Phoenix VA Congressional Oversight Act

Bill: 116-hr-80
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]
Introduced: 2019-01-03
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Arizona

Congressional oversight

Congressional-executive branch relations

Veterans' medical care
Latest action: action_date: 2019-01-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-01-03
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Phoenix VA Congressional Oversight Act</b></p> <p>This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a pilot program in Arizona, including at the VA's Phoenix health care system, to improve the ability of Members of Congress to assist constituents with VA medical benefits issues. The VA must establish a dedicated congressional relations team to assist congressional members and committees with casework issues at each VA health care system location in Arizona.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 80 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 3, 2019 Mr. Biggs (for himself, Mr. Grijalva , Mr. Gosar , Mrs. Kirkpatrick , and Mrs. Lesko ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program to improve the ability of Members of Congress to assist constituents with respect to benefits for veterans.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Phoenix VA Congressional Oversight Act . 2. Pilot program to improve constituent services (a) Pilot program The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to improve the ability of Members of Congress to assist constituents pursuant to subsections (b) and (c). (b) Congressional Relations Team In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a dedicated congressional relations team at the location specified in subsection (d). Such team shall consist of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs whose only duties relate to assisting Members and committees of Congress with respect to casework issues at each health care system of the Department in such location. (c) Use of space Upon request of any Member of Congress from the State of the location specified in subsection (d), the Secretary shall authorize the Member to use a facility of the Department at such location for the purposes of meeting with constituents of the Member. (d) Location The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in Arizona, including at the Phoenix health care system of the Department. (e) Report Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the pilot program under subsection (a), including whether the Secretary recommends expanding such pilot program.