Department of Veterans Affairs Codification Act
Public Law 102-83 · H.R. 2525 · 102nd Congress · began in the House
Signed by George H. W. Bush (R) on Aug 6, 1991 · Armed Forces and National Security
Sponsor: Rep. Sonny Montgomery (D-MS-3)
Cosponsors (2): Rep. Robert Stump, Rep. Jim Inhofe
Passage votes
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Department of Veterans Affairs Codification Act - Revises Federal provisions which established the Department of Veterans Affairs as an executive department. Redesignates the Veterans Health Services and Research Administration as the Veterans Health Administration. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a commission to recommend individuals to the President whenever a vacancy occurs in the positions of Chief Medical Director and Chief Benefits Director of the Department. Includes the Veterans' Canteen Service and the Board of Contract Appeals within the Department.
Revises the definition of an "administrative reorganization" within the Department requiring prior congressional notification.
Revises and codifies provisions relating to the authority and various duties of the Secretary.
States that the Veterans Benefits Administration shall be responsible for the following programs of the Department: (1) compensation and pension programs; (2) vocational rehabilitation and educational assistance programs; (3) veterans' home loan programs; (4) veterans' and service members' life insurance programs; and (5) outreach and other veterans' services programs.
Repeals specified provisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs Act to conform with changes made under this Act.
Replaces references to the Veterans Administration and the Administrator of Veterans Affairs with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, respectively. Amends other specified statutes to conform with changes made under this Act.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 9 actions.
- Aug 6, 1991Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 102-83.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Jul 26, 1991PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Jul 22, 1991FloorFloor · Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Jun 25, 1991FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Montgomery moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Jun 4, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.