I 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2704 
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 
JULY 17, 2013 
Mr. MICHAUD (for himself 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 Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a Fu-
ture-Years Veterans Program and a quadrennial veterans 
review, to establish in the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs a Chief Strategy Officer, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Department of Vet-
erans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2013’’. 
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SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF STRATEGIC PLANS TO IM-
PROVE PROGRAMS AND BENEFITS FOR VET-
ERANS. 
(a) FUTURE-YEARS VETERANS PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 119. Future-Years Veterans Program 
‘‘(a) SUBMISSION
TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary 
shall submit to Congress each year, at or about the time 
that the President’s budget is submitted to Congress pur-
suant to section 1105(a) of title 31, a Future-Years Vet-
erans Program reflecting the estimated expenditures and 
proposed appropriations included in that budget. 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 years. 
‘‘(b) CONSISTENCY.—(1) The Secretary shall ensure 
that amounts described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph 
(2) for any fiscal year are consistent with amounts de-
scribed in subparagraph (B) of such paragraph for that 
fiscal year. 
‘‘(2) Amounts referred to in paragraph (1) are the 
following: 
‘‘(A) The amounts specified in program and 
budget information submitted to Congress by the 
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Secretary in support of expenditure estimates and 
proposed appropriations in the budget submitted to 
Congress by the President under section 1105(a) of 
title 31 for any fiscal year, as shown in the Future- 
Years Veterans Program submitted pursuant to sub-
section (a). 
‘‘(B) The total amounts of estimated expendi-
tures and proposed appropriations necessary to sup-
port the programs, projects, and activities of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs included pursuant to 
paragraph (5) of section 1105(a) of title 31 in the 
budget submitted to Congress under that section for 
any fiscal year. 
‘‘(c) CONTENTS.—The Future-Years Veterans Pro-
gram under subsection (a) 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 up-
dated, as appropriate, annually by the Secretary. Each 
Future-Years Veterans Program shall include an expla-
nation of— 
‘‘(1) the information that was used to develop 
program planning guidance for the Future-Years 
Veterans Program; and 
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‘‘(2) how the resource allocations included in 
the Future-Years Veterans Program correlate to 
such five-year strategy.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 118 
the following new item: 
‘‘119. Future-Years Veterans Program.’’. 
(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 119 of title 38, 
United States Code, as added by paragraph (1), 
shall apply with respect to the preparation and sub-
mission of the fiscal year 2018 budget request for 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(b) QUADRENNIAL VETERANS REVIEW.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Such chapter is further 
amended by adding after section 119, as added by 
subsection (a)(1), the following new section: 
‘‘§ 120. Quadrennial veterans review 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—(1) Not later than fiscal year 
2017, and every fourth year thereafter, the Secretary shall 
conduct a review of the strategy for meeting the commit-
ment of the United States to veterans and the resources 
necessary to meet that commitment (in this section re-
ferred to as a ‘quadrennial veterans review’). 
‘‘(2) Each quadrennial veterans review shall include 
a comprehensive examination of the policies and strategies 
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‘‘(2) outline and prioritize the full range of pro-
grams and capabilities regarding veterans provided 
by the Federal Government; 
‘‘(3) identify the budget plan required to pro-
vide sufficient resources to successfully execute the 
full range of such programs and capabilities; 
‘‘(4) include an assessment of the organiza-
tional alignment of the Department with respect to 
the strategy referred to in paragraph (1) and the 
programs and capabilities referred to in paragraph 
(2); 
‘‘(5) 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 
requirements, including an expenditure plan for the 
Department; and 
‘‘(6) identify emerging trends, problems, oppor-
tunities, and issues that could affect veterans or the 
Department during the ten-year period following the 
period covered by the review. 
‘‘(c) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—(1) The Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of 
the Senate and the House of Representatives a report re-
garding each quadrennial veterans review. The Secretary 
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shall submit the report in the year following the year in 
which the review is conducted, but not later than the date 
on which the President submits the budget for the next 
fiscal year to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, 
United States Code. 
‘‘(2) Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
shall include— 
‘‘(A) the results of the quadrennial veterans re-
view; 
‘‘(B) a description of the challenges to, and op-
portunities for, the assumed or defined veterans-re-
lated interests of the Nation that were examined for 
the purposes of that review; 
‘‘(C) the strategy for meeting the Nation’s com-
mitment to veterans, including a prioritized list of 
the missions of the Department; 
‘‘(D) a description of the interagency coopera-
tion, preparedness of Federal assets, infrastructure, 
budget plan, and other elements of the programs 
and policies of the Nation associated with the strat-
egy referred to in subsection (b)(1) 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 
(b)(2); 
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‘‘(E) an assessment of the organizational align-
ment of the Department with the strategy referred 
to in subsection (b)(1) and the programs and capa-
bilities outlined under subsection (b)(2), including 
the Department’s organizational structure, manage-
ment systems, budget and accounting systems, 
human resources systems, procurement systems, and 
physical and technical infrastructure; 
‘‘(F) a discussion of the status of cooperation 
among Federal agencies in the effort to promote na-
tional support for veterans; 
‘‘(G) a discussion of the status of cooperation 
between the Federal Government and State, local, 
and tribal governments in supporting veterans and 
providing programs, services, benefits, and outcomes 
to assist veterans; 
‘‘(H) an explanation of any underlying assump-
tions used in conducting the review; and 
‘‘(I) any other matter the Secretary considers 
appropriate.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 119, 
as added by subsection (a)(2), the following new 
item: 
‘‘120. Quadrennial Veterans Review.’’. 
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(c) POLICY GUIDANCE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Such chapter is further 
amended by adding after section 120, as added by 
subsection (b)(1), the following new section: 
‘‘§ 121. Policy Guidance 
‘‘The Secretary shall provide annually to the appro-
priate officials of the Department written policy guidance 
for the preparation and review of the planning and pro-
gram recommendations and budget proposals of the ele-
ments of the Department of such officials. Such guidance 
shall include guidance on the objectives of the Department 
in accordance with Future-Years Veterans Program under 
section 119 of this title and the quadrennial veterans re-
view under section 120 and the resource levels projected 
to be available for the period of time for which such rec-
ommendations and proposals are to be effective.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 120, 
as added by subsection (b)(2), the following new 
item: 
‘‘121. Quadrennial veterans review.’’. 
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SEC. 3. CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 3 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘§ 323. Chief Strategy Officer 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall designate 
the Assistant Secretary whose functions include planning, 
studies, and evaluations as the Chief Strategy Officer of 
the Department. The Chief Strategy Officer shall advise 
the Secretary on long-range strategy and implications. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Chief Strategy Officer 
is the principal advisor to the Secretary and other senior 
officials of the Department, and shall provide independent 
analysis and advice to the Secretary and such officials. 
The Chief Strategy Officer shall carry out the following 
responsibilities: 
‘‘(1) Conducting cost estimation and cost anal-
ysis for the programs of the Department. 
‘‘(2) Establishing policies for, and overseeing 
the integration of, the planning, programming, 
budgeting and execution process for the Depart-
ment. 
‘‘(3) Providing analysis and advice on matters 
relating to the planning and programming phase of 
the planning, programming, budgeting and execution 
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process, and the preparation of materials and guid-
ance for such process, as directed by the Secretary, 
working in coordination with the Assistant Secretary 
for Management. 
‘‘(4) Developing and executing the Future- 
Years Veterans Program of the Department, as 
specified under section 119 of this title. 
‘‘(5) Developing resource discussions relating to 
requirements under consideration in the quadrennial 
veterans review under section 120 of this title. 
‘‘(6) Formulating study guidance for analysis of 
alternatives for programs and initiatives, including 
any necessary acquisitions, development, or procure-
ment commensurate with such alternatives, and per-
formance of such analysis as directed by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(7) Reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating pro-
grams for executing approved strategies and policies, 
ensuring that information on programs and expected 
outcomes is presented accurately and completely. 
‘‘(8) Ensuring that the costs of programs and 
alternatives are presented accurately and completely 
by assisting in establishing standards, policies, and 
procedures for the conduct of cost estimation and 
cost analysis throughout the Department, including 
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guidance relating to the proper selection of con-
fidence levels in cost estimates generally and for spe-
cific programs of the Department. 
‘‘(9) Conducting studies at the request of the 
Secretary regarding costs, policy assumptions, and 
strategic implications of current policies and possible 
alternatives. 
‘‘(10) Communicating directly to the Secretary 
and the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs about 
matters for which the Chief Strategy Officer is re-
sponsible without obtaining the approval or concur-
rence of any other official within the Department.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 322 the following new 
item: 
‘‘323. Chief Strategy Officer.’’. 
SEC. 4. STUDY ON THE FUNCTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONAL 
STRUCTURE OF THE OFFICE OF THE SEC-
RETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) 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 Af-
fairs. 
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(b) CONTENTS OF STUDY.—In conducting the study 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider whether 
the allocation of functions and the organizational struc-
ture of the Department, as of the date of the enactment 
of this Act, constitute the most effective, efficient, and ec-
onomical allocation and structure to assist the Secretary 
in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Sec-
retary. The Secretary shall also consider— 
(1) whether the organization of the Office and 
the Department is— 
(A) optimally structured to assist the Sec-
retary in the effective exercise of control over 
the Department, including— 
(i) policy development and strategic 
planning; 
(ii) programming, planning, and budg-
et development and policy, program, and 
budget execution; and 
(iii) contingency planning; and 
(B) the most effective and efficient organi-
zation for the initiation, development, and ar-
ticulation of veterans’ policy and the provision 
of benefits and services; 
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(2) means of improving and strengthening the 
oversight and accountability within the Office and 
Department; 
(3) factors inhibiting efficient and effective exe-
cution of the functions of the Office and the Depart-
ment, including factors relating to— 
(A) any duplication of functions (both 
within and between the Office and Depart-
ment); 
(B) the availability to the Secretary of suf-
ficient and detailed information regarding the 
operation of the Department to enable effective 
planning, policy execution, and oversight; and 
(C) the sufficiency of resources, including 
personnel, to carry out current and projected 
requirements in a more effective and efficient 
manner; and 
(4) possible alternative allocations and realign-
ments of authorities and functions within the Office 
and Department to improve the Department’s over-
all operation and better provide benefits and serv-
ices. 
(c) INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STUDY.—The Sec-
retary shall enter into a contract with an appropriate enti-
ty under which the entity shall carry out an independent 
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study of the same matters required to be considered by 
the Secretary under subsection (b). 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 Vet-
erans Affairs. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives a report on the Secretary’s study under subsection 
(a). The report shall include— 
(1) the findings and conclusions of the Sec-
retary with respect to each of the matters set forth 
in subsection (b); 
(2) 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 recommendation; and 
(3) a copy of the report of the independent con-
tractor under subsection (c), together with such 
comments on such report as the Secretary considers 
appropriate. 
Æ 
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