Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-216
Sponsor: Rep. Brown, Corrine [D-FL-5]
Introduced: 2015-01-08 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Budget process
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-08
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015
 
 
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit annually to Congress a future-years veterans program (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 2019 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 above program. Directs the Secretary to report to the congressional 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.
 
Directs the Secretary to seek to study (through an independent contractor) and report to the veterans committees on the functions and organizational structure of the Office of the Secretary and the VA, including the most efficient and economical allocation and structure for assisting the Secretary in carrying out duties and responsibilities.

action_date: 2015-03-23
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015
 
 
(Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) 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 the Program to: (1) set forth a five-year VA plan to address the U.S. commitment to veterans and the resources necessary to meet that commitment; (2) be included in VA's annual budget submission to the Congress, starting with the FY2020 budget submission; and (3) be published on a publically available VA website.
 
Requires the Secretary, in 2019 and quadrennially thereafter, to conduct a review of the strategy for meeting such commitment and resources requirement (Quadrennial Veterans Review) which shall include a comprehensive examination of U.S. policies and strategies for veterans, including recommendations regarding the long-term strategy and priorities for veterans programs, services, and benefits, and guidance on VA programs, assets, budget, and policies. 
 
Requires each Review to be coordinated with the Program. 
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress regarding each Review, and (2) publish each Review on a publically available VA website.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish an Independent Veterans Review Panel for each quadrennial Review which shall assess the process by which the Review is formulated.
 
Directs the Secretary to give the appropriate VA officials annual written policy guidance for the preparation and review of the planning and program recommendations and budget proposals of the VA elements of such officials. 
 
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to designate a Chief Strategy Officer to: (1) advise the Secretary on long-range VA strategy and implications, and (2) develop and execute the Program. 

action_date: 2015-03-24
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015
 
 
(Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit annually to Congress a Future-Years Veterans Program (Program) reflecting estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations included in the budget for that fiscal year. 
 
Requires the Program to: (1) set forth a five-year VA plan to address the U.S. commitment to veterans and the resources necessary to meet that commitment; (2) be included in VA's annual budget submission to the Congress, starting with the FY2020 budget submission; and (3) be published on a publicly available VA website.
 
Requires the Secretary, in 2019 and quadrennially thereafter, to conduct a review of the strategy for meeting such commitment and resources requirement (Quadrennial Veterans Review) which shall include a comprehensive examination of U.S. policies and strategies for veterans, including recommendations regarding the long-term strategy and priorities for veterans programs, services, and benefits, and guidance on VA programs, assets, budget, and policies. 
 
Requires each Review to be coordinated with the Program. 
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress regarding each Review, and (2) publish each Review on a public ally available VA website.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish an Independent Veterans Review Panel for each year in which a Review is conducted which shall review the process by which the review is formulated and submit a related report to Congress.
 
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. 
 
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to designate a Chief Strategy Officer to: (1) advise the Secretary on long-range VA strategy and implications, and (2) develop and execute the Program. 
 
(Sec. 4) States that: (1) no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act, and (2) this Act shall be carried out using funds otherwise available to VA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-25
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-03-24
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 0 (Roll no. 134). (text: CR 3/23/2015 H1822-1824)
action_date: 2015-03-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-03-24
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): 420 - 0 (Roll no. 134).(text: CR 3/23/2015 H1822-1824)
action_date: 2015-03-24
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1869-1670)
action_date: 2015-03-23
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: 2015-03-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 216.
action_date: 2015-03-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1822-1824)
action_date: 2015-03-23
text: Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2015-03-23
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 31.
action_date: 2015-03-23
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 114-48.
action_date: 2015-03-23
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 114-48.
action_date: 2015-02-12
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2015-02-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-01-27
text: Committee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2015-01-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-01-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-08
text: Introduced in House