I 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1492 
To establish the Commission on America and its Veterans. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 11, 2013 
Mr. MCDERMOTT (for himself, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. FARR, 
Ms. NORTON, Mr. JONES, Mr. RUSH, Ms. WILSON of Florida, Mr. RYAN 
of Ohio, Ms. SINEMA, Mr. ENYART, Mr. CICILLINE, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. 
LOWENTHAL, Mr. VARGAS, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. LEE of California, and 
Mr. MCNERNEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on 
Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Commission on America and its Veterans. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
There is established an independent commission in 
the executive branch to be known as the ‘‘Commission on 
America and its Veterans’’ (referred to in this Act as the 
‘‘Commission’’). 
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SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) After more than a decade of war, and much 
work to help members of the Armed Forces return-
ing home from the battlefield, the United States 
needs a wider and more thorough process for wel-
coming members back, taking care of their needs, 
and reintegrating them into society. 
(2) Many initiatives exist that provide help for 
the men and women who have fought, but there are 
gaps in our support for veterans that need to be ad-
dressed. 
(3) The United States has waged wars, but not 
all are involved in fighting those wars, and the 
United States needs to be more deeply and regularly 
connected with members and their experiences in 
war and returning from war. 
(4) Veterans contribute mightily to the society 
of the United States but many veterans endure on-
going psychological trauma, challenges with employ-
ment, crime and dislocation, and veterans’ families 
and communities are also faced with the after-effects 
of war in ways that need to be publicly addressed. 
(5) The Nation needs a whole-of-society ap-
proach to improving the veteran’s position in society, 
and improving how we welcome veterans when they 
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return, and improving veterans’ experience when 
they come back, and do so in a way that helps vet-
erans, their families, and their communities. 
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall— 
(1) not later than January 31, 2014, submit to 
the President and Congress a report suggesting 
ceremonies and events to be held throughout the 
United States to acknowledge the wars recently 
fought and for the heroism displayed by members of 
the Armed Forces and the costs in lives and injuries 
paid by members, families, and communities; 
(2) not later than December 31, 2014, submit 
to the President and Congress a report on the find-
ings, conclusions, and legislative or other rec-
ommendations of the Commission with respect to 
any deficiency in how the United States welcomes 
back members of the Armed Forces returning home, 
including— 
(A) by studying the entirety of the re-
integration experience on the member, the fam-
ily of the member, and the community of the 
member to identify any such deficiencies that 
can be addressed to make such reintegration a 
complete and positive experience; and 
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(B) with a particular emphasis on the ef-
fects of post-traumatic stress and the other so-
cial and health issues of members and veterans; 
(3) not later than 120 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, begin convening conversa-
tions throughout the United States— 
(A) on the effect of war on members, the 
families of members, and the communities of 
members; and 
(B) addressing the reintegration experience 
and the gap between the military, veterans, and 
civilian life; and 
(4) beginning on the date that is 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and at regular 
intervals thereafter during the life of the Commis-
sion, including a final report at the end of such life, 
submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs rec-
ommendations regarding the Office of Armed Serv-
ices and Veterans Public Outreach established under 
section 9, including how to best conduct an ongoing 
interaction between members of the Armed Forces, 
veterans, and civilians, particularly with young peo-
ple, in which members and veterans share their sto-
ries and the effect of their service and reintegration 
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experience directly with civilians and for recorded 
history. 
(b) INTERIM REPORTS.—The Commission may sub-
mit to the President and Congress interim reports con-
taining such findings, conclusions, and recommendations 
as have been agreed to by a majority of Commission mem-
bers. 
SEC. 4. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION. 
(a) MEMBERS.—The Commission shall be composed 
of 18 members as follows: 
(1) One member, who shall serve as chairman 
of the Commission, shall be appointed by the Presi-
dent. 
(2) One member, who shall serve as vice chair-
man of the Commission, shall be appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
(3) Four members shall be appointed by the 
majority leader of the Senate. 
(4) Four members shall be appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives (in addition 
to the one member appointed under paragraph (2)). 
(5) Four members shall be appointed by the mi-
nority leader of the Senate. 
(6) Four members shall be appointed by the mi-
nority leader of the House of Representatives. 
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(b) QUALIFICATIONS.— 
(1) EXPERTISE.—Members of the Commission 
shall be appointed from among individuals who have 
personally and professionally experienced the effects 
of war on the Armed Forces, families, and society. 
(2) NONGOVERNMENTAL
APPOINTEES.—Mem-
bers of the Commission may not be an officer or em-
ployee of the Federal Government. 
(3) VETERANS INCLUDED.—Not less than one 
member of the Commission appointed under each of 
paragraphs (3) through (6) of subsection (a) shall be 
a veteran. 
(4) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—Members 
of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 
30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) VACANCIES.—Except as provided in subsection 
(e)(3) with respect to a quorum, any vacancy in the Com-
mission shall not affect its powers. A vacancy in the Com-
mission shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
(d) COMPENSATION.— 
(1) PAY.—Except as provided by paragraph 
(2), members of the Commission shall serve without 
pay. 
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(2) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—Each member shall 
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions 
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code, including section 5703. 
(e) INITIAL
MEETING; RULES
OF
PROCEDURE; 
QUORUM.— 
(1) INITIAL MEETING.—The Commission shall 
hold the initial meeting of the Commission not later 
than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(2) MEETINGS.—After the initial meeting under 
paragraph (1), the Commission shall meet at the call 
of the chairman or a majority of members. 
(3) QUORUM.—Ten members of the Commis-
sion shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number 
may hold hearings. 
(4) RULES OF PROCEDURE.—The Commission 
may establish rules for the conduct of the business 
of the Commission, if such rules are not inconsistent 
with this Act or other applicable law. 
SEC. 5. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS.—For the purpose of carrying out this 
Act, the Commission (or on the authority of the Commis-
sion, any subcommittee, member, or designated staff 
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thereof), may hold such hearings and sit and act at such 
times and places, take such testimony, receive such evi-
dence, and administer such oaths as the Commission con-
siders appropriate. The Commission shall hold not less 
than one hearing in each of the several States and the 
District of Columbia and may hold hearings in any com-
monwealth, territory, or possession of the United States 
as the Commission determines appropriate. 
(b) CONTRACTING.—To the extent or in the amounts 
provided in advance in appropriation Acts, the Commis-
sion may enter into contracts to enable the Commission 
to carry out the responsibilities of the Commission under 
this Act. 
(c) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The 
Commission may secure directly from any department or 
agency of the United States information necessary to en-
able it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the chairman 
of the Commission, the chairman of any subcommittee cre-
ated by a majority of the Commission, or any member des-
ignated by a majority of the Commission, the head of that 
department or agency shall furnish that information to the 
Commission. 
(d) ASSISTANCE FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) GENERAL
SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION.— 
Upon the request of the Commission, the Adminis-
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trator of General Services shall provide to the Com-
mission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative 
support services and other services necessary for the 
Commission to carry out the responsibilities of the 
Commission under this Act. 
(2) OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.—In 
addition to the assistance described in paragraph 
(1), the head of any department or agency of the 
United States may provide to the Commission such 
services, funds, facilities, staff, and other support 
services as they may determine advisable and as may 
be authorized by law. 
(e) GIFTS.—The Commission may accept, use, and 
dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or prop-
erty, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or 
facilitating the work of the Commission. Gifts, bequests, 
or devises of money and proceeds from sales of other prop-
erty received as gifts, bequests, or devises shall be depos-
ited in the Treasury and shall be available for disburse-
ment upon order of the chairman, vice chairman, or des-
ignee. 
(f) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United 
States. 
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SEC. 6. STAFF. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION.—The 
chairman, in accordance with rules agreed upon by 
the Commission, shall appoint and fix the compensa-
tion of a staff director and such other personnel as 
may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry 
out the responsibilities of the Commission, without 
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States 
Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
service, and without regard to the provisions of 
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such 
title relating to classification and General Schedule 
pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this 
subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable 
for a position at level III of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. 
(2) PERSONNEL
AS
FEDERAL
EMPLOYEES.— 
The executive director and any employee of the 
Commission (not including members appointed 
under section 4(a)) shall be employees under section 
2105 of title 5, United States Code, for purposes of 
chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of that 
title. 
(b) DETAILEES.—Any employee of the Federal Gov-
ernment may be detailed by the head of the department 
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or agency of the employee to the Commission without re-
imbursement from the Commission, and such detailee 
shall retain the rights, status, and privileges of the 
detailee’s regular employment without interruption. 
(c) EXPERT
AND
CONSULTANT
SERVICES.—The 
Commission may procure the services of experts and con-
sultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United 
States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid 
a person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States 
Code. 
(d) VOLUNTEER SERVICES.—Notwithstanding sec-
tion 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission 
may accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services 
as the Commission determines necessary. 
SEC. 7. NONAPPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ACT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission. 
(b) PUBLIC MEETINGS AND RELEASE OF PUBLIC 
VERSIONS OF REPORTS.—The Commission shall— 
(1) hold public hearings and meetings to the ex-
tent appropriate; and 
(2) release public versions of the reports re-
quired under section 3. 
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