H.R. 5721 · 117th Congress · House

VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research Act of 2021

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced
Oct 25, 21
Passed House
Nov 17, 22
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research Act of 2021 or the VIPER Act of 2021

This bill addresses research activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly those within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for the VHA's Office of Research and Development to serve veterans through a full spectrum of research, technology transfer, and application.

The bill exempts VA research activities from the Paperwork Reduction Act, including research conducted via the Office of Research and Development

The bill also waives certain time limitations and other restrictions related to individuals who perform research for the VA under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program.

The VA is authorized to appoint statisticians, economists, data scientists, and other professionals within the VHA.

Previous Versions

07Nov 14, 2022

VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research Act of 2021 or the VIPER Act of 2021

This bill addresses research activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly those within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

First, the bill provides statutory authority for the VHA's Office of Research and Development to serve veterans through a full spectrum of research, technology transfer, and application.

Next, the bill exempts VA research activities from the Paperwork Reduction Act, including research conducted via the Office of Research and Development

The VA is authorized to appoint statisticians, economists, data scientists, and other professionals within the VHA.

The bill provides a three-year authorization for the VA to enter into transactions, other than contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants, with nontraditional contractors to carry out extramural basic or applied research. Such transactions must meet specified criteria (e.g., the research must not be duplicative of other VA research under another program). Additionally, the VA must notify Congress within 30 days of entering into a transaction and must provide specified information and records to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Congress upon request.

The Office of Research and Development is authorized to establish a grant program for certain individuals employed by specified research institutions to conduct research related to health care furnished by the VA.

The GAO must study the amount of time dedicated for research for clinician-scientists appointed by the VA.

Finally, the bill updates the process by which the VA uses commercial institutional review boards in sponsored clinical trials.

00Oct 25, 2021

VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research Act of 2021 or the VIPER Act of 2021

This bill addresses research activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly those within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

First, the bill provides statutory authority for the VHA's Office of Research and Development to serve veterans through a full spectrum of research, technology transfer, and application.

Next, the bill exempts VA research activities from the Paperwork Reduction Act, including research conducted via the Office of Research and Development

The VA is authorized to appoint statisticians, economists, data scientists, and other professionals within the VHA.

The bill provides a three-year authorization for the VA to enter into transactions, other than contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants, with nontraditional contractors to carry out extramural basic or applied research. Such transactions must meet specified criteria (e.g., the research must not be duplicative of other VA research under another program). Additionally, the VA must notify Congress within 30 days of entering into a transaction and must provide specified information and records to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Congress upon request.

The Office of Research and Development is authorized to establish a grant program for certain individuals employed by specified research institutions to conduct research related to health care furnished by the VA.

The GAO must study the amount of time dedicated for research for clinician-scientists appointed by the VA.

Finally, the bill updates the process by which the VA uses commercial institutional review boards in sponsored clinical trials.

Action Timeline

18
  1. NOV 17, 2022Floor

    Pursuant to the provisions of H

    Res. 1464, proceedings on H.R. 5721 are considered vacated.

  2. NOV 17, 2022Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Pursuant to section 2 of H. Res. 1464, and the motion offered by Mr. Carter (LA), the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 4275, as amended; H.R. 5502, as amended; H.R. 5721, as amended; H.R. 6290, as amended; H.R. 7277, as amended; H.R. 7299, as amended; and H.R. 8416, as amended.

  3. NOV 17, 2022Floor

    Pursuant to section 2 of H

    Res. 1464, and the motion offered by Mr. Carter (LA), the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 4275, as amended; H.R. 5502, as amended; H.R. 5721, as amended; H.R. 6290, as amended; H.R. 7277, as amended; H.R. 7299, as amended; and H.R. 8416, as amended. (consideration: CR H8566-8574; text: CR H8568-8569)

    8566Yea
    8574Nay
    0NV
  4. NOV 17, 2022IntroReferral

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

  5. NOV 14, 2022Committee

    Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-551.

    117Yea
    551Nay
    0NV
  6. NOV 14, 2022Committee

    Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 117-551.

    117Yea
    551Nay
    0NV
  7. NOV 14, 2022Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 395.

  8. NOV 14, 2022Floor

    Mr

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

  9. NOV 14, 2022Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration

    CR H8461-8464; text: CR H8461-8462)

    8461Yea
    8464Nay
    0NV
  10. NOV 14, 2022Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5721.

  11. NOV 14, 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.

  12. NOV 04, 2021Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  13. NOV 04, 2021Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  14. NOV 04, 2021Committee

    Subcommittee on Health Discharged.

  15. NOV 02, 2021Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  16. OCT 25, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  17. OCT 25, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  18. OCT 25, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Committees

6

Veterans' Affairs Committee

ssva00

Referred: Nov 18, 2022

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Nov 14, 2022

Active

Health Subcommittee

hsvr03

Referred: Nov 5, 2021

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Nov 4, 2021

Active

Health Subcommittee

hsvr03

Referred: Nov 2, 2021

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Oct 25, 2021

Active