H.R. 4772 · 117th Congress · House

Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced
Jul 28, 21
Passed House
Dec 1, 22
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

Mark O'Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act

This bill modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clothing allowance policy for veterans who, due to a service-connected disability, wear a prosthetic, use an orthopedic appliance (e.g., a wheelchair), or use a prescription skin medication that the VA determines causes irreparable damage to clothing.

The bill requires the VA to continue the clothing allowance for such a veteran on an annual basis until the veteran elects to no longer receive the allowance, or the VA determines the veteran is no longer eligible for the allowance, whichever occurs first.

The bill sets forth a procedure by which the VA must conduct reviews of clothing allowance claims to determine the continued eligibility of veterans. Specifically, the VA must conduct a review (1) five years after the date on which a veteran initially receives a clothing allowance and periodically thereafter, and (2) whenever the VA receives notice that the veteran no longer meets eligibility requirements. If a veteran is eligible for a clothing allowance based on a circumstance that is not subject to change, the VA does not need to review whether the veteran has continued eligibility.

If the VA determines, as the result of a review of a claim, that a veteran no longer meets the eligibility requirements for a clothing allowance, the VA must provide notice of the determination and discontinue the clothing allowance. The notice must include a description of applicable actions that may be taken following the determination (e.g., filing a notice of disagreement).

The bill also extends certain loan fee rates through January 15, 2031, under the VA's home loan program.

Previous Versions

00Jul 28, 2021

Mark O'Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act

This bill modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clothing allowance policy for veterans who, due to a service-connected disability, wear a prosthetic, use an orthopedic appliance (e.g., a wheelchair), or use a prescription skin medication that the VA determines causes irreparable damage to clothing.

The bill requires the VA to continue the clothing allowance for such a veteran on an annual basis until the veteran elects to no longer receive the allowance, or the VA determines the veteran is no longer eligible for the allowance, whichever occurs first.

The bill sets forth a procedure by which the VA must conduct reviews of clothing allowance claims to determine the continued eligibility of veterans. Specifically, the VA must conduct a review (1) five years after the date on which a veteran initially receives a clothing allowance and periodically thereafter, and (2) whenever the VA receives notice that the veteran no longer meets eligibility requirements. If a veteran is eligible for a clothing allowance based on a circumstance that is not subject to change, the VA does not need to review whether the veteran has continued eligibility.

If the VA determines, as the result of a review of a claim, that a veteran no longer meets the eligibility requirements for a clothing allowance, the VA must provide notice of the determination and discontinue the clothing allowance. The notice must include a description of applicable actions that may be taken following the determination (e.g., filing a notice of disagreement).

Action Timeline

16
  1. DEC 05, 2022IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

  2. DEC 01, 2022Floor

    Pursuant to the provisions of H

    Res. 1499, proceedings on H.R. 4772 are considered vacated.

  3. DEC 01, 2022Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 1499, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 4601, as amended; H.R. 4772, as amended; H.R. 4899; H.R. 5943, as amended; H.R. 7158, as amended; H.R. 8203; H.R. 9308; and S. 3825; and the following resolutions were agreed to under suspension of the rules: H. Res. 744, as amended; and H. Res. 922, as amended.(consideration: CR H8696-8700; text: CR H8697)

    8696Yea
    8700Nay
    0NV
  4. DEC 01, 2022Floor

    Pursuant to section 5 of H

    Res. 1499, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 4601, as amended; H.R. 4772, as amended; H.R. 4899; H.R. 5943, as amended; H.R. 7158, as amended; H.R. 8203; H.R. 9308; and S. 3825; and the following resolutions were agreed to under suspension of the rules: H. Res. 744, as amended; and H. Res. 922, as amended. (consideration: CR H8696-8700; text: CR H8697)

    8696Yea
    8700Nay
    0NV
  5. NOV 29, 2022Floor

    Mr

    Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  6. NOV 29, 2022Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration

    CR H8604-8605; text: CR H8604-8605)

    8604Yea
    8605Nay
    0NV
  7. NOV 29, 2022Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4772.

  8. NOV 29, 2022Floor

    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.

  9. NOV 16, 2022Committee

    Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.

  10. NOV 16, 2022Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  11. NOV 16, 2022Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  12. OCT 20, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  13. SEP 09, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

  14. JUL 28, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  15. JUL 28, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  16. JUL 28, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Committees

6

Veterans' Affairs Committee

ssva00

Referred: Dec 5, 2022

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Nov 16, 2022

Active

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

hsvr09

Referred: Nov 16, 2022

Active

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

hsvr09

Referred: Oct 20, 2021

Active

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

hsvr09

Referred: Sep 9, 2021

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Jul 28, 2021

Active