zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
This bill provides that an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs is performing official duty when testifying in an official capacity in front of either chamber of Congress, a committee of either chamber, or a joint or select committee of Congress.

Date: 2015-07-08
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Fair VA Accountability Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) suspend a VA employee without pay if the employee's performance or misconduct is a clear and direct threat to public health or safety; and (2) remove a suspended employee when, after investigation and review, removal is determined necessary in the interests of public health or safety.

A suspended employee is entitled, after suspension and before removal, to:

 a written statement of the specific charges against him or her within 30 days after suspension; an opportunity within 30 days thereafter, plus an additional 30 days if the charges are amended, to answer the charges and submit affidavits; a hearing, at the employee's request, by a VA authority duly constituted for this purpose; a case review by the VA before a decision adverse to the employee is made final; and a written statement of the VA's decision. A VA employee who is subject to a suspension or removal that is determined under applicable law, rule, regulation, or collective bargaining agreement to be a prohibited personnel practice shall receive back pay equal to the total amount of basic pay that such employee would have received during the period that the suspension and removal was in effect, less any amounts earned by the employee through other employment during that period.

An individual who was formerly employed in a senior executive position at the VA may not accept compensation from a covered contractor as an employee, officer, director, or consultant of the contractor during the one-year period beginning on the date on which the individual was last employed at the VA in a senior executive position.

The VA: (1) may not enter into a contract with any entity that employs such an individual, and (2) shall require an entity to certify that it does not employ and will not employ any such individual during the period covered by the contract.

The VA may:

 not place any covered individual on administrative leave or any other type of paid non-duty status without charge to leave for more than 14 days during any 365-day period; and waive such limitation and extend the administrative leave or other paid non-duty status without charge to leave of a covered individual if the VA submits to the appropriate committees a detailed explanation of the reasons the individual was placed on administrative leave or other paid non-duty status without charge to leave, and the reasons for the extension of such leave or status. A "covered individual" means a VA employee: (1) who is subject to an investigation to determine whether the individual should be subject to any disciplinary action, or (2) against whom any disciplinary action is proposed or initiated.

Date: 2015-07-09
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Jobs for Heroes Act 

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the work opportunity tax credit, to: (1) revise the definition of "qualified veteran" to expand the eligibility of veterans for such credit, (2) allow such credit for the hiring of a qualified member of the Ready Reserve or National Guard, and (3) make such credit permanent.

Revises the tax credit for differential wage payments made by employers on behalf of Members of the Uniformed Services to: (1) extend eligibility for such credit to an employer without regard to the size of such employer's workforce, and (2) make such credit permanent. 

Date: 2015-07-09
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Taxation
Directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop guidelines for use, by the Secretaries of the military departments and the Department of Veterans Affairs, of unofficial sources of information, including eyewitness statements, to determine the eligibility of a member or former member of the Armed Forces for benefits and decorations when the member's service records are incomplete because of damage to the records as a result of the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, or any subsequent incident while the records were in DOD's possession.

Date: 2015-07-13
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
POW Accountability Act

Requires: (1) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to review the VA POW list and the Department of Defense POW list to identify any discrepancies in them, and (2) the VA Inspector General to review the process by which the VA determines that a veteran is a former prisoner of war.

Requires the VA to report to Congress on the VA POW list, including information on such discrepancies and the results of the Inspector General's review.

Date: 2015-07-16
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Veterans Administration Legislative and Objective Review Act of 2015 or the VALOR Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract with a non-government entity to conduct a biannual audit of VA health care functions, the results of which shall be made publicly available on a VA website.

Date: 2015-07-21
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to transfer to any covered medical account any amounts made available to it before enactment of this Act that remain available for obligation.

Amounts so transferred shall be merged with and be available for the same purposes as the covered medical account to which transferred and shall be available for obligation or expenditure without fiscal year limitation.

Covered medical accounts are the following VA accounts: (1) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Services; (2) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Support and Compliance; and (3) Veterans Health Administration, Medical Facilities.

Date: 2015-07-23
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Grants the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) temporary authority (through October 1, 2015) to use certain transfers from the Veterans Choice Fund to pay for health care for eligible veterans at non-VA facilities, including pharmaceuticals for treatment of Hepatitis C.

Date: 2015-07-28
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Veterans Dignified Burial Act 

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): (1) upon confirming the veteran status of a deceased veteran in the custody of a local medical examiner, funeral director, county service group, or other similar entity, to request from that entity the specific date of the veteran's scheduled interment; and (2) during each 30-day period following the request to repeat it until the entity confirms the scheduled internment date or that the veteran has been interred.

Requires the VA, by March 1 of each year, to report to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on unclaimed deceased veterans interred after the 30-day period following the initial VA request.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act of 2016 or the HIRE Vets Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Labor to establish a HIRE Vets Medallion Program to solicit voluntary information from employers for purposes of recognizing, by the award of a HIRE Vets Medallion, verified efforts by these employers to: (1) recruit, employ, and retain veterans; and (2) provide community and charitable services supporting the veteran community.

Labor shall annually: (1) solicit voluntary medallion applications from employers, and (2) review applications and present the President with a list of recipients.

The President shall annually present the medallion and corresponding certificate to recipients at a time to coincide with the annual commemoration of Veterans Day.

Labor shall begin soliciting applications by January 31, stop accepting applications not earlier than April 30, and finish application review by August 31. The President shall notify chosen applicants no later than October 11. Medallions shall be awarded in November.

(Sec. 3) Labor shall establish two levels of medallions for large and small employers, to be designated the Gold HIRE Vets Medallion and the Platinum HIRE Vets Medallion. The bill prescribes awards criteria.

(Sec. 4) A recipient: (1) may publicly display the medallion and certificate through the end of the calendar year, and (2) may not publicly display the award as part of any advertisement implying receipt of the award for any calendar year other than the one in which it was awarded.

(Sec. 5) The bill establishes the HIRE Vets Medallion Award Fund.

Labor may assess a reasonable medallion application fee and shall deposit such fees into the fund.

(Sec. 6) Beginning two years after enactment of this bill, Labor shall submit annual reports on fees, program costs, the number of applications, and the medallions awarded, including the name and medallion level of each recipient.

(Sec. 7) The bill excludes from the definition of "employer" the federal government, any state, or any foreign state.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Veterans Benefits Network Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to make a grant to an eligible entity to establish or expand a regional technology system to provide an active database and enrollment system that can be used by a network of private, public, and non-profit entities to assist veterans and their family members in applying for benefits and services offered by such entities.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act 

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide veterans' case-tracking information access to employees of a Member of Congress or of a state or local governmental agency assisting veterans with benefit claims.

Directs the VA to ensure that such access does not: (1) allow the employee to modify the data in the case-tracking system, and (2) include access to medical records. Requires such employees to complete a certification course on privacy issues before receiving such access.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill designates the portion of Moffett Federal Airfield, California, containing the 129th Rescue Wing of the California Air National Guard, as Moffett Air National Guard Base.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to review each covered whistle blower complaint that is filed with the Office of the Special Counsel during the previous calendar quarter.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse up to $1,000 monthly to a veteran participating in a vocational rehabilitation program for the cost of child care provided by a licensed provider if the veteran: (1) is the child's sole caretaker, and (2) would not otherwise be able to afford such child care.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Statute Of Limitations for DOD Inactive Employee Repossessions Act or the SOLDIER Act

This bill declares that, if the indebtedness of a member of the uniformed services to the United States occurs, through no fault of the member, as a result of the overpayment of pay or allowances or upon the settlement of the member's accounts, the department or agency concerned may not recover the indebtedness from the member, including a retired or former member, using deductions from pay, deductions from retired or separation pay, or any other collection method unless recovery of the indebtedness begins before the end of the 10-year period beginning on the date on which the indebtedness was incurred.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Agent Orange Extension Act of 2015

This bill extends for two years the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presumption of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicides, including Agent Orange, with respect to veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.

The Agent Orange Act of 1991 is amended to extend for two years the authority of the VA to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding associations between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides, including the association between exposure to a herbicide used in U.S. and allied military operations in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era and each disease suspected to be associated with such exposure.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill directs the Department of Defense to provide for the inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the District of Columbia of the names of those members of the Armed Forces who died in transit to or from a covered combat zone during the Vietnam conflict, including the members who died in the Loma Ridge plane crash in California on June 25, 1965.

Date: 2015-08-04
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Los Angeles Homeless Veterans Leasing Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the following leases at the VA's West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, California:

 any enhanced-use lease of real property for supportive housing that principally benefits veterans and their families; any lease of real property for not to exceed 50 years to a third party for services that principally benefit veterans and their families and that are related to health and wellness, education, vocational training and employment, peer activities or recreation, legal and federal benefits assistance, volunteerism, family support services, and transportation; and a lease of real property for not to exceed 10 years to the Regents of the University of California, on behalf of the University of California, Los Angeles, if the lease is consistent with the VA master plan and the provision of veterans services is the predominant focus. The VA shall not enter into any land-sharing agreements unless the agreements provide additional health care resources and benefit veterans and their families in ways other than generating additional revenue.

Any funds received by the VA from a lease shall be credited to the applicable VA medical facilities account and shall be available, without fiscal year limitation and without further appropriation, exclusively for campus renovation and maintenance.

The VA may, notwithstanding any other provision of law other than federal laws relating to environmental and historic preservation, grant easements or rights-of-way on, above, or under campus lands to:

 any local or regional public transportation authority to construct, operate, or maintain public mass transit facilities; and California, the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any public utility company for the purpose of providing public utilities. The VA may not sell or convey to a third party fee simple title to any real property or related improvements made at the campus.

The VA shall ensure that each lease is consistent with the draft master plan approved by the VA on January 28, 2016, or successor master plans.

The VA shall establish a Community Veterans Engagement Board to coordinate locally with the VA to: (1) identify community goals; and (2) provide advice to improve services for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and their families.

Date: 2015-09-10
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill increases the special monthly pension for living Medal of Honor recipients.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall not make an annual pension increase for such recipients, effective December 1, 2016, if the increased monthly pension under this Act takes effect before such date. If the VA does not make the December 1, 2016 increase, however, annual increases shall resume as of December 1, 2017.

Date: 2015-09-11
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Veteran Disability Rating Parity Act 

This bill amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to treat service-connected disability rated and certified as total by the Department of Veterans Affairs as disability for purposes of the OASDI (including child's, widow's, and widower's benefits) and SSI programs.

Date: 2015-09-11
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Social welfare
Lawrence J. Hackett Jr. Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Fairness Act

Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a task force to assess and make recommendations about the care and compensation that should be provided to veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange, their spouses, and multiple generations of their offspring.

Requires the task force to make recommendations:

 to establish the Agent Orange Illness Compensation Program to provide an exposed veteran or eligible survivor a lump sum payment for the veteran's injury, illness, or death; for the establishment of a national outreach and education campaign to communicate information about Agent Orange exposures and health conditions to veterans who are affected by incidents of toxic exposures and their families; for compensation and health care for individuals with Spina Bifida, birth defects, or other illnesses who are the children or descendants of members of the Armed Forces who served in Vietnam or in or near the demilitarized zone in Korea during certain time periods determined by the task force; and for the establishment of a unified policy to deal with the consequences of exposure to hazardous materials in the military.

Date: 2015-09-17
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Veterans Care and Reporting Enforcement Act

This bill requires the Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in the case of an investigation involving patient health and safety relating to VA hospital care or medical services, to:

 provide a copy of the IG's report to Congress and to the Member of Congress in whose district the VA facility is located; within three days make the report available on the IG's website for at least one year; and in the case of an investigation of a medical facility, post a notice of the investigation at an appropriate place and on the facility's website for at least 30 days.

Date: 2015-10-06
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Final Farewell Act of 2016 

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to permit the interment or funeral, memorial service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran at a national cemetery during weekends, other than federal holiday weekends, upon the request of the veteran's next-of-kin.

 Any grant to assist a state in establishing a veterans' cemetery shall require that the cemetery permits the interment or funeral, memorial service, or ceremony of a deceased veteran during weekends, other than federal holiday weekends, upon the request of the veteran's next-of-kin.

Date: 2015-10-08
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Seniors Deserve A Raise Act

This bill requires cost-of-living increases in any benefit under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act as well as military retirement and survivor benefits by any increase in the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly.

In addition to any such increase, each such benefit shall be further increased by 2.9% on January 1, 2016, and shall remain in effect every year thereafter.

Date: 2015-10-16
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Social welfare
Honor Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish a memorial headstone or marker for an eligible individual whose remains are identified and available but whose gravesite's location is unknown.

Date: 2015-10-21
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act

This bill includes veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands during the period January 1, 1977-December 31, 1980, as radiation exposed veterans for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs presumption of service-connection for specified cancers.

Date: 2015-11-02
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Honoring the Hiring of Heroes Act

This bill directs the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish jointly a program to award special recognition to employers for veteran-friendly employment practices (Employment Salute Awards) and, in coordination with the Departments of Defense and Commerce, establish criteria for determining award recipients.

The Employment Salute Award Fund is established in the Treasury for the deposit of employer award application fees collected under this Act.

Date: 2015-11-04
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Veteran Engagement Teams Act or the VET Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), beginning not later than October 1, 2016, to carry out a three-year pilot program under which the VA shall carry out Veteran Engagement Team events to assist veterans in completing VA disability and pension claims.

Such events shall be carried out:

 during the first year, at least once a month within the jurisdiction of each of 10 VA regional offices, including at least 2 regional offices in each of the 5 districts of the Veterans Benefits Administration; during each of the second and third years, at least once a month within the jurisdiction of each of 15 VA regional offices, including at least 3 regional offices in each district; at different locations within each regional office's jurisdiction and at least 50 miles from any regional office; during the sponsoring regional office's normal business hours; and with a sufficient number of physicians (to be available for opinions only), veteran service and rating representatives, and other appropriate claims personnel to initiate, update, and finalize the completion and adjudication of claims. Amounts shall be paid to a VA employee for event work only from amounts otherwise available for the employee's salary. No additional appropriations are authorized for such payments.

The VA shall: (1) collect and analyze event-satisfaction information from attending veterans, and (2) report annually to Congress on event implementation.

The VA may not permanently transfer any Veterans Health Administration physician to staff an event.

(Sec. 3) The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 is amended to reduce the aggregate amount of awards and bonuses that may be paid by the VA in FY2017.

Date: 2015-11-05
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Purple Heart Heroes Act of 2015

This bill permits a veteran who has a compensable disability attributable to an injury for which the veteran was awarded the Purple Heart to use commissary stores and MWR retail facilities on the same basis as a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.

A dependent of the veteran shall be permitted to use these facilities on the same basis as a dependent of a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.

"MWR retail facility" means exchange stores and other revenue-generating facilities operated by nonappropriated fund activities of the Department of Defense for the morale, welfare, and recreation of members of the Armed Forces.

Date: 2015-11-05
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Support Earned Recognition for Veterans Act or the SERV Act 

Excludes from the definitions of "active duty," "active duty for training," and "inactive duty training," for veteran benefit or employment preference purposes, any service performed at a preparatory school of a service academy by a student who is not otherwise a member of the Armed Forces.

Date: 2015-11-05
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Charles S. Kettles for acts of valor during the Vietnam War.

Date: 2015-11-05
Topic: Defense (Other)
This bill amends the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) to require that at least 10% of the funds made available for federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs, including highway safety research and development, and for the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2012 be expended through small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.

Date: 2015-11-16
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to make grants for structural repairs and remodeling to community centers, clinics, and hospitals that serve veterans.

Date: 2015-11-17
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 9, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to convey to the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs all right, title, and interest of the United States in the property known as "The Community Living Center" at the Lake Baldwin Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, Orlando, Florida.

 The deed of conveyance shall require all of the property to be used for the sole purpose of providing nursing home, domiciliary, or adult day health care to veterans.

Date: 2015-11-18
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Fair Treatment for Families of Veterans Act

This bill revises the effective date for reductions or discontinuances of Department of Veterans Affairs compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, and pensions by reason of marriage, remarriage, or death.

The effective date is changed from the last day of the month before a marriage, remarriage, or death occurs to the last day of the month during which the event occurs.

Date: 2015-11-19
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Support America's Armed Forces Reserve Component Retirees Act of 2015

This bill authorizes a retiring National Guard member who first enters a uniformed service on or after January 1, 2018, to receive retirement pay after 20 years of service.

Computation of the high-three year retired pay base average for such a member shall only include the 36 months for which he or she was entitled to monthly basic pay.

Date: 2015-11-19
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Jumpstart VA Construction Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into partnership agreements with non-federal entities for the construction of major medical construction projects authorized by law.

Each selected project shall be for construction of a new facility for which: (1) Congress has appropriated funds, (2) the design and development phase is complete, and (3) construction has not begun as of the date of enactment of this Act.

Date: 2015-11-30
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to direct a VA employee to repay all or part of the transferee relocation expenses paid to the employee if: (1) the VA determines such repayment is appropriate, and (2) the employee is afforded notice and opportunity for a hearing conducted by another federal department or agency before repayment.

 A decision regarding employee repayment shall be final and may not be reviewed by any department, agency, or court.

Date: 2015-12-01
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Access to Military Service Records Act of 2015

This bill limits to the cost of mailing the fee that the National Archives and Records Administration may charge a veteran (or, if such individual is deceased, the individual's next of kin or immediate family) who requests his or her military service record.

Date: 2015-12-02
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Vietnam Helicopter Crew Memorial Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of the Army to place in Arlington National Cemetery a memorial honoring helicopter pilots and crew members who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era.

 The Army may place such a memorial only if it enters into an agreement under which the association agrees to: (1) pay all costs necessary to construct, install, and maintain the memorial; and (2) to such other provisions as the Army may require.

Date: 2015-12-18
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on May 10, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Department of the Army to ensure that the cremated remains of persons whose service has been determined to be active duty service pursuant to the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 are eligible for above ground inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

 Such provision shall apply with respect to: (1) the remains of a person that are not formally interred or inurned as of the date of the enactment of this Act, and (2) a person who dies on or after such date.

(Sec. 2) The Department of the Army shall report to Congress on Arlington National Cemetery's interment and inurnment capacity, including:

 the estimated date that the cemetery will reach maximum interment and inurnment capacity; and recommendations for legislative actions and non legislative options to ensure that the cemetery's maximum interment and inurnment capacity is not reached until well into the future, including options with respect to redefining interment and inurnment eligibility and expansion opportunities beyond the cemetery's current boundaries.

Date: 2016-01-06
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work with federal agencies, states, and experts to develop and implement federal and state standards that protect individuals who are eligible for increased pension for a non-service-connected disability or death or for service on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance from dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices.

The Government Accountability Office must: (1) report standards that would be effective in protecting such individuals if the VA fails to submit such standards as required, and (2) complete a study on standards implemented under this Act.

Date: 2016-01-08
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Be Responsive to all Veterans Expeditiously Act of 2016 or the BRAVE Act of 2016

This bill requires the primary telephone line for any Department of Veterans Affairs facility to include voice mail.

The introductory message of any voice mail shall inform the caller of: (1) the facility's name, (2) the expected response time, and (3) an emergency telephone number.

Date: 2016-02-04
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Military Retiree Employment Act

This bill permits, for a specified five-year period, retired members of the Armed Forces to be appointed to civil service positions in or under the Department of Defense (DOD) during the first 180 days after retirement without meeting current requirements regarding: (1) appointment authorization, (2) basic pay increase, or (3) existence of a state of national emergency.

The Office of Personnel Management shall establish an oversight plan to monitor such appointments.

DOD shall ensure that every DOD employee is informed, within one calendar day, of the publication of a vacancy within that employee's office that requires qualifications related to the employee's current duties.

DOD shall ensure for 10 years that each employee who is a veteran and who is newly hired or appointed to a DOD position shall be informed of the effect of certain DOD guidelines for reduction in force protection.

Date: 2016-02-10
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Sanctioned Iranian Entities Oversight Act of 2016

This bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 to extend through 2019 the annual report the President must submit to Congress regarding the use of certain Iranian seaports by foreign vessels and the use of foreign airports by sanctioned Iranian air carriers.

Such report shall also include a description of Department of State efforts to encourage other countries to prohibit the use of air space and airports by sanctioned Iranian air carriers.

Date: 2016-02-26
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: International affairs
Veteran Suicide Prevention Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to complete a publicly available review of the deaths of all covered veterans who died by suicide during the preceding five-year period.

 Such review shall include:

 the total number of veterans who died by suicide during the five-year period; a summary that includes age, gender, and race; a list of the medications prescribed to, and found in the systems of, such veterans at the time of their deaths, and a summary of medical diagnoses by VA physicians which led to the prescribing of such medications; the number of instances in which the veteran was concurrently on multiple medications prescribed by VA physicians; the percentage of veterans who were not taking any medication prescribed by a VA physician; the percentage of veterans with combat experience or trauma; Veterans Health Administration facilities with markedly high prescription and patient suicide rates; a description of VA policies governing the prescribing of medications; and recommendations to improve the safety and well-being of veterans. "Covered veteran" means any veteran who received VA hospital care or medical services during the five-year period preceding the veteran's death.

Date: 2016-02-26
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Jobs for Veterans Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an increased work opportunity tax credit for employers who hire veterans who have been certified as discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, and who begin work for the employer after December 31, 2015, and before January 1, 2020. This increased credit is in addition to any work opportunity tax credit allowed to a veteran with a service-connected disability.

Date: 2016-03-02
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Taxation
Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to declare that any person who knowingly engages in any scheme or artifice to defraud an individual of veterans' benefits, or in connection with obtaining veteran's benefits for that individual, shall be fined, imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

 "Veterans' benefits" means any benefit provided by federal law for a veteran or a dependent or survivor of a veteran.

Date: 2016-03-02
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish at a private cemetery, and upon request, a headstone, marker, or medallion that signifies the status of an eligible veteran who served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917, as a Medal of Honor recipient.

If the VA furnished a headstone, marker, or medallion for a deceased veteran that does not signify his or her status as a Medal of Honor recipient, the VA shall upon request replace that headstone, marker, or medallion with one that signifies the deceased's status as a Medal of Honor recipient.

(Sec. 2) The bill authorizes award of the Presidential Memorial Certificate to certain deceased members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, the Air or Army National Guard, and the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

Date: 2016-03-16
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, to carry out a five-year pilot program under which the VA shall provide service dogs and veterinary health insurance to certain veterans who: (1) served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001; and (2) were diagnosed with, and continue to suffer from, post-traumatic stress disorder.

The provision of a service dog shall be done in addition to other types of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and shall not replace established treatment modalities.

Date: 2016-03-16
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to construct on the Arlington Ridge tract in the area of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia, a structure for visitor services, including a public restroom facility.

Date: 2016-03-17
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds for acts of valor in World War II to save the lives of more than 200 Jewish members of the Armed Forces.

Date: 2016-03-23
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Dust Off Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make appropriate arrangements for the presentation of a single gold medal in honor of the Dust Off crews (helicopter air ambulance crews) of the Vietnam War in recognition of their heroic military service.

It is the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should also make such medal available for display elsewhere, particularly at appropriate locations associated with the Vietnam War, and that preference should be given to locations affiliated with the Smithsonian.

Date: 2016-05-19
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Corporal David Dunnels White of the 37th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army, for his capture of Confederate Major General George Washington Custis Lee at the Battle of Sailor's Creek, Virginia, on April 6, 1865.

Date: 2016-05-26
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill authorizes the Department of the Army to award the Distinguished Service Cross to Chaplain (First Lieutenant) Joseph Verbis LaFleur for acts of valor during World War II.

Date: 2016-07-05
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Guardians of America's Freedom Medal Act

This bill requires each military department to carry out a program to award medals or other commendations to military working dogs and their handlers to recognize valor or meritorious achievement.

Date: 2016-07-07
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Guardians of America's Freedom Medal Act

This bill requires each military department to carry out a program to award medals or other commendations to military working dogs and their handlers to recognize valor or meritorious achievement.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
RCAF/RAF-Americans Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of all U.S. nationals who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force or the Royal Air Force during World War II.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the troops from the United States and the Philippines who defended Bataan, Philippines, and were subsequently prisoners of war in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service during World War II.

The medal shall be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, which is urged to make the medal available for display at other locations associated with such troops.

Date: 2016-09-09
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill designates the Medal of Honor Museum, which is to be built in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, as the "National Medal of Honor Museum."

Date: 2016-09-22
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Arts, culture, religion
Military Injury Surgical Systems Integrated Operationally Nationwide to Achieve ZERO Preventable Deaths Act or the MISSION ZERO Act

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response to award grants to certain trauma centers to enable military trauma care providers and trauma teams to provide trauma care and related acute care at those trauma centers. Funds may be used to train and incorporate military trauma care providers into the trauma center, including expenditures for malpractice insurance, office space, information technology, specialty education and supervision, trauma programs, and state license fees. Grantees must allow the military trauma care providers to be deployed for military operations, training, or response to a mass casualty incident.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Health
This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to James C. McCloughan for acts of valor during the Vietnam War for which he was previously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device.

Date: 2016-11-14
Topic: Defense (Other)
This bill authorizes the President, notwithstanding otherwise applicable time requirements, to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Doris Miller for acts of valor during World War II while a member of the Navy.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Recognizing Mayaguez Veterans Act

This bill requires the military department concerned, upon application by or on behalf of a veteran who was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for participation in the Mayaguez rescue operation of May 12-May 15, 1975, or who otherwise participated in such operation, to award that veteran the Vietnam Service Medal, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable requirements. Such award shall be made in lieu of any Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal awarded for participation in such operation.

Date: 2016-11-17
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to James C. McCloughan for acts of valor during the Vietnam War for which he was previously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device.

Date: 2016-11-15
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Veterans Travel Tax Relief Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow veterans a deduction from gross income, up to $400 a year, for their travel expenses, including those of a family member, to a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center for treatment related to a service-connected disability or for an examination related to a claim for disability compensation or a pension.

Date: 2015-01-07
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Taxation
Veterans Affairs Research Transparency Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make available on a publicly-available Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website: (1) data files that contain information on VA research, (2) a data dictionary on each data file, and (3) instructions on how to obtain access to each data file for use in research.

Directs the Secretary, within 540 days after this Act's enactment, to require, as a condition on the use of any data gathered or formulated from research funded by VA, that any final, peer-reviewed manuscript prepared for publication that uses such data be submitted to the Secretary for deposit in a digital archive (established by the Secretary under this Act). Requires such archive to be publicly available.

Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive to submit to the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) options and recommendations for establishing a program of long-term cooperation and data-sharing between and within VA and DOD to facilitate research on outcomes of military service, readjustment after combat deployment, and other topics of importance to veterans, members of the Armed Forces (members), their families, and members of communities that have a significant population of veterans or members.

Date: 2015-01-07
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Wounded Veterans Recreation Act of 2015

Amends the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to require the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to be made available at no charge to, and for the lifetime of, any veteran with a service-connected disability. (The Pass is currently made available at no charge to, and for the lifetime of, any U.S. citizen or person domiciled in the United States who has been medically determined to be permanently disabled.)

Requires the entrance fees charged those who do not have a free National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass to be adjusted to maintain total receipts.

Date: 2015-01-08
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Includes as a preference eligible for federal employment purposes a parent (currently, the mother only) of either an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the Armed Forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during the period beginning April 28, 1952, and ending July 1, 1955, or a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if: (1) the spouse of such parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (2) such parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or legally separated from his or her spouse.

Date: 2015-01-08
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Military Family Relief Act of 2015

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay temporary (not to exceed six months) dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to the surviving spouse of a veteran if, at the time of death, the veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated as total for at least one year preceding the veteran's death.

Authorizes the payment to such survivor, for the same period, of any veteran's pension that the deceased was receiving at the time of death, without regard to the annual income and net worth of the surviving spouse.

Allows a surviving spouse who is entitled to a pension or DIC under any other VA provision to be paid the amount by which such pension or DIC exceeds the amount of pension paid under this Act.

Date: 2015-01-22
Topic: Defense (Other)
Subject: Armed forces and national security