VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ORGANIZES

FOR THE 109^TH CONGRESS

New Subcommittees to focus on veterans transition to civilian life 

Washington, D.C.-The House Veterans' Affairs Committee has organized for the 109^th Congress, with four new subcommittee chairmen and the addition of a new subcommittee to focus on veterans' transition to civilian life. Chairman Steve Buyer (IN-04) also welcomes two new members to the Committee.  

"This is an experienced and well rounded committee membership that will work hard to provide the most efficient and effective service to our veterans returning home now and those who have served our nation in the past. While a disabled veteran's life has changed, our responsibility is to see that they have the opportunity to live beyond government assistance.  The new structure will place greater emphasis on the importance in helping all veterans make the tough transition to civilian life," Chairman Buyer stated. 

The new Subcommittee will focus on assisting veterans' transition back to their civilian lives and will be named the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, chaired by Congressman John Boozman (AR-03). The Subcommittee will have jurisdiction over veterans' education, vocational rehabilitation, housing programs, readjustment to civilian life and servicemembers civil relief.  The new subcommittee Chairman, John Boozman, will have legislative, oversight and investigative jurisdiction over these issues. 

Congressman Jeff Miller (FL-01) will chair the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.  This newly named subcommittee will have jurisdiction over compensation, pensions, life insurance on account of service in the Armed Forces, national cemeteries, burial benefits and the Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims.  Congressman Miller has been a member of the Committee since his election to Congress in 2001. 

The Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee will be Congressman Michael Bilirakis (FL-09), who will also continue to serve as Vice-Chairman of the full Committee, a position he has held since the 108^th Congress.  The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations reviews the benefits and the health care services that the federal government provides to eligible veterans and family members.  It also oversees the programs and operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as those of other federal agencies that pertain to veterans.  A veteran himself, Chairman Bilirakis has served on the Committee since his election to Congress in 1982. 

Congressman Henry Brown (SC-01) will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, which has jurisdiction over the more than 1,300 sites of care, including hospitals, community and facility-based clinics, nursing homes, and various other facilities. During the 108^th Congress, Congressman Brown served as Chairman of the Benefits Subcommittee, which oversees $24 billion in veterans programs. Congressman Brown served as a member of the South Carolina National Guard from 1953-1962. 

The Veterans Affairs Committee also welcomes two new Republican members Congressmen Devin Nunes (CA-21) and Congressman Michael Turner (OH-03).