109th Congress Press Releases

President signs $3.2 billion bill enhancing veterans’ benefits and health care

Friday, December 22, 2006

Washington, D.C. — President Bush today signed legislation that will improve benefits and health care for America’s veterans and their families along a broad front. The legislation, S. 3421, the Veterans Benefits, Healthcare, and Information Technology Act of 2006, was pushed through the U.S. House of Representatives in the final days of the 109th Congress by Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.).

Buyer: VA information technology centralization helps veterans and families

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Washington, D.C. — House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) today hailed the decision by Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson to fully centralize management of information technology (IT) systems and security at the department.

Buyer offers congratulations to Representative Filner

Friday, December 08, 2006

Washington, D.C. — House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) issued the following statement in connection with the election of Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.) to be chairman of the committee in the 110th Congress:

Buyer hails ‘omnibus’ bill enhancing veterans’ benefits and health care

Friday, December 08, 2006

Washington, D.C. — Working until the final hours of the 109th Congress, the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs forged a $3.2 billion compromise “omnibus” bill, S. 3421 as amended, the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Improvement Act of 2006.  The bill, which passed the House today, enhances veterans’ benefits and health care, improves the ability of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to secure sensitive personal information, allows veterans to hire lawyers to represent them, and authorizes VA health care facility construction at sites nationwide.

Congress passes legislation to extend veterans benefits

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Washington, D.C. — This week the House passed H.R. 6342, the Veterans Programs Extension Act of 2006. Once signed into law, this bill will extend several existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits provisions.

Buyer to serve as Ranking Member on House Veterans’ Committee

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Washington, D.C. — Dedicated to continuing the work done during his two years as Chairman, Congressman Steve Buyer (IN-04) will serve as Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee in the 110th Congress. Once again, Buyer was elected by the House Republican Steering Committee to lead the Committee for the Republican Conference. The Committee has jurisdiction over the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), the largest healthcare delivery system in the nation. Buyer will also continue to serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.