A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-1031
Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Introduced: 2021-03-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disability assistance
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Racial and ethnic relations
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-25
text: 
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to (1) compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), (2) disability ratings determined by the VA, and (3) the rejection of fully developed claims for VA benefits. The GAO must also develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on such disparities associated with race and ethnicity.
 
Within one year, the GAO must brief Congress on the initial results of the study. The GAO must also submit a final report on the study following the briefing.
 

action_date: 2021-08-06
text: 
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to (1) compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), (2) disability ratings determined by the VA, and (3) the rejection of fully developed claims for VA benefits. The GAO must also develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on such disparities associated with race and ethnicity.
 
Within one year, the GAO must brief Congress on the initial results of the study. The GAO must also submit a final report on the study following the briefing.
 

action_date: 2021-11-15
text: 
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to (1) compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), (2) disability ratings determined by the VA, and (3) the rejection of fully developed claims for VA benefits. The GAO must also develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on such disparities associated with race and ethnicity.
 
Within one year, the GAO must brief Congress on the initial results of the study. The GAO must also submit a final report on the study following the briefing.
 

action_date: 2021-11-30
text: 
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to (1) compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), (2) disability ratings determined by the VA, and (3) the rejection of fully developed claims for VA benefits. The GAO must also develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on such disparities associated with race and ethnicity.
 
Within one year, the GAO must brief Congress on the initial results of the study. The GAO must also submit a final report on the study following the briefing.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-30
text: Became Public Law No: 117-66.
action_date: 2021-11-30
text: Became Public Law No: 117-66.
action_date: 2021-11-30
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2021-11-30
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2021-11-19
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2021-11-19
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1031.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6251-6252)
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2021-08-10
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2021-08-10
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2021-08-09
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2021-08-06
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5990)
action_date: 2021-08-06
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S5990)
action_date: 2021-08-06
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5990)
action_date: 2021-08-06
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5990)
action_date: 2021-05-26
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-03-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-03-25
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 117-66