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An amendment, offered by Ms. Hanabusa, numbered 4 printed in Part B of House Report 115-39 to strike section 6, "Reemployment of Former Employees," which would allow for the Secretary to appoint former employees at one grade higher than when they last separated, without having to go through the usual competitive application process.

On agreeing to the Sewell (AL) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sewell amendment No. 3.

An amendment, offered by Ms. Sewell (AL), numbered 3 printed in Part B of House Report 115-39 to allow the Secretary to select eligible employees for the Executive Management Fellowship Program who represent or service rural areas, to whatever extent practicable.

On agreeing to the Meng amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Meng amendment No. 2.

An amendment, offered by Ms. Meng, numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 115-39 to make clear that the Inspector General of the VA must report, pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 7412, on at minimum 5 clinical and 5 nonclinical VA occupations that have the largest staffing shortages, which then triggers special hiring authorities for the Secretary to address such shortages.

On agreeing to the Wenstrup amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 198, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Wenstrup amendment No. 1.

An amendment, offered by Mr. Wenstrup, numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 115-39 to extend the timeline to implement the fellowship program from 90 days to one year and extends the GAO reporting deadline from one to two years. Also, the amendment removes the requirement to track a number of hiring effectiveness metrics, changes the establishment of a recruiting database from a "shall" to "may" authority, and stipulates that HR training be accomplished virtually.

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1367 — "To improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire and retain physicians and other employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes."

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 173.

Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 173 — "Providing for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress."

SPEAKER'S APPROVAL OF JOURNAL - The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day's proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Thompson (PA) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Thompson (PA) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker's approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES - The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - The Chair designated Mr. Harper to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.