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Today, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a joint hearing to hear the 2019 Legislative Presentation of The National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Fleet Reserve Association, Gold Star Wives of America, Blinded Veterans Association , Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Military Officers Association of America.

Below are Ranking Member Rep. Phil Roe's, M.D. (R-Tenn.) opening remarks:


Opening Remarks As Prepared for Delivery:

Good morning everyone, it is truly an honor to be here today with you, and with so many members of your organizations.

I didn’t see any attendance lists for this hearing, but just in case, I also want to acknowledge anyone in the audience who made the trip up from my home state of Tennessee.           

So, if there are any Tennesseans besides myself in the room, please stand or raise your hand and be recognized.

Thank you all for your unwavering commitment to serving those who have served, and equally as important, their families.

As you all may very well know, we enacted several monumental laws last Congress which will pave the way for a better VA.

I want to thank you, the leaders of your respective organizations, and your members across the country for their support in these endeavors.

However, Congress’ job does not end after the President signs a bill into law.

We must continue to oversee VA’s implementation of the laws.

We all share a common mission: to improve services and benefits for veterans and their families.

Members in both chambers have different ideas on how we accomplish that goal, but I want to share with you my priorities for this Congress. 

One issue that is near and dear to my heart is the fight for our Blue Water Navy Vietnam veterans.

Last Congress, the House did its job to fix and pay for this issue by passing the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2018, with a unanimous vote of 382-0.

Which is why I was so disappointed that this bill could not gain unanimous consent in the Senate last year.

Therefore, it is my fervent desire that this bill passes the House again and is taken up quickly by the Senate.

While I am encouraged by the Federal Circuit’s recent ruling regarding Blue Water Navy veterans in Procopio versus Wilkie, we cannot stop until these veterans receive the benefits they are due.

Another primary focus of mine will be to continue our work on improving the disability claims and appeals process.

Last month, the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, or AMA went live.

The AMA completely revamped the way appeals are processed at the VA and gives veterans choice and control over how VA handles their appeal.

I look forward to continuing to work with your organizations to make sure that veterans are better served by the new process.

Another priority of mine is strong, effective oversight of the VA MISSION Act.

I have said it before and will say it again –our efforts to improve how VA refers veterans to community providers is intended to supplement, not supplant, the VA healthcare system.

My goal has never been to privatize the VA healthcare system.

Rather, my goal is to make the VA healthcare system work better for veterans.

That is the purpose of improving VA’s community care program and the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission.

The AIR commission is intended to assist VA in modernizing and realigning its medical facility footprint across the country in order to meet the needs of veterans where they live.

I am confident that, once fully and appropriately implemented, the VA MISSION Act will lead to a stronger, more stable VA healthcare system that serves the needs of veterans and their families.

I am also proud of the work of the 115th Congress on the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017.

I assure you that we will hold the Secretary to his commitment that every veteran will receive the benefits to which they are entitled and will be made whole.  

We will also continue our oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017.

This law gave the Secretary tools to swiftly, and fairly discipline, senior managers and employees who engage in misconduct or are poor performers.

Individuals who rely on VA deserve no less.

Last, but certainly not least of my priorities, will be overseeing the Electronic Health Record modernization.

Without a doubt, the biggest risk right now with the EHR implementation is the persistent holes in coordination between VA and DOD.

I believe the special oversight that the committee has devoted to the issue is vitally important and I commend Chairman Takano for retaining the Technology Modernization Subcommittee that we established last Congress.

As you can see, there is a lot of work still ahead of us. 

I look forward to moving through these processes with your help, and more importantly, continuing our partnership to ensure VA provides the best possible service to every veteran.