Bills · 118th Congress · Armed Forces and National Security

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend and modify certain authorities and requirements relating to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Where it stands

  1. Introduced9/13/23
  2. Passed SenatePassed 9/13/23
  3. HousePassed 9/26/23
  4. PresidentSigned 10/6/23
  5. LawPublic Law 118-19

Passed the Senate by voice vote on September 13, 2023. Passed the House by voice vote on September 26, 2023. Became Public Law 118-19 on October 6, 2023.

Passed by voice vote or unanimous consent — no individual positions were recorded.

Official summary (CRS)

This act extends the eligibility or applicability of various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits.

First, the act extends from three to five years the authority for additional licensed health care professionals (i.e., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists) to perform medical disability examinations as part of the existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations.

Currently, when an individual transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved, the individual is deemed to have not received those credits, and no charge from the individual's entitlement to education assistance may be made for that period of enrollment. Under the act, this period of relief for those affected by a closure or disapproval is extended by two years to apply to programs that close or discontinue before September 30, 2025.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Sen. Jon Tester ( Democrat · MT)
Cosponsors
1
Introduced
9/13/23
Policy area
Armed Forces and National Security

What happens next

Became Public Law 118-19.

All actions (15)
  1. 9/13/23Introduced in Senate
  2. 9/13/23Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S4499; text: CR S4499)
  3. 9/13/23Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S4499; text: CR S4499)
  4. 9/18/23Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  5. 9/18/23Received in the House.
  6. 9/18/23Held at the desk.
  7. 9/26/23Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  8. 9/26/23Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4475-4480)
  9. 9/26/23DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2795.
  10. 9/26/23Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4475)
  11. 9/26/23On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4475)
  12. 9/26/23Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  13. 10/4/23Presented to President.
  14. 10/6/23Signed by President.
  15. 10/6/23Became Public Law No: 118-19.