“A bill to establish the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services. The Commission shall (1) compile documentation on the history of policies regarding LGBTQ+ sexual orientation and gender identity in the uniformed services since World War II, including effects on eligibility for and access to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits for servicemembers discharged due to sexual orientation or gender identity; (2) hold public hearings, conduct community outreach, and gather written and oral testimonies from LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans; (3) examine impacts of discriminatory policies and actions on physical and mental wellbeing, lasting psychological/financial/professional effects, suicidality and homelessness among LGBTQ+ veterans, disparate effects on racial minorities and women, non-LGBTQ+ individuals targeted due to perceived identity, dependents, denial of medically necessary healthcare (including gender dysphoria treatments), force readiness (including retraining/replacement costs), changes to demographic data without consent, and separation codes' effects on employment and benefits; (4) recommend ways to educate the public on such discrimination; (5) recommend remedies including a federal apology, Department of Defense compensation (e.g., backpay, reinstatement, benefits restoration), restored gender-affirming care, streamlined discharge upgrades and record amendments, increased visibility of LGBTQ+ service, revised diversity/inclusion policies with training resources, enhanced healthcare/benefits resources for LGBTQ+ individuals (including data collection and mental health counseling), and examination of denied burial rights; and (6) submit a report of findings and recommendations to Congress within one year of the Commission's first meeting.
This section establishes a 15-member commission appointed as follows: (1) one each by the chair and ranking member of the House Committees on Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs; (2) one each by the chair and ranking member of the Senate Committees on Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs; (3) two by the Secretary of Defense; (4) two by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; (5) one by the Secretary of Homeland Security; (6) one by the Secretary of Commerce (to represent NOAA); and (7) one by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (to represent the Public Health Service). All members must be exceptionally qualified, particularly in advocating for LGBTQ+ members of the uniformed services; terms last for the life of the commission (with vacancies filled in the same manner); the President calls the first meeting within 30 days of enactment or appropriations; eight members constitute a quorum; the commission elects its chair and vice chair for the life of the commission; and members receive compensation at a daily rate equivalent to Level IV of the Executive Schedule (i.e., the pay rate for positions such as Deputy Administrator of General Services) for days engaged in duties (with no additional pay for full-time federal employees or Members of Congress and travel expenses reimbursed).
This section authorizes the Commission to hold hearings; compel, by subpoena enforced in U.S. district court, witness attendance, testimony, and production of documents; delegate such powers to subcommittees or members; and obtain information from heads of executive branch departments, agencies, or instrumentalities, which must cooperate to the extent permitted by law.
This section establishes administrative authorities for the Commission, including (1) appointing and compensating staff without regard to civil service laws, with pay not to exceed level V of the Executive Schedule; (2) procuring experts and consultants at daily rates not to exceed the equivalent of level V Executive Schedule pay; (3) entering reimbursement agreements with the General Services Administration for financial and administrative services; and (4) procuring supplies, services, property, and contracts—including with federal, state, and private entities for research, surveys, reports, and other activities—to the extent provided in appropriations Acts.
This section terminates the Commission and all authorities of this title 90 days after submission of the final report under section 2. It authorizes the Commission to use that 90-day period to conclude activities, including providing testimony to congressional committees and disseminating the final report.
This section authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to carry out the Act. Amounts appropriated to the Commission remain available until the Commission's termination.
This section defines, for purposes of this Act, (1) "servicemember" as having the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. 3911)—generally, active duty members of the uniformed services—and (2) "uniformed services" as having the meaning given the term in 10 U.S.C. 101 (i.e., the armed forces, commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and commissioned corps of the Public Health Service).