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: full_name: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Introduced: 2021-03-25
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
Latest action: action_date: 2021-11-30
text: Became Public Law No: 117-66.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-03-25
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>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.</p> <p>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.<br> </p>

action_date: 2021-08-06
action_desc: Passed Senate
text: <p>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.</p> <p>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.<br> </p>

action_date: 2021-11-15
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p>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.</p> <p>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.<br> </p>

action_date: 2021-11-30
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p>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.</p> <p>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.<br> </p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1031 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 25, 2021 Mr. Warnock introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 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.

1. Government Accountability Office study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) Study required The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study— (1) to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to— (A) compensation benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (B) disability ratings determined by the Secretary, with specific consideration of disability evaluations based on pain; and (C) the rejection of fully developed claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and (2) to develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on the disparities described in paragraph (1). (b) Initial briefing Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall brief Congress on the initial results of the study conducted under subsection (a). (c) Final report Not later than 240 days after the date on which the briefing required by subsection (b) is conducted, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a final report setting forth the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including the recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection.

tv_txt: 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1031 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT 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.

1. Government Accountability Office study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) Study required The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study— (1) to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to— (A) compensation benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (B) disability ratings determined by the Secretary, with specific consideration of disability evaluations based on pain; and (C) the rejection of fully developed claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and (2) to develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on the disparities described in paragraph (1). (b) Initial briefing Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall brief Congress on the initial results of the study conducted under subsection (a). (c) Final report Not later than 240 days after the date on which the briefing required by subsection (b) is conducted, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a final report setting forth the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including the recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection.

Passed the Senate August 6 (legislative day, August 5), 2021. Secretary

tv_txt: One Hundred Seventeenth Congress of the United States of America 1st Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Sunday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty one S. 1031 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT 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.

1. Government Accountability Office study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (a) Study required The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study— (1) to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to— (A) compensation benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (B) disability ratings determined by the Secretary, with specific consideration of disability evaluations based on pain; and (C) the rejection of fully developed claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and (2) to develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on the disparities described in paragraph (1). (b) Initial briefing Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall brief Congress on the initial results of the study conducted under subsection (a). (c) Final report Not later than 240 days after the date on which the briefing required by subsection (b) is conducted, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a final report setting forth the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including the recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate