Putting Veterans Funding First Act of 2013

Bill: 113-hr-813
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, Jeff [R-FL-1]
Introduced: 2013-02-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appropriations
Building construction
Cemeteries and funerals
Computers and information technology
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Health facilities and institutions
Indian social and development programs
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medical research
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2013-02-25
text: 
Putting Veterans Funding First Act of 2013 - Authorizes the provision of advance appropriations for the following discretionary (under current law, medical care) accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): (1) Veterans Health Administration Medical Services, Medical Support and Compliance, Medical Facilities, and Medical Research and Support; (2) National Cemetery Administration; and (3) Veterans Benefits Administration, Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program.
 
Authorizes the provision of advance appropriations for the following VA discretionary administration accounts: (1) general operating expenses, (2) information technology systems, (3) the Office of the Inspector General, (4) construction for major and minor projects, and (5) grants for the construction of state extended care facilities and veterans cemeteries.

action_date: 2013-09-17
text: 
Putting Veterans Funding First Act of 2013 - (Sec. 3) Authorizes the provision of advance appropriations for the following discretionary (under current law, medical care) accounts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): (1) Veterans Health Administration Medical Services, Medical Support and Compliance, Medical Facilities, and Medical and Prosthetic Research; (2) National Cemetery Administration; and (3) Veterans Benefits Administration, Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program.
 
Authorizes the provision of advance appropriations for the following VA discretionary administration accounts: (1) general operating expenses, (2) information technology systems, (3) the Office of the Inspector General, (4) construction for major and minor projects, and (5) grants for the construction of state extended care facilities and veterans cemeteries.
 
(Sec. 4) Requires the Comptroller General, for each of FY2015-FY2017, to: (1) review the budget requests for the VA Medical Services, Medical Support and Compliance, and Medical Facilities accounts contained in the President's budget request for that fiscal year; and (2) report review results to the congressional veterans, appropriations, and budget committees.
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the VA Secretary to submit annually to Congress a future-years veterans program reflecting estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations included in the budget for that fiscal year. Requires each program to set forth a five-year VA plan to address the U.S. commitment to veterans and the resources necessary to meet that commitment. Requires the Secretary, in 2017 and quadrennially thereafter, to conduct a review of the strategy for meeting such commitment and resources requirement (quadrennial veterans review). Requires each review to be coordinated with the future-years veterans program. Directs the Secretary to report to the veterans committees on each review. Directs the Secretary to provide annually to the appropriate VA officials written policy guidance for the preparation and review of the planning and program recommendations and budget proposals of the VA elements of such officials. Requires the Secretary to designate a Chief Strategy Officer to advise the Secretary on long-range VA strategy and implications.
 
(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to: (1) study and report to the veterans committees on the functions and organizational structure of the Office of the Secretary and the VA, and (2) contract for an independent study covering the same matters.
 
(Sec. 7) Prohibits the Secretary from paying any performance award to a VA Senior Executive Service employee during FY2014-FY2018.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-09-17
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 156.
action_date: 2013-09-17
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 113-212.
action_date: 2013-09-17
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 113-212.
action_date: 2013-08-01
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2013-08-01
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2013-02-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2013-02-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2013-02-25
text: Introduced in House