Monday, May 29, 2006
Washington, DC — America's military families today secured their peace while mourning the loss of a loved one with the enactment of H.R. 5037, as amended, the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, which prohibits disruptions of military funerals in national cemeteries. The bill was signed into law by President Bush minutes before he attended the Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Washington, D.C. — Memorial Day is our most important national holiday. In 1971, Congress established what began shortly after the Civil War as Decoration Day, a day when flowers were placed on the grave of fallen soldiers of both sides of America’s bloodiest conflict, as a day to remember those who made the fullest measure of sacrifice in all our conflicts.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Washington, DC – “We have a meltdown in VA’s information management,” House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) said today in his opening statement at a full committee hearing convened to examine the recent Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loss of personal data belonging to as many as 26.5 million veterans and some spouses.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Washington, DC - “I am deeply concerned that nearly 27 million veterans may be affected by a security breach that could compromise sensitive, personal information. I expect VA’s inspector general and the FBI to work closely together so that we can identify and eliminate the flaws that allowed this leak and prosecute any criminal acts. I know that VA is taking steps to notify veterans and provide help on consumer identity protection. The committee will examine this incident in the context of previous data compromises, to ensure that veterans’ information is safeguarded,” said Chairman Steve Buyer, who was notified of the incident by Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Washington, DC - Today, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 5385, the Military Construction, Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2007. The bill funds significant increases for veterans’ mental health programs.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Washington, DC - Chairman Buyer on Thursday attended a farewell ceremony at the Department of Veterans Affairs in honor of the Honorable Robert N. McFarland, who as assistant secretary for information and technology was instrumental in helping VA move toward a more efficient centralization of its IT infrastructure. Chairman Buyer released this statement:
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Washington, DC - On April 27, 2006, the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the Honorable Steve Buyer, initiated a bipartisan preliminary inquiry into contracts the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded to QTC Management, Inc., and the role of former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi, in QTC and any of its contracts with VA. The Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations conducted the preliminary inquiry.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Washington, DC - On April 27, 2006, the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the Honorable Steve Buyer, initiated a bipartisan preliminary inquiry into contracts the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded to QTC Management, Inc., and the role of former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi, in QTC and any of its contracts with VA. The Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations conducted the preliminary inquiry.
Monday, May 15, 2006
On Tuesday, May 8, on the Floor of the House of Representatives, I managed H.R. 5037, the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act that I co-authored with Mike Rogers of Michigan, to protect military families from demonstrations at VA national cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery, thereby setting the standards for decency so families may bury a loved one in peace.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Washington, D.C. — “How unfortunate that Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader, chose to play politics on the day of Sonny Montgomery’s death—one of America’s patriots, who dedicated his life to the men and women who serve in uniform and to our veterans. It is disingenuous that Nancy Pelosi and the liberal Democrats who sought to strip Sonny of his chairmanship in the 102nd Congress now claim to champion his causes.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Washington, DC - With the passing Friday of Chairman G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery, the nation has lost a great patriot, but has gained through his life a greater example of patriotism.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Washington, DC - The full committee held a hearing today to asses the VA’s major construction projects and leases as well as the process by which their projects are chosen and executed. Collaboration efforts between medical universities and VA hospitals were also discussed in regards to new national construction efforts.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Washington, DC - Today, the House passed H.R.5037, the Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act, which prohibits demonstrations at national cemeteries, as well as restricts any demonstration within 500 feet during the military funeral or memorial service, sixty minutes before and after the event. Families suffering the loss of a loved one will be protected from intrusive demonstrations such as protests, as they grieve. Military funerals at America’s national cemeteries will now be assured the respect and honor they deserve with this legislation.