PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The President must appoint an Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Senate must approve the choice. The person must be picked without regard to political party and only for proven skill in fiscal management and in running the Veterans Benefits Administration or similar programs. The Under Secretary runs the Veterans Benefits Administration and reports directly to the Secretary about its operations. When the job is vacant or likely to be, the Secretary must create a commission to suggest candidates. The commission includes three industry representatives (like education, real estate/mortgage finance, or survivor-benefit groups), two veterans served by the Administration, two experienced program managers, the Deputy Secretary, the chair of the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education, and, if desired, one former Under Secretary. The commission must recommend at least three people, give its list to the Secretary, who forwards it with any comments to the President; the President may ask for more names. The Assistant or Deputy Assistant Secretary who handles personnel and labor relations serves as the commission’s executive secretary.

Title 38, §306

Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)There is in the Department an Under Secretary for Benefits, who is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Under Secretary for Benefits shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation or activity and solely on the basis of demonstrated ability in—

(1)fiscal management; and

(2)the administration of programs within the Veterans Benefits Administration or programs of similar content and scope.

(b)The Under Secretary for Benefits is the head of, and is directly responsible to the Secretary for the operations of, the Veterans Benefits Administration.

(c)(1)Whenever a vacancy in the position of Under Secretary for Benefits occurs or is anticipated, the Secretary shall establish a commission to recommend individuals to the President for appointment to the position.

(2)A commission established under this subsection shall be composed of the following members appointed by the Secretary:

(A)Three persons representing education and training, real estate, mortgage finance, and related industries, and survivor benefits activities affected by the Veterans Benefits Administration.

(B)Two persons representing veterans served by the Veterans Benefits Administration.

(C)Two persons who have experience in the management of veterans benefits programs or programs of similar content and scope.

(D)The Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

(E)The chairman of the Veterans’ Advisory Committee on Education formed under section 3692 of this title.

(F)One person who has held the position of Under Secretary for Benefits (including service as Chief Benefits Director of the Veterans’ Administration), if the Secretary determines that it is desirable for such person to be a member of the commission.

(3)A commission established under this subsection shall recommend at least three individuals for appointment to the position of Under Secretary for Benefits. The commission shall submit all recommendations to the Secretary. The Secretary shall forward the recommendations to the President with any comments the Secretary considers appropriate. Thereafter, the President may request the commission to recommend additional individuals for appointment.

(4)The Assistant Secretary or Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs who performs personnel management and labor relations functions shall serve as the executive secretary of a commission established under this subsection.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 3(c) of Pub. L. 100–527, known as the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 3(3).

Amendments

2006—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 109–461 redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which read as follows: “The Under Secretary for Benefits shall be appointed for a period of four years, with reappointment permissible for successive like periods. If the President removes the Under Secretary for Benefits before the completion of the term for which the Under Secretary for Benefits was appointed, the President shall communicate the reasons for the removal to Congress.” 1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–446, § 1201(c)(2)(A), substituted “an Under Secretary” for “a Under Secretary”. Subsec. (d)(2)(F). Pub. L. 103–446, § 1201(c)(2)(B), (e)(2), substituted “Chief Benefits Director of the Veterans’ Administration)” for “Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department)” and “commission” for “Commission”. 1992—Pub. L. 102–405 substituted “Under Secretary for Benefits” for “Chief Benefits Director” wherever appearing. 1991—Subsec. (d)(2)(F). Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(a)(3), (4), substituted “Department” for “Veterans’ Administration”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Pub. L. 102–405, title III, § 302(b), Oct. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 1984, provided that: “The position of Chief Benefits Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs is hereby redesignated as Under Secretary for Benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs.”

§306 Under Secretary for Benefits