House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

WASHINGTON, DC–Today, the House of Representatives affirmed its commitment to America’s veterans by passing four pieces of legislation helping and honoring veterans of all generations. Legislation included fixes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill to keep student veterans in the school of their choice (H.R. 1383—as amended, 389-0); establishes a new process for the placement of monuments at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as enforcing the reservation process at Arlington (H.R. 1627—as amended, 380-0); imposes penalties for small businesses claiming veteran-owned status (H.R. 1657, 382-1); and reissues the annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment for veterans and survivors (H.R. 1407—as amended, voice vote). All bills were passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

WASHINGTON, DC–Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs favorably reported six pieces of legislation (H.R. 1407, as amended; H.R. 1484, as amended; H.R. 1627, as amended; H.R. 1383, as amended; H.R. 1657; and H.R. 802, as amended) for full House consideration.

WASHINGTON, DC–Today, the Subcommittee on Health met to review the Federal Recovery Coordination Program. The Committee heard testimony that even though more than three years have elapsed since the program was implemented, systemic shortfalls persist including a lack of overall coordination and collaboration between the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

WASHINGTON, DC—The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will hold a hearing on mental health programs available through the VA on June 14, 2011. Tuesday’s ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that cites “unchecked incompetence” by the VA in handling post-traumatic stress cases will also be addressed at the hearing. 

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled, “Reboot: Examining the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Strategy for the 21st Century.” Committee members hoped to receive a positive progress report from VA regarding IT improvements following recent increased funding and staffing.

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs favorably reported three bills to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The bills are expected to go before the Committee as early as next Thursday, May 12, 2011.

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity favorably reported four bills to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. It is expected the legislation will go before the Committee as early as next Thursday, May 12, 2011.

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs heard testimony considering seven pieces of legislation regarding Arlington National Cemetery, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims and appeals process, and the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act (COLA).

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing entitled, “Sacred Obligation: Restoring Veteran Trust and Patient Safety,” regarding the failure to act and haphazard notification processes on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) concerning medical sanitization processes at major VA facilities including those in Miami, Florida, St. Louis, Missouri, and Dayton, Ohio.

WASHINGTON, DC–U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller (FL-01), this week introduced identical resolutions in the Senate and House honoring the service and sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces who are deployed now or who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn in Iraq.

WASHINGTON, DC–Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a seminar entitled, “Educating the Financial Service Industry on the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and the VA Loan Guaranty Program.” The seminar was designed to educate attendees from the financial industry about the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and for participants to discuss best practices in outreach and compliance in an open forum.

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled “Inspect What You Expect: Construction Contracting Practices at the Department of Veterans Affairs.” The hearing focused on the practices used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) throughout the contracting lifecycle, including the transparency of the use of taxpayer dollars. 

WASHINGTON, DC—This week, Rep. Jon Runyan (NJ-03), chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) and subcommittee staff toured the Veterans Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Washington, DC—House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman, Jeff Miller, praised the fiscal year 2011 budget deal reached by House Speaker John Boehner and its preservation of critical funding for veterans’ programs.

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman Jeff Miller (FL-01) of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and Chairman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) of the Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity introduced H.R. 1383, the Restoring GI Bill Fairness Act of 2011 yesterday.

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held its first “Deconstructing the Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Planning” hearing to discuss the transition of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) construction planning process from a five-year to a 10-year plan.

WASHINGTON, DC –Members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity met yesterday to hear testimony regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2012 budget for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program.

WASHINGTON, DC –Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, chaired by Rep. Jon Runyan (R-NJ), held an oversight hearing entitled “U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs FY 2012 Budget for the Veterans Benefits Administration, National Cemetery Administration, and Related Agencies.” 

Washington, DC – Congressman Jon Runyan (NJ-3), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, visited Arlington National Cemetery yesterday to receive a status report regarding ongoing efforts by the Department of the Army to rectify mismanagement at the Cemetery, including lax management and oversight, damaged graves, and improper burials.  The Congressman’s Subcommittee has partial jurisdiction over national veterans’ cemeteries.

WASHINGTON, DC –Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, chaired by Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25), held an oversight hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) implementation plan of the caregiver assistance law.