Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000
Became Public Law No: 106-419.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 36 · Passed House amended · May 23, 2000
Veterans and Dependents Millennium Education Act - Increases as of October 1, 2002, the rates of veterans' basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill.(Sec. 3) Authorizes Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) participants to enroll in the Montgomery GI Bill program if they: (1) have participated in the VEAP since at least October 9, 1996; (2) have served continuously on active duty since such date and through at least April 1, 2000; (3) have completed certain educational requirements; and (4) are discharged or released from active duty with an honorable discharge. Provides a one- year enrollment period. Requires monthly pay reductions to cover program costs. Prohibits the payment of such educational assistance allowance until the Secretary of the military department concerned collects the applicable amount through pay reductions or collections from individuals. Directs the Secretary of Defense to notify qualified individuals of the opportunity for such enrollment.(Sec. 4) Increases the rates of veterans' survivors and dependents educational assistance, as well as assistance for correspondence courses, special restorative training, and apprenticeship training. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to annually increase such amounts by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.(Sec. 5) Revises the effective date for the award of survivors and dependents educational assistance with respect to survivors or dependents of individuals receiving a veterans' disability rating who apply for such assistance within one year after the rating decision, even though such assistance is for a program of education for months preceding such rating.(Sec. 6) Authorizes the payment of basic educational assistance during periods between school terms where the period between such terms does not exceed eight weeks and both the terms preceding and following such period are not shorter than such period.(Sec. 7) Authorizes, as of October 1, 2000, the use of basic educational assistance for payment of vocation or profession certification or licensing tests. Limits such assistance to the lesser of $2,000 or the fee charged for the test. Provides for the determination of the number of months of entitlement to be charged to an individual for such testing. Authorizes the use of such assistance (with the same limits and determinations) under the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program, the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program, VEAP, and the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program. Prohibits any such payments from being made until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that specified requirements have been met with respect to such testing and the organization or entity offering the test. Establishes within the Department of Veterans Affairs the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee to advise such Secretary with respect to such requirements and related issues.(Sec. 8) Extends through: (1) December 31, 2008, the authority to guarantee the payment of principal and interest on certificates or other securities evidencing an interest in a pool of veterans' mortgage loans; (2) September 30, 2008, the authority to charge a home loan fee for Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed veterans' housing loans; (3) September 30, 2008, certain procedures applicable to foreclosure sales on defaulted home loans guaranteed by the Department; (4) September 30, 2008, the authority of the Secretary to utilize certain veterans' income verification procedures; and (5) September 30, 2008, a veterans' pension limitation for certain recipients of nursing home care covered under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act.(Sec. 9) Codifies provisions recurring in annual Department appropriations Acts relating to: (1) veterans' disability compensation and pensions; (2) veterans' medical care; (3) medical administration and miscellaneous operating expenses; (4) general operating expenses; (5) construction, major projects; and (6) construction, minor projects.(Sec. 10) Makes a provision of the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 which terminates on December 31, 1999, all reporting requirements contained on a list prepared by the Clerk of the House of Representatives for the first session of the 103d Congress inapplicable to certain Departments reports. Terminates the requirement for certain budget reports, reports on equitable relief cases, and reports from advisory committees on former prisoners of war and women veterans.Requires that, whenever the Secretary submits to Congress or a congressional committee a report required by law or by joint explanatory statement of a conference committee, the Secretary shall include with such report a statement of the cost of preparing the report and the methodology used in preparing the cost statement.
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 to the House amendments Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H9918-9947; text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR H9918-9931)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to the House amendments Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H9918-9947; text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR H9918-9931)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion.
Mr. Stump moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to the House amendments.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate concurred in the House amendments with an amendment (SA4314) and an amendment to the title by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10500-10515; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR S10500-10503)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate concurred in the House amendments with an amendment (SA4314) and an amendment to the title by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10500-10515; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR S10500-10503)
Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S10500-10513)
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 0 (Roll no. 220). (text: CR H3548-3552)
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): 417 - 0 (Roll no. 220).(text: CR H3548-3552)
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3593-3594)
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 S. 1402.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3548-3558)
Mr. Stump moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9311-9313; text: S9311-9313)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9311-9313; text: S9311-9313)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 222.
Committee on Veterans Affairs. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Specter. With written report No. 106-114.
Committee on Veterans Affairs. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Specter. With written report No. 106-114.
Introduced in Senate
Committee on Veterans Affairs ordered to be reported an original measure.
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Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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