1) The Secretary shall ensure 

19 that amounts described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph 

20 (2) for any fiscal year are consistent with amounts de21 scribed in subparagraph (B) of such paragraph for that 

22 fiscal year. 

23 ‘‘(2) Amounts referred to in paragraph (1) are the 

24 following: 

25 ‘‘(A) The amounts specified in program and 

26 budget information submitted to Congress by the 

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1 Secretary in support of expenditure estimates and 

2 proposed appropriations in the budget submitted to 

3 Congress by the President under section 1105(a) of 

4 title 31 for any fiscal year, as shown in the Future5 Years Veterans Program submitted pursuant to sub6 section (a). 

7 ‘‘(B) The total amounts of estimated expendi8 tures and proposed appropriations necessary to sup9 port the programs, projects, and activities of the De10 partment of Veterans Affairs included pursuant to 

11 paragraph (5) of section 1105(a) of title 31 in the 

12 budget submitted to Congress under that section for 

13 any fiscal year. 

14 ‘‘(c) CONTENTS.—The Future-Years Veterans Pro15 gram under subsection (a) shall set forth the five-year 

16 plan of the Department to address the commitment of the 

17 United States to veterans and the resources necessary to 

18 meet that commitment and shall be developed and up19 dated, as appropriate, annually by the Secretary. Each 

20 Future-Years Veterans Program shall include an expla21 nation of— 

22 ‘‘(1) the information that was used to develop 

23 program planning guidance for the Future-Years 

24 Veterans Program; and 

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1 ‘‘(2) how the resource allocations included in 

2 the Future-Years Veterans Program correlate to 

3 such five-year strategy.’’. 

4 (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec5 tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 

6 by inserting after the item relating to section 118 

7 the following new item: 

‘‘119. Future-Years Veterans Program.’’. 

8 (3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 119 of title 38, 

9 United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), 

10 shall apply with respect to the preparation and sub11 mission of the budget request for the Department of 

12 Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2020 and fiscal 

13 years thereafter. 

14 (b) QUADRENNIAL VETERANS REVIEW.— 

15 (1) IN GENERAL.—Such chapter is further 

16 amended by adding after section 119, as added by 

17 subsection (a)(1), the following new section: 

18 ‘‘§ 120. Quadrennial veterans review 

19 ‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—(1) Not later than fiscal year 

20 2019, and every fourth year thereafter, the Secretary shall 

21 conduct a review of the strategy for meeting the commit22 ment of the United States to veterans and the resources 

23 necessary to meet that commitment (in this section re24 ferred to as a ‘quadrennial veterans review’). 

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1 ‘‘(2) Each quadrennial veterans review shall include 

2 a comprehensive examination of the policies and strategies 

3 of the United States with respect to veterans, including 

4 recommendations regarding the long-term strategy and 

5 priorities for programs, services, benefits, and outcomes 

6 regarding veterans and guidance on the programs, assets, 

7 capabilities, budget, policies, and authorities of the De8 partment. 

9 ‘‘(3) The Secretary shall conduct each quadrennial 

10 veterans review in consultation with key officials of the 

11 Department, the heads of other Federal agencies, and 

12 other relevant governmental and nongovernmental enti13 ties, including State, local, and tribal government officials, 

14 members of Congress, veterans service organizations, pri15 vate sector representatives, academics, and other policy ex16 perts. 

17 ‘‘(4) The Secretary shall ensure that each quadren18 nial veterans review is coordinated with the Future-Years 

19 Veterans Program required under section 119 of this title. 

20 ‘‘(b) CONTENTS OF REVIEW.—In each quadrennial 

21 veterans review, the Secretary shall— 

22 ‘‘(1) delineate a veterans strategy consistent 

23 with the commitment of the United States to vet24 erans and refine a strategy for the types of, and pro25 vision of, programs, services, benefits, and outcomes 

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1 consistent with current authorities and require2 ments; 

3 ‘‘(2) outline and prioritize the full range of pro4 grams and capabilities regarding veterans provided 

5 by the Federal Government; 

6 ‘‘(3) identify the budget plan required to pro7 vide sufficient resources to successfully execute the 

8 full range of such programs and capabilities; 

9 ‘‘(4) include an assessment of the organiza10 tional alignment of the Department with respect to 

11 the strategy referred to in paragraph (1) and the 

12 programs and capabilities referred to in paragraph 

13 (2); 

14 ‘‘(5) review and assess the effectiveness of the 

15 mechanisms of the Department for executing the 

16 process of turning the requirements identified in the 

17 quadrennial veterans review into a plan to meet such 

18 requirements, including an expenditure plan for the 

19 Department; and 

20 ‘‘(6) identify emerging trends, problems, oppor21 tunities, and issues that could affect veterans or the 

22 Department during the ten-year period following the 

23 period covered by the review. 

24 ‘‘(c) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—(1) The Secretary 

25 shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 

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1 the Senate and the House of Representatives a report re2 garding each quadrennial veterans review. The Secretary 

3 shall submit the report in the year following the year in 

4 which the review is conducted, but not later than the date 

5 on which the President submits to Congress the budget 

6 for the next fiscal year under section 1105 of title 31. 

7 ‘‘(2) Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 

8 shall include— 

9 ‘‘(A) the results of the quadrennial veterans re10 view; 

11 ‘‘(B) a description of the challenges to, and op12 portunities for, the assumed or defined veterans-re13 lated interests of the Nation that were examined for 

14 the purposes of that review; 

15 ‘‘(C) the strategy for meeting the Nation’s com16 mitment to veterans, including a prioritized list of 

17 the missions of the Department; 

18 ‘‘(D) a description of the interagency coopera19 tion, preparedness of Federal assets, infrastructure, 

20 budget plan, and other elements of the programs 

21 and policies of the Nation associated with the strat22 egy referred to in subsection (b)(1) that are required 

23 to execute successfully the full range of programs 

24 and capabilities identified in such strategy and the 

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1 programs and capabilities outlined under subsection 

2 (b)(2); 

3 ‘‘(E) an assessment of the organizational align4 ment of the Department with the strategy referred 

5 to in subsection (b)(1) and the programs and capa6 bilities outlined under subsection (b)(2), including 

7 the Department’s organizational structure, manage8 ment systems, budget and accounting systems, 

9 human resources systems, procurement systems, and 

10 physical and technical infrastructure; 

11 ‘‘(F) a discussion of the status of cooperation 

12 among Federal agencies in the effort to promote na13 tional support for veterans; 

14 ‘‘(G) a discussion of the status of cooperation 

15 between the Federal Government and State, local, 

16 and tribal governments in supporting veterans and 

17 providing programs, services, benefits, and outcomes 

18 to assist veterans; 

19 ‘‘(H) an explanation of any underlying assump20 tions used in conducting the review; and 

21 ‘‘(I) any other matter the Secretary considers 

22 appropriate.’’. 

23 (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec24 tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 

25 by inserting after the item relating to section 119, 

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1 as added by subsection (a)(2), the following new 

2 item: 

‘‘120. Quadrennial Veterans Review.’’. 

3 (c) POLICY GUIDANCE.— 

4 (1) IN GENERAL.—Such chapter is further 

5 amended by adding after section 120, as added by 

6 subsection (b)(1), the following new section: 

7 ‘‘§ 121. Policy Guidance 

8 ‘‘The Secretary shall provide annually to the appro9 priate officials of the Department written policy guidance 

10 for the preparation and review of the planning and pro11 gram recommendations and budget proposals of the ele12 ments of the Department of such officials. Such guidance 

13 shall include guidance on the objectives of the Department 

14 in accordance with Future-Years Veterans Program under 

15 section 119 of this title and the quadrennial veterans re16 view under section 120 and the resource levels projected 

17 to be available for the period of time for which such rec18 ommendations and proposals are to be effective.’’. 

19 (2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec20 tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 

21 by inserting after the item relating to section 120, 

22 as added by subsection (b)(2), the following new 

23 item: 

‘‘121. Quadrennial veterans review.’’. 

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1 SEC. 3. CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT 

2 OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

3 (a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 38, United 

4 States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol5 lowing new section: 

6 ‘‘§ 323. Chief Strategy Officer 

7 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall designate 

8 the Assistant Secretary whose functions include planning, 

9 studies, and evaluations as the Chief Strategy Officer of 

10 the Department. The Chief Strategy Officer shall advise 

11 the Secretary on long-range strategy and implications. 

12 ‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Chief Strategy Officer 

13 is the principal advisor to the Secretary and other senior 

14 officials of the Department, and shall provide independent 

15 analysis and advice to the Secretary and such officials. 

16 The Chief Strategy Officer shall carry out the following 

17 responsibilities: 

18 ‘‘(1) Conducting cost estimation and cost anal19 ysis for the programs of the Department. 

20 ‘‘(2) Establishing policies for, and overseeing 

21 the integration of, the planning, programming, 

22 budgeting and execution process for the Depart23 ment. 

24 ‘‘(3) Providing analysis and advice on matters 

25 relating to the planning and programming phase of 

26 the planning, programming, budgeting and execution 

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1 process, and the preparation of materials and guid2 ance for such process, as directed by the Secretary, 

3 working in coordination with the Assistant Secretary 

4 for Management. 

5 ‘‘(4) Developing and executing the Future6 Years Veterans Program of the Department, as 

7 specified under section 119 of this title. 

8 ‘‘(5) Developing resource discussions relating to 

9 requirements under consideration in the quadrennial 

10 veterans review under section 120 of this title. 

11 ‘‘(6) Formulating study guidance for analysis of 

12 alternatives for programs and initiatives, including 

13 any necessary acquisitions, development, or procure14 ment commensurate with such alternatives, and per15 formance of such analysis as directed by the Sec16 retary. 

17 ‘‘(7) Reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating pro18 grams for executing approved strategies and policies, 

19 ensuring that information on programs and expected 

20 outcomes is presented accurately and completely. 

21 ‘‘(8) Ensuring that the costs of programs and 

22 alternatives are presented accurately and completely 

23 by assisting in establishing standards, policies, and 

24 procedures for the conduct of cost estimation and 

25 cost analysis throughout the Department, including 

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1 guidance relating to the proper selection of con2 fidence levels in cost estimates generally and for spe3 cific programs of the Department. 

4 ‘‘(9) Conducting studies at the request of the 

5 Secretary regarding costs, policy assumptions, and 

6 strategic implications of current policies and possible 

7 alternatives. 

8 ‘‘(10) Communicating directly to the Secretary 

9 and the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs about 

10 matters for which the Chief Strategy Officer is re11 sponsible without obtaining the approval or concur12 rence of any other official within the Department.’’. 

13 (b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 

14 at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 

15 after the item relating to section 322 the following new 

16 item: 

‘‘323. Chief Strategy Officer.’’. 

17 SEC. 4. STUDY ON THE FUNCTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONAL 

18 STRUCTURE OF THE OFFICE OF THE SEC19 RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND OF THE 

20 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 

21 (a) SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STUDY.— 

22 The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study 

23 of the functions and organizational structure of the Office 

24 of the Secretary and of the Department of Veterans Af25 fairs. 

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1 (b) CONTENTS OF STUDY.—In conducting the study 

2 under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider whether 

3 the allocation of functions and the organizational struc4 ture of the Department, as of the date of the enactment 

5 of this Act, constitute the most effective, efficient, and ec6 onomical allocation and structure to assist the Secretary 

7 in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Sec8 retary. The Secretary shall also consider— 

9 (1) whether the organization of the Office and 

10 the Department is— 

11 (A) optimally structured to assist the Sec12 retary in the effective exercise of control over 

13 the Department, including— 

14 (i) policy development and strategic 

15 planning; 

16 (ii) programming, planning, and budg17 et development and policy, program, and 

18 budget execution; and 

19 (iii) contingency planning; and 

20 (B) the most effective and efficient organi21 zation for the initiation, development, and ar22 ticulation of veterans’ policy and the provision 

23 of benefits and services; 

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1 (2) means of improving and strengthening the 

2 oversight and accountability within the Office and 

3 Department; 

4 (3) factors inhibiting efficient and effective exe5 cution of the functions of the Office and the Depart6 ment, including factors relating to— 

7 (A) any duplication of functions (both 

8 within and between the Office and Depart9 ment); 

10 (B) the availability to the Secretary of suf11 ficient and detailed information regarding the 

12 operation of the Department to enable effective 

13 planning, policy execution, and oversight; and 

14 (C) the sufficiency of resources, including 

15 personnel, to carry out current and projected 

16 requirements in a more effective and efficient 

17 manner; and 

18 (4) possible alternative allocations and realign19 ments of authorities and functions within the Office 

20 and Department to improve the Department’s over21 all operation and better provide benefits and serv22 ices. 

23 (c) INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STUDY.—The Sec24 retary shall seek to enter into a contract with an appro25 priate entity under which the entity shall carry out an 

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1 independent study of the same matters required to be con2 sidered by the Secretary under subsection (b). The Sec3 retary shall ensure that the entity has full access to such 

4 information as the contractor requires in order to conduct 

5 the study and that the contractor otherwise receives full 

6 cooperation from all officials and entities of the Depart7 ment of Veterans Affairs. 

8 (d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than one year 

9 after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 

10 shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 

11 the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the 

12 study of the Secretary under subsection (a). The report 

13 shall include— 

14 (1) the findings and conclusions of the Sec15 retary with respect to each of the matters set forth 

16 in subsection (b); 

17 (2) any recommendations of the Secretary for 

18 organizational changes in the Office of the Secretary 

19 and the overall Department and a description of the 

20 means for implementing each recommendation; and 

21 (3) a copy of the report of the independent con22 tractor under subsection (c), together with such 

23 comments on such report as the Secretary considers 

24 appropriate. 

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