2022: Schweikert Voted Against The Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act, Which Would Automatically Enroll Eligible Veterans For VA Health Care Services. In January 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act which would "require the Veterans Affairs Department to automatically enroll eligible veterans in the department's patient enrollment system, giving them access to VA health care services, within 60 days of receiving confirmation of their eligibility from the Defense Department. It would also require the VA to provide veterans a notification of enrollment, an electronic version of their certificate of eligibility, means to opt out of enrollment electronically and instructions to elect enrollment at a later date." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 265-163. [House Vote 14, 1/20/22; Congressional Quarterly, 1/20/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4673]
The Bill Would Automatically Enroll Discharged Military Members Into The Veterans Affairs Medical System To Ease Their Access To Health Care And Decrease The Confusion Associated To The Health System. According to the Military Times, "House lawmakers on Thursday advanced legislation that would automatically enroll separating service members into the Veterans Affairs medical system, an effort to streamline their access to that care if they need it. The move has for years been championed by advocates as a potential way to increase veterans' use of VA care and reduce some of the confusion connected to the massive health system. Past research has shown that veterans enrolled in VA medical care are less likely to die by suicide than their peers outside of the system." [Military Times, 1/20/22]
The Bill Would Affect Approximately 60K Veterans Per Year, And Instead Of Having Them Apply For VA Health Care Services, The VA Would Automatically Enroll Them Contingent On Eligibility. According to the Military Times, "The measure would affect about 60,000 individuals a year. Instead of formally applying for VA medical services, department officials would automatically add them to the system if they met the requirements for eligibility." [Military Times, 1/20/22]
According To The Congressional Budget Office, The Bill Would Cost Approximately $3.1 Billion Over The Next Five Years And Individual Veterans Would Save An Average Of $3,900 In Health Care Expenses. According to the Military Times, "The Congressional Budget Office estimates the measure would cost about $3.1 billion over the next five years, with individual veterans saving an average of about $3,900 in health care costs." [Military Times, 1/20/22]
Several House Republicans Argued The Costs And Impacts Of The Bill Were Not Fully Addressed And Warned The Bill Was A "Federal Overreach." According to the Military Times, "The measure received opposition from some House Republicans who said the costs and impact of the changes have not yet been fully addressed and who complained that the moves amount to federal overreach." [Military Times, 1/20/22]
2022: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against The Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act, Which Would Automatically Enroll Eligible Veterans For VA Health Care Services. In January 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for the "Bost R-Ill., motion to recommit the bill to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee." The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 206-221. [House Vote 13, 1/20/22; Congressional Quarterly, 1/20/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4673]
2022: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment That Extended Automatic Enrollment To Veterans Discharged 90 Days Before Enactment Of The Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act. In January 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against an amendment to the Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act which would "extend automatic enrollment under the bill's provisions to veterans discharged 90 days before enactment or later." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 228-198. [House Vote 12, 1/20/22; Congressional Quarterly, 1/20/22; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 155; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4673]
2022: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against The Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act. In January 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the "adoption of the rule (H Res 860) that would provide for floor consideration [...] the Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition (EVEST) Act (HR 4673). It would provide for one hour of general debate on each bill and floor consideration of two amendments to HR 1836 and five amendments to HR 4673." The vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 219-203. [House Vote 3, 1/11/22; Congressional Quarterly, 1/11/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4673; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 860]
2022: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against The Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act. In January 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against the "motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 860) that would provide for floor consideration [...] the Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition (EVEST) Act (HR 4673). It would provide for one hour of general debate on each bill and floor consideration of two amendments to HR 1836 and five amendments to HR 4673." The vote was on a motion to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 219-203. [House Vote 2, 1/11/22; Congressional Quarterly, 1/11/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4673; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 860]
2024: Schweikert Voted To Expand Health Care Benefits For Veterans. In November 2024, Schweikert voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill, as amended, that would expand existing health care services and benefits for veterans and their families. The bill would include expanding access to home and community-based services at Department of Veterans Affairs' medical centers, expanding in-home health care for aging veterans and increasing assistance for homeless veterans. The bill would require the VA to provide certain home and community-based services like Veteran Directed Care to eligible veterans and caregivers at their local VA medical centers. It would require those centers to be staffed to maximize effectiveness. It would increase, from 65 percent to 100 percent of nursing home costs, the cap for in-home care programs. The bill would require more public outreach and public notification to veterans about community care options. It would define community care options as private-sector medical appointments paid by the VA in circumstances where wait times in the system reach certain benchmarks. Among other provisions, it would limit when the VA would be allowed to restrict community care and would require VA personnel to inform veterans about the option to receive community care when receiving information about their benefits. It would offset the cost of the expanded benefits by extending from Nov. 29, 2031 to June 9, 2034, the period for certain VA housing loan fees." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 389 to 9. [House Vote 466, 11/18/24; Congressional Quarterly, 11/18/24; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8371]
2023: Schweikert Voted To Require The Veterans Affairs Department To Provide Job Training, Health Care, And Monetary Benefits To Children Of Vietnam Veterans With Spina Bifida. In September 2023, Schweikert voted for a bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, "would require the Veterans Affairs Department to provide health care, job training and monetary benefits to children of Vietnam veterans who have spina bifida or other birth defects. The bill would require the VA to establish an advisory council on health care and benefits for such children and require the VA to establish care and coordination teams to conduct outreach, at least every 180 days, to ensure the continued care of such children. It would also require the VA to provide to Congress a list of conditions that will trigger outreach to covered children and to attempt to contact such children as soon as practicable after identification of a condition." The vote was on passage. The House agreed to the bill by a vote of 422 to 0, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 399, 9/19/23; Congressional Quarterly, 9/19/23; Congressional Actions, S.112]
2022: Schweikert Voted To Instruct The Veterans Affairs Department To Conduct A Study On The Feasibility Of Furnishing Doula Services To Pregnant Veterans In The VA Patient Enrollment System. In December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for the Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs Act of 2022, which would "require the Veterans Affairs Department to carry out a study and report to Congress within 18 months of enactment on the feasibility and acceptability of furnishing doula services to pregnant or formerly pregnant veterans enrolled in the VA patient enrollment system. It would require the study to include an analysis of whether measures taken by other governmental entities regarding doula certification would be adequate with respect to VA services." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 376-44. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 497, 12/1/22; Congressional Quarterly, 12/1/22; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2521]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against The FY 2020 Minibus Appropriations Bill, Which Provided $81 Billion For VA Medical Care. In December 2019, Schweikert voted against the FY 2020 minibus spending bill, which represented 8 of the 12 appropriations bills. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The measure provides $81.0 billion in funding for VA medical care, including $9.4 billion for mental health, $1.1 billion for telehealth service, $402 million for opioid misuse prevention and treatment, $800 for medical and prosthetic research, $585 million for health care for women veterans, and $300 million for rural health." The vote was a motion to concur in the Senate amendment. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 297-120. The Senate later passed the bill and the President signed the bill into law. [House Vote 689, 12/17/19; Congressional Quarterly, 12/17/19; Congressional Actions, H.R.1865]
2018: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against Increasing Funding For The Veterans Health Administration by $10 Million With A Corresponding Decrease In Funding For VA Administration. In June 2018, Schweikert effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "decrease[d] funding for VA administration by $10.2 million and would [have] increase[d] funding for medical funding at the Veterans Health Administration by $10 million, to be available on Oct 1, 2018." The underlying legislation was an FY 2019 minibus of Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 187 to 225. [House Vote 256, 6/8/18; Congressional Quarterly, 6/8/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 5895]
2018: Schweikert Voted Against The $1.3 Trillion FY 2018 Omnibus Spending Deal Which Raised Spending By $138 Billion Over FY 2017 Levels, Including $70.3 Billion For Health Care Programs At The Veterans Health Administration. In March 2018, Schweikert voted against the FY 2018 Omnibus spending bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Combined, the spending measures would provide about $1.3 trillion in discretionary spending, with $1.2 trillion subject to discretionary spending caps, and $78.1 billion designated as Overseas Contingency Operations funds. The measure's spending levels are consistent with the increased defense and non-defense budget caps set by the two-year budget deal agreed to last month. That agreement increased the FY 2018 defense cap by $80 billion and the non-defense cap by $63 billion. Given that the previous caps were set to reduce overall discretionary spending by $5 billion, the net increase provided by the omnibus is $138 billion over the FY 2017 level." The vote was on the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment with an Amendment. The House agreed to the motion, thereby passing the bill, by a vote of 256 to 167. The Senate later agreed to the legislation, sending it to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 127, 3/22/18; Congressional Quarterly, 3/22/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1625]
2022: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment That Reallocated $5 Million For The Healthcare For Homeless Veterans Program. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against en bloc amendments no. 8 to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023, which would, in part, "reallocate $5 million for Veterans Health Administration medical services, intended for the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Program, from funding authorized for the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission; and strike a provision that would allow the Veterans Affairs Department to transfer funds from the medical facilities and general administration accounts to the Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission." The vote was on the adoption of amendments. The House adopted the amendments by a vote 238-191. [House Vote 381, 7/20/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/20/22; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 301; Congressional Actions, H.R. 8294]
2023: Schweikert Voted For The Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act. In December 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for "the bill, as amended, that would require the Veterans Affairs Department to carry out home- and community-based service programs, such as the Veteran-Directed Care program and the Homemaker and Home Health Aide program. It would raise the maximum cost for VA coverage of non-VA nursing home care from 65 to 100 percent of the cost the VA would have incurred for directly providing such care. It would authorize the VA to establish regulations allowing non-VA care to exceed 100 percent of such cost for veterans with certain motor neuron and spinal conditions. It would require the VA to assess caregivers and veterans who are denied services under the VA's caregiver support program for eligibility in any other VA home- and community-based services program. It would require the VA to provide a smooth and personalized transition for veterans and caregivers who are transitioned into such programs. It would require the VA, within 18 months of enactment, to carry out a three-year pilot program to provide homemaker and home health aide services to veterans who live in communities with a shortage of home health aides. It would require the VA to submit to Congress several reports and reviews on in-home care to veterans, including a requirement for the VA to submit to Congress recommendations for new veteran home- and community-based services. It also would require the VA to develop, maintain and regularly update a website that includes information on VA caregiver programs. As an offset, the bill would extend the rate for fees on housing loans guaranteed on or after Nov. 15, 2031, to Feb. 4, 2032." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 414 to 5, thus it was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 696, 12/5/23; Congressional Quarterly, 12/5/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 542]
2019: Schweikert Voted Against Requiring Drug Manufacturers That Contract With The VA To Comply With Maximum Drug Price Provisions. In December 2019, Schweikert voted against an amendment to a bill lowering drug prices for Medicare that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require drug manufacturers contracting with the Veterans Affairs Department to comply with maximum prices set for any drug under the bill's provisions, if the VA determines that such maximum prices are less than those determined under existing law regarding VA drug procurement." The vote was on adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 234-192. [House Vote 680, 12/12/19; Congressional Quarterly, 12/12/19; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.721; Congressional Actions, H.R.3]
2014: Schweikert Voted Against Agreeing To The Senate's Veterans' Health Care And Benefits Bill, And Particularly, Its Provisions Expanding Care And Treatment For Sexual Trauma. In July 2014, Schweikert voted against a motion to instruct House members of a House-Senate conference committee on veterans' health care and benefits legislation to, according to Congressional Quarterly, "recede from disagreement with provisions in the Senate amendment relating to health care regarding sexual trauma and to concur in the Senate amendment in all other instances." The House agreed to the non-binding motion by a vote of 213 to 193. A conference report, which contained a compromise version of the policy, became law. [House Vote 453, 7/25/14; Congressional Quarterly, 7/25/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3230]
Five Days Later, The House Adopted A Conference-Committee-Produced Compromise Version Of The Legislation, Which Contained The Senate Bill's Provisions On Sexual Trauma. According to the conference report on the veterans' legislation, the conference committee substitute adopted all three of the Senate bill's provisions on sexual trauma. [House Report 113-564, 7/28/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3230]
Senate Bill Enabled Members Of The National Guard And The Reserve Who Were Sexually Assaulted During Inactive Duty Training To Receive Care And Counseling Through The VA. According to the conference report on the legislation, "Current Law Section 1720D of title 38, U.S.C., requires VA to provide counseling and appropriate care and services to veterans to overcome psychological trauma, which in the judgment of a VA mental health professional, resulted from a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment which occurred while the veteran was serving on active duty or active duty for training (otherwise known as military sexual trauma) (hereinafter, 'MST'). Veterans who experienced MST while serving on active duty or active duty for training are included under this authority. However, veterans who experienced MST while on inactive duty for training -- for example, those who were assaulted during weekend drill training for the National Guard and Reserve -- are not included. [...] The Senate amendment would amend section 1720D of title 38, U.S.C., to provide VA with the authority to provide counseling, care and services to veterans, and certain other servicemembers who may not have veteran status, who experienced sexual trauma while serving on inactive duty for training. [...] The House amendment contained no similar provision. [...] The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision." [House Report 113-564, 7/28/14]
Senate Bill Eliminated Requirement That Active-Duty Servicemembers Obtain A Referral From The Defense Department Before Receiving Counseling And Care At The VA For Sexual Trauma That Occurred While They Were On Active Duty. According to the conference report on the legislation, "Under current law, section 1720D of title 38, U.S.C., VA has the authority to provide counseling, care and services to veterans who experienced sexual trauma while serving on active duty or active duty for training. [...] The Senate amendment would expand eligibility for care and services for MST at a VA facility to active duty servicemembers. Active duty servicemembers would not be required to initially be seen by DOD and receive a referral before seeking treatment at a VA facility for MST. It would take effect on the date that is one year after the date of enactment. [...] The House amendment contains no similar provision. [...] The Conference substitute adopts the Senate position." [House Report 113-564, 7/28/14]
May 2014: House Adopted By Voice Vote A Bill Consisting Of The Inactive Duty Training-Related Provisions. In May 2014, the House agreed to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 2527, which, according to Congressional Quarterly, "Current law authorizes the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) to provide services for veterans who serve on active duty or who are activated for training. Counseling and treatment may be provided to overcome psychological trauma that, in the judgment of a mental health professional employed by the VA, resulted from a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature or sexual harassment. Some veterans groups have argued that members of the reserve component who experience military sexual trauma during weekend drills or other inactive duty deserve the same sexual-trauma-related service as those who face similar experiences while activated. [...] This bill authorizes the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department to provide counseling and treatment to veterans for sexual trauma that occurred during inactive-duty training. The benefits would apply to veterans not otherwise eligible for them who performed inactive-duty training while serving in the reserve components of the armed forces." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/26/14; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2527]
Motion Opponent Argued That While The House Conferees Largely Agreed With The Senate Bill, Sen. Bernie Sanders Was Aiming To Expand The Bill To Include $17.6 Billion More, And This Non-Binding Motion Would Hinder The Conference Committee's Then-Ongoing Attempt To Forge A Compromise Bill. According to the Congressional Record, Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) said, "the motion to instruct would require the House to recede to the Senate amendments to H.R. 3230. As Chairman Miller has stated during debate on nearly identical motions to instruct last week and again last night, the foremost goals of the House and Senate conference committee are, one, to improve timely access to high-quality health care for veterans who have been waiting for weeks, months, or even years; and, two, to improve the accountability and overall operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system. This was the central charge to the conferees at the beginning of the conference and remains so today. I have no doubt that my colleague from California, Congresswoman Brownley, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health, shares these goals. However, this motion does not further our pursuit of them. Tonight, our attention is best spent devoted to finding a true compromise--one that best serves our Nation's veterans and taxpayers and lays the foundation for correcting the departmental deficiencies that have brought us here--and not tying the conference committee's hands with an unnecessary, unhelpful, unbinding, and time-consuming motion to instruct. As the gentlewoman knows, because she was in the Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing with the acting VA Secretary, this morning, Chairman Miller offered a proposal that would largely agree with nearly everything in the Senate bill, with a few minor exceptions. [...] Mr. Speaker, I am supportive of Chairman Miller's proposal because it is a fair, commonsense approach that ensures Congress is able to continue its oversight to ensure that taxpayers' funds are spent wisely. As we all know, recently, Senator Sanders, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and co-chair of the conference committee, has indicated his desire to expand the scope of the conference to include VA's recent request for an additional $17.6 billion. We call that an airdrop. Unfortunately, there is virtually no parachute in the form of detailed justification for this request, and to a great extent, Congress' acceptance of unsubstantiated funding requests in the past have helped get us to where we are today." [Congressional Record, 7/24/14]
2022: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment That Instructed The Veterans' Affairs Department To Launch An Awareness Campaign Over VA-Covered Fertility Treatments, Procedures And Services Available For Veterans Struggling With Infertility. In July 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted against an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which would "direct the Veterans Affairs Department to conduct an awareness campaign regarding the types of fertility treatments, procedures and services available to veterans experiencing issues with fertility, covered under the VA medical benefits package." The vote was on the adoption of an amendment. The House adopted the amendment by a vote 243-187. [House Vote 349, 7/14/22; Congressional Quarterly, 7/14/22; Congressional Actions, H.Amdt. 289; Congressional Actions, H.R. 7900]