Here is the full list of bills passed today, Tuesday, October 29, 2019:

A.N.S. to H.R. 4771 (Rep. Cunningham) to permit appellants to appear in disability compensation cases before the Board of Veterans Appeals by picture and voice transmission from locations other than VA facilities; Sponsored by Rep. Cunningham
H.R. 4852 (Rep. Torres) the GIVE Act
H.R. 4356, Protecting Families of Fallen Servicemembers Act; Sponsored by Rep. Harder
A.N.S. to H.R 2227 (Rep. Rose) Gold Star spouses and Spouses of Injured Servicemembers Leasing Relief Expansion Act of 2019; Sponsored by Rep. Bustos
H.R. 4183 Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study; Sponsored by Rep. Khann
H.R. 4360 VA Overpayment Accountability Act; Sponsored by Rep. Kim
H.R. 3996 VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act of 2019; Sponsored by Rep. Banks
A.N.S. to H.R. 3530 (Rep. Takano) Improving Confidence in Veterans Care Act; Sponsored by Rep. Cloud
H.R. 1424 Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act; Sponsored by Rep. Gonzalez
A.N.S. to H.R. 3224 (Rep. Brownley) the Deborah Sampson Act; Sponsored by Rep. Brownley

H.R. 4183 Identifying Barriers and Best Practices Study; Sponsored by Rep. Khann

This is a bill designed to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disability and pension benefits provided to members of the National Guard and members of reserve components of the Armed Forces by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Could House and Senate VA Committee members be thinking about allowing these members to make disability claims through the VA?

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A.N.S. to H.R. 3224 (Rep. Brownley) the Deborah Sampson Act; Sponsored by Rep. Brownley

Today House Republicans walked out refusing to vote on the Deborah Sampson Act, which despite their absence, passed along with 9 other bills.  House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano released the following statement:

“Congresswomen Brownley’s legislation would establish an Office of Women’s Health, substantially addressing sexual harassment and assault at the VA, and strengthen transparency and reporting on gaps and opportunities that require attention for women veterans.

By attempting to hijack a bipartisan bill backed by 14 Veteran Service Organizations- including 6 specifically advocating for women veterans, they have left these veterans behind.

Republicans chose to walk away from our markup and walk out on the 2 million women veterans whose lives will be enhanced by this legislation.”

The Deborah Sampson Act includes the overhaul or addition of the following:

TITLE I—VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Sec. 101. Office of Women’s Health in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 102. Expansion of capabilities of women veterans call center to include text messaging.
Sec. 103. Requirement for Department of Veterans Affairs internet website to provide information on services available to women veterans.
Sec. 104. Report on Women Veterans Retrofit Initiative.
Sec. 105. Establishment of environment of care standards and inspections at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers.
Sec. 106. Additional funding for primary care and emergency care clinicians in Women Veterans Health Care Mini-Residency Program.
Sec. 107. Establishment of women veteran training module for non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers.

TITLE II—MEDICAL CARE
Sec. 201. Improved access to Department of Veterans Affairs medical care for women veterans.
Sec. 202. Counseling and treatment for sexual trauma.
Sec. 203. Counseling in retreat settings for women veterans and other individuals.
Sec. 204. Improvement of health care services provided to newborn children by Department of Veterans Affairs.

Read in it’s entirety