Chairman’s Corner
Congress is back session, but the Committee was hard at work during our district work week. Rep. Jeff Denham, a member of the Committee, held a field hearing in Modesto, California, to discuss the role of Vet Centers within the VA system and reaching out to OIF/OEF veterans, while I had the privilege to visit with our troops in Afghanistan. Back here in Washington, we held a Full Committee hearing this week on VA’s ever-growing backlog of disability claims. It is imperative that we place the veteran and his or her needs at the center of our efforts to improve the system. To have 900,000 veterans waiting on their claims to be adjudicated is unacceptable. —Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Sequestration Update
Since last August, the Committee has sought answers about sequestration and its potential applicability to VA from the Administration, but to no avail. We remain committed to ensuring VA, specifically healthcare for veterans, is not subject to an indiscriminate cut next year or any year. If the Administration will not lead on this front to protect our veterans, Congress will. Chairman Miller has introduced H.R. 3895, the Protect VA Healthcare Act of 2012, to protect VA from cuts today, and in the future. To learn more about the legislation, read letters of support, and watch the H.R. 3895 video, click here.
Field Hearings
On Monday, April 23, Subcommittee Chairman of Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Rep. Jon Runyan will hold a field hearing in Toms River, New Jersey, entitled, “Discovering a More Efficient Process: Improving Timeliness and Adequacy of VA Compensation and Pension Examinations.” Committee member, Rep. Tim Walz will also be present at the hearing.
Facebook & Twitter
We take great pride in being accessible to veterans through all communications platforms. Therefore, to keep up-to-date with the Committee on a daily basis, be sure to “like” us on Facebook and “follow” us on Twitter. We post hearing notices, videos, and more to keep you informed about the Committee’s legislation and what we are doing to improve the lives of veterans.
Honoring the Doolittle Raiders
This past week thousands of people gathered at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton, Ohio, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. Only a handful of the original 80 members of the raid are still alive, four of whom were in attendance at the ceremony. To learn more about one of the most daring acts of American military history and its anniversary, click here.
The British Are Coming!
America has always been blessed to have strong Allies. Therefore, in the spirit of honoring our Allies, this year’s Warrior Games, hosted by the U.S. Paralympic Committee, at which wounded servicemembers and veterans compete in a week-long Olympic-style event, will feature U.S. wounded warriors competing against wounded servicemembers from Great Britain. To learn more about the UK Armed Forces team who will be joining our troops in Colorado Springs on April 30, 2012, click here.
Upcoming Committee Schedule
- April 23: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Field Hearing: “Discovering a More Efficient Process: Improving Timeliness and Adequacy of VA Compensation and Pension Examinations.” 11:00 a.m., Toms River, New Jersey.
- April 27: Full Committee Markup of Pending Legislation. 9:45 a.m. 334 Cannon House Office Building.
