H. Rept. 116-118 - AMENDING TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE, TO REDUCE THE CREDIT HOUR REQUIREMENT FOR THE EDITH NOURSE ROGERS STEM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS116th Congress (2019-2020)
Committee Report
Hide Overview| Report Type: | House Report |
|---|---|
| Accompanies: | H.R.2196 |
| Committees: | House Veterans' Affairs Committee |
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116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 116-118
======================================================================
AMENDING TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE, TO REDUCE THE CREDIT HOUR
REQUIREMENT FOR THE EDITH NOURSE ROGERS STEM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
_______
June 18, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Takano, from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 2196]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 2196) to amend title 38, United States Code, to
reduce the credit hour requirement for the Edith Nourse Rogers
STEM Scholarship program of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
having considered the same, report favorably thereon without
amendment and recommend that the bill do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 3
Subcommittee Consideration....................................... 3
Committee Consideration.......................................... 3
Committee Votes.................................................. 4
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 4
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 4
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 4
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits............................. 4
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 4
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 4
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 6
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 6
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 6
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 6
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs..................... 6
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking................................ 6
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 6
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill as Reported............. 7
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 2196, ``To amend title 38, United States Code, to
reduce the credit hour requirement for the Edith Nourse Rogers
STEM Scholarship program of the Department of Veterans
Affairs,'' was introduced by Representative Andy Barr, along
with Representative Mike Levin, Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity, and Representative Phil Roe, Ranking
Member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, on April 10,
2019. H.R. 2196 would adjust the credit hour requirements to
qualify for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship, created
in the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of
2017, Public Law 115-48. H.R. 2196 would reduce the required
semester credit hours from 128 to 120, in order to allow more
programs at a wider array of institutions of higher learning to
qualify for the program.
Background and Need for Legislation
Section 111 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational
Assistance Act of 2017, Public Law 115-48, created the Edith
Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship. The Harry W. Colmery Veterans
Educational Assistance Act of 2017's committee report stated:
The Committee believes that we should encourage
veterans to pursue [Science, Technology, Engineer, and
Math (STEM)] positions. To meet this obstacle, there is
clearly a need to increase the types of education
programs and opportunities that lead to STEM careers.
The difficulty that arises is that many of the programs
that lead to a degree in the STEM field can take longer
to complete than the current 36 months of eligibility
provided to students under the GI Bill. This section,
therefore, would authorize VA to provide a scholarship
to provide additional GI Bill funds to help a student
veteran complete a STEM degree. Certain eligible
students would be eligible to apply for the program if
they are at least half way through a STEM degree and
expect their GI Bill benefits to be exhausted before
completing their program. The scholarship would pay for
nine additional months of the Post-9/11 GI Bill
benefit, up to a maximum payment of $30,000. The amount
of money that could be spent on this program would not
exceed $100,000,000 in any one fiscal year and would be
phased in over time by authorizing $25,000,000 in
fiscal year 2019; $75,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2020 through 2022; and $100,000,000 for fiscal
year 2023 and each subsequent year. The scholarship
would be known as the `Edith Nourse Rogers STEM
Scholarship' and is named for the late Congresswoman
Edith Nourse Rogers, former Chairwoman of the House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
The Committee believes this extra benefit would help
student veterans and provide a positive return on
investment for the country and the country's national
needs. Additionally, the Committee expects VA to use
this authority judiciously and ensure that schools are
not expanding the number of credit hours needed to
complete a STEM program so they can receive additional
tuition and fee payments.
The credit requirement for programs to qualify for this
scholarship was set at 128 semester hours, or 192 quarter
hours, to prioritize student veterans in programs with the
heaviest course loads. As the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) has worked to implement Section 111 of Public Law 115-48,
VA surveyed institutions of higher learning and discovered only
3 programs that would qualify. This does not meet the intent of
Congress in creating the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship,
and would not enable VA to provide the amount of scholarships
authorized in PL 115-48.
H.R. 2196 would modify the credit hour requirement,
changing the requirement from more than 128 semester hours to
at least 120 semester hours (192 and 180 quarter hours
respectively.) This would allow VA to implement Section 111 of
PL 115-48 in line with Congressional intent by ensuring more
programs are eligible for the scholarship, while leaving VA
with the flexibility to adjust the credit hour requirement up
from 120 semester hours in the future to continue to prioritize
programs that take longer than the 36 months of eligibility
student veterans receive under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Hearings
For the purposes of section 103(i) of H. Res. 6 of the
116th Congress--the following hearings and meetings were used
to develop or consider H.R. 2196.
On April 9, 2019, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
conducted a legislative hearing on various bills introduced
during the 116th Congress, including a discussion draft that
was later introduced as H.R. 2196.
The following witnesses testified:
Ms. Margarita Devlin, Principal Deputy Under
Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Ms. Ashlynne Haycock, Deputy Policy Director, Education
Support Services, Tragedy Assistance Program for
Survivors (TAPS). Mr. Patrick Murray, Deputy Director,
National Legislative Service, The Veterans of Foreign
Wars. Mr. John Kamin, Credentialing and Education
Policy Associate, National Veterans Employment and
Education Division, The American Legion. Ms. Rebecca
Burgess, Program Manager Citizenship Project, American
Enterprise Institute.
Statements for the record were submitted by:
Disabled American Veterans
Subcommittee Consideration
On May 1, 2019, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
met in an open markup session, a quorum being present, and
ordered H.R. 2196 favorably forwarded to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs by voice vote.
During the May 1, 2019 consideration, the Subcommittee
considered H.R. 2196 as introduced. No amendments were offered.
Committee Consideration
On May 8, 2019, the Committee on Veterans' Affairs met in
an open markup session, a quorum being present, and ordered
H.R. 2196 reported favorably to the House of Representatives by
voice vote.
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded
votes on the motion to report the legislation and amendments
thereto. There were no recorded votes taken on amendments or in
connection with ordering H.R. 2196 reported to the House. A
motion by Ranking Member Phil Roe of Tennessee to report H.R.
2196 favorably to the House of Representatives was agreed to by
voice vote.
Committee Oversight Findings
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee's performance
goals and objectives are to refine the statutory requirements
of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship to meet
Congressional intent.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its
own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement
authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits
H.R. 2196 does not contain any Congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in
clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
Committee Cost Estimate
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate on H.R.
2196 prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
for H.R. 2196 provided by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974:
According to the Congressional Budget Office estimate, H.R.
2196 would increase the number of beneficiaries who would be
eligible to receive the funds but would not change the total
amount of scholarships awarded; thus, enacting the bill would
not affect direct spending or spending subject to
appropriation.
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, May 14, 2019.
Hon. Mark Takano,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2196, a bill to
amend title 38, United States Code, to reduce the credit hour
requirement for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Paul B.A.
Holland.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall,
Director.
Enclosure.
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) provides monthly housing allowances and pays the
tuition and fees for beneficiaries pursuing approved education
programs. Beneficiaries, including veterans, service members,
and their designated dependents, can receive that assistance
for up to 36 months. Through the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM
Scholarship, the department may provide up to nine additional
months of those benefits to students who pursue undergraduate
degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics,
health care, or other fields designated by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs that require more than 128 semester (or 192
quarter) credit hours to complete. H.R. 2196 would reduce the
threshold for eligibility to qualified programs that require at
least 120 semester (or 180 quarter) credit hours to complete.
Under current law, VA can provide a total of $25 million in
scholarships in 2019. That amount increases to $75 million in
each year from 2020 to 2022, and to $100 million in 2023 and
each year thereafter. The department expects to award
scholarships totaling the maximum amounts authorized.
Reducing the credit hour requirement would increase the
number of beneficiaries who would be eligible to receive the
those funds but would not change the total amount of
scholarships awarded; thus, enacting the bill would not affect
direct spending.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Paul B.A.
Holland. The estimate was reviewed by Leo Lex, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates regarding H.R. 2196 prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office pursuant to Section 423 of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act would be created by H.R.
2196.
Constitutional Authority Statement
Pursuant to Article I, section 8 of the United States
Constitution, H.R. 2196 is authorized by Congress' power to
``provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the
United States.''
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that H.R. 2196 does not relate to the
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services
or accommodations within the legislative branch.
Statement on Duplication of Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision
of H.R. 2196 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the
Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal
program, a program that was included in any report from the
Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance.
Disclosure of Directed Rulemaking
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, the Committee
estimates that H.R. 2196 contains no directed rule making that
would require the Secretary to prescribe regulations.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1: Reduces the number of credit hours required for
a program to qualify for the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM
Scholarship from 128 semester (192 quarter) hours to 120
semester (180 quarter) hours.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
PART III--READJUSTMENT AND RELATED BENEFITS
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 33--POST-9/11 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
* * * * * * *
Sec. 3320. Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship
(a) In General.--Subject to the limitation under subsection
(f), the Secretary shall provide additional benefits to
eligible individuals selected by the Secretary under this
section. Such benefits shall be known as the ``Edith Nourse
Rogers STEM Scholarship''.
(b) Eligibility.--For purposes of this section, an eligible
individual is an individual--
(1) who is or was entitled to educational assistance
under section 3311 of this title;
(2) who has used all of the educational assistance to
which the individual is entitled under this chapter or
will, based on the individual's rate of usage, use all
of such assistance within 180 days of applying for
benefits under this section;
(3) who applies for assistance under this section;
and
(4) who--
(A) is an individual who--
(i) is enrolled in a program of
education leading to a post-secondary
degree that, in accordance with the
guidelines of the applicable regional
or national accrediting agency,
requires [more than the standard 128
semester (or 192 quarter) credit hours]
at least the standard 120 semester (or
180 quarter) credit hours for
completion in a standard, undergraduate
college degree in--
(I) biological or biomedical
science;
(II) physical science;
(III) science technologies or
technicians;
(IV) computer and information
science and support services;
(V) mathematics or
statistics;
(VI) engineering;
(VII) engineering
technologies or an engineering-
related field;
(VIII) a health profession or
related program;
(IX) a medical residency
program;
(X) an agriculture science
program or a natural resources
science program; or
(XI) other subjects and
fields identified by the
Secretary as meeting national
needs;
(ii) has completed at least 60
standard semester (or 90 quarter)
credit hours in a field referred to in
clause (i); or
(B) is an individual who has earned a post-
secondary degree in a field referred to in
subparagraph (A)(i) and is enrolled in a
program of education leading to a teaching
certification.
(c) Priority.--In selecting eligible individuals to receive
additional benefits under this section, the Secretary shall
give priority to the following individuals:
(1) Individuals who require the most credit hours
described in subsection (b)(4).
(2) Individuals who are entitled to educational
assistance under this chapter by reason of paragraph
(1), (2), (8), or (9) of section 3311(b) of this title.
(d) Amount of Assistance.--(1) The Secretary shall pay to
each eligible individual who receives additional benefits under
this section the monthly amount payable under section 3313 of
this title for not more than 9 months of the program of
education in which the individual is enrolled (adjusted with
respect to the individual pursuant to section 3313(c), as
appropriate), except that the aggregate amount paid to an
individual under this section may not exceed $30,000.
(2) The Secretary may not pay to such an individual an amount
in addition to the amount payable under paragraph (1) by reason
of section 3317 of this title.
(3) An individual who receives additional benefits under this
section may also receive amounts payable by a college or
university pursuant to section 3317 of this title.
(e) Prohibition on Transfer.--An individual who receives
additional benefits under this section may not transfer any
amount of such additional benefits under section 3319 of this
title.
(f) Maximum Amount of Total Assistance.--The total amount of
benefits paid to all eligible individuals under this section
may not exceed--
(1) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;
(2) $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through
2022; and
(3) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each
subsequent fiscal year.
(g) Congressional Notice.--If the Secretary identifies a new
subject or field pursuant to subsection (b)(4)(A)(i)(XI) as
meeting a national need, the Secretary shall submit to Congress
notice of such identification at least 90 days before
conferring eligibility on any individual for purposes of this
section on the basis of such identification, including any
analysis of labor market supply and demand used in identifying
the new subject or field, as applicable.
* * * * * * *
[all]