PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Congressional Research Service
Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Mar 23, 2015
Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Planning Reform Act of 2015
(Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit annually to Congress a Future-Years Veterans Program reflecting estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations included in the budget for that fiscal year.
Requires the Program to: (1) set forth a five-year VA plan to address the U.S. commitment to veterans and the resources necessary to meet that commitment; (2) be included in VA's annual budget submission to the Congress, starting with the FY2020 budget submission; and (3) be published on a publically available VA website.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Requires the Secretary, in 2019 and quadrennially thereafter, to conduct a review of the strategy for meeting such commitment and resources requirement (Quadrennial Veterans Review) which shall include a comprehensive examination of U.S. policies and strategies for veterans, including recommendations regarding the long-term strategy and priorities for veterans programs, services, and benefits, and guidance on VA programs, assets, budget, and policies.
Requires each Review to be coordinated with the Program.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress regarding each Review, and (2) publish each Review on a publically available VA website.
Directs the Secretary to establish an Independent Veterans Review Panel for each quadrennial Review which shall assess the process by which the Review is formulated.
Directs the Secretary to give the appropriate VA officials annual written policy guidance for the preparation and review of the planning and program recommendations and budget proposals of the VA elements of such officials.
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to designate a Chief Strategy Officer to: (1) advise the Secretary on long-range VA strategy and implications, and (2) develop and execute the Program.
People & committees
Rep. Brown, Corrine [D-FL-5] · D–FL
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 0 (Roll no. 134). (text: CR 3/23/2015 H1822-1824)
House roll call 134 · Individual votesMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 420 - 0 (Roll no. 134).(text: CR 3/23/2015 H1822-1824)
House roll call 134 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1869-1670)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 216.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1822-1824)
Mr. Miller (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 31.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 114-48.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 114-48.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Hearings Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.216 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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