Veterans Benefits Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-2297
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2003-06-02 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Air force
Apprenticeship
Armed forces abroad
Armed forces reserves
Arthritis
Authorization
Automobiles
Biological warfare
Birth defects
Business education
Cemeteries and funerals
Chemical warfare
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Correspondence schools and courses
Cost of living adjustments
Crime and Law Enforcement
Debt
Department of Labor
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disabled
East Asia
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Electronic benefits transfers
Electronic funds transfers
Entrepreneurs
Epidemiology
Ex-prisoners of war
Extortion
Families
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to housing
Federal employees
Federal office buildings
Federally-guaranteed loans
Fees
Finance and Financial Sector
Forfeiture
Franchises (Retail trade)
Fraud
Genocide
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government life insurance
Government paperwork
Government procurement
Governmental investigations
Grants-in-aid
Health
Herbicides
Higher education
History
Housing and Community Development
Housing for the disabled
International Affairs
Korean War, 1950-1953
Labor and Employment
Larceny
Law
Licenses
Liver diseases
Loan defaults
Marriage
Medical research
Mental illness
Military bases
Military dependents
Military medicine
Minorities
Mortgages
National Guard
Nuclear nonproliferation
Nuclear terrorism
Nuclear weapons
Parents
Philippines
Physical examinations
Radiation victims
Revolving funds
Science, Technology, Communications
Self-employed
Self-help devices for the disabled
Small business
South Korea
Student aid
Student loan funds
Subversive activities
Survivors' benefits
Terrorism
Transportation and Public Works
Veterans' benefits
Veterans' disability compensation
Veterans' education
Veterans' employment
Veterans' loans
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions
Veterans' rehabilitation
Vietnam veterans
Vietnamese Conflict
Vocational and technical education
Vocational guidance
Vocational rehabilitation
Weapons of mass destruction
World War II

Summary:
action_date: 2003-06-02
text: 
Includes under the Montgomery GI Bill education program a program of self-employment on-job training, when approved by any State approving agency, if such agency finds the training is needed or accepted for obtaining licensure to engage in a self-employment occupation or required for franchise ownership and operation. Outlines criteria for agency approval of the such a program.
 
Extends through 2003 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
 
Repeals the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Loan program.
 
Makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants to States to establish and operate national cemeteries.
 
Adds certain criminal subversive activities offenses to those which will cause a veteran to lose the right to gratuitous benefits (including national cemetery burial) provided through the Department.
 
Extends through 2005 the authority to maintain a regional Department office in the Republic of the Philippines.

action_date: 2003-07-15
text: 
Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Includes under the Montgomery GI Bill education program a program of self-employment on-job training consisting of full-time training for a period of less than six months that is needed or accepted for obtaining licensure to engage in a self-employment occupation or required for franchise ownership and operation.
 
(Sec. 3) Extends the delimiting period of eligibility for military survivors' and dependents' education assistance, with respect to a member who is involuntarily ordered to full-time National Guard duty, for the length of such duty plus four months.
 
(Sec. 4) Extends through 2009 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
 
(Sec. 5) Repeals the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Loan Program. Transfers any balance in the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Loan Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Benefits Account. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairsto discharge any outstanding liability of a veteran under such Program.
 

 
(Sec. 6) Provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse of a veteran after age 55 shall not bar the payment of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation to which such spouse was previously entitled.
 
(Sec. 7) Makes all remarried surviving spouses of veterans eligible for burial in a national cemetery. (Currently, such eligibility is permitted only for remarried former spouses whose subsequent marriage was terminated by death or divorce.)
 
(Sec. 8) Makes permanent (currently ends at the end of FY 2004) the authority of the Secretary to make grants to States to establish and operate national cemeteries.
 
(Sec. 9) Establishes a new period of five years from the date of enactment of this Act for a program of Department vocational training for low-income, pension-receiving veterans under the age of 45. (The previous period ran from February 1, 1985, through December 31, 1995.) Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide appropriate program outreach; and (2) report annually to the veterans' committees on program operation.
 
(Sec. 10) Increases from: (1) $48,000 to $50,000 the maximum amount authorized to be provided by the Department to certain disabled veterans for the construction of specially adapted housing; (2) $9,250 to $10,000 the maximum authorized for specially adapted features within a home; and (3) $9,000 to $11,000 the maximum authorized for automobile and adaptive equipment for such veterans.
 
(Sec. 11) Revises Federal provisions relating to the presumption of service-connection for certain diseases manifest in former prisoners of war to consider the following diseases to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service without any minimum period of internment (currently, internment of at least 30 days is required): psychosis; any of the anxiety states; dysthymic disorder; organic residuals of frostbite when consistent with prisoner conditions; and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Adds cirrhosis of the liver to the list of diseases which will be considered as having been incurred in or aggravated by such service if: (1) the veteran was interned for at least 30 days; and (2) the disease becomes manifest to a degree of ten percent or more after active military service.
 
(Sec. 12) Provides health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and a monthly disability allowance through the Department to the natural child of a parent who performed active military service in the Republic of Korea in a specified area of the Demilitarized Zone if such child was conceived after such service and suffers from spina bifida.
 
(Sec. 13) Makes permanent (currently expires on September 30, 2009) the eligibility of certain former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans' housing loans.
 
(Sec. 14) Revises the fee amounts charged under the veterans' home loan guaranty program. Makes such fee for qualifying reserve personnel identical to that charged for active-duty veterans.
 
(Sec. 15) Reinstates the minimum and maximum percentages of purchases during a fiscal year of real property acquired by the Secretary as the result of a default on a guaranteed loan that may be financed by a loan made by the Secretary. Increases the maximum percentage to 85 (65 under provisions that expired after September 30, 1990).
 
(Sec. 16) Qualifies for the payment of certain survivors' benefits the surviving spouses of former members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army or new Philippine Scouts who served with U.S. armed forces during World War II and became U.S. citizens or lawfully resided in the United States. Qualifies for national cemetery burial new Philippine Scouts (and their spouses) who so served and became U.S. citizens or lawful residents.
 
(Sec. 18) Extends through 2009 the authority to maintain a regional Department office in the Republic of the Philippines.
 
(Sec. 19) Directs the Secretary of Labor to station employees of the Veterans' Employment and Training Service, or contractors, at each veterans' assistance office established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on overseas military installations. Requires such personnel to carry out employment counseling under the Transition Assistance Program and the Disabled Transition Assistance Program for persons separating from active duty and their spouses.
 
(Sec. 20) Adds certain criminal subversive activities offenses to those which will cause a veteran to lose the right to gratuitous benefits (including national cemetery burial) provided through the Department.
 


action_date: 2003-10-08
text: 
Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Includes under the Montgomery GI Bill education program a program of self-employment on-job training consisting of full-time training for a period of less than six months that is needed or accepted for obtaining licensure to engage in a self-employment occupation or required for franchise ownership and operation.
 
(Sec. 3) Extends the delimiting period of eligibility for military survivors' and dependents' education assistance, with respect to a member who is involuntarily ordered to full-time National Guard duty, for the length of such duty plus four months.
 
(Sec. 4) Extends through 2009 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
 
(Sec. 5) Repeals the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Loan Program. Transfers any balance in the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Loan Fund to the Department of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Benefits Account. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to discharge any outstanding liability of a veteran under such Program.
 
(Sec. 6) Provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse of a veteran after age 55 shall not bar the payment of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation to which such spouse was previously entitled. Prohibits any reduction in other benefits for which a veteran's surviving spouse is eligible because of such surviving spouse's eligibilty for dependency and indemnity compensation.
 
(Sec. 7) Makes all remarried surviving spouses of veterans eligible for burial in a national cemetery. (Currently, such eligibility is permitted only for remarried former spouses whose subsequent marriage was terminated by death or divorce.)
 
(Sec. 8) Makes permanent (currently ends at the end of FY 2004) the authority of the Secretary to make grants to States to establish and operate national cemeteries.
 
(Sec. 9) Establishes a new period of five years from the date of enactment of this Act for a program of Department vocational training for low-income, pension-receiving veterans under the age of 45. (The previous period ran from February 1, 1985, through December 31, 1995.) Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide appropriate program outreach; and (2) report annually to the veterans' committees on program operation.
 
(Sec. 10) Increases from: (1) $48,000 to $50,000 the maximum amount authorized to be provided by the Department to certain disabled veterans for the construction of specially adapted housing; (2) $9,250 to $10,000 the maximum authorized for specially adapted features within a home; and (3) $9,000 to $11,000 the maximum authorized for automobile and adaptive equipment for such veterans.
 
(Sec. 11) Revises Federal provisions relating to the presumption of service-connection for certain diseases manifest in former prisoners of war to consider the following diseases to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service without any minimum period of internment (currently, internment of at least 30 days is required): psychosis; any of the anxiety states; dysthymic disorder; organic residuals of frostbite when consistent with prisoner conditions; and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Adds cirrhosis of the liver to the list of diseases which will be considered as having been incurred in or aggravated by such service if: (1) the veteran was interned for at least 30 days; and (2) the disease becomes manifest to a degree of ten percent or more after active military service.
 
(Sec. 12) Provides health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and a monthly disability allowance through the Department to the natural child of a parent who performed active military service in the Republic of Korea in a specified area of the Demilitarized Zone if such child was conceived after such service and suffers from spina bifida.
 
(Sec. 13) Makes permanent (currently expires on September 30, 2009) the eligibility of certain former members of the Selected Reserve for veterans' housing loans.
 
(Sec. 14) Revises the fee amounts charged under the veterans' home loan guaranty program. Makes such fee for qualifying reserve personnel identical to that charged for active-duty veterans.
 
(Sec. 15) Reinstates the minimum and maximum percentages of purchases during a fiscal year of real property acquired by the Secretary as the result of a default on a guaranteed loan that may be financed by a loan made by the Secretary. Increases the maximum percentage to 85 (65 under provisions that expired after September 30, 1990).
 
(Sec. 16) Qualifies for the payment of certain survivors' benefits the surviving spouses of former members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army or new Philippine Scouts who served with U.S. armed forces during World War II and became U.S. citizens or lawfully resided in the United States. Qualifies for national cemetery burial new Philippine Scouts (and their spouses) who so served and became U.S. citizens or lawful residents.
 
(Sec. 18) Extends through 2009 the authority to maintain a regional Department office in the Republic of the Philippines.
 
(Sec. 19) Directs the Secretary of Labor to station employees of the Veterans' Employment and Training Service, or contractors, at each veterans' assistance office established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on overseas military installations. Requires such personnel to carry out employment counseling under the Transition Assistance Program and the Disabled Transition Assistance Program for persons separating from active duty and their spouses.
 
(Sec. 20) Adds certain criminal subversive activities offenses to those which will cause a veteran to lose the right to gratuitous benefits (including national cemetery burial) provided through the Department.

action_date: 2003-12-16
text: 
Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 - 
Title I: Survivor Benefits -
 (Sec. 101) Provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse of a veteran after age 57 shall not bar the furnishing of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), home loan, and educational benefits eligibility. Requires spouses who remarried after age 57 but prior to the enactment of this Act to apply for such eligibility within one year.
 
(Sec. 102) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide to any child of a veteran of covered service (active military duty within a specified period during which the veteran was exposed to a herbicide agent) in Korea who is suffering from spina bifida the health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance currently required to be paid to a child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida.
 
(Sec. 103) Authorizes the payment of proceeds following the death of the insured under the National Life Insurance Program and the United States Government Life Insurance Program: (1) to another beneficiary designated by the insured, if the first beneficiary does not make a claim for such proceeds within two years; or (2) to any person designated by the Secretary to be equitably entitled to such proceeds, if no claim has been filed by any designated beneficiary within four years.
 
(Sec. 104) Repeals the limitation on the accrued benefits required to be paid by the Secretary upon the death of a veteran or other beneficiary. Requries benefits to be paid to the surviving parents upon the death of a child claiming benefits as a child of a Vietnam veteran.
 

Title II: Benefits for Former Prisoners of War and for Filipino Veterans - Subtitle A: Former Prisoners of War -
 (Sec. 201) Revises Federal provisions relating to the presumption of service-connection for certain diseases manifest in former prisoners of war to deem the following diseases to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service without any minimum period of internment (currently, internment of at least 30 days is required): psychosis; any of the anxiety states; dysthymic disorder; organic residuals of frostbite when consistent with prisoner conditions; and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Adds cirrhosis of the liver to the list of diseases which will be considered as having been incurred in or aggravated by such service if: (1) the veteran was interned for at least 30 days; and (2) the disease becomes manifest to a degree of ten percent or more after active military service.
 

Subtitle B: Filipino Veterans -
 (Sec. 211) Qualifies for: (1) the payment of certain survivors' benefits the surviving spouses of former members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army or new Philippine Scouts who served with U.S. armed forces during World War II and who became U.S. citizens or lawfully resided in the United States; and (2) national cemetery burial new Philippine Scouts (and their spouses) who so served and became U.S. citizens or lawful residents.
 
(Sec. 213) Extends through 2009 the authority to maintain a regional Department of Veterans Affairs office in the Republic of the Philippines.
 

Title III: Education Benefits, Employment Provisions, and Related Matters - 
(Sec. 301) Includes under the Montgomery GI Bill education program a program of self-employment on-job training consisting of full-time training for a period of less than six months that is needed or accepted for obtaining licensure to engage in a self-employment occupation or that is required for franchise ownership and operation.
 
(Sec. 302) Increases as of July 1, 2004, the rates of: (1) survivors' and dependents' educational assistance; and (2) assistance for correspondence courses, special restorative training, and apprenticeship training.
 
(Sec. 303) Makes the delimiting period of eligibility for survivors' and dependents' educational assistance with respect to a member who is involuntarily ordered to full-time National Guard duty the same period that exists for survivors and dependents of regular military personnel called or ordered to active duty (the length of such duty plus four months).
 
(Sec. 304) Requires cost-of-living adjustments to payments made under active-duty and veterans' educational assistance programs to be rounded down (currently, rounded) to the nearest dollar during the period after FY 2004 and before FY 2014.
 
(Sec. 305) Authorizes a State agency to approve entrepreneurship (business education) courses for attendance by veterans using veterans' basic educational assistance provided through the Department. Prohibits the Secretary from treating a business owner as already qualified for such purposes. Adds entrepreneurship courses to authorized programs of veterans' educational assistance. Includes as a qualified provider of such courses: (1) any small business development center under the Small Business Act; and (2) the National Veterans Business Development Corporation.
 
(Sec. 306) Repeals the Department of Veterans Affairs Education Loan Program. Terminates an associated Fund.
 
(Sec. 307) Extends through 2009 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.
 
(Sec. 308) Amends the Small Business Act to authorize a Federal contracting officer to award a sole source contract (limited to contracts of up to $5 million for manufacturing and $3 million for non-manufacturing) to small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled (qualified) veterans if: (1) the business is determined to be responsible with respect to performance of the contract opportunity and the contracting officer does not expect that two or more small businesses owned and controlled by qualified veterans will submit offers; (2) the anticipated award price of the contract will not exceed the sole source limit; and (3) the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price. Allows a contracting officer to restrict contract competition to qualified businesses if the officer can reasonably expect at least two such businesses to submit offers. Prohibits a procurement from being made on the basis of such authority if the procurement would otherwise be made from a different source under provisions of either the Federal criminal code governing Government procurement of prisoner products or services or the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act.
 
(Sec. 309) Directs the Secretary of Labor to station employees of the Veterans' Employment and Training Service or contractors at each veterans' assistance office established by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on an overseas military installation. Requires such personnel to carry out employment counseling under the Transition Assistance Program and the Disabled Transition Assistance Program for persons separating from active duty and their spouses.
 

Title IV: Housing Benefits and Related Matters -
 (Sec. 401) Authorizes the Secretary to provide adapted housing assistance to certain categories of disabled military personnel serving on active duty if the disability is the result of an injury or disease contracted or aggravated during such duty.
 
(Sec. 402) Increases from: (1) $48,000 to $50,000 the maximum authorized to be provided by the Department to certain disabled veterans for the construction of specially adapted housing; (2) $9,250 to $10,000 the maximum authorized for specially adapted features within a home; and (3) $9,000 to $11,000 the maximum authorized for automobile and adaptive equipment for such veterans.
 
(Sec. 403) Makes permanent (currently, expires on September 30, 2009) the authority for individuals who complete six years of service in the Selected Reserve to receive Department-guaranteed veterans' home loans.
 
(Sec. 404) Reinstates until September 30, 2013, certain minimum requirements with respect to the Department's vendee loan program (the authority to finance the purchase of properties it has acquired, as guarantor, as a result of a veteran's foreclosure). Requires the Department to dispose of between 50 and 85 (currently, 65) percent of such acquired properties using vendee loans.
 
(Sec. 405) Revises the fee amounts charged under the veterans' home loan guaranty program.
 
(Sec. 406) Extends until October 1, 2012, the termination date of Department procedures for liquidation sales with respect to defaulted home loans guaranteed by the Department.
 

Title V: Burial Benefits -
 (Sec. 501) Allows States to receive the veterans' burial plot allowance of $300 for the interment of a veteran who: (1) did not serve during a wartime period; or (2) was discharged as a result of a service-connected disability.
 
(Sec. 502) Makes all remarried surviving spouses of veterans eligible for burial in a national cemetery. (Currently, such eligibility is permitted only for remarried former spouses whose subsequent marriage was terminated by death or divorce.)
 
(Sec. 503) Makes permanent (currently, terminates at the end of FY 2004) the authority of the Secretary to make grants to States for establishing, expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries.
 

Title VI: Exposure to Hazardous Substances -
 (Sec. 601) Directs the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Defense to jointly: (1) conduct a review of the missions, procedures, and administration of the Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program of the Department of Defense; (2) report review results to Congress; and (3) take appropriate action to ensure the ongoing independent review and oversight of the Program, including the establishment of an advisory board. Authorizes the advisory board to make recommendations on modifications in the missions or procedures of the Program.
 
(Sec. 602) Directs the Secretary, through the National Academy of Sciences (Academy) or another appropriate scientific organization, to study and report to the Secretary and Congress on the appropriate disposition of the Air Force Health Study, an epidemiological study of Air Force personnel responsible for conducting aerial herbicides spray missions during the Vietnam era.
 
(Sec. 603) Directs the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Defense to provide funding for FY 2004 through 2013 for the Medical Follow-Up Agency of the Institute of Medicine of the Academy for purposes of epidemiological research on military personnel and veterans.
 

Title VII: Other Matters -
 (Sec. 701) Requires veterans' benefits (other than Government life insurance) claimants who have submitted an incomplete claim application and who have been notified by the Department that additional information is required to submit the additional information within one year after such notification (but allows the Department to decide such a claim before the expiration of the one-year period). Requires the Secretary to readjudicate a claim of a qualified claimant if the request for readjudication is received within one year after the enactment of this Act.
 
(Sec. 702) Deems to be a prohibited assignment of veterans' benefits any agreement under which a beneficiary attempts to transfer to another person or entity the right to receive direct or indirect payments of veterans' disability compensation, pension, or DIC benefits. Allows as an agreement a loan involving the beneficiary if loan payments are made by preauthorized electronic funds transfers pursuant to the Electronic Funds Transfers Act.
 
(Sec. 703) Extends through 2009 the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.
 
(Sec. 704) Authorizes the Secretary, through 2009, to provide for the conduct by non-Department personnel of examinations with respect to the medical disabilities of benefit applicants. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on the utilization of such authority.
 
(Sec. 705) Adds certain criminal subversive activities offenses to those which will cause a veteran to lose the right to certain gratuitous benefits (including national cemetery burial) provided through the Department.
 
(Sec. 706) Extends through FY 2013 the requirement that yearly cost-of-living adjustments to rates of veterans' disability compensation and DIC be rounded down to the nearest whole dollar.
 
(Sec. 707) Codifies provisions of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1994 concerning the expeditious treatment of benefits claim cases remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals or the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-12-16
text: Became Public Law No: 108-183.
action_date: 2003-12-16
text: Became Public Law No: 108-183.
action_date: 2003-12-16
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2003-12-16
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2003-12-05
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2003-12-05
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2003-11-20
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-11-20
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H11705-11722; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H11705-11712)
action_date: 2003-11-20
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H11705-11722; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H11705-11712)
action_date: 2003-11-20
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2297.
action_date: 2003-11-20
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
action_date: 2003-11-19
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2003-11-19
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S15133-15139)
action_date: 2003-11-19
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S15133-15139)
action_date: 2003-11-19
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S15133-15140)
action_date: 2003-11-19
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2003-11-19
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2003-10-14
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-10-08
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-10-08
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 - 0 (Roll no. 536). (text: CR H9305-9308)
action_date: 2003-10-08
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2003-10-08
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 399 - 0 (Roll no. 536).(text: CR H9305-9308)
action_date: 2003-10-08
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H9332-9333)
action_date: 2003-10-08
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2003-10-08
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2297.
action_date: 2003-10-08
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9305-9312)
action_date: 2003-10-08
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2003-07-15
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 117.
action_date: 2003-07-15
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-211.
action_date: 2003-07-15
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 108-211.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2003-06-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-06-25
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2003-06-25
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-06-11
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2003-06-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.
action_date: 2003-06-02
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-06-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-06-02
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 108-183