109th Congress Press Releases

CHAIRMAN BUYER FIGHTS FOR SEAMLESS TRANSITION OF SERVICEMEMBERS FROM DoD TO VA

Thursday, September 29, 2005
photo Washington, D.C. — The Committee on Wednesday held its first in a series of anticipated full-committee oversight hearings focused on progress by the Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) in the seamless transition of servicemembers from active duty to veteran status.  

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TODAY HOUSE PASSES H.R. 3200 AS AMENDED

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House passed H.R. 3200, as amended, which will allow for the maximum coverage for Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) to be permanently increased to $400,000.  

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HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE EXAMINES HEALTHCARE SHARING BETWEEN VA & MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Charleston, S.C.— The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health held a hearing Monday in Charleston to assess progress made by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) as they jointly examine the possibility of developing shared facilities.

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JOINT LEGISLATIVE HEARING HELD TODAY

Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Washington, D.C.—Today the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs held a joint hearing to receive The American Legion’s Legislative Presentation for 2006.  The hearing gave the Legion's newly elected National Commander, Thomas L. Bock, of Colorado, an opportunity to present Congress with the Legion's top legislative priorities for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2005. 

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TRANSITION ASSISTANCE FOR NATIONAL GUARD DISCUSSED DURING HOUSE VETERANS’ AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING AT PEASE

Monday, September 19, 2005
Pease ANG Base, NH – Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a field hearing on transition assistance for servicemembers returning from recent tours of duty.  The Subcommittee, chaired by Congressman John Boozman (R-Ark.), received testimony on the New Hampshire National Guard’s model of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which offers career assistance and related services to separating servicemembers during their transition to civilian life.  Four members of the N.H. National Guard who have participated in the program testified at the hearing, held at Pease Air National Guard Base. 

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CHAIRMAN BUYER DEMANDS CHANGE IN INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE IMMEDIATELY

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Washington, D.C. —The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing today on VA’s information and technology (IT) reorganization and potential legislative solutions.  The Congressional Research Service provided general background and the legislative history of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the federal level.  Government Accountability Office (GAO) testified that the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 mandated that federal departments establish the position of CIO.  However, VA did not appoint a permanent CIO position until August 2001.  Gartner Consulting, a private contractor hired by VA to assess the department’s IT infrastructure testified on its findings and its recommendations regarding several reorganization possibilities. 

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Chairman Buyer, VA Secretary visit veterans and VA facilities hit by Katrina

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Washington – “We are in the relief effort, a moment that defines our heart and our leadership.  We encourage able Americans to open their hearts and homes. These are people who are feeling great pain and need our help,” said House Committee on Veterans Affairs Chairman Steve Buyer during a conference call this morning with leaders of the nation’s veterans groups, military associations, and veterans agencies of state and local governments.

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CHAIRMAN BUYER COMMEMORATES 60th ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD WAR II VICTORY

Friday, September 02, 2005
Today marks the 60th anniversary of the signal achievement of America’s greatest generation.  On this day in Tokyo Bay, 1945, the forces of Imperial Japan signed the surrender that ended six years of the global cataclysm known by history as World War II. 

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CHAIRMAN BUYER LAUDS VFW AND VVA FOR THEIR RELIEF EFFORTS TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA

Friday, September 02, 2005
Washington, D.C. — As Congress reconvened today to pass H.R. 3645, to provide $10.5 billion in emergency funds in response to the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, other organizations including Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of America are collecting donations to buy basic supplies such as clothing, food and building materials.

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