PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 107-94.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 18, 2001
Veterans Benefits Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2001, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.Includes: (1) diabetes mellitus (type 2) among the diseases presumed to be service-connected, and therefore compensable under veterans' disability compensation, for veterans exposed to certain herbicide agents in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam conflict; and (2) illnesses that cannot be clearly defined within such presumption for disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf War veterans. Preserves the service connection for undiagnosed illnesses occurring in Gulf War veterans to allow their participation in medical research projects.Authorizes the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to impose registration fees on persons participating in a judicial conference.Authorizes the payment of proceeds to certain alternate beneficiaries under the National Service Life Insurance and United States Government Life Insurance programs.Repeals the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Improvement Fund.Extends through December 31, 2005, the Native American veteran housing loan pilot program.Directs the Secretary to conduct a pilot program for expanding the toll-free telephone access to veterans service representatives.Codifies certain recurring provisions in annual Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations Acts.
People & committees
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · R–NJ
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 107-94.
Became Public Law No: 107-94.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H9121-9124; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H9121-9122)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H9121-9124; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H9121-9122)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2540.
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S11871-11872)
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
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): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 301). (text: CR H4896-4899)
House roll call 301 · 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): 422 - 0 (Roll no. 301).(text: CR H4896-4899)
House roll call 301 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4916)
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. 2540.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4896-4906)
Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 92.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 107-156.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 107-156.
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session 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.2540 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.
Examine H.R.2540 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
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