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Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), delivered the following opening remarks, as prepared, at the start of the full committee’s oversight hearing to assess President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 and 2027 advanced appropriations budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with VA Secretary Doug Collins testifying.

Good afternoon.

The Committee will come to order.

Without objection, the Chair may declare a recess at any time.

Before we begin, I ask unanimous consent that all Members shall have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material.

Hearing no objection, so ordered.

Before I begin, I want to thank Secretary Collins for being here today.

This is your first time testifying before the Committee—but not your first time in this House.

So welcome back.

I want to ensure that we have a productive hearing today.

To have a productive hearing, I will ask that we all be respectful of other Members and the witness.

Let’s follow the House Rules on decorum.

We are here to review the Department of Veterans Affairs’ budget request for Fiscal Year 2026.

Let’s get right to it.

The President has requested $187.2 billion for V.A. next year.

That includes $134.6 billion in discretionary funding.

And another $50 billion from the Toxic Exposure Fund.

That’s an increase of more than 17 percent over last year.

It’s a serious proposal—and a clear reflection of the priorities of this administration.

While it seems there is not much common ground to be found in Congress these days, one issue does unite us:

The belief that V.A. should be fully funded to provide top-notch care to our veterans and their families.

House Republicans will continue to ensure that promise remains true.

While I am optimistic about the proposal so far, I am hoping that this administration can avoid the total chaos and financial mismanagement we witnessed during the Biden administration.

Despite receiving the largest V.A. budget in history, the Department reported an alleged shortfall late last year.

Not because of underfunding, but because of poor internal accounting and a lack of fiscal discipline.

And that’s putting it nicely.

Biden V.A. officials misused the hiring and pay authorities Congress provided.

Then, when the numbers didn’t add up, they turned around and tried to shift the blame.

They needlessly alarmed veterans and accused House Republicans of putting their care at risk—all while refusing to take responsibility for the decisions that got them there.

It was political theater at its worst.

And while doing that, the Department’s budget practices have become harder—not easier—to follow.

It makes you wonder if it was on purpose.

Key obligations were shifted between accounts.

Basic funding needs were moved around.

That’s not what Congress intended. It’s not what veterans deserve.

I would also like to take a moment to address the reorganization efforts underway at V.A.

Over the last few months, I have heard baseless accusations from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle about how the DOGE boogeyman and Secretary Collins are planning to reduce V.A.’s workforce by 83,000 employees.

This is simply not true.

As we have heard countless times from the Secretary, V.A. is currently reviewing its organizational structure to find reforms that best suit the needs of today’s veterans.

And, by the way, this review is long overdue.

The one recurring theme that we constantly hear from veterans in our hearings is that VA bureaucracy poses a greater danger to the health of our veterans than the illness they are seeking treatment for.

I applaud the Trump administration for conducting this necessary review to change course and ensure veterans have access to the care they deserve.

We will also hear from the other side that Secretary Collins refuses to answer their questions and will not communicate with Congress.

This is also not true.

On several occasions, the Secretary’s staff have come up to the hill to brief committee staff in both the House and Senate on the status of the reorganization efforts.

So, to my fellow veterans, when my colleagues try to catch a soundbite and tell you that Secretary Collins and the Trump administration are dismantling the V.A., do NOT take the bait.

I would also like to remind my colleagues about the lack of transparency under the previous administration.

Last Congress, our Committee sent countless letters and inquiries to Secretary McDonough that simply went unanswered or ignored.

In fact, when Secretary Collins took office, V.A.’s mailbox was full of our unopened letters and oversight requests.

That’s no way to run a department. And it’s certainly no way to work with Congress.

So, to my colleagues, I would say, those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

From my position as Chairman, I look forward to Secretary Collins’s efforts to restore transparency and accountability – because that makes V.A. work better – and I know he shares that goal.

Our obligation to veterans demands proper leadership in ensuring that this budget is applied to veterans’ care and benefits.

This is a more disciplined budget request—focused on delivery, not distraction.

That said, we know this is just the beginning of the process.

We still haven’t received the full, detailed budget.

And I, along with many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, have questions about how V.A. plans to spend these funds—and how those decisions will improve care for veterans and their families.

We’re ready to do our part.

We appreciate Secretary Collins for being here.

And we look forward to the productive conversation – not more fearmongering and political posturing – to deliver for the men and women we serve.

Ranking Member Takano, I now recognize you for your opening statement.