House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Washington, D.C. — House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) testified today before the President’s Commission on Care for ’s Returning Wounded Warriors, co-chaired by former Senator Robert Dole and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala.  From his testimony, Buyer released the following statement:

Washington, D.C. — The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations at a hearing today heard testimony on internal contracting oversight deficiencies at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the agency’s efforts to improve those controls.  The hearing also focused on an analysis of how the system failed, and what can be done to safeguard against future illegal activity.   

Washington, D.C. — A House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing today considered the effects of lifting a 2003 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suspension on enrollment of priority group 8 veterans – those without service-connected disabilities and with sufficient income to presumably afford other health care options.  In January 2003, responding to excessive waiting times for medical appointments, the VA secretary exercised his authority under the law to temporarily suspend the enrollment of priority group 8 veterans.  The suspension remains in effect. 

Washington, D.C. — House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) today commended the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs on the passage of H.R. 2642.  The bill would provide a record $43.2 billion in discretionary VA funding for healthcare, claims processing, personnel, construction, maintenance and other associated expenses. 

Washington, D.C. — At a Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing today, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Deputy Secretary Gordon Mansfield defended the agency’s past award of performance bonuses to officials who in some cases presided over flawed operations that cost the taxpayers millions and may have endangered the lives of patients.   

Washington, D.C. — A Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity oversight hearing today on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) specially adapted housing (SAH) grants showed the need for increased grant levels to meet the requirements of seriously disabled veterans and their families.