The U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) has oversight of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and works to create, review, and strengthen legislation on veterans' issues.  This includes veterans' health care, disability compensation, GI bill education and job training, home loan guarantees, life insurance policies, and national veterans' cemeteries.

I am proud to be a member of this committee and to represent the millions of brave men and women of Texas who served our nation in uniform.  Additionally, I sit on the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (OI) and the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA).

Click here for a list of organizations providing services to veterans.  Please feel free to contact my office with any concerns.

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Over the last decade, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has transformed its health care system into regional service networks that include over 600 health care facilities, medical centers, nursing homes, and community-based outpatient clinics that care for over 5 million veterans.

While the VA continuously strives to better its quality of service and opportunity of access, there are still several areas of concern that remain.  From new veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who needs physical and mental health services to those seeking assistance with health and disability benefits, Congress is working to provide the oversight and change to ensure every veteran receives the support they have earned.

In June of this year, I supported the Fiscal Year 2008 (FY08) Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill which includes significant funding for veterans' health care, support for military facilities and new measures of accountability for the VA.

Unfortunately, the President has yet to sign this important and critical legislation that will affect every veteran in America.  In addition to including the largest single funding increase in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration, this bill will:

• Significantly reduce the 400,000 claims backlog of veterans waiting for disability and other benefits by adding more than 1,100 new claims processors.

• Support critical maintenance of Veterans Affairs health care facilities.

• Establishes five polytrauma centers and three Centers of Excellence for Mental Health and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that will provide care for those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Direct the development and operation of a toll-free telephone and web-based hotline for veterans to report on deficiencies in Veterans Affairs medical facilities and care.

In addition to supporting this funding for our veterans, I have introduced legislation that would provide improvements and expansion of existing veterans programs.  In May, I introduced H.R. 2173, the Mental Health Enhancement Act, which increases access to mental health services for our veterans and returning soldiers.  This legislation would provide the VA with the ability to contract out to community mental health centers, thereby extending the reach of mental health services provided to those who need them.

In June, I introduced H.R.2689, which requires the Secretary of the VA to establish a program for OEF/OIF veterans and their families to assist in a smooth transition for the veteran back to civilian life.  This program would include: peer-to-peer outreach and counseling; mental health services; and the use of telehealth services to ensure rural veterans are covered.  The services proposed by my legislation were included in H.R. 2874, the Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, which passed the House on July 30^th.

America's veterans are our heroes and we must honor them with both our words and our deeds. I am proud to support legislation that will ensure our veterans have the resources and benefits they have earned and I am pleased with the progress Congress has made in aiding the well-being of our veterans.  I will continue to keep the interests of the nation's veterans a priority, both as a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Task Force on Veterans.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office