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Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 2001

Public Law 107-14 · H.R. 801 · 107th Congress · began in the House

Signed by George W. Bush (R) on Jun 5, 2001 · Armed Forces and National Security

Sponsor: Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ-4)

Cosponsors (40): Rep. Lane Evans,

Passage votes

  • HouseUnanimous consent
  • SenateUnanimous consent
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.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 2001 - Makes an individual who is eligible for medical care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) and who is also eligible for hospital insurance benefits under Medicare part A (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) eligible for medical care for his or her survivors and dependents if the individual is also enrolled in the Medicare part B supplemental insurance program. Provides payment limits.

(Sec. 4) Revises Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provisions to: (1) permit members to purchase a maximum of $100,000 in SGLI coverage for their spouses; and (2) extend automatically to members' children $10,000 in such coverage. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) coverage effective dates and termination; (2) premium and proceeds payments; and (3) SGLI conversion to private insurance.

(Sec. 5) Makes retroactive to October 1, 2000, the increase from $200,000 to $250,000 in the maximum SGLI member benefit for members who die on duty between such date and March 31, 2001. (April 1, 2001, is the current effective date for such increase for all members.)

(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that: (1) the needs of eligible veterans' dependents are fully addressed; and (2) the availability of outreach and assistance for such dependents is made known through a variety of means, including the Internet and announcements in veterans publications and through the media.

(Sec. 7) Makes various technical amendments to Montgomery GI Bill provisions, including: (1) eligibility requirements; (2) the charging of entitlements; (3) the "buy-up" option; (4) contributions reimbursement; and (5) conversion from Veterans Educational Assistance Program coverage.

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.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 19 actions.

  1. Jun 5, 2001Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 107-14.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. May 25, 2001PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. May 24, 2001Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  5. Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to without objection.
  6. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendments.
  7. FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.
  8. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  9. CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
  10. Mar 28, 2001CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
  11. Mar 27, 2001FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  12. FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 417 - 0 (Roll no. 63).House roll call 63
  13. FloorFloor · 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.
  14. FloorFloor · Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  15. Mar 26, 2001CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Veterans' Affairs Committee
  16. Mar 21, 2001CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Veterans' Affairs Committee
  17. Mar 15, 2001CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by House Veterans' Affairs Committee
  18. Feb 28, 2001CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Veterans' Affairs Committee
  19. 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.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.