United States 117th Congress ✓ Enacted · P.L. 117-66 1 D cosponsors

S 1031 — A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Last action — Became Public Law No: 117-66.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 25, 2021. Enacted.

Prognosis

Advancing 52% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to (1) compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), (2) disability ratings determined by the VA, and (3) the rejection of fully developed claims for VA benefits. The GAO must also develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on such disparities associated with race and ethnicity. Within one year, the GAO must brief Congress on the initial results of the study. The GAO must also submit a final report on the study following the briefing.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

35 added · 34 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment adds the phrase "Assessment" to the beginning of the requirement for assessing disparities associated with race and ethnicity concerning certain benefits, including disability ratings. It also adds the word "Recommendations" in connection with developing suggestions for better data collection on these disparities. Additionally, the text has been clarified by specifying that the final report to Congress should include the results of the study as well as the recommendations developed, ensuring that both components are clearly addressed. These changes may enhance the clarity and focus of the evaluation and recommendations process.

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[Congressional Bills 117th Congress] [From the U.S.
[117th Congress Public Law 66] [From the U.S.
Government Publishing Office] [S.
Government Publishing Office] [[Page 135 STAT.
1031 Engrossed in Senate (ES)] <DOC> 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
1489]] Public Law 117-66 117th Congress An Act To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
1031 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
<<NOTE:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.
Nov.
30, 2021 - [S.
1031]>> Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1.
(a) Study Required.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study-- (1) to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to-- (A) compensation benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
(a) Study Required.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study-- (1) <<NOTE:
(B) disability ratings determined by the Secretary, with specific consideration of disability evaluations based on pain;
Assessment.>> to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to-- (A) compensation benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;
(B) <<NOTE:
Determination.
Evaluation.>> disability ratings determined by the Secretary, with specific consideration of disability evaluations based on pain;
and (2) to develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on the disparities described in paragraph (1).
and (2) <<NOTE:
(b) Initial Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall brief Congress on the initial results of the study conducted under subsection (a).
Recommenda- tions.>> to develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on the disparities described in paragraph (1).
(c) Final Report.--Not later than 240 days after the date on which the briefing required by subsection (b) is conducted, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a final report setting forth the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including the recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection.
(b) <<NOTE:
Passed the Senate August 6 (legislative day, August 5), 2021.
Deadline.>> Initial Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall brief Congress on the initial results of the study conducted under subsection (a).
Attest:
(c) Final Report.--Not later than 240 days after the date on which the briefing required by subsection (b) is conducted, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a final report setting [[Page 135 STAT.
Secretary.
1490]] forth the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including the recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection.
117th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
Approved November 30, 2021.
1031 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S.
1031:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol.
167 (2021):
Aug.
5, considered and passed Senate.
Nov.
15, considered and passed House.
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2021):
Nov.
30, Presidential remarks.
<all>
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Action History

  1. Signed by President.

  2. Signed by President.

  3. Became Public Law No: 117-66.

  4. Became Public Law No: 117-66.

  5. Presented to President.

  6. Presented to President.

  7. Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  8. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6251-6252)

  9. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1031.

  10. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

  11. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

  12. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  13. Received in the House.

  14. Held at the desk.

  15. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  16. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5990)

  17. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5990)

  18. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S5990)

  19. Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5990)

  20. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

  21. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-137.

  22. Introduced in Senate

  23. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights veterans
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 1031 do?
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study to assess whether there are disparities associated with race and ethnicity with respect to (1) compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), (2) disability ratings determined by the VA, and (3) the rejection of fully developed claims for VA benefits. The GAO must also develop recommendations to facilitate better data collection on such disparities associated with race and ethnicity. Within one year, the GAO must brief Congress on the initial results of the study. The GAO must also submit a final report on the study following the briefing.
Who sponsors S 1031?
S 1031 is sponsored by Warnock, Raphael G. (Democratic).
What is the current status of S 1031?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 25, 2021. Enacted.
Where can I track S 1031?
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