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Today, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), the Chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations delivered the following opening remarks, as prepared at the start of the subcommittee’s legislative hearing to discuss various bills that would improve the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) systems and technology acquisition, fight against fraud targeting veterans, and promote accountability to ensure VA efficiently serves veterans and their families. A full list of bills on today’s agenda can be found here.

Good Afternoon.

Thank you to our witnesses for being here today.

I’d also like to welcome the Members present from the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, and the other members who have sponsored bills on today’s agenda, who will be joining us today.

Today’s hearing is about coordinating with other individuals who also care deeply about how veterans are treated, and who represent organizations with expertise on the proposed legislation on the agenda this afternoon. We will use the feedback and ideas they share with us to make informed policy decisions to improve the delivery of services at VA.

We have nine important legislative proposals to consider here today. It is important to note that not all of the proposals will move forward in the legislative process. 

The valuable insight provided by these members, stakeholders, and agencies is fundamental to the work of this Subcommittee.

During today’s legislative hearing, we will examine a variety of bills, including bills that impact VA’s systems and technology acquisition, pay, and accountability.

The agenda includes:

·         H.R. 984, sponsored by Representative Van Orden, which would direct the VA Secretary to cancel agreements with debt collectors to collect debt from veterans if VA determines the debt was due to an error.

·         The Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Calvert, would codify an office at VA that is needed to fight against scammers targeting veterans.

·         H.R. 3185, the Personnel Integrity in Veterans Affairs Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Franklin, would provide oversight bodies with the tools to complete their investigations into misconduct, and improve the federal workforce by requiring VA to make note in their personnel file if they resign under investigation.

·         A bill sponsored by Representative Gray, which would prohibit VA from collecting co-pays after two years if the delay in collection is due to VA failure in timely processing.

·         H.R. 3482, Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act, sponsored by Representative Barrett, would establish a program for VA employees to directly schedule healthcare appointments for veterans receiving community care.

·         H.R. 3455, Veterans Affairs Distributed Ledger Innovation Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Mace, would direct VA to conduct a study on the use of distributed ledger technology to modernize the claims process.

·         H.R. 3483, Forcing Real Accountability for Unlawful Distributions or the FRAUD Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Barrett, would direct VA to implement an information technology system to detect fraud, waste, and abuse in payment processing for community care payment submissions.

·         A discussion draft of legislation to improve the VA EHRM program.

·         And lastly, my legislation, H.R.3494, VA Hospital Inventory Management System Authorization Act, which would authorize VA to purchase or develop a modernized inventory management system for hospitals to effectively manage the crucial medical equipment and other assets needed to deliver first-class healthcare to our Nation’s Veterans.

I am eager to hear more from our members and witnesses about these bills, and I want to thank our witnesses again for being here today, and I look forward to our discussion.

I now recognize Ranking Member Ramirez for her opening remarks.