Chairman's Corner

In wake of the President’s budget proposal for FY2013, the Committee will begin its due diligence to ensure that what is being asked for meets the needs of our veterans. In the current economic climate we are tasked with making sure that the resources given to VA not only improve the lives of ours warriors, but are also used efficiently. I remain engaged on the myriad of issues that concern today’s veterans, especially the potential for sequestration of veterans healthcare. I still have not received a sufficient answer from VA on sequestration, but am determined to get those answers for our veterans. Our veterans deserve better than to be left twisting in the wind, waiting for action from this Administration.  

                                     – Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

CHAIRMAN MILLER LEADS ON STOPPING VA SEQUESTRATION

Chairman Miller recently wrote two op-ed’s (in The Hill and Military.com) discussing the impact of possible sequestration on VA healthcare. Critical of the Administration’s failure to make a decision on whether or not veterans’ benefits will be exempt from a 2% cut, Chairman Miller also issued this statement.

COMMITTEE TARGETS VA FIDUCIARY PROGRAM

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (O&I) continues to provide invaluable oversight of VA and recently held a hearing on “Reforming VA’s Flawed Fiduciary System.” The VA’s approximately 95,000 appointed fiduciaries manage over $3 billion in payments, but the Subcommittee has uncovered systemic embezzlement and withholding of funds from veterans. To learn more about what the Committee is doing to protect veterans from these practices, please click here. 

TEAM USA COMES TO CAPITOL HILL

Last week, 2012 US Paralympic hopefuls came to visit the Committee. Chairman Miller, and several other Members of the Committee, were in attendance and had the opportunity to meet with these exceptional athletes, many of whom are wounded warriors. For more information on US Paralympics and meet TEAM USA click here, plus view photos of the event here.

HELPING FLORIDA’S VETERANS FIND A JOB

Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, will be hosting a Veteran Employment Fair in the Tampa Bay area tomorrow, February 24, 2012. With the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the local Tampa Chamber, the event will bring together more than 60 employers to connect with veterans, Reserve and Guard members, and their spouses. To learn more, click here.  

GOODBYE TO A GENERATION

Florence Green, the world’s last surviving World War I veteran, passed away earlier this month at 110 years old. In the summer of 1918, at the age of 17, Green joined the Women’s Royal Air Force. Last year, she became the last surviving person to have seen active service in the First World War following the deaths of British-born sailor Claude Choules and American doughboy Frank Buckles. To learn more about her life, click here.

UPCOMING COMMITTEE SCHEDULE:

·February 27: Health Subcommittee: Building Bridges Between VA and Community Organizations to Support Veterans and Families (4:00 p.m.)

• February 28: Joint House and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs: Legislative Presentation of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

Watch both live at Veterans.House.Gov, or comment on Facebook or Twitter.

To subscribe to this newsletter, or recommend to a fellow veteran, please click here. To unsubscribe, please send us an email at HouseVetAffairs@mail.house.gov.

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