House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs Activities Report
Summary
House Report 117–688, the House Committee on Veteran's Affairs Activities Report, 117th Congress, 2d Session, ordered to be printed December 30, 2022. A letter of submittal dated December 29, 2022, from Chairman Mark Takano to the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Cheryl L. Johnson, submits a report on the legislative and oversight activities of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. The contents list the committee's jurisdiction, activities of the Full Committee, activities of the Subcommittee on Health and other subcommittees, the Women Veterans Task Force, and appendices on legislation that passed the House and public laws enacted. The Full Committee section lists business meetings and markups.
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“House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs Activities Report.”
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1
Union Calendar No. 504
117th Congress, 2d Session – – – – – – – – – – – – House Report 117–688
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON
VETERAN’S AFFAIRS
ACTIVITIES REPORT
Submitted in accordance with House Rule XI,
Clause 1(D)(1)
DECEMBER 30, 2022.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House
on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
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U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
50–177 WASHINGTON : 2023
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LETTER OF SUBMITTAL
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS,
Washington, DC, December 29, 2022.
Hon. CHERYL L. JOHNSON,
Clerk of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
DEAR MADAM CLERK: Pursuant to rule XI, clause 1(d)(1), of the
Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, I hereby submit to the
House a report on the legislative and oversight activities of the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs during the 117th Congress.
Sincerely,
MARK TAKANO,
Chairman.
(III)
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CONTENTS
Membership of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs ............................................. VII
Jurisdiction of the Committee ................................................................................ 1
Activities of the Full Committee ............................................................................ 2
Activities of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs 21
Activities of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity ................................... 29
Activities of the Subcommittee on Health ............................................................. 45
Activities of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations ........................ 57
Activities of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization ............................ 65
Activities of the Women Veterans Task Force ...................................................... 75
Appendix I: Legislation That Passed the House of Representatives ................... 82
Appendix II: Public Laws Enacted ......................................................................... 90
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(V)
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MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
MARK TAKANO, California, Chairman
MIKE BOST, Illinois, Ranking Member
(17–14) 1
JULIA BROWNLEY, California AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,
CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania American Samoa
MIKE LEVIN, California, Vice-Chairman JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire JIM BANKS, Indiana
ELAINE G. LURIA, Virginia CHIP ROY, Texas
FRANK MRVAN, Indiana TRACEY MANN, Kansas
SHEILA CHERFILUS-McCORMICK, Florida BARRY MOORE, Alabama
GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN, NANCY MACE, South Carolina
Northern Mariana Islands MADISON CAWTHORN, North Carolina
LAUREN UNDERWOOD, Illinois TROY NEHLS, Texas
COLIN Z. ALLRED, Texas MATT ROSENDALE, Montana
LOIS FRANKEL, Florida MARIANNETTE MILLER-MEEKS, Iowa
ELISSA SLOTKIN, Michigan JAKE ELLZEY, Texas
DAVID TRONE, Maryland CONNIE CONWAY, California
MARCY KAPTUR, Ohio
RAUL RUIZ, M.D., California
RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona
MATT REEL, Majority Staff Director
MARIA TRIPPLAAR, Minority Staff Director
1 On February 2, 2022, Representative Anthony G. Brown of Maryland resigned his Com-
mittee membership, including the Subcommittees on Economic Opportunity and Technology
Modernization.
On January 19, 2022, Representative Gregory F. Murphy of North Carolina resigned his
Committee membership, including the Subcommittee on Health.
On August 24, 2021, Representative Jake Ellzey of Texas was appointed to the Committee,
including the Subcommittees on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Health.
On February 2, 2022, Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was appointed to the Com-
mittee, including the Subcommittees on Economic Opportunity and Technology Modernization.
On June 22, 2022, Representative Connie Conway of California was appointed to the Com-
mittee, including the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
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(VII)
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Union Calendar No. 504
117TH CONGRESS REPORT
" HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES !
2d Session 117–688
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS ACTIVITIES
REPORT
DECEMBER 30, 2022.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State
of the Union and ordered to be printed
Mr. TAKANO, from the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, pursuant to
House Rule XI, Clause 1(D)(1), submitted the following
R E P O R T
JURISDICTION OF THE COMMITTEE
Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives establishes
the standing Committees of the House and their jurisdiction.
Under that rule, all bills, resolutions, and other matters relating to
the subjects within the jurisdiction of any standing Committee
shall be referred to such Committee. Clause 1(s) of rule X estab-
lishes the jurisdiction of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs as fol-
lows:
(1) Veterans’ measures generally.
(2) Cemeteries of the United States in which veterans of any
war or conflict are or may be buried, whether in the United
States or abroad (except cemeteries administered by the Sec-
retary of the Interior).
(3) Compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and education of
veterans.
(4) Life insurance issued by the Government on account of
service in the Armed Forces.
(5) Pensions of all the wars of the United States, general and
special.
(6) Readjustment of servicemembers to civil life.
(7) Servicemembers’ civil relief.
(8) Veterans’ hospitals, medical care, and treatment of vet-
erans.
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2
ACTIVITIES OF THE FULL COMMITTEE
BUSINESS MEETINGS
Full Committee Business Meeting—Organization of the 117th
Congress. On Thursday, February 11, 2021, the Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs met to formally organize the Committee’s member-
ship and to adopt the rules of the Committee for the 117th Con-
gress.
Full Committee Business Meeting—Subcommittee Assignments.
On September 13, 2021, the Full Committee met to formally assign
Representative Jake Ellzey to the Disability Assistance and Memo-
rial Affairs Subcommittee.
Full Committee Business Meeting—Subcommittee Assignments.
On March 17, 2022, the Full Committee met to formally assign
Representative Jake Ellzey to the Health Subcommittee and Rep-
resentative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick to the Economic Oppor-
tunity and Technology Modernization Subcommittees.
Full Committee Business Meeting—Subcommittee Assignments
and Reauthorization of the Women Veterans Task Force. On July
19, 2022, the Full Committee met to formally assign Representa-
tive Connie Conway to the Disability Assistance and Memorial Af-
fairs Subcommittee and to remove Representative Barry Moore
from the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.
The Committee also voted to reauthorize the Women Veterans
Task Force for the remainder of the 117th Congress.
Full Committee Business Meeting—Discussion of VA Facility
Naming Bills. On September 21, 2022, the Full Committee met to
discuss the rules process designated by the Committee regarding
VA facility naming bills.
MARKUPS
Full Committee Markup. On February 11, 2021, the Full Com-
mittee held a markup on A.N.S. to the Committee Print, to comply
with reconciliation directives included in section 2001 (k) of the
Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, S. Con.
Res. 5. The Committee Print’s Recommendations to the House
Committee on Budget, was ordered reported, as amended.
Full Committee Markup. On May 4, 2021, the full Committee
held a markup on the Committee’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Views
and Estimates Letter; H.R. 234, the Korean American VALOR Act;
H.R. 2911, the VA Transparency and Trust Act of 2021; H.R. 2195,
the Protecting the Employment Rights of Servicemembers Act; H.R.
1948, the VA Employee Fairness Act; H.R. 958, the Protecting
Moms Who Served Act; H.R. 239, the Equal Access to Contracep-
tion for Veterans Act; H.R. 2441, the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans
Mental Health Act of 2021; H.R. 2545, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to clarify the role of doctors of podiatric medicine in
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; H.R.
2093, the Veterans and Family Information Act; H.R. 2935, the VA
Beneficiary Debt Collection Improvement Act; H.R. 293, the VA
Hospitals Establishing Leadership Performance Act; H.R. 1257, the
Homeless Veterans Credit Act; H.R. 2704, the Improving VA Ac-
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countability to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act;
H.R. 2788, the VA Equal Employment Counseling Modernization
Act; H.R. 2429, the VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act;
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H.R. 2726, the VA FOIA Reform Act of 2021; H.R. 290, to amend
title 38, United States Code, to render an individual, who transfers
certain educational assistance, to which the individual is entitled
because of an agreement by such individual to serve in the Armed
Forces, to a dependent of that individual, and who fails to complete
such agreement, solely liable for the overpayment of such edu-
cational assistance; H.R. 2419, the Affordable Housing for Home-
less Veterans Act; H.R. 2494, to amend title 38, United States
Code, to establish in the Department the Veterans Economic Op-
portunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes;
H.R. 2082, the VA Supply Chain Resiliency Act; A.N.S. to H.R. 711,
the West LA VA Campus Improvement Act of 2021; A.N.S. to H.R.
1510, the Veterans Camera Reporting (VCR) Act; H.R. 2082, the
VA Supply Chain Resiliency Act; A.N.S to H.R. 1448, the PAWS for
Veterans Therapy Act; A.N.S. to H.R. 2167, the GI Bill NEED Act;
and A.N.S. to H.R. 2878, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
to carry out a Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Univer-
sities Pilot Program. The Committee’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget
Views and Estimates Letter, H.R. 234, H.R. 2911, H.R. 2195, H.R.
1948, H.R. 958, H.R. 239, H.R. 2441, H.R. 2545, H.R. 2093, H.R.
2935, H.R. 293, H.R. 1257, H.R. 2704, H.R. 2788, H.R. 2429, H.R.
2726, H.R. 290, H.R. 2419, H.R. 2494, and H.R. 2082 were ordered
reported, without amendment. H.R. 711, H.R. 1510, H.R. 1448,
H.R. 2167, and H.R. 2878 were ordered reported, as amended.
Full Committee Markup. On June 24, 2021, the full Committee
held a markup on H.R. 3967, the Honoring our Promise to Address
Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 and an A.N.S. to H.R. 3967. The
Committee ordered H.R. 3967 reported, without amendment.
Full Committee Markup. On July 28, 2021, the full Committee
held a markup on an A.N.S. to H.R. 4657, the Veteran Home En-
ergy Savings Act; an A.N.S. to H.R. 912, the American Indian and
Alaska Native Veterans Mental Health Act; an A.N.S. to H.R.
3856, to require the Comptroller General of the United States to
conduct a study on disparities associated with race and ethnicity
with respect to certain benefits administered by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs; an A.N.S. to H.R. 147, the Bringing Registered
Apprenticeships to Veterans Education (BRAVE) Act; H.R. 4673—
Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition (EVEST) Act; an A.N.S. to
H.R. 4626, the VA Assessment by Independent Measures (AIM)
Act; H.R. 4625, the VA Caregiver Transparency Act; and H.R.
4233, the Student Veterans Counseling Centers Eligibility Act.
H.R. 4673, H.R. 4625, and H.R. 4233 were ordered reported, with-
out amendment. H.R. 4657, H.R. 912, H.R. 3856, H.R. 147, and
H.R. 4626 were reported, as amended.
Full Committee Markup. On September 13, 2021, the full Com-
mittee held a markup on an A.N.S. to the Committee Print, to com-
ply with reconciliation directives included in section 2002 of the
Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022, S. Con.
Res. 14. The Committee Print’s Recommendations to the House
Committee on Budget, was ordered reported, as amended.
Full Committee Markup. On November 4, 2021, the full Com-
mittee held a markup on H.R. 1836, the Guard and Reserve GI Bill
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Parity Act of 2021; H.R. 3944, the Burial Equity for Guards and
Reserves Act of 2021; H.R. 5603, the Protections for Student Vet-
erans Act; H.R. 4591, the VA Electronic Health Record Trans-
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parency Act of 2021; H.R. 2250, the VA IT Reform Act of 2021;
H.R. 5721, the VIPER Act; H.R. 2916, the VA Medical Cannabis
Research Act of 2021; H.R. 5029, the Expanding the Families of
Veterans Access to Mental Health Services Act; H.R. 5516, the
VITAL Assessment Act; H.R. 5529, the Veterans Justice Outreach
Improvement Act; H.R. 5671, to authorize the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs to furnish seasonal influenza vaccines to certain indi-
viduals, and for other purposes; H.R. 2385, the Justice for Women
Veterans Act; H.R. 5562, to amend title 38, United States Code, to
expand eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing
home care from the Department of Veterans Affairs to include vet-
erans of World War II; H.R. 1596, the Commission to Study the
Stigmatization, Criminalization, and Ongoing Exclusion and In-
equity for LGBTQ Servicemembers and Veterans Act; H.R. 4845, to
amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Advisory Com-
mittee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Vet-
erans; H.R. 3730, to amend title 38, United States Code, to estab-
lish in the Department of Veterans Affairs an Advisory Committee
on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States, and
for other purposes; H.R. 5607, the Justice for ALS Veterans Act;
H.R. 5151, the Col. James Floyd Turner IV USMC GI Bill Transfer
Act of 2021. H.R. 2916, H.R. 3730, H.R. 4845, H.R. 5029, H.R.
5562, H.R. 5607, and H.R. 5721 were ordered reported, without
amendment. H.R. 1596, H.R. 1836, H.R. 2250, H.R. 2385, H.R.
3944, H.R. 4591, H.R. 5151, H.R. 5516, H.R. 5529, H.R. 5603, and
H.R. 5671 were ordered reported, as amended.
Full Committee Markup. On February 2, 2022, the Full Com-
mittee held a markup on H.R. 5575, the VA Nurse and Physician
Assistant RAISE Act, and H.R. 6411, the STRONG Veterans Act
of 2022. H.R. 5575 was ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 6411
was ordered reported, without amendment.
Full Committee Markup. On April 6, 2022, the Full Committee
held a markup on H.R. 5738, the Lactation Spaces for Veteran
Moms Act; H.R. 6961, the Dignity for MST Survivors Act; H.R.
2724, the VA Peer Support Enhancement for MST Survivors Act;
H.R. 7335, the Improving Military Sexual Trauma Claims Coordi-
nation Act; H.R. 6052, the VA OIG Training Act; H.R. 7277, the
Improving Oversight of Veterans Community Care Providers Act of
2022; H.R. 7393, the Improving VA Workforce Diversity through
Minority-Serving Institutions Act of 2022; H.R. 2428, the Strength-
ening Oversight for Veterans Act of 2021; H.R. 7369, the Veteran
Eligibility for Necessities to Undertake Rewarding Entrepreneur-
ship (VENTURE) Act; H.R. 6376, the Student Veteran Work Study
Modernization Act; H.R. 7375, to direct the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to update the payment system of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs to allow for electronic fund transfer of educational as-
sistance, administered by the Secretary, to a foreign institution of
higher education; H.R. 2326, the Veterans Cyber Risk Awareness
Act; H.R. 7158, the Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act; H.R.
5754, the Patient Advocate Tracker Act; H.R. 6064, to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement
with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medi-
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cine for a review of examinations, furnished by the Secretary, to in-
dividuals who submit claims to the Secretary for compensation
under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, for mental and
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physical conditions linked to military sexual trauma; H.R. 7153,
the Department of Veterans Affairs Principles of Benefits Automa-
tion Act; and H.R. 6604, the VETS Credit Act. H.R. 7393, H.R.
6052, H.R. 2428, H.R. 7369, H.R. 7375, H.R. 7335, H.R. 2326, H.R.
7158, H.R. 5754, and H.R. 6064 were ordered reported, without
amendment. H.R. 6961, H.R. 2724, H.R. 7277, H.R. 6376, H.R.
5738, H.R. 7153, and H.R. 6604 were ordered reported, as amend-
ed.
Full Committee Markup. On July 19, 2022, the Full Committee
held a markup on H.R. 8260, the Fast Payments to Veteran Sur-
vivors Act of 2022; H.R. 7846, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost of
Living Adjustment Act of 2022; H.R. 7299, the Strengthening VA
Cybersecurity (SVAC) Act of 2022; H.R. 8003, the Restore Veterans
Dignity Act of 2022; H.R. 8215, the VOICE Act of 2022; H.R. 6647,
to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improve-
ments relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive reimburse-
ment for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans
Community Care program, and for other purposes; H.R. 5606, the
Return Home to Housing Act; H.R. 5776, the Serving our LGBTQ
Veterans Act; H.R. 6823, the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community
Based Service for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2022; H.R. 3693,
the VA CPE Modernization Act; H.R. 291, the VA COST SAVINGS
Enhancement Act; H.R. 5752, the Emergency Relief for
Servicemembers Act; H.R. 7939, the Student Veteran Emergency
Relief Act of 2022; H.R. 7188, the Modernizing Department of Vet-
erans Affairs Disability Benefit Questionnaires Act; H.R. 7735, the
Improving Access to the VA Home Loan Benefit Act of 2022; H.R.
8313, the House Every Veteran Act; H.R. 5916, the Wounded War-
rior Access Act; H.R. 6671, to amend title 38, United States Code,
to ensure that a member of the Armed Forces, granted a general
discharge under honorable conditions on the sole basis that such a
member failed to obey a lawful order to receive a vaccine for
COVID 19, is eligible for certain educational assistance adminis-
tered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. H.R. 8260, H.R. 7846,
H.R. 8003, H.R. 8215, H.R. 6647, H.R. 5606, and H.R. 5776 were
ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 7299, H.R. 6823, H.R.
3693, H.R. 291, H.R. 5752, H.R. 7939, H.R. 7188, H.R. 7735, H.R.
8313, H.R. 5916, and H.R. 6671 were ordered reported, as amend-
ed.
Full Committee Markup. On September 21, 2022, the Full Com-
mittee held a markup on H.R. 6273, the VA Zero Suicide Dem-
onstration Project Act of 2021; H.R. 3793, the Supporting Families
of the Fallen Act; H.R. 8888, the Food Security for All Veterans
Act; H.R. 8852, the End Veteran Hunger Act of 2022; H.R. 8875,
the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act; H.R.
2800, the WINGMAN Act; H.R. 8510, the Strengthening Whistle-
blower Protections at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act; H.R.
5918, to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces
to certain contributions made by such members towards Post-9/11
Educational Assistance; H.R. 1957, the Veterans Infertility Treat-
ment Act of 2021; H.R. 4601, the Commitment to Veteran Support
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and Outreach Act; H.R. 3304, the CARS for Vets Act; H.R. 2521,
the Doula for VA Act of 2021; H.R. 7589, the REMOVE Copays Act.
H.R. 6273, H.R. 3793, H.R. 8888, H.R. 8852, H.R. 8875, H.R. 2800,
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were ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 5918, H.R. 1957,
H.R. 8510, H.R. 4601, H.R. 3304, H.R. 2521, H.R. 7589 were or-
dered reported, as amended.
Full Committee Markup. On November 16, 2022, the Full Com-
mittee held a markup on H. Res. 1379, of inquiry requesting the
President and directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to trans-
mit, respectively, certain documents to the House of Representa-
tives relating to wait times for veterans to receive primary care,
mental health care, and specialty care appointments at medical
centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs; H.R. 4772, the Mark
O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance Improvement Act. H.R. 4772 was
ordered reported, without amendment. H. Res. 1379 was reported
unfavorably, as amended.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Joint House and Senate Commit-
tees on Veterans Affairs Hearing to receive the Legisla-
tive Presentation of Disabled American Veterans and
Multi-VSOs’’
On March 3, 2021, the Full Committee held a joint hearing with
the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to receive the legislative
priorities of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Student Veterans
of America (SVA), Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), Military Of-
ficers Association of America (MOAA), National Association of
State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA), Minority Veterans
of America (MVA), and National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
(NCHV). DAV, SVA, BVA, MOAA, NASDVA, MVA, and NCHV pre-
sented their legislative priorities to the House and Senate Vet-
erans’ Affairs Committees for fiscal year 2021. There were two wit-
ness panels. The following witnesses from DAV testified on the
first panel: Mr. Stephen ‘‘Butch’’ Whitehead, National Commander;
Mr. Edward R. ‘‘Randy’’ Reese, Jr., Executive Director of the Na-
tional Service and Legislative Headquarters; Mr. Jim Marszalek,
National Service Director; and Ms. Joy J. Ilem, National Legisla-
tive Director.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Thom-
as A. Zampieri, Ph.D., National President, BVA; Mr. John Hilgert,
Director of the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs,
NASDVA; Mr. Cory Titus, Director of Government Relations for
Veterans’ Benefits, MOAA; Mr. Jared Lyon, National President and
CEO, SVA; Ms. Lindsay Church, Executive Director and Co-Found-
er, MVA; and Ms. Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer, NCHV.
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Joint House and Senate Commit-
tees on Veterans’’ Affairs Hearing to receive the Legisla-
tive Presentation of The American Legion and Multi-
VSOs’’
On March 4, 2021, the full Committee held a joint hearing with
the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to receive the legislative
priorities of The American Legion (TAL), Vietnam Veterans of
America (VVA), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Jewish War
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Veterans (JWV), Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH),
Wounded Warriors Project (WWP), and Iraq and Afghanistan Vet-
erans of America (IAVA). TAL, VVA, PVA, JWV, MOPH, WWP,
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and IAVA presented their legislative priorities to the House and
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees for fiscal year 2021. There
were two witness panels. The following witnesses from TAL testi-
fied on the first panel: Mr. James ‘‘Bill’’ Oxford, National Com-
mander; Mr. Vincent James Troiola, Chairman of the Legislative
Commission; Mr. Lawrence Montreuil, National Legislative Direc-
tor; Mr. Ralph Bozella, Chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Re-
habilitation Commission; Mr. Mario Marquez, Director of Veterans
Affairs and Rehabilitation; Mr. Daniel Seehafer, Chairman of the
Veterans Employment and Education Commission; and Mr. Joe
Sharpe, Director of Veterans Employment and Education.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. John
Rowan, National President/CEO, VVA; Mr. David Zurfluh, National
President, PVA; Mr. Jeffrey Sacks, National Commander, JWV;
Mr. Ernie Rivera, National Commander, MOPH; Mr. Michael S.
Linnington, LTG (ret), U.S. Army, Chief Executive Officer, WWP;
and Mr. Jeremy Butler, CEO, IAVA.
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Joint House and Senate Commit-
tees on Veterans’’ Affairs Hearing to receive the Legisla-
tive Presentation of The American Legion and Multi-
VSOs’’
On March 18, 2021, the full Committee held a joint hearing with
the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to receive the legislative
priorities of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
(VFW) and Multi VSOs: American Veterans (AMVETS), Fleet Re-
serve Association (FRA), Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. (GSW),
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and National Asso-
ciation of Black Veterans (NABVETS). There were two witness
panels. The following witnesses from VFW testified on the first
panel: Mr. Hal J. Roesch II., National Commander; Mr. Vincent
‘‘BJ’’ Lawrence, Executive Director—Washington Office; Mr. Pat-
rick Murray, Director—National Legislative Service; Mr. Ryan
Gallucci, Director—National Veteran Service.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Jan
Brown, National Commander, AMVETS; Mr. Michael F. ‘‘Mick’’
Fulton, National President, FRA; Ms. Nancy Menagh, National
President, GSW; Ms. Fawn Sharp, President, NCAI; and Mr. Rich-
ard Kingsberry, President, NABVETS.
Full Committee Legislative Hearing—‘‘H.R. 1273, H.R. 1355,
H.R. 1585, H.R. 1972, H.R. 2127, H.R. 2268, H.R. 2368, H.R.
2372, H.R. 2436, H.R. 2530, H.R. 2569, H.R. 2580, H.R.
2607, H.R. 2742, H.R. 2825’’
On May 5, 2021, the Full Committee met in open session for a
legislative hearing on the above legislation. The following witnesses
testified on the first panel: Representative Mike Bost (Illinois),
Representative Elaine G. Luria (Virginia), Representative Troy E.
Nehls (Texas), Representative Chris Pappas (New Hampshire),
Representative Elissa Slotkin (Michigan), Representative Raul Ruiz
(California), Representative Stephen F. Lynch (Massachusetts),
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Representative Bruce Westerman (Arkansas), Representative Lee
M. Zeldin (New York), Representative Paul Tonko (New York),
Representative Matt Cartwright (Pennsylvania), Representative
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Jahana Hayes (Connecticut), and Representative Gregory F. Mur-
phy (North Carolina).
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Ronald
Burke, Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Oversight, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Beth Murphy, Executive Director for Compensation Service, Vet-
erans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Ms. Patricia R. Hastings, Chief Consultant for Post Deploy-
ment Health Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Karl Kelsey, Professor of Ep-
idemiology, Pathology, and Laboratory Medicine, National Acad-
emies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
The following witness testified on the third panel: Mr. Aleksandr
Morosky, Government Affairs Specialist, Wounded Warrior Project;
Mr. Travis Horr, Director, Government Affairs, Iraq and Afghani-
stan Veterans of America, Mr. Shane L. Liermann, Deputy Na-
tional Legislative Director for Benefits, Disabled American Vet-
erans; Ms. Kristina Keenan, Associate Director, Disability Assist-
ance and Memorial Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.;
and Mr. James L. Price, Veteran.
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Joint House and Senate Commit-
tees on Veterans’’ Affairs Hearing to receive the Legisla-
tive Presentation of the Disabled American Veterans’’
On March 1, 2022, the Full Committee held a joint hearing with
the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to receive the legislative
priorities of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). There was one
witness panel. The following witnesses from DAV testified on this
panel: Mr. Andrew H. Marshall, National Commander; Mr. J. Marc
Burgess, National Adjutant; Mr. Barry Jesinoski, Executive Direc-
tor, National Headquarters; Mr. Edward R. Reese, Jr., Executive
Director, Washington Headquarters; Mr. Jim Marszalek, National
Service Director; Ms. Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director; and
Mr. John Kleindienst, National Director, Voluntary Services.
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Joint House and Senate Commit-
tees on Veterans’’ Affairs Hearing to receive the Legisla-
tive Presentation of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States and Multi VSOs’’
On March 2, 2022, the Full Committee held a joint hearing with
the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to receive the legislative
priorities of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
(VFW) and Multi VSOs: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
(IAVA), Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Vietnam Veterans of
America (VVA), American Veterans (AMVETS), the National Coali-
tion for Homeless Veterans (NCHV), the Service Women’s Action
Network (SWAN), the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), the
Black Veterans Empowerment Council (BVEC), and the National
Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA). There
were two witness panels. The following witnesses from VFW testi-
fied on the first panel: Mr. Matthew ‘‘Fritz’’ Mihelcic, Commander-
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in-Chief; Mr. Patrick Murray, National Legislative Director; Mr.
Ryan Gallucci, National Service Director; and Mr. Jay Hoffman,
Legislative Committee Chair.
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The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Jer-
emy Butler, CEO, IAVA; Lieutenant General Michael S.
Linnington, U.S. Army (Ret.), CEO, WWP; Mr. Jack McManus, Na-
tional President, VVA; Mr. Greg Heun, National Commander,
AMVETS; Ms. Kathryn Monet, Executive Director, National Head-
quarters, NCHV; Captain Lory Manning, U.S. Navy (Ret,), SWAN;
Mr. Joseph D. McNeil, Sr., National President, BVA; Mr. Victor
LaGroon, Director, BVEC; and Mr. Thomas ‘‘Tom’’ Palladino, Presi-
dent and Executive Director of the Texas Veterans Commission,
NASDVA.
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Joint House and Senate Commit-
tees on Veterans’’ Affairs Hearing to receive the Legisla-
tive Presentation of the American Legion and Multi
VSOs’’
On March 8, 2022, the Full Committee held a joint hearing with
the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to receive the legislative
priorities of the American Legion (TAL) and Multi VSOs: the Amer-
ican Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society (BA-
TAAN), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA); Student Veterans of
America (SVA), Military Offices Association of America (MOAA),
Gold Star Wives of America (GSW), National Guard Association of
the United States (NGAUS), Tragedy Assistance Program for Sur-
vivors, Inc. (TAPS), and Modern Military Association of America
(MMAA). There were two witness panels. The following witnesses
from TAL testified on the first panel: Mr. Paul E. Dillard, National
Commander; Mr. Lawrence Montreuil, National Legislative Direc-
tor; Mr. Ralph Bozella, Chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Re-
habilitation Commission, Mr. James LaCoursiere, Chairman of the
Veterans Employment and Education Commission; Mr. Joe Sharpe,
Director of Veterans Employment and Education; and Ms. Katie
Purswell, Director of Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Jan
Thompson, President, BATAAN; Mr. Charles ‘‘Charlie’’ Brown, Na-
tional President, PVA; Mr. Jared Lyon, National President and
CEO, SVA; Commander Rene Campos, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Senior Di-
rector, Government Relations for Veterans—Wounded Warrior
Care, MOAA; Ms. Claire Manning-Dick, Vice President, GSW; Brig-
adier General J. Roy Robinson, U.S. Army (Ret.), President,
NGAUS; Major Bonnie Carroll, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), President and
Founder, TAPS; and Ms. Jennifer Dane, CEO and Executive Direc-
tor, MMAA.
Full Committee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing
on a discussion draft, the VA Housing Loan Forever Act
of 2022’’
On December 14, 2022, the Full Committee held a legislative
hearing on the discussion draft of the ‘‘VA Housing Loan Forever
Act of 2022.’’ The following witness testified on the first panel: Rep-
resentative Jim Clyburn (South Carolina). The following witness
testified on the second panel: Mr. John Bell III, Executive Director
of the VA Home Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Admin-
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istration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The following wit-
nesses testified on the third panel: Mr. Richard Brookshire, Co-
Founder, Black Veterans Project; Ms. Mitria Spotser, Consultant,
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The Center for Responsible Lending; and Mr. Joseph Sharpe, Di-
rector of Veterans Employment and Education, The American Le-
gion.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Restoring Faith by Building
Trust: VA’s First 100 Days’’
On March 25, 2021, the full Committee met in open session to
allow the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to lay
out his priorities and goals for the Department. This hearing pro-
vided an opportunity for the Secretary present to the Committee
how he intends to lead VA in delivering care and services to vet-
erans now and in the future, while taking into account veterans’
rapidly changing demographics and the multiple large, ongoing
projects that seek to modernize the enterprise. The following wit-
nesses testified on the first panel: The Honorable Denis R.
McDonough, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Committee on Veterans’’ Affairs
Bipartisan Member Day Hearing’’
On May 26, 2021, the full Committee met in open session to re-
ceive testimony from Members of Congress on legislation and vet-
erans’ issues within the Committee’s jurisdiction for the 117th Con-
gress.
There were two witness panels. The following Members testified
on the first panel: Representative Peter Welch (Vermont), Rep-
resentative Robert Wittman (Virginia), Representative Rashida
Tlaib (Michigan), Representative Ashley Hinson (Iowa), Represent-
ative Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), Representative Brian Higgins
(New York), Representative Grace Meng (New York), Representa-
tive Michael Cloud (Texas), Representative Lizzie Fletcher (Texas),
and Representative French Hill (Arkansas). The following Members
testified on the second panel: Representative Derek Kilmer (Wash-
ington), Representative Fred Keller (Pennsylvania), Representative
Mikie Sherrill (New Jersey), Representative Brian Fitzpatrick
(Pennsylvania), Representative Michael San Nicolas (Guam), Rep-
resentative Andy Biggs (Arizona), Representative Brad Wenstrup
(Ohio); Representative Buddy Carter (Georgia), Representative
Vern Buchanan (Florida), Representative Warren Davidson (Ohio),
Representative Gus Bilirakis (Florida), Representative Peter Meijer
(Michigan), Representative Angie Craig (Minnesota), and Rep-
resentative Kaiali‘i Kahele (Hawaii).
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Investing in a Better VA: Exam-
ining the Role of Infrastructure in Veterans’ Access to
Care and Benefits’’
On May 27, 2021, the full Committee met in open session to con-
duct an oversight hearing to examine all aspects of VA infrastruc-
ture, particularly in light of the Biden Administration’s proposal to
invest in VA through the American Jobs Plan (AJP). Specifically,
the Committee examined three facets of infrastructure investment
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at the hearing: (1) physical infrastructure, which includes modern-
ized facilities that meet the changing needs and demographics of
veterans, information technology (IT), advances in research, and
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11
emergency preparedness; (2) human capital, which includes invest-
ment in VA’s clinical, IT, and management workforce that enable
it to expand and promote veteran-focused care and services, and (3)
systems of support, which includes investments in programs and
processes that ensure veterans can access VA no matter who they
are, when they served, or where they live.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Mr. Brett Simms, Executive Director, Office of
Asset and Enterprise Management, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Paul Brubaker, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Sec-
retary, Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Jessica Bonjorni, Chief, Veterans Health
Administration Human Capital Management, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the second
panel: The Honorable Anthony Principi, former Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs (2001–2005); Mr. Phillip Longman, Author, Best Care
Anywhere: Why VA Healthcare is Better Than Yours; Mr. Patrick
Murray, National Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars;
Ms. Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director, Disabled American
Veterans; Mr. Morgan Brown, Legislative Director, Paralyzed Vet-
erans of America; and Mr. Bruce Carruthers, Steering Committee
Member, Save Our VA.
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2022’’
On June 8, 2021, the full Committee met in open session to con-
duct an oversight hearing to examine the VA’s fiscal year (FY)
2022 budget and how the Administration plans to fund VA prior-
ities in the coming year and beyond.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: The Honorable Denis McDonough, Secretary,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Jon Rychalski, As-
sistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified
on the second panel: Mr. Richard C. Loeb, Senior Policy Counsel,
American Federation of Government Employees; Mr. Shane
Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled Amer-
ican Veterans; Mr. Roscoe Butler, Associate Legislative Director,
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Patrick Murray, Director, Na-
tional Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Mr. Joe
Chenelly, National Executive Director, AMVETS.
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Veteran Suicide Prevention: In-
novative Research and Expanded Public Health Efforts’’
On September 22, 2021, the full Committee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing to examine ongoing and new sui-
cide research and prevention efforts of the Veterans Health Admin-
istration.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Kameron Matthews, Assistant Under Sec-
retary for Health for Clinical Services, Veterans Health Adminis-
tration; Dr. Matthew Miller, Executive Director, Suicide Prevention
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Program, Veterans Health Administration; and Dr. Lisa Brenner,
Director, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and
Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Adminis-
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tration. The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms.
Tammy Barlet, Deputy Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign
Wars; Ms. Kaitlynne Hetrick, Associate for Government Affairs,
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Ms. Jennifer Silva,
Chief Program Officer, Wounded Warrior Project; Chief William
Smith, Chairman, National Indian Health Board; Mr. Nick
Armendariz, veteran; and Dr. Rajeev Ramchand, Co-Director,
RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute, RAND
Corporation.
Full Committee Roundtable—‘‘The True Cost of Our Promise
to Toxic-Exposed Veterans’’
On January 19, 2022, the Full Committee hosted a public-facing,
virtual roundtable to discuss the Honoring our PACT Act—Chair-
man Takano’s bipartisan, comprehensive legislation to address in-
service toxic exposures. The roundtable format consisted of opening
statements from the Chair and Ranking Member, immediately fol-
lowed by an open discussion guided by talking through each of the
seven titles of the bill one at a time, with designated VSO rep-
resentatives called on by the Chair and leading off title conversa-
tions.
The following individuals participated in the roundtable discus-
sion: Mr. Jon Stewart, Veterans Advocate; Mr. John Feal, Veterans
Advocate; Ms. Rosie Lopez Torres, Executive Director, Burn Pits
360; Mr. Patrick Murray, Director, National Legislative Service,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Shane Liermann, Deputy National
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Ronald
Brown, Toxic Wounds Consultant, Vietnam Veterans of America;
Lindsay Church, Executive Director, Minority Veterans of America;
Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director, Government Affairs, Wound-
ed Warrior Project; Ms. Jen Burch, Government Relations and
Communications Associate, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America; Mr. Advaith Thampi, Legislative Associate, The American
Legion; Mr. Cory Titus Director, Veteran Benefits and Guard/Re-
serve Affairs, Military Officers Association of America; Mr. Roscoe
Butler, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of Amer-
ica; and Mr. Jim Vale, National Service Director, Veterans Benefits
and Policy, Blinded Veterans Association.
Full Committee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Building a Better VA:
Addressing Healthcare Workforce Recruitment and Re-
tention Challenges’’
On March 17, 2022, the Full Committee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing on hiring and staffing challenges at
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This hearing exam-
ined the state of human resources management at the Veterans
Health Administration (VHA) and the extent to which VA is ad-
dressing longstanding challenges with clinical workforce recruit-
ment and retention that may impede veterans’ access to timely,
high-quality health care. The Committee evaluated the effective-
ness of VA’s recent reorganization of human resources staff, which
resulted in the consolidation of services at the Veterans Integrated
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Service Network (VISN) level, and the extent to which VHA re-
cruitment and onboarding actions are being completed in a timely
manner. In addition, the Committee examined the implementation
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of the ‘‘HR Smart’’ information technology system and the extent
to which it has helped improve VA’s ability to manage clinical posi-
tions and document various human resources transactions. Fur-
ther, the Committee also reviewed the Department’s progress in
validating existing positions, developing position descriptions, and
developing staffing models for each VHA occupation.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Ms. Gina Grosso, Assistant Secretary for Human
Resources Administrations, Operations Security, and Preparedness,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Jessica Bonjorni,
Chief, VHA Human Capital Management, U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the second panel:
Ms. Mary Jean ‘‘MJ’’ Burke, First Executive President, National
VA Council, American Federation of Government Employees; and
Ms. Irma Westmoreland, RN, Vice President and Veterans Affairs
Chair, National Nurses United.
Full Committee Oversight Hearing—‘‘U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2023’’
On April 28, 2022, the Full Committee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing reviewing the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs Budget Request for fiscal year 2023. There were
two witness panels. The following witness testified on the first
panel: The Honorable Denis McDonough, Secretary, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the
second panel: Mr. Shane Liermann, Deputy National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Tammy Barlet, Deputy
Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Mr. Morgan
Brown, National Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of Amer-
ica.
Full Committee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Examining Women
Veterans’ Access to the Full Spectrum of Medical Care,
Including Reproductive Healthcare, Through the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Ad-
ministration’’
On September 15, 2022, the full Committee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing on women veterans’ access to the
full spectrum of medical care, including reproductive healthcare,
through VHA. The Committee addressed women veterans’ access to
primary care, mammography, contraception, prenatal care, mater-
nity care, infertility treatment, care for pregnancy complications,
abortion care, and peri- and post-menopausal care.
There were two witness panels. The following witness testified on
the first panel: Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Under Secretary for Health,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Dr. Patricia Hayes, Chief Officer, Women’s Health, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Amanda Johnson, Director, Women’s Reproductive Health, Vet-
erans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
and Dr. Julianne Flynn, Acting Assistant Under Secretary for
Health for Community Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
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Department of Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified
on the second panel: Dr. Ginny Ryan, Professor and Division Chief,
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Wash-
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ington Medical Center Montlake; Lindsay Church, U.S. Navy Vet-
eran; and Kayla M. Williams, Senior Policy Researcher, RAND Cor-
poration.
Full Committee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Veteran Suicide Pre-
vention: Capitalizing on What Works and Increasing In-
novative Approaches’’
On September 29, 2022, the full Committee met in open session
to conduct an oversight hearing to examine ongoing and new sui-
cide research and prevention efforts of the Veterans Health Admin-
istration.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Tamara Campbell, Acting Executive Direc-
tor, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Matthew Miller, Executive Director, Suicide Prevention Program,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; and Dr. Lisa Brenner, Director, Rocky Mountain Mental Ill-
ness Research Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Preven-
tion, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the second panel:
Chuck Hoskin, Jr., Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation; Shauna
Humphreys, Director of Behavioral Health, Choctaw Nation; Jenna
Larson, Youth Services Coordinator, Aleutian Pribilof Island Asso-
ciation; Michael Blecker, Executive Director, Swords to Plowshares;
Wendy McClinton, CEO, Black Veterans for Social Justice; and Jim
Lorraine, President and CEO, America’s Warrior Partnership.
Full Committee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Fulfilling our PACT:
Ensuring Effective Implementation of Toxic Exposure
Legislation’’
On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, the House Committee on Vet-
erans’ Affairs met in open session to conduct an oversight hearing
titled ‘‘Fulfilling our PACT: Ensuring Effective Implementation of
Toxic Exposure Legislation.’’ The Committee assessed a range of
issues related to implementation of the Honoring our PACT Act, in-
cluding but not limited to clear and consistent application of new
presumptive illnesses, accurate and timely processing of disability
claims, information technology upgrades and automation of claims
processing, and implementation of new recruitment and retention
authorities.
There was one witness panel. The following witnesses testified
on this panel: Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Under Secretary for Health,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Joshua Jacobs, Senior
Advisor for Policy performing the delegable duties of the Under
Secretary for Benefits, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Guy T. Kiyokawa, Assistant Secretary for Enterprise Integration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. John W. Boerstler, Chief
Veterans Experience Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Dr. Michael R. Brumage, Deputy Chief Consultant, Health Out-
comes Military Exposures, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
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Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Robert T. Reynolds, Deputy
Under Secretary for Disability Assistance, Veterans Benefits Ad-
ministration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Tracey
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Therit, Chief Human Capital Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
Full Committee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Review of the Role of
VA’s Fourth Mission and Pandemic Response’’
On Tuesday, December 13, 2022, the full Committee met in open
session to conduct an oversight hearing examining VA’s fourth mis-
sion and pandemic response.
There were two witness panels. The following witness testified on
the first panel: Maj. Gen. (RET) Richard Stone, MD, former Execu-
tive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Paul Kim, former Executive Director,
Office of Emergency Management, Veterans Health Administra-
tion, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses
testified on the second panel: Dr. Steven Lieberman, Deputy Under
Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Tammy Czarnecki, Deputy As-
sistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Jane
Kim, Executive Director for Preventative Medicine, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Carla Boyce, Executive Director, Office of Operations, Security, and
Preparedness, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms.
Roselyn Tso, Director, Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.
INVESTIGATIVE HEARINGS
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Domestic Violent Extremist
Groups and the Recruitment of Veterans’’
On October 13, 2021, the full Committee met in open session to
conduct a two-panel investigative hearing to examine the nature of
the scope of threats posed by domestic violent extremist groups
which seek to recruit and radicalize veterans.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Mr. Joe Plenzler, Retired Lieutenant Colonel,
U.S. Marine Corps; Mr. Jeremy Butler, Chief Executive Officer,
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Dr. Seth Jones, Senior
Vice President, Center for Strategic and International Studies; and
Dr. Cynthia Miller-Idriss, Director of the Polarization and Extre-
mism Research & Innovation Lab, American University. The fol-
lowing witnesses testified on the second panel: Dr. Sam Jackson,
Assistant Professor in the College of Emergency Preparedness,
Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity, University at Albany; Dr.
Amy Cooter, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Vanderbilt University;
Mr. Oren Segal, Vice President of the Center on Extremism, Anti-
Defamation League; and Dr. Heidi Beirich, Co-Founder and Chief
Strategy Officer, Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.
Full Committee Hearing—‘‘Helping Veterans Thrive: The Im-
portance of Peer Support in Preventing Violent Extre-
mism’’
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On March 31, 2022, the full Committee met in open session to
conduct a two-panel investigative hearing to examine various risk
factors that place a small but growing number of military veterans
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at risk of radicalization and recruitment domestic violent extremist
groups and to identify and evaluate various civil society efforts to
combat violent extremism.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. John Horgan, Distinguished University Pro-
fessor, Department of Psychology, Georgia State University; Dr.
Pete Simi, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Chapman
University; Mr. William Braniff, Co-Founder and Board Member,
We the Veterans; Ms. Vidhya Ramalingam, CEO and Founder,
Moonshot; and Mr. Chris Purdy, Director, Veterans for American
Ideals, Human Rights First. The following witnesses testified on
the second panel: Mr. Chris Buckley, Veteran, U.S. Army; Ms.
Emma Jouenne, Director of Programs & Research on Extremism,
Parents for Peace; Mr. Joe Chenelly, National Executive Director,
American Veterans; and Ms. Sarah Streyder, Executive Director,
Secure Families Initiative.
ROUNDTABLES
Full Committee Roundtable—‘‘The True Cost of our Promise
to Toxic-Exposed Veterans’’
On January 19, 2022, minority members held a roundtable that
was open to the public regarding toxic exposure and costs.
Attendees included: Mr. Jon Stewart, Veterans Advocate; Mr. John
Feal, Veterans Advocate; Ms. Rosie Lopez Torres, Executive Direc-
tor, Burn Pits 360; Mr. Patrick Murray, Director, National Legisla-
tive Services, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Shane Liermann, Dep-
uty National Legislative Director, Disabled Veterans of America;
Mr. Ronald Brown, Toxic Wounds Consultant, Vietnam Veterans of
America; Lindsey Church, Executive Director, Minority Veterans of
America; Mr. Aleks Morosky, Deputy Director, Government Affairs,
Wounded Warrior Project; Ms. Jen Burch, Government Relations
and Communications Associate, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America; Mr. Advaith Thampi, Legislative Associate, The American
Legion, Mr. Cory Titus, Director of Veteran Benefits and Guard/Re-
serve Affairs, Military Officers Association of America; Mr. Roscoe
Butler, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of Amer-
ica; and Mr. Jim Vale, National Service Director, Veterans Benefits
and Policy, Blinded Veterans of America.
Full Committee Roundtable—‘‘VA Asset and Infrastructure
Review’’
On April 5, 2022, the minority members conducted a roundtable
to discuss VA’s recommendations for medical facility realignments
and closures and the forthcoming Asset and Infrastructure Review
(AIR process). Attendees included: The Honorable Anthony
Principi, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2001–2005, Chair of
the 2005 Military Base Realignment and Closure Commission; and
Mr. Darin Selnick, Senior Advisor for Concerned Veterans for
America, former Veterans Affairs Advisor, White House Domestic
Policy Council.
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Full Committee Roundtable—‘‘Improving Servicemember’s
Transition to Civilian Life’’
On June 16, 2022, the minority members conducted a roundtable
on making improvements of a servicemembers’ transition to civilian
life. The participants included: Ms. Binal Patel, Vice President, Act
Now Education; Mr. Michael Quinn, CEO, HireMilitary; Ms. Julie
Howell, Associate National Legislative Director, Paralyzed Vet-
erans of America; Mr. Darrell Owens, Director of Government Af-
fairs, America’s Warrior Partnership; and Ms. Brittany Dymond,
Associate Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of For-
eign Wars.
Full Committee Roundtable—‘‘Protecting Veterans’ Second
Amendment Rights’’
On, May 13, 2022, the minority members conducted a roundtable
on VA’s policy of reporting veterans, who have been appointed a fi-
duciary to manage their VA financial benefits, to the Federal Bu-
reau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background
Check System. Attendees included Mr. Shane Liermann, Deputy
National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr.
Alex Large, Director, Federal Affairs, National Rifle Association’s
Institute for Legislative Action; Mr. Advaith Thampi, Legislative
Associate, The American Legion; Mr. Bob ‘‘Shoebob’’ Carey, Execu-
tive Vice President, Advocacy and Strategy, The Independence
Fund; Ms. Tammy Barlet, Deputy Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Mr. Sherman Gillums, Jr.,
Veteran Advocate.
SITE VISITS
Alton and St. Louis, MO. From May 24–May 27, 2021, Ranking
Member Bost performed oversight visits of the Alton National Cem-
etery, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, National Cemetery
Administration National Training Center, St. Louis Regional Of-
fice, National Personnel Records Center, and the John Cochran VA
Medical Center. This visit was supported by minority staff mem-
bers.
Arlington National Cemetery, VA. On June 22, 2021, Ranking
Member Bost performed an oversight visit of Arlington National
Cemetery. The purpose of the trip was to tour the cemetery and
learn more about the Southern Expansion and revised eligibility
criteria. This visit was supported by minority staff members.
Columbia, MO. From July 14–15, 2021, Ranking Member Bost
visited with minority staff the Veterans United Production Facility
and Welcome Home homeless shelter in Columbia, MO. The pur-
pose of this trip was to review one of the top full-service home loan
providers and provide oversight over the Welcome Home homeless
shelter, where issues of GPD and COVID–19 impacts were dis-
cussed. This visit was supported by minority staff members.
Los Angeles, CA. From September 15–16, 2021, Chairman
Takano and Ranking Member Bost traveled on an oversight visit
to the Greater Los Angelos VA Medical Center and Riverside Na-
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tional Cemetery. Majority and minority staff supported this trip.
Issues covered during this visit include: new programs and initia-
tives regarding the caregiver and community care offices, homeless
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18
resources on campus, COVID–19 impacts, the performance of the
Cerner Electronic Health Record Modernization, and transition.
Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. From November 19–November
27, 2021, Chairman Takano led a bipartisan congressional delega-
tion (CODEL) on a trip to Okinawa, Japan; Seoul, South Korea;
and Taipei, Taiwan. In addition to Chairman Takano, Representa-
tive Colin Allred (TX–32), Representative Elissa Slotkin (MI–8),
Representative Sara Jacobs (CA–53), and Representative Nancy
Mace (SC–1) participated in the CODEL. Five majority staff and
two minority staff accompanied the delegation. The purpose of the
trip was to conduct meetings with military personnel and overseas
veterans, conduct oversight, and hold bilateral discussions with
international leaders on matters that are critical to our nation’s se-
curity and global cooperation. These issues include delivery of
health care for our military personnel and veterans and updates on
implementation of National Defense Authorization Act provisions
that relate to quality military transitions. In addition, the members
of the delegation spent Thursday, November 25, 2021, serving
Thanksgiving Day lunch to deployed military personnel at Camp
Humphreys, South Korea.
Arlington National Cemetery, VA. On June 22, 2021, Ranking
Member Bost, Representative Jim Banks (IN–3), Representative
Chip Roy (TX–21), Representative Matthew M. Rosendale (MT),
and Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (AS) vis-
ited Arlington National Cemetery. Minority staff supported this
oversight visit. The purpose of the trip was to tour the cemetery
and learn more about the Southern Expansion, revised eligibility
criteria, wait times for burial, and progress improving the condi-
tions of the horses in the caisson.
Tunisia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, and England. From May
21–May 30, 2022, Chairman Takano led a bipartisan congressional
delegation (CODEL) on a trip to Tunis, Tunisia; Vilnius, Lithuania;
Warsaw, Poland; Helsinki, Finland; and London, England. In addi-
tion to Chairman Takano, Representative Ed Case (HI–1), Rep-
resentative Brenda Lawrence (MI–14), and Representative Aumua
Amata Coleman Radewagen (AS) participated in the CODEL. Four
majority staff and one minority staff accompanied the delegation.
The purpose of the trip was to conduct meetings the military per-
sonnel and overseas veterans, conduct oversight, and hold bilateral
discussions with governments and international officials on matters
critical to national security and global cooperation. These issues in-
clude OCONUS cemeteries and memorials honoring segregated and
diverse members of the U.S. Armed Services, the delivery of
healthcare for military personnel and veterans, the status of refu-
gees, and the delivery of benefits related to overseas GI bill usage.
Richland, Walla Walla, and Seattle, WA. From July 5–8, 2022,
Ranking Member Bost traveled on an oversight visit to the Rich-
land, Washington VA community-based outpatient clinic, the Jona-
than M. Wainwright VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash-
ington, and the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle,
Washington. Minority staff supported this trip. The purpose of this
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visit was to observe the operational impact of the Cerner electronic
health record system (Richland and Walla Walla) and preparations
to implement the system (Seattle).
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Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio. From August 28–September 2, 2022,
Ranking Member Bost traveled on an oversight trip to VA facilities
in Davenport, IA; Iowa City, IA; Cedar Rapids, IA; Omaha, NE;
and Columbus, OH. During this trip, the Ranking Member visited
VA medical facilities and conducted listening sessions to hear first-
hand the experiences and concerns of veterans and VA staff each
of those three states. He also visited the Rock Island Arsenal and
University of Iowa’s Virtual Soldier Program in Iowa; homeless vet-
eran housing units, a veteran owned small business, an Army Part-
nership for Youth Success (PaYS) site, and the Omaha National
Cemetery in Nebraska; and the National Veterans Memorial and
Museum in Ohio.
Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Lebanon. From November 19–
28, 2022, Chairman Takano led a congressional delegation
(CODEL) on a trip to Rome, Italy; Nettuno, Italy; Amman, Jordan;
Kuwait City, Kuwait; Baghdad, Iraq; Erbil, Iraq; and Beruit, Leb-
anon. In addition to Chairman Takano, Representative Colin Allred
(TX–32), Representative Elissa Slotkin (MI–8), and Katie Porter
(CA–45) participated in the CODEL. Five majority staff and two
minority staff accompanied the delegation. The purpose of the trip
was to hold bilateral discussions with U.S. and foreign government
officials on matters critical to national security, global cooperation
and servicemember issues within the jurisdiction of the committee.
Stops explored the oversight of cemeteries and memorials, delivery
of health care for military personnel and veterans, updates on im-
plementation of NDAA provisions that relate to military transi-
tions, and delivery of benefits related to overseas GI Bill usage.
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ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON DISABILITY
ASSISTANCE AND MEMORIAL AFFAIRS
ELAINE G. LURIA, Virginia, Chair
TROY NEHLS, Texas, Ranking Member
ELISSA SLOTKIN, Michigan MARIANNETTE MILLER-MEEKS, Iowa
DAVID TRONE, Maryland JAKE ELLZEY, Texas
MARCY KAPTUR, Ohio CONNIE CONWAY, California
DR. RAUL RUIZ, California
GARY WOODWARD, Majority Staff Director
KATHERINE SMITH, Minority Staff Director
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LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative hearing on
H.R. 2568; H.R. 2724; H.R. 2800; H.R. 2827; H.R. 3402; H.R.
3793; H.R. 4191; H.R. 4601; H.R. 4633; H.R. 4772; a discus-
sion draft, to improve coordination between the Vet-
erans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits
Administration with respect to claims for compensation
arising from military sexual trauma, and for other pur-
poses; a discussion draft, the Restoring Benefits to De-
frauded Veterans Act; a discussion draft, the Justice for
ALS Veterans Act of 2021; and a discussion draft, to
amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the man-
ner in which the Board of Veterans’ Appeals conducts
hearings regarding claims involving military sexual
trauma and to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
to improve the language and practices of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs with respect to such claims’’
On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, the Subcommittee met in an
open session to conduct a legislative hearing to discuss the above
legislation. Many of the bills impact survivors benefits and burial,
while others cover VA life insurance benefits, military sexual trau-
ma claims processing and the fiduciary program.
There were three witness panels. The following witnesses testi-
fied on the first panel: Representative Elaine G. Luria (Virginia),
Representative Troy E. Nehls (Texas), Representative Mike Levin
(California), Representative Frank Mrvan (Indiana), Representative
Scott Perry (Pennsylvania), Representative Gerald Connolly (Vir-
ginia), Representative Cheri Bustos (Illinois), Representative
Jahana Hayes (Connecticut), Representative Antonio Delgado (New
York), Representative Elissa Slotkin (Michigan), Representative
Michael Waltz (Florida), Representative Chip Roy (Texas), and
Representative David J. Trone (Maryland).
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Dr. Nilijah
Carter, Executive Director, Pension and Fiduciary Service, Vet-
erans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Ms. Cheryl Rawls, Executive Director, Office of Outreach,
Transition, and Economic Development Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr.
Marsden McGuire, Deputy Chief Consultant, Mental Health Serv-
ices, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the third panel: Mr. Jeremy
Villanueva, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; Mr. Cory Titus, Deputy Director, National Leg-
islative Service, Military Officer Association of America; Ms.
BriGette McCoy, CEO and Founder, Women Veteran Social Justice
Network; and Mr. Derek Fronabarger, Government Affairs Direc-
tor, Wounded Warrior Project.
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Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing:
H.R. 1182; H.R. 1183; H.R. 5916; H.R. 6131; H.R. 6064; H.R.
6165; a discussion draft, to amend 38 USC § 103(d) to add
a new paragraph that would allow surviving spouses
who remarry after 10 consecutive years of receipt, or en-
titlement to, benefits relating to Dependency Indemnity
Compensation to retain 50 percent of the amount pay-
able under such provision and those who remarry after
20 years to retain the full amount; a discussion draft, to
amend title 38, United States Code, to update certain
terminology related to marriage under the laws admin-
istered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; a discussion
draft, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to cre-
ate fact sheets, for veterans and for survivors of vet-
erans, that compare benefits and compensation, to such
individuals under laws administered by the Secretary,
to monthly insurance benefits under title II of the Social
Security Act, and supplemental security income under
title XVI of the Social Security Act; a discussion draft,
the Modernizing Department of Veterans Affairs Dis-
ability Benefit Questionnaires Act; a discussion draft,
the Department of Veterans Affairs Principles of Bene-
fits Automation Act; a discussion draft, the Expediting
Temporary Ratings for Veterans Act; and a discussion
draft, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve
outreach by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to depend-
ents of deceased veterans, and for other purposes’’
On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, the Subcommittee met in an open
session to conduct a legislative hearing to discuss several bills.
Many of the bills impact survivors’ benefits and deported veterans
while others increase accessibility, automation, and financial infor-
mation.
There were three witness panels. The following witnesses testi-
fied on the first panel: Representative Mark Takano (California),
Representative Mike Bost (Illinois), Representative Elaine G. Luria
(Virginia), Representative Troy E. Nehls (Texas), Representative
Pete Aguilar (California), Representative Matthew M. Rosendale
(Montana), Representative Joe Neguse (Colorado), Representative
Marie Newman (Illinois), and Representative Frank J. Mrvan (In-
diana).
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms.
Brianne Ogilvie, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and
Oversight, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Ray Tellez, Executive Director, Office of
Business Integration, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the third panel: Mr. Mario
Marquez, Director of National Security, The American Legion; Ms.
Tammy Barlet, Deputy Director National Legislative Service, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars; and Ms. Candace Wheeler, Director, Policy,
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Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
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OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Oversight Hearing—‘‘VA Compensation and Pension Exams
During the COVID–19 Pandemic: A Path Forward’’
On March 23, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session via
Zoom to conduct a fully virtual oversight hearing to examine the
work that lies ahead for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
to take control of the compensation and pension (C&P) exam inven-
tory and bring the inventory down to pre-COVID–19 pandemic lev-
els. This included discussing the need for a detailed plan from the
Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) to show the Committee its
goals for reducing the C&P exam inventory, VBA’s plan to close out
Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommendations to pro-
vide better oversight of its C&P contractor vendors, and a discus-
sion about lessons learned and how VA plans to address future
spikes in C&P exam inventory.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Mr. David McLenachen, Executive Director,
Medical Disability Examination Office, Veterans Benefits Adminis-
tration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Toby Matthew,
Chief Officer, Office of Disability and Medical Health, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Brent Arronte, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits, Of-
fice of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Ms. Elizabeth Curda, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income
Security, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms.
Samantha Kubek, Coordinating Attorney, Veterans Initiative,
Legal Health Division, New York Legal Assistance Group; Mr.
Shane Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled
American Veterans; and Mr. Ryan Gallucci, Director, National Vet-
erans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Oversight Hearing—‘‘VA Appeals Program: Examining the
State of Modernization Efforts’’
On Tuesday, July 13, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open ses-
sion via Zoom to conduct a fully virtual oversight hearing to exam-
ine the state of the appeals program at the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA), particularly the organizational structure and perform-
ance of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. The Subcommittee in-
tended to examine three parts of the appeals program:
1. Workload and Performance, which includes managing the
remaining legacy appeals inventory while ensuring processing
under the new appeals system under the Appeals Moderniza-
tion Act is timely and provides quality decisions for veterans.
2. Human Capital, which includes maintaining a fully
trained workforce that is diverse and equipped to meet the
needs of veterans.
3. Technology, which includes investments in IT systems to
ensure proper tracking of workload and delivery of services
such as online submission of appeals, hearing support, and ac-
cess for representatives.
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The hearing meant to assess VA’s progress in these three areas
and determine what additional support may be needed from Con-
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gress to ensure successful resolution of the legacy appeals inven-
tory and maintenance of timely processing in the new appeals sys-
tem.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Ms. Cheryl Mason, Chairman, Board of Vet-
erans’ Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Ronald
Burke, Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Oversight, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
Brad Houston, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Office of Informa-
tion and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms.
Elizabeth Curda, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Secu-
rity, U.S. Government Accountability Office. The following wit-
nesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Shane Liermann, Deputy
National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ms.
Gillian Slovick, 2nd Vice President of AFGE Local 17, American
Federation of Government Employees; and Ms. Diane Boyd Ruber,
Executive Director, National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates.
Joint Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Supporting Sur-
vivors: Assessing VA’s Military Sexual Trauma Pro-
grams’’
On Wednesday, November 17, 2021, the Subcommittees on Dis-
ability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Health met in an open
session to conduct an oversight hearing to explore Veterans Health
Administration (VHA) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
policies related to the provision of services, programs, and benefits
for survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) and the extent to
which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ensures MST sur-
vivors are connected to available services while filing a claim based
on the impact of their MST as well as examine concerns on train-
ing, coordination, and processing of MST claims. This discussion
was an opportunity for the Department to update the Committee
on its progress toward addressing recommendations from the VA
Office of Inspector General (OIG), and to discuss any challenges VA
faces in this area.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Ms. Beth Murphy, Executive Director of Com-
pensation Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Cheryl Rawls, Executive Director,
Office of Outreach, Transition, and Economic Development Service,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Dr. Marsden McGuire, Deputy Chief Consultant, Mental
Health Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; and the Honorable Michael J. Missal, Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Shane
Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled Amer-
ican Veterans; Ms. Kristina Keenan, Associate Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Tracy Farrell,
Vice President of Connection and Wellness, Wounded Warrior
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Project; and Ms. Katie Anita Purswell, Director, Veterans Affairs
& Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion.
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Oversight Hearing—‘‘Honoring our Promise: Reviewing the
Effectiveness of Services for Survivors and Dependents’’
On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, the Subcommittee met in an open
session to conduct an oversight hearing reviewing the effectiveness
of services for veterans’ survivors and dependents. The Sub-
committee investigated ways to increase outreach and education ef-
forts, the quality of services provided, and areas for improvement
in the delivery of care and benefits to this cohort. The hearing took
an in depth look at the experience of survivors and dependents,
challenges to unique populations such as caregivers and members
of the LGBTQIA+ population, COVID’s continued impact on service
delivery, and discussed ways improve and increase collaboration
between administrations.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Ms. Cheryl Rawls, Executive Director, Office of
Outreach, Transition, and Economic Development Service, Vet-
erans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; and Dr. Nilijah Carter, Executive Director, Pension and Fidu-
ciary Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Kelly
Hruska, Government Relations Director, National Military Family
Association; Mrs. Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann, Deputy Director,
Policy, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors; Mr. Mark
Belinsky, Director, Currently Serving/Retired Affairs, Military Offi-
cers Association of America; and Ms. Pamela Laurion, Member-at-
Large, Gold Star Wives of America.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘At What Cost?—Ensur-
ing Quality Representation in the Veteran Benefit
Claims Process’’
On April 27, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct a joint oversight hearing with the Oversight and Investiga-
tions Subcommittee entitled, ‘‘At What Cost—Ensuring Quality
Representation in the Veteran Benefit Claims Process.’’ The hear-
ing examined administration and oversight of the VA Accredita-
tion, Discipline, & Fees Program for agents, attorneys, and Vet-
erans Service Organization (VSO) representatives who assist vet-
erans in applying for VA benefits; systems in place for receiving,
investigating, and adjudicating complaints about unaccredited
claims representatives; and efforts to make veterans more aware of
the resources that are available to help them navigate the VA ben-
efit claims process.
There were two witness panels: The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Mr. Richard Hipolit, Deputy General Counsel for
Veterans Programs, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Christa Shriber, Deputy Chief Counsel,
Benefits Law Group, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs. The following witness testified on the second
panel: Mr. Ryan Gallucci, Director, National Veterans Service, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Marty Callaghan, Deputy Director of
Benefits & Claims Services, The American Legion; Ms. Diane Boyd
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Rauber, Executive Director, National Organization of Veterans’ Ad-
vocates; Lieutenant Colonel William Taylor, U.S. Army (Ret.), Co-
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Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Veterans Guardian VA Claim
Consulting, LLC; and Mr. Evan Seamone, Legal Manager/General
Counsel, Trajector, Inc.
SITE VISITS
Arlington National Cemetery, VA. On September 3, 2021, major-
ity and minority staff conducted a site visit to Arlington National
Cemetery. Staff met with ANC leadership and took a tour of the
facilities, including the Chaplains Memorial. The visit followed dis-
cussions with VSOs about concerns regarding changes to eligibility
criteria as well as efforts from advocates to allow recent names to
be added to the Chaplains Memorial. ANC leadership spoke at
large about why they felt these new restrictions kept ANC thriving
and relevant and spoke strongly against the option of a ‘‘second Ar-
lington.’’
Baltimore, MD. On October 15, 2021, majority and minority staff
conducted a site visit to the Baltimore National Veterans Cemetery
and the Baltimore VA Regional Office. Staff met with Mr. Elberto
Scott, Management Analyst, Baltimore National Cemetery, who
discussed the history, workload, significance to the community, sat-
ellite Cemeteries, and improvement projects. Staff were then given
a tour of the facilities including the gravesite of Ms. Deloris Louise
Ruddock, newly implemented committal shelter, Section O (His-
tory), and Columbarium Wall/Section Q (Cremated Interments).
Following lunch, Staff toured the RO facility and met with RO
leadership and held virtual sessions with non-supervisory RO
claims processors, MST coordinators, coaches, and the local union
representative.
Winston-Salem, NC. On November 8–9, 2021, minority staff con-
ducted a site visit to the Winston-Salem Regional Benefits Office.
The purpose of this travel was to conduct oversight of the Regional
Office.
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. On March 15, 2022, ma-
jority and minority HVAC, SVAC, & CRS staff conducted a sight
visit to Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of the travel was
to visit the DoD-related components in the provision of military
honors for burials.
Quantico, VA. On May 5, 2022, minority staff conducted an over-
sight visit to Marine Corps Base Quantico. The purpose of this trip
was to gain an understanding of the Wounded Warrior Regiment.
Additionally, minority staff conducted an oversight visit of the
Quantico National Cemetery to learn more about utilization of bur-
ial benefits in the capital region.
Riverside National Cemetery, California. On August 18, 2022,
majority staff visited Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside,
California. This visit was conducted to tour the largest cemetery
operated by VA for a broad overview of cemetery operations, gain
insight into expansion plans, learn of cemetery needs, and view the
many memorials that are hosted at the facility. Further discussion
was held with cemetery staff about the relationship with the Uni-
versity of California-Riverside, which had a contract with the NCA
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Veterans Legacy Project between 2018 and 2020. A conversation
was also held regarding a Congressional inquiry forwarded to the
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28
Committee about accessibility concerns relating to the immediate
exterior and the entrance of the cemetery.
Houston, TX. On September 19–20, 2022, minority staff attended
the VBA Senior leadership symposium in Houston, TX. The pur-
pose of this travel was to attend the conference with VBA and RO
leadership to learn more about the implementation of the PACT
Act.
Boise, ID. On October 26–28, minority staff conducted an over-
sight visit to the Boise Regional Office and the Boise VAMC. The
purpose of this trip was to conduct oversight of the Boise Regional
Office and learn more about the progress of the automation pilot.
Baltimore, MD. On Tuesday, December 13–14, 2022, minority
staff attended the VBA PACT Act Offsite in Baltimore, MD. The
purpose of this trip was to learn about the implementation of the
PACT Act and the training of claims processors.
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ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY
MIKE LEVIN, California, Chairman
BARRY MOORE, Alabama, Ranking Member
CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire TRACEY MANN, Kansas
SHEILA CHERFILUS MCCORMICK, Florida NANCY MACE, South Carolina
DAVID TRONE, Maryland MADISON CAWTHORN, North Carolina
RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona
JUSTIN VOGT, Majority Staff Director
JON CLARK, Minority Staff Director
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30
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative hearing on
H.R. 147; H.R. 2195; a discussion draft, to amend title 38,
United States Code, to improve the accuracy of mort-
gage underwriting for home loans guaranteed by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs by ensuring that energy
costs are included in the underwriting process, and for
other purposes; a discussion draft, to direct the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a study on the ef-
fect of financial and credit counseling for homeless vet-
erans and veterans experiencing housing instability; a
discussion draft, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs to carry out a Native VetSuccess on Tribal Colleges
and Universities Pilot Program; a discussion draft, to
amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for exten-
sions of time limitations for use of entitlement under
Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance
programs by reason of school closures due to emergency
and other situations, and for other purposes; a discus-
sion draft, to amend title 38, United States Code, to re-
quire the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make avail-
able to veterans certain additional information about
postsecondary educational institutions, and for other
purposes; a discussion draft, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs to provide or assist in providing an additional ve-
hicle adapted for operation by disabled individuals to
certain eligible persons, and for other purposes; a dis-
cussion draft, to amend title 38, United States Code, to
provide educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Edu-
cational Assistance Program of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs to students who are rounding out during
their final semester, term, or academic period, and for
other purposes; a discussion draft, the Affordable Hous-
ing for Homeless Veterans Act of 2021; a discussion
draft, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide
for the disapproval by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
of courses of education offered by public institutions of
higher learning that do not charge veterans the in-State
tuition rate for purpose of Survivors’ and Dependents’
Educational Assistance Program; a discussion draft, to
increase the amount authorized to be appropriated for
the high technology pilot program of the Department of
Veterans Affairs; a discussion draft, to direct the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to implement a modern infor-
mation technology service to process claims for edu-
cational assistance under chapters 30, 33, 35, and 36 of
title 38, United States Code; a discussion draft, to direct
the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employ-
ment and Training to carry out a pilot program on
short-term fellowships programs for veterans; a discus-
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sion draft, to amend title 38, United States Code, to es-
tablish in the Department of Veterans Economic Oppor-
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31
tunity and Transition Administration, and for other pur-
poses; a discussion draft, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to eliminate the time period for eligibility
under Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assist-
ance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.’’
On Wednesday, April 14, 2021, via the Zoom meeting platform,
the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a legislative hear-
ing on the above bills. There were three witness panels. The fol-
lowing witnesses testified on the first panel: Representative Ruben
Gallego (Arizona), Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas), Rep-
resentative Mikie Sherrill (New Jersey), Representative Nancy
Mace (South Carolina), Representative Madison Cawthorn (North
Carolina), Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA–2), and
Representative Brad R. Wenstrup (Ohio).
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms.
Kaitlynne Hetrick, Associate, Government Affairs, Iraq and Af-
ghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Justin Hauschild, Legal Fel-
low, Student Veterans of America; Ms. Maureen Elias, Associate
Legislative Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans
of America; Ms. Ashlynne Haycock, Deputy Director, Policy and
Legislation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors; and Mr.
Matthew Doyle, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars.
The following witnesses testified on the third panel: Mr. Mike
Freuh, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
James Ruhlman, Deputy Director for Program Management, Edu-
cation Service, Veterans Benefits Administration; and Mr. Michael
W. Fisher, MSW, Chief Readjustment Counseling Officer, Readjust-
ment Counseling Service, 10RCS, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on
a discussion draft, to amend title 38, United States Code,
to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay to cer-
tain veterans, who receive certain educational assist-
ance furnished by the Secretary, a weekly stipend for
child care services; H.R. 5025, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to increase and extend the authorization of
appropriations for homeless veterans reintegration pro-
grams; a discussion draft, to amend the Servicemembers
Civil Relief Act to establish protections under that Act
for a member of the Armed Forces who leaves a course
of education, paid for with certain educational assist-
ance, to perform certain service; a discussion draft, to
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report on the
Warrior Training Advancement Course of the Veterans
Benefit Administration; a discussion draft, to amend
title 38, United States Code, to extend eligibility for a
certain work-study allowance paid by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to certain individuals who pursue pro-
grams of rehabilitation, education, or training on at
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least a half-time basis; a discussion draft regarding
homeless grants; a discussion draft, to direct the Sec-
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32
retary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program
on grants for care for elderly homeless veterans, and for
other purposes; a discussion draft, to extend the delim-
iting period for certain individuals to use educational
assistance benefits administered by the Department of
Veterans Affairs; a discussion draft, to direct the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program
on substance use and alcohol use disorder recovery for
homeless veterans, and for other purposes; a discussion
draft, to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide technical assist-
ance to recipients of grants for supportive services for
very low-income families in permanent housing and
comprehensive service programs, and for other pur-
poses; a discussion draft, to amend title 38, United
States Code, to adjust the rate of per diem payments
provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to grant-
ees that provide services to homeless veterans; a discus-
sion draft, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
submit to Congress a report on the shallow subsidy pro-
gram under the supportive services for veteran families
program, and for other purposes; a discussion draft, to
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a
pilot program to improve public transportation services
for veterans; a discussion draft, the Col. James Floyd
Turner IV USMC GI Bill Transfer Act of 2021; H.R. 4874,
to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain
improvements to the use of educational assistance pro-
vided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for flight
training programs; a discussion draft, to amend title 38,
United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for
certain contributions made by such members towards
Post-9/11 Educational Assistance; a discussion draft, to
amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the use
of entitlement to educational assistance under the Sur-
vivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Pro-
gram for secondary school education; a discussion draft,
the Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act of 2021.’’
On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, via the Zoom meeting plat-
form, the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a legislative
hearing on the above bills. There were three witness panels. The
following witnesses testified for the first panel: Representative An-
thony Brown (Maryland), Representative Joe Neguse (Colorado),
Representative Marilyn Strickland (Washington), Representative
Nikema Williams (Georgia), Representative Gus Bilirakis (Florida),
and Representative Madison Cawthorn (North Carolina).
The following witnesses testified for the second panel: Mr. Ron
Burke, Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Oversight, Veteran
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Ms. Monica Diaz, Executive Director, Homeless Programs Office,
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Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs.
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The following witnesses testified for the the third panel: Mr. An-
thony (Tony) Lewis, Associate National Legislative Director; Dis-
abled American Veterans; Ms. Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Of-
ficer, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans; Ms. Lauren Augus-
tine, Vice President of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of
America; Ms. Ashlynne Haycock, Deputy Director, Policy and Leg-
islation; Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors, Mr. David
Proferes, Education and Credentialing Policy Associate, The Amer-
ican Legion; and Mr. Lawrence Guzman Romo, National Com-
mander, American GI Forum.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on
a discussion draft, to amend title 38, United States Code,
to permanently authorize the use of certain funds to im-
prove flexibility in the provision of assistance to home-
less veterans, and for other purposes; a discussion draft,
the Veteran Health Transition Training Act; a discus-
sion draft, to make permanent certain educational as-
sistance benefits under the laws administered by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs in the case of changes to
courses of education by reason of emergency situations,
and for other purposes; a discussion draft, to amend
title 38, United States Code, to ensure that a member of
the Armed Forces, granted a general discharge under
honorable conditions on the sole basis that such mem-
ber failed to obey a lawful order to receive a vaccine for
COVID–19, is eligible for certain educational assistance
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; a dis-
cussion draft, to amend title 38, United States Code, and
the United States Housing Act of 1937, to make certain
improvements to the supported housing program for
veterans commonly known as ‘‘HUD–VASH;’’ a discus-
sion draft, the VA Home Loan Transparency and Con-
sumer Protection Act of 2022; a discussion draft, to
amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the eligi-
bility of veterans who may receive self-employment as-
sistance under the Veteran Readiness and Employment
program of the Department of Veterans Affairs; a discus-
sion draft, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
update the payment system of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs to allow for electronic fund transfer of
educational assistance, administered by the Secretary,
to a foreign institution of higher education; a discussion
draft, to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide
for requirements relating to the approval and dis-
approval of courses of education for purposes of the
educational assistance programs of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; a discussion
draft, the Quality Education for Veterans Act of 2022;
H.R. 6458; H.R. 6604.’’
On March 16, 2022, the Subcommittee held a hybrid legislative
hearing on the above bills. There were two witness panels. The fol-
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lowing witnesses testified on the first panel: Ms. Brianne Ogilvie,
Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Oversight, Vet-
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erans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Mr. Ricardo Da Silva, Program Integration Officer, Education
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs; and Ms. Monica Diaz, Executive Director, Homeless
Programs Office, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. David
Case, Deputy Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Steve Berg, Vice Presi-
dent for Programs and Policy, National Alliance to End Homeless-
ness; Mr. Justin Hauschild, Policy Counsel, Student Veterans of
America; Mr. Shane Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Direc-
tor, Disabled American Veterans; and Mr. Dedrick Asante-Muham-
mad, Chief of Membership, Policy, and Equity, National Commu-
nity Reinvestment Coalition.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on
H.R. 3950; H.R. 6124; a discussion draft, the Tiny Homes
for Homeless Veterans Act; a discussion draft, to amend
Title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs an Office of Food Insecurity,
and for other purposes; a discussion draft, to amend
Title 38, United States Code, to extend certain Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs programs for homeless vet-
erans; a discussion draft, to amend Title 38, United
States Code, to expand eligibility for, and extend au-
thorization of, certain programs for homeless veterans;
a discussion draft, to amend Title 38, United States
Code, to extend authority for supportive services for
very low-income veteran families in permanent housing;
a discussion draft, to amend Title 38, United States
Code, to extend Department of Veterans Affairs assist-
ance for individuals residing temporarily in housing
owned by a family member; a discussion draft, the
Emergency Relief for Servicemembers Act; a discussion
draft, the Building Credit Access for Veterans Act of
2022; a discussion draft, to expand and improve the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs COVID–19 veteran rapid
retraining assistance programs and high technology
pilot programs, and for other purposes; a discussion
draft, the Empowering Veterans Against Cyberthreats
Act of 2022; H.R. 2650; H.R. 4702; a discussion draft, the
Improving the VA Home Loan Benefit Act of 2022; a dis-
cussion draft, to amend Title 38, United States Code, to
provide for the eligibility of educational assistance
under the Department of Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 Edu-
cational Assistance Program of certain individuals who
receive sole survivorship discharges, and for other pur-
poses; a discussion draft, to direct the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with an
entity to carry out a pilot program under which such
entity shall connect homeless veterans to a network of
supportive services, and for other purposes; a discussion
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draft, to amend Title 38, United States Code, to provide
for the approval of certain study-abroad programs for
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purposes of the educational assistance programs of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes’’
On Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 10:00 AM, the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity held a hybrid legislative hearing on the
above bills. There were two witness panels. The following witnesses
testified on the first panel: Ms. Mary Glenn, Acting Executive Di-
rector, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Monica Diaz, Executive Direc-
tor, Homeless Programs, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. John E. Bell, III, Acting Ex-
ecutive Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Admin-
istration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms.
Kaitlynne Hetrick, Government Affairs Associate, Iraq and Afghan-
istan Veterans of America; Mr. Josh Protas, Vice President for Pub-
lic Policy, MAZON; Ms. Jennifer Akin, Senior Director of Policy
and Social Impact Research, Blue Star Families; Ms. Kathryn
Monet, Chief Executive Officer, National Coalition for Homeless
Veterans; and Mr. Mark A. Jones, Vice Chairman, Mortgage Bank-
ers Association.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Military Transition Dur-
ing the COVID–19 Pandemic’’
On Wednesday May 12, 2021, via the Zoom meeting platform,
the Subcommittee held an oversight hearing to identify existing
and emerging issues servicemembers face during their transition to
civilian life that have been exacerbated by the COVID–19 pan-
demic.
There were two witness panels for this hearing. The following
witnesses testified on the first panel: Ms. Vivian Richards, Program
Manager, Minority Veterans of America; Dr. J, Michael Haynie,
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovations, Institute
for Veteran and Military Families, Syracuse University; Ms. Jen-
nifer Dane, Executive Director, Modern Military Association of
America; Mr. Matt Stevens, Chief Executive Officer; The Honor
Foundation; Ms. Carolyn Lee, Executive Director, The Manufac-
turing Institute; and Patrick Murray, Legislative Director, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Wil-
liam Mansell, Director, Defense Support Services, U.S. Department
of Defense; Mr. James Rodriguez, Acting Assistant Secretary, Vet-
erans’ Employment & Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor;
Ms. Cheryl Rawls, Executive Director for Outreach, Transition and
Economic Development Service (OTED), Veterans Benefits Admin-
istration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Lawrencia
Pierce, Deputy Director, Outreach, Transition and Economic Devel-
opment Service (OTED), Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Joshua Lashbrook, Assist-
ant Director of Operations Support and Digital GI Bill Program
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Lead, Education Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S.
Department on Veterans Affairs.
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Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Veteran Employment
Amid the COVID–19 Pandemic’’
On Wednesday May 26, 2021, via the Zoom meeting platform,
the Subcommittee held an oversight hearing, which identified the
challenges the COVID–19 pandemic presented to the veteran work-
force and how Congress can respond.
There were two witness panels for this hearing. The following
witnesses testified on the first panel: Mr. Chris Thorne, Co-Chair,
Military Affairs Advisory Council, North San Diego Business
Chamber; Mr. Jeremy Villanueva, Assistant National Legislative
Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Thomas Winkel, Direc-
tor, Arizona Coalition for Military Families; and Mr. Eric Eversole,
President, Hiring our Heroes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Founda-
tion.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Ronald
Burke, Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Oversight, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Cheryl Rawls, Executive Director, Outreach, Transition and Eco-
nomic Development Service (OTED), Veterans Benefits Administra-
tion, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Charmain
Bogue, Executive Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Veteran Homelessness
in the Wake of COVID–19’’
On June 16, 2021, via the Zoom meeting platform, the Sub-
committee held an oversight hearing, which reviewed the impact of
the COVID–19 pandemic on homeless veterans, along with imple-
mentation of relief legislation for veterans passed in the 116th and
117th Congresses.
There were two witness panels for this hearing. The following
witnesses testified on the first panel: Ms. Kathryn Monet, Chief
Executive Officer, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans; Ms.
Akilah Templeton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Veterans
Village of San Diego; and Ms. Lula Skowronek, Director, Priority
Veteran.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Dr. Keith
Harris, National Director of Clinical Operations, Homeless Pro-
grams Office, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Anthony
Love, Interim Executive Director, United States Interagency Coun-
cil on Homelessness; and Mr. Richard Cho, Senior Advisor for
Housing and Services, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban De-
velopment.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Isakson-Roe at Six
Months: An Update on Implementation of Education Im-
provements’’
On July 20, 2021, the Subcommittee held a hybrid oversight
hearing, which reviewed updates from the Department regarding
the status of implementation of the education provisions signed
into law at the end of the 116th Congress, the Johnny Isakson and
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David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improve-
ment Act of 2020.
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There was one witness panel for this hearing. The following wit-
ness testified on this panel: Ms. Charmain Bogue, Executive Direc-
tor, Education Services, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘A Whole of Government
Approach in Support of Servicewomen’’
On October 26, 2021, the Subcommittee on conducted a hybrid
oversight hearing, which reviewed interagency coordination for
servicewomen, such as the current Transition Assistance Program
(TAP). During the hearing, the Committee also reviewed where the
system is failing to address the transition needs of servicewomen
and where it can enhance the collaboration of benefits and pro-
grams to improve the transition to civilian life.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Mr. William Mansell, Director, Defense Support
Service Center, U.S. Department of Defense; Ms. Margarita Devlin,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans Employment and Training
Services, U.S. Department of Labor; Ms. Lourdes Tiglao, Director
of Center for Women Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; and Dr. Lawrencia Pierce, Deputy Director, Outreach, Transi-
tion, and Economic Development (OTED), U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: The second
panel consisted of Ms. Jodie M. Grenier, Chief Executive Officer,
Foundation for Women Warriors; Ms. Phyllis Abbott, Founder and
Executive Director, Lady Veterans Connect; Captain Lory Man-
ning, USN (Retired), Director of Government Relations, Service
Women’s Action Network; and Ms. Ginger Miller, President and
CEO, Women Veterans Interactive.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Removing Barriers to
Veteran Home Ownership’’
On December 8, 2021, the Subcommittee on Economic Oppor-
tunity conducted a hybrid oversight hearing, which examined per-
sistent and emerging issues veterans face when utilizing the VA
Home Loan Guaranty and areas of potential improvement for the
program.
There were two witness panels. The following witness testified on
the first panel: Mr. John Bell, Acting Executive Director, Loan
Guaranty Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Emily
DeVito, Associate Director, National Legislative Services, Veterans
of Foreign Wars; Mr. Joseph C. Sharpe, Director, National Employ-
ment and Education Division, The American Legion; Ms. Leslie
Rouda Smith, President, National Association of Realtors; and Mr.
Brock Cooper, General Counsel, Veterans United.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Securing High-Demand
Jobs for Veterans’’
On February 2, 2022, the Subcommittee held a hybrid oversight
hearing, which studied the outcomes of VET TEC and VRRAP to
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date and explored the future of veteran education and training pro-
grams for high-demand jobs.
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There were two witness panels. The following witness testified on
the first panel: Mr. Ricardo Da Silva, Program Integration Officer,
Education Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Alicia
Boddy, Chief Development and Operations Officer, Code Platoon;
Mr. Joseph Sharpe, Director of Veterans Education and Employ-
ment, The American Legion; and Mr. Bill Blackstone, Executive
Vice President, Galvanize.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Review President
Biden’s Strategy to Reduce Veteran Suicide by Address-
ing Economic Risk Factors’’
On June 15, 2022, the Subcommittee held a hybrid oversight
hearing, which examined President Biden’s national strategy ‘‘Re-
ducing Military and Veteran Suicide: Advancing a Comprehensive,
Cross-Sector, Evidence-Informed Approach’’ and included discus-
sions related to how federal, public, and private entities can col-
laborate to promote economic well-being to reduce veteran suicide.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Susan L. Black, DSW, LCSW–C, BCD, VBA
National Suicide Prevention Officer, Veterans Benefits Administra-
tion, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Matthew A. Miller,
PhD, MPH, Executive Director, Suicide Prevention and Acting Ex-
ecutive Director, PREVENTS, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Dr. Christopher Jones, PharmD, DrPH, MPH, CAPT, US Public
Health Service, Acting Director of National Center for Injury Pre-
vention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
Ms. Peggy Bailey, Senior Advisor to the Secretary, U.S. Depart-
ment of Housing and Urban Development; and Mr. James Rodri-
guez, Assistant Secretary, Veterans Employment and Training
Services, U.S. Department of Labor.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Dr. Laura
Otis-Miles, Senior Vice President, Mental Health Systems/Courage
to Call; Mr. Nick Armstrong, Managing Director, Research and
Data, Syracuse University Institute for Military and Veteran Fami-
lies; Ms. Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director, Disabled Amer-
ican Veterans; Ms. Betsey Mercado, Co-Founder & Executive Direc-
tor, Objective Zero; Ms. Judy Clausen, Deputy Chair of the Legisla-
tive Advocacy Committee, National Law School Veterans Clinic
Consortium; and Ms. Emily DeVito, Associate Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Ending Veteran Hunger:
Examining the Impact of COVID–19 on Food Insecurity’’
On July 11, 2022, in Oceanside Room at the Veterans Association
of North County (VANC), 1617 Mission Avenue, Oceanside CA
92058, the Subcommittee conducted a field hearing. Access to nu-
tritious, sustainable food resources has a major impact on health,
well-being, and quality of life. A recent U.S. Department of Agri-
culture study found that from 2015 to 2019, 11.1% of working-age
veterans lived in a food insecure household and 5.3% lived in a
household with very low food security. While VA and USDA have
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made progress in identifying veterans experiencing food insecurity
and connecting them with resources like the Supplemental Nutri-
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39
tion Assistance Program (SNAP), the COVID–19 pandemic added
new layers of financial and physical hardship to veteran families.
This hearing examined trends in the prevalence of veteran hunger
and how government agencies and non-profits adapted their service
and resource delivery amid the pandemic.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Christine Going, EdD, MPA, RD, FACHE,
National Food Security Program Coordinator (Detailed), Nutrition
& Food Services Program Office, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Mr. Daniel Santibáñez, Chief, Nutrition and Food Services,
VA San Diego Healthcare System; Mr. Matthew Rabbitt, Research
Economist, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agri-
culture; Mr. Rick Wanne, Director of Self-Sufficiency Services,
Health and Human Services Agency, County of San Diego; and Mr.
Wilfred Quintong, Director of the Office of Military & Veterans Af-
fairs, County of San Diego.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms.
Anahid Brakke, CEO & President, SD Hunger Coalition; Mr. Casey
Castillo, Interim CEO, Jacobs/Cushman San Diego Food Bank; Ms.
Karla Samayoa, Director of Safety Net Services, 211 San Diego;
and Mr. Anthony Stewart, CEO, US4Warriors.
Joint Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Modernizing Vet-
eran Education in the Shadow of COVID–19’’
On July 20, 2022, Subcommittees on Economic Opportunity and
Technology Modernization conducted a joint hybrid oversight hear-
ing to request updates on how pieces of legislation such as the
Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and
Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, the CARES Act, and the Amer-
ican Rescue Plan Act have improved student veteran benefit deliv-
ery through the Digital GI Bill and broader GI Bill modernization
efforts. This included the status of spending plans for any remain-
ing funds from the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act, an
update on the Digital GI Bill contract with Accenture Federal Serv-
ices, and additional measures the Department is taking to stream-
line benefit delivery for survivors and dependents under Chapter
35 benefits.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Mr. Ronald S. Burke Jr. Deputy Under Sec-
retary, Office of Policy and Oversight, Veterans Benefits Adminis-
tration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Ricardo Da Silva,
Program Integration Officer, Education Service, Veterans Benefits
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Dan
McCune, Executive Director, Software Product Management, Office
of Information Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
and Mr. Rob Orifici, Benefits and Memorial Services Portfolio Di-
rector, Office of Information Technology, U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Will
Hubbard, Vice President for Veterans and Military Policy, Veterans
Education Success; Mr. Joseph Sharpe, Director of Veterans Em-
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ployment and Education, The American Legion; Ms. Rosezza Mil-
ler, Senior Director of Financial Aid Advising, Broward College;
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and Mr. Justin Monk, Director of Policy, Student Veterans of
America.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Ensuring a Successful
Military to Civilian Transition for Servicemembers in
Southern Alabama’’
On July 25, 2022, in the building 4 Multipurpose Room at Enter-
prise State Community College, 600 Plaza Drive, Enterprise, AL
36331, the Subcommittee conducted a field hearing, which evalu-
ated the challenges servicemembers face when transitioning in the
Southern Alabama region, and examined how non-DOD organiza-
tions, including VSOs and local government, in Southern Alabama
help fill the gaps in resources not provided in TAP for transitioning
servicemembers.
There was one witness panel. The following witnesses testified
on this panel: Mr. Kerry Cornelius, Jobs for Veterans State Grant
(JVSG) Supervisor, Alabama Department of Labor; Ms. Tammy
Johnson, Legislative Chairman, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ala-
bama; and Mr. Tom Ferguson, Commander, Disabled American
Veterans, Chapter 9.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Veteran Readiness and
Employment: Is VA Succeeding?’’
On September 19, 2022, the Subcommittee held a hybrid over-
sight hearing which reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. This
program is designed to provide veterans who have service-con-
nected or work-limiting disabilities with education, job training,
and the resources they need to live independently. VR&E Coun-
selors and Employment Coordinators support veterans through
comprehensive programming, including rehabilitation planning, vo-
cational assessment, and employment services. There are five
VR&E tracks a veteran may elect to participate in based on their
needs and goals: Reemployment; Rapid Access to Employment; Self
Employment; Employment Through Long-term Services; and Inde-
pendent Living Services.
However, staffing vacancies at VR&E offices such as Integrated
Disability Evaluation System and Veteran Success on Campus sites
impede veteran access to the program. This hearing examined vet-
eran satisfaction with VR&E, participation, and success after grad-
uating from the program, and recommendations for how VA can
improve in these areas. This hearing also examined VA’s missteps
and challenges in efforts to implement a digital case management
system to better track participant outcomes.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Mr. Nick Pamperin, Executive Director, Veteran
Readiness and Employment, Veterans Benefits Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Matthew Manning,
Supervisory Contract Specialist, Office of Mission Support, Vet-
erans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Julie
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Howell, Associate Legislative Director for Government Relations,
Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Shane Liermann, Deputy Na-
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tional Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; and Mr.
Jeremy Villanueva, Government Affairs Associate Director, Wound-
ed Warrior Project.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Transitional Housing
Reform: Examining the Future of the VA Grant and Per
Diem Program’’
On December 6, 2022, the Subcommittee held a hybrid oversight
hearing, which reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program. This program funds commu-
nity organizations that provide transitional housing and supportive
services for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The
purpose of GPD is two-fold: to fund capital grants to organizations
to build or remodel housing facilities and to reimburse providers for
the daily cost of care for veterans residing in transitional housing
through per diem payments. The Johnny Isakson and David P.
Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of
2020, removed barriers to the use of capital grants for organiza-
tions seeking to de-congregate their facilities to make them safer
for veterans during the public health emergency. Isakson-Roe also
temporarily authorized increases in the per diem rate to cover the
high cost of care associated with providing services in transitional
housing settings, a request from providers that predated the pan-
demic. As the end of the public health emergency looms, VA and
providers are reporting continued high costs, low censuses, and
empty beds in GPD facilities, due in part to veterans desiring indi-
vidual, de-congregated units and fewer rules and restrictions for
their participation in housing programs. This hearing examined the
future of GPD beyond the COVID–19 pandemic to ensure the pro-
gram is meeting the needs of veterans and their families on their
journey to permanent housing.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Ms. Monica Diaz, Executive Director, Homeless
Programs Office, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Chelsea Watson, National Direc-
tor, Grant and Per Diem Program, Veterans Health Administra-
tion, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Kath-
ryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer, National Coalition for Home-
less Veterans; Mr. Steve Berg, Vice President for Programs and
Policy, National Alliance to End Homelessness; Ms. Kaitlynne
Yancy, Associate Director of Government Affairs, Iraq and Afghani-
stan Veterans of America; Ms. Hanan Scrapper, Regional Director,
PATH San Diego, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH); and Mr.
Kenneth G. Hodder, National Commander, the Salvation Army.
ROUNDTABLES
Subcommittee Roundtable—‘‘Making Veteran Readiness and
Employment (VR&E) Work for More Veterans’’
On March 17, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to
hold a roundtable via Zoom. The roundtable examined complica-
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tions some veterans have found learning about VR&E , enrolling
in the program, and communicating with their counselors, among
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other issues. Presenting from the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) Veterans Readiness and Employment Program was Mr. Bruce
Voigt, Acting Executive Director; Ms. Kim Lloyd, Acting Deputy Di-
rector; Ms. Kristine Kuehnle, Acting Assistant Director for Pro-
gram/Policy; and Mr. Kevin Scott, Assistant Director for Oper-
ations. In addition, in attendance were Mr. Jeremy Villanueva, As-
sistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans;
Mr. Morgan Brown, National Legislative Director, Paralyzed Vet-
erans of America; Mr. Justin Hauschild, Legal Fellow, Student Vet-
erans of America; Ms. Tanya Ang, Vice President, Veterans Edu-
cation Success; Dr. Jan Del Signore, President, National Associa-
tion of Veterans’ Program Administrators; and Mr. Derek
Fronabarger, Director of Government Affairs, Wounded Warrior
Project.
Subcommittee Roundtable—‘‘Making Every Day in Uniform
Count: A Discussion of Benefits Parity for Our Guard
and Reservists’’
On December 13, 2022, the Subcommittee conducted a public
roundtable in Cannon 121 and via the Zoom virtual meeting plat-
form. The roundtable served as an opportunity to receive the con-
cerns and comments of stakeholders regarding benefits parity for
Guard and Reservists. Participants included Mr. Matt
Schwartzman, Director, Legislation and Military Policy Reserve Or-
ganization of America; Mr. Matthew Krenz, Executive Director, En-
listed Associated of the National Guard of the United States; Mr.
Daniel Elkins, National Guard Green Beret, Special Operations As-
sociation of America; Mr. Donald Franklin, Legislative Director,
The Veterans Education Project; Mr. Justin Hauschild, Policy
Counsel, Student Veterans of America; Mr. John Kamin, Legisla-
tive Associate and Grassroots Coordinator, The American Legion;
Mr. Patrick Murray, Director of National Legislative Service, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Danielle Martin, Former Nebraska Na-
tional Guard; Ms. Priya Ghosh Ahola, Deputy Legislative Director
and General Counsel, National Guard Association of the United
States; Mr. Mike Hadley, Director, National Guard Association of
the United States; Mr. Tom Porter, Executive Vice President, Gov-
ernment Affairs, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr.
Cory Titus, Director of Veteran Benefits and Guard/Reserve Af-
fairs, Military Officers Association of America; Ms. Julie Howell,
Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr.
Will Hubbard, Vice President for Veterans and Military Policy, Vet-
erans Education Success; Ms. Tami Thacker (U.S. Navy Veteran),
Veteran Services Coordinator, University of California, Riverside;
Greg Sanchez (U.S. Navy Veteran), Chancellor’s Research Fellow,
University of California, Riverside; Ms. Angeliz Vargas Casillas,
California Air National Guard (Cyber Warfare Operator), Univer-
sity of California, Riverside PhD Candidate (Mathematics); Mr.
Brian Haynes, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, University of
California, Riverside; Ms. Kathy Eiler, Director of Federal Rela-
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tions, University of California, Riverside; and Theo Lawson, Legis-
lative Director, Fleet Reserve Association.
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SITE VISITS
Venice, Italy. On August 10, 2021, majority Subcommittee staff,
accompanied by Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee staff
and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs majority and minority
staff, participated in a staff delegation site visit to the U.S. Army
Garrison-Italy in Vicenza, Italy. During the site visit, Sub-
committee staff participated in a mission brief provided by the
Army Garrison leadership, including Major General Andrew M.
Rohling, Commanding General, Southern European Task Force—
Africa, and Colonel Matthew Gomlak, Garrison Commander. Fol-
lowing the briefing, staff observed a Transition Assistance Program
(TAP) classroom session and toured the TAP facilities, meeting
with instructors and program fellows. Staff also received a TAP
overview from the Garrison Commander and Mr. Poulin, the Tran-
sition Service Manager, who led the Garrison’s TAP. During this
presentation, staff queried TAP instructors and program leads on
how they measure core goals of TAP, implement National Defense
Authorization Act mandates, and plans for modernizing and im-
proving TAP instruction and effectiveness. Later that day, staff
participated in a hosted lunch, which allowed for staff to meet and
discuss the TAP features, strengths, and opportunities for improve-
ment, among other topics, with soldiers from co-located Army units.
On August 11, 2021, the staff delegation conducted a site visit
to Aviano Air Base in Aviano, Italy. Pursuing similar information
as the prior day’s site visit, staff participated in a mission brief
that was led by Brigadier General Jason Bailey, Commander, 31st
Fighter Wing, and Colonel Vincent O’Connor, 31st Fighter Wing
Vice Commander. Staff conducted a tour of the base TAP facilities,
including dedicated classrooms and offices in the Airman and Fam-
ily Readiness Center, interacted with airmen over lunch, and at-
tended a TAP demonstration. During the demonstration, staff were
able to hear from current servicemembers participating in TAP and
veterans who had recently completed the program. Staff were able
to facilitate a discussion with these servicemembers and TAP in-
structors and program leads to identify, among other things, strate-
gies for improving TAP effectiveness, including participation and
completion rate, and tracking critical data to measure program
metrics.
Buffalo & Syracuse, NY. From November 9–11, 2021, majority
Subcommittee staff, participated in visits the Department of Vet-
erans’ Affairs Buffalo Regional Office and Syracuse University In-
stitute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF).
For the visit to the VA Buffalo Regional Office, majority and and
minority staff spent the day with the Regional Office Director, and
RO office staff to discuss staffing, hiring, training, COVID
repurposing, the impact of COVID on the facility, and internal em-
ployee/client surveys. In addition, Subcommittee staff discussed
Congressional established programs such as VET TEC, Edith
Nourse STEM scholarship, VRRAP, and the status of funding of
those programs and veteran participation. Finally, Subcommittee
staff discussed expiring provisions for student veterans.
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Following the visit in Buffalo, the majority staff visited Syracuse
University to tour and understand the innovative services and re-
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search being delivered at Syracuse University and more broadly in
the community. Our team toured the National Veterans Resource
Center (NVRC), participate in Veterans’ Day programming, and
meet with key stakeholders to gain an in-depth understanding of
how the innovations at Syracuse can be applied to federal policy-
making. The Committee staff then joined the staff at the IVMF for
Veterans’ Day events consisting of keynote remarks by the
Chancelor of Syracuse, along with student veterans at the Univer-
sity.
Joint Base Charleston, SC. From March 21–23, 2022, majority
and minority staff participated in a visit to Joint Base Charleston
to gather information on the transition process for service members
and learn about the difficulties for service members and families
transitioning out of the military from overseas posts. Since the
changes made in the FY2019 NDAA, DoD has worked with each
independent service branch to improve TAP and meet the require-
ments set in statute. This trip provided the Subcommittee staff the
opportunity to review all service branches transition programs at
Joint Base Charleston.
Cleveland, OH. On May 5, 2022, majority and minority staff vis-
ited with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Cleveland Regional
Office where the Committee staff met with RO Leadership, local
AFGE Union representatives, the Assistant Director of Loan Ad-
ministration along with supporting staff, Veterans Readiness and
Employment leadership and counselors, concluding with a tour of
the facility.
Los Angeles, CA. From August 15–18, 2022, majority and minor-
ity staff, accompanied by members of the Oversight Subcommittee,
and majority and minority staff from the Senate Veterans Affairs
Committee participated in the following visits: Department of Vet-
erans Affairs West LA Campus, homelessness providers in the Los
Angeles community, and the University of California Los Angeles.
On this trip, staff performed oversight on VA homeless programs
in the Los Angeles area, as well as GI Bill and other VA Edu-
cational Assistance programs.
Muskogee, OK. From October 24–26, 2022, majority and minority
staff, accompanied by members of the Senate Veterans Affairs
Committee majority and minority staff participated in an oversight
visit to the Muskogee GI Bill processing and call center. On this
trip, staff performed oversight on Digital GI Bill implementation
and educations claim processing.
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ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH
JULIA BROWNLEY, California, Chairwoman
JACK BERGMAN, Michigan, Ranking Member
CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN, American
MIKE LEVIN, California Samoa
FRANK MRVAN, Indiana CHIP ROY, Texas
GREGORIO KILILI SABLAN, Northern MATT ROSENDALE, Montana
Mariana Islands MARIANNETTE MILLER MEEKS, Iowa
LAUREN UNDERWOOD, Illinois JAKE ELLZEY, Texas
COLIN ALLRED, Illinois
LOIS FRANKEL, Florida
ELIZABETH MACKENZIE, Majority Staff Director
CHRISTINE HILL, MINORITY STAFF DIRECTOR
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LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on
H.R. 234; H.R. 344; H.R. 958; H.R. 1448; H.R. 1510; a dis-
cussion draft, the DOULA for VA Act; a discussion draft,
the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of
2021; a discussion draft, to clarify the role of doctors of
podiatric medicine in the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; and H.R. 2093’’
On April 15, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct a legislative hearing on the above bills. There were three wit-
ness panels. The following witnesses testified on the first panel:
Representative Mark Takano (California), Representative Lauren
Underwood (Illinois), Representative Steve Stivers (Ohio), Rep-
resentative Hakeem Jeffries (New York), Representative Cynthia
Axne (Iowa), and Representative Brenda Lawrence (Michigan). The
following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Marquis
Barefield, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled Amer-
ican Veterans; Mr. Brian Dempsey, Government Affairs Director,
Wounded Warrior Project; and Lindsay Church, Executive Director/
Co-Founder, Minority Veterans of America. The following witnesses
testified on the third panel: Dr. Clifford A. Smith, Director, Ana-
lytics, Innovations, and Collaborations, Veterans Health Adminis-
tration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Amanda
Johnson, Director, Women’s Reproductive Health, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on:
H.R. 913; H.R. 2587; H.R. 2775; H.R. 2797; H.R. 3027; H.R.
3452; H.R. 3674; H.R. 3693; H.R. 4233; a discussion draft,
the VA Infrastructure Powers Exceptional Research Act,
or VIPER Act; a discussion draft, to amend title 38,
United States Code, to clarify and improve the program
of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes;
and a discussion draft, to amend title 38, United States
Code, to require an independent assessment of health
care delivery systems and management processes of the
Department of Veterans Affairs be conducted once every
10 years, and for other purposes’’
On July 14, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct a legislative hearing regarding the above bills. There were
three witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the first
panel: Representative Mark Takano (California), Representative
Chris Pappas (New Hampshire), Representative Conor Lamb
(Pennsylvania), Representative Jason Crow (Colorado), Representa-
tive Lauren Underwood (Illinois), and Representative Gregory F.
Murphy (North Carolina).
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. David
Perry, Chief Officer, Workforce Management and Consulting, Vet-
erans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
and Mr. Mike Fisher, MSW, Chief Officer, Readjustment Coun-
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seling Service, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the third
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panel: Mr. Marquis Barefield, Assistant National Legislative Direc-
tor, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Andy Blevins, Operations
and Policy Director, Minority Veterans of America; and Ms. Tammy
Barlet, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of
Foreign Wars.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on:
H.R. 2819; H.R. 2916; H.R. 4575; H.R. 4794; H.R. 5029; H.R.
5073; H.R. 5317; a discussion draft, the Veterans Census-
Enabled National Treatment Equitable Resources Sup-
plement (Vet CENTERS) for Mental Health Act of 2021;
a discussion draft, to authorize the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs to furnish seasonal influenza vaccines to
certain individuals, and for other purposes; a discussion
draft, to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand
eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nurs-
ing home care from the Department of Veterans Affairs
to include veterans of World War II; a discussion draft,
the Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse and Physician
Assistant Retention and Income Security Enhancement
(VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE) Act; a discus-
sion draft, the Veterans Justice Outreach Improvement
Act; a discussion draft, the VITAL Assessment Act’’
On October 13, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing regarding the above bills. There were
three witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the first
panel: Representative Mark Takano (California), Representative
Scott H. Peters (California), Representative David Rouzer (North
Carolina), Representative Antonio Delgado (New York), Represent-
ative Jake Ellzey (Texas), Representative Josh Harder (California),
Representative Lauren Underwood (Illinois), Representative
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa), and Representative Mikie
Sherrill (New Jersey).
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Dr. David
Carroll, Executive Director, Office of Mental Health & Suicide Pre-
vention, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs; Dr. Robert Sherrier, Executive Director, National
Teleradiology Program, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Karen M. Ott, DNP, RN, Direc-
tor for Policy, Legislation, and Professional Standards Office of
Nursing Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Michael Fisher, Chief Readjust-
ment Counseling Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the third panel: Mr. Marquis
Barefield, Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled Amer-
ican Veterans; Ms. Tammy Barlet, Deputy Director, National Leg-
islative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Dr. Kaki York-
Ward, President, Association of VA Psychologist Leaders.
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Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on:
H.R. 4993; H.R. 5738; H.R. 5754; H.R. 5819; H.R. 5941; H.R.
6647, to amend title 38, United States Code, to make cer-
tain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans
to receive reimbursement for emergency treatment fur-
nished through the Veterans Community Care program,
and for other purposes; H.R. 6823; and a discussion
draft, the Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act’’
On March 16, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing regarding the above bills. There were
three witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the first
panel: Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Washington), Rep-
resentative Lisa McClain (Michigan), Representative Tom
O’Halleran (Arizona), Representative Clay Higgins (Louisiana), and
Representative Debbie Dingell (Michigan). The following witnesses
testified on the second panel: Dr. Julianne Flynn, Acting Assistant
Under Secretary for Health for Community Care, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr.
Scotte Hartronft, Executive Director, Office of Geriatrics & Ex-
tended Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the third
panel: Mr. Anthony Lewis, Associate National Legislative Director,
Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Steve Schwab, Chief Executive
Officer, The Elizabeth Dole Foundation; and Mr. Roscoe Butler, As-
sociate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on:
H.R. 291; H.R. 345; H.R. 1216; H.R. 1957; H.R. 6273; and
H.R. 7589’’
On June 22, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct a legislative hearing regarding the above bills. There were
three witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the first
panel: Representative Mark Takano (California) and Representa-
tive Mike Bost (Illinois). The following witnesses testified on the
second panel: Dr. Matt Miller, Executive Director for Suicide Pre-
vention, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs; Dr. Amanda Johnson, Director for Women’s Repro-
ductive Health, Office of Women’s Health, Veterans Health Admin-
istration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Garth Mil-
ler, Executive Director for Member Services, Health Eligibility Cen-
ter, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the third panel: Ms.
Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director, Disabled American Vet-
erans; Ms. Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed
Veterans of America; Ms. Tammy Barlet, Deputy Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mx. Lindsay
Church, Executive Director, Minority Veterans of America; and Ms.
Barb Collura, President and CEO, RESOLVE: The National Infer-
tility Association.
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OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Beyond Deborah Samp-
son: Improving Healthcare for America’s Women Vet-
erans in the 117th Congress’’
On March 18, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing to examine the work that lies ahead
for VA, VSOs, and Congress to meet the needs of America’s women
veterans: past, present, and future. These groups discussed the
need for legislation that did not become law in the 116th Congress,
such as legislation focused on reproductive health and residential
treatment programs. As women veterans are more likely to be peo-
ple of color or members of the LGBTQ community than their male
veteran counterparts, this hearing also examined health equity and
disparities within the women veteran population.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Kameron Matthews, Assistant Under Sec-
retary for Health for Clinical Services, Veterans Health Adminis-
tration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Patricia Hayes,
Chief Officer for Women’s Health Services, Veterans Health Ad-
ministration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Lelia
Jackson, Senior Strategist, Assault and Harassment Prevention Of-
fice, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms.
Ashleigh A. Byrnes, Deputy National Communications Director,
Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Patricia Jackson-Kelley (Lt. Col.,
U.S. Army, Retired), President, National Association of Black Mili-
tary Women; Ms. Jennifer Silva, Chief Program Officer, Wounded
Warrior Project; Lindsay Church, Executive Director, Minority Vet-
erans of America; and Ms. Stephanie Gattas, Chief Executive Offi-
cer, The Pink Berets.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Aging in Place: Exam-
ining Veterans’’ Access to Home and Community Based
Services’’
On July 27, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct an oversight hearing to examine the work that lies ahead for
the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to meet the needs of
the largest cohort of veterans, those over the age of 65, and address
their number one priority—the wish to age at home. Since 2009,
VHA has made incremental efforts to refocus funds and resources
into its Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) to ensure
veterans are empowered to delay, if not avoid, entry into institu-
tional care settings, by receiving appropriate support safely at
home. The Subcommittee evaluated the status of VHA’s efforts to
rebalance resources from institutional care to HCBS, what barriers
to exist to expand certain HBCS programs (such as the Veteran Di-
rected Care Program) to all VA Medical Centers, and what lessons
from the pandemic will need to be incorporated as VHA prepares
to care for a majority geriatric patient population.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Scotte Hartronft, Executive Director, Office
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of Geriatrics and Extended Care, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Catherine Kelso,
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50
Deputy Executive Director, Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms.
Rashi Romanoff, Vice President for Program and Partnerships,
Elizabeth Dole Foundation; and Mr. Roscoe Butler, Associate Legis-
lative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Lessons Learned? Build-
ing a Culture of Patient Safety Within the Veterans
Health Administration’’
On October 27, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing to examine oversight and account-
ability of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical facilities.
This hearing provided an opportunity to evaluate the extent to
which VHA and its Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)
are ensuring their medical facilities maintain a culture of patient
safety. Specifically, the Subcommittee examined whether VHA is
closely monitoring the findings of VA Office of Inspector General,
the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and other external re-
viewers; how VHA and its VISNs oversee the field’s response to
findings from external reviews; and whether VHA is tracking pat-
terns of deficiencies and looking for opportunities to apply lessons
learned across all VHA medical facilities.
There was one witness panel. The following witnesses testified:
Dr. Julie Kroviak, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for
Healthcare Inspections, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Sharon Silas, Director, Health Care
Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Ms. Renee Oshinski,
Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Gerard Cox, Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Quality and
Patient Safety, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Teresa Boyd, Network Director, VA
Northwest Health Network (VISN 20), Veterans Health Adminis-
tration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Joint Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Supporting Sur-
vivors: Assessing VA’s Military Sexual Trauma Pro-
grams’’
On November 17, 2021, the Subcommittees on Disability Assist-
ance and Memorial Affairs and Health met in an open session to
conduct an oversight hearing to explore Veterans Health Adminis-
tration (VHA) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) policies
related to the provision of services, programs, and benefits for sur-
vivors of military sexual trauma (MST) and the extent to which the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ensures MST survivors are
connected to available services while filing a claim based on the im-
pact of their MST as well as examine concerns on training, coordi-
nation, and processing of MST claims. This discussion was an op-
portunity for the Department to update the Committee on its
progress toward addressing recommendations from the VA Office of
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Inspector General (OIG), and to discuss any challenges VA faces in
this area.
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There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Ms. Beth Murphy, Executive Director of Com-
pensation Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Cheryl Rawls, Executive Director,
Office of Outreach, Transition, and Economic Development Service,
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Dr. Marsden McGuire, Deputy Chief Consultant, Mental
Health Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; and the Honorable Michael J. Missal, Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Shane
Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled Amer-
ican Veterans; Ms. Kristina Keenan, Associate Director, National
Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Tracy Farrell,
Vice President of Connection and Wellness, Wounded Warrior
Project; and Ms. Katie Anita Purswell, Director, Veterans Affairs
& Rehabilitation Division, The American Legion.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Close to Home: Sup-
porting Vet Centers in Meeting the Needs of Veterans
and Miliary Personnel’’
On February 3, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing to examine VA’s Vet Centers, for-
mally known as a program of the Readjustment Counseling Service
(RCS). This hearing provided an opportunity to evaluate Vet Cen-
ters’ capacity, staffing, resources, training, delivery of counseling
services, and coordination with VA medical centers and central of-
fice.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Mr. Michael Fisher, Chief Officer, Readjustment
Counseling Service, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; Dr. David Carroll, Executive Director, Of-
fice of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Ad-
ministration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Alfred
Ozanian, Deputy Chief Officer, Readjustment Counseling Service,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Ms. Gillian Hinton McDonald, Director, Ventura Vet Center,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Dr. Julie Kroviak, Deputy Assistant Inspector General, Office
of Healthcare Inspections, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Sharon Silas, Director, Health
Care Team U.S. Government Accountability Office. The following
witnesses testified on the second panel: Dr. Thomas Hall, Vietnam
Veterans of America; Mr. Patrick Murray, Legislative Director,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Ms. René Campos, Senior Director,
Government Relations for Veterans—Wounded Warrior Care, Mili-
tary Officers Association of America.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Innovative Care Deliv-
ery at VA: Partnering to Improve Infrastructure and
Operational Efficiency’’
On May 12, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
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duct an oversight hearing to examine innovative approaches to ad-
dressing physical infrastructure needs and clinical workforce short-
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52
ages at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans
Health Administration (VHA). Through existing authorities, VA
has been able to accept real property donations like those facili-
tated by the Communities Helping Invest through Property and
Improvements Needed (CHIP–IN) for Veterans program, through
strategic partnerships like the Lovell Federal Health Care Center
(FHCC) in North Chicago, and through sharing agreements with
other federal providers. The Subcommittee examined lessons
learned from past projects and best practices that VA can apply to
future projects, given that many of the Department’s recommenda-
tions for the forthcoming Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR)
Commission highlighted VA’s interest in these and other types of
partnerships. The hearing provided an opportunity for VA to elabo-
rate on its vision, and for the Subcommittee to get a better under-
standing of the potential risks and benefits of these partnerships.
There was one witness panel, and the following witnesses testi-
fied: Dr. Michael D. Brennan, Executive Director, Office of Con-
struction and Facility Management, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Robert P. McDivitt, Director, Veterans Integrated
Service Network (VISN) 23, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Catina Latham, Acting Direc-
tor, Physical Infrastructure Team, U.S. Government Accountability
Office; and Mr. Patrick Murray, Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Examining VA Commu-
nity Care Access, Utilization, and Expenditures’’
On July 14, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct an oversight hearing to examine trends in the Department of
Veterans Affairs’ (VA) expenditures on community care, veterans’
access to community care, and veterans’ utilization of community
care. This hearing also provided the Subcommittee an opportunity
to examine VA’s progress in carrying out an organizational realign-
ment related to community care—through the creation of the Vet-
erans Health Administration’s (VHA) new Office of Integrated Vet-
eran Care and the transfer of community care revenue operations
to VHA’s Office of Finance.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Miguel LaPuz, Acting Deputy Under Sec-
retary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Laura Duke, Chief Financial Officer,
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Dr. Julianne Flynn, Acting Assistant Under Secretary for
Health for Community Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Lisa Arfons, Senior Med-
ical Advisor, Office of Integrated Veteran Care, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The following
witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Eric Frieman, Co-
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Forge Health; and Mr. Eric
Golnick, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Forge VFR.
SITE VISITS
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Washington, D.C. On February 3, 2021, majority Committee staff
conducted a site visit at the Washington, D.C. Veterans Affairs
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53
Medical Center (VAMC) to assess ongoing efforts to address sexual
harassment and assault on VA medical facility campuses. While on
site, majority Committee staff toured key areas of the VAMC and
discussed observations with VAMC officials. In addition, majority
Committee staff discussed with Washington, D.C., VAMC officials
their experiences thus far with administering COVID–19 vaccines
to enrolled veteran patients and to employees of the U.S. Depart-
ment of Homeland Security.
Loma Linda, California. On April 9, 2022, majority Committee
staff conducted a site visit at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare Sys-
tem (VALLHCS) to observe a day-long job fair where VA human
resources specialists were on hand for immediate hires, onboarding,
interviews, and résumé drop-offs. Majority staff returned on April
11, 2022, to meet with Veterans Integrated Service Network
(VISN) 22 and VALLHCS leadership to discuss how they are ad-
dressing recruitment and retention challenges and the extent to
which existing information technology systems support effective
documentation of onboarding and other personnel actions. In addi-
tion, majority staff toured the Loma Linda VA Medical Center, the
Redlands Ambulatory Care Center, and the Rancho Cucamonga
CBOC, and met with various clinical leaders to discuss delivery of
care to veterans within their catchment area.
Bluemont, Virginia. On April 19, 2022, minority staff visited the
Boulder Crest Retreat (BCR) in Virginia to evaluate the effective-
ness of their approach to treating PTSD, combat stress, and opioid
addiction. BCR is a wellness organization that develops and pro-
motes treatment based on ‘‘post-traumatic growth.’’ According to
BCR, they enabled participants to significantly reduce or com-
pletely eliminate their use of prescription medicines.’’ BCR, located
in Virginia and Arizona, is open free-of-charge to combat veterans
(defined as those who deployed to a war zone) from any generation/
conflict; active-duty servicemembers; members of the National
Guard and Reserve; first responders; and, family members of any
of the above.
Dallas, Texas. On May 11, 2022, majority Committee staff were
invited to participate in a daylong meeting convened by the Bob
Woodruff Foundation on the use of psychedelics in treating vet-
erans with post-traumatic stress disorder and treatment-resistant
depression.
Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia. From May 31–
June 3, 2022, minority staff conducted a visit to the Charleston
VAMC, Savannah and North Charleston CBOCs, the Savannah Vet
Center, and local homeless providers. As one of the lead sites for
VHA’s High Reliability Organization (HRO) initiative, the Ralph H.
Johnson VAMC was one of the first to achieve HRO recognition.
Staff met with leadership and staff to learn more about how an
HRO improves quality of care. The visit also included review of
caregiver, long term care, emergency, and mental health programs.
This Healthcare system includes 3 VA clinics and a homeless refer-
ral center within a 15-mile radius which were also included. The
facility also serves as the parent VAMC serving a large rural
catchment area and this was an opportunity to evaluate commu-
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nity care at the Savannah CBOC. The Savannah Vet Center was
selected as a childcare pilot site, so it provided a good opportunity
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54
for oversite of that and vet center operations in an area where a
high active duty, guard and reserve population resides.
Miami, Florida. From May 31–June 2, 2022, Ranking Member
Bost and minority staff conducted oversight in the Miami region.
During this trip, the Ranking Member visited the Miami VA Med-
ical Center, the Miami Vet Center, and the Key Largo VA Clinic.
He also visited the Homestead Air Reserve base and conducted two
separate listening sessions with local veterans to hear their experi-
ences and concerns firsthand.
San Antonio, Texas. On June 1, 2022, majority Committee staff
were invited to speak at the annual conference of the Association
of VA Psychology Leaders about pending and recently enacted leg-
islation and congressional oversight related to VA mental health
and veteran suicide prevention.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Dallas, Texas; Temple, Texas; Austin,
Texas; and Houston, Texas. From August 8 through August 11,
2022, Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Julia Brownley and ma-
jority Committee staff conducted site visits at VA medical centers
(VAMC) located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Dallas, Texas; Tem-
ple, Texas; and Houston, Texas. These site visits provided an op-
portunity for the Committee to gather information about the provi-
sion of reproductive healthcare to women veterans and VA employ-
ees in two states where access to abortion has become extremely
restricted under state law. At each VAMC, Chairwoman Brownley
and majority Committee staff met with executive leadership, VA
Police, Women Veterans Program Managers, clinical directors of
women’s health, Maternity Care Coordinators, community care
staff responsible for coordinating obstetric and gynecological care,
pharmacy staff, and employee union representatives. In addition,
Chairwoman Brownley and majority Committee staff held evening
listening sessions with veterans, healthcare providers, active duty
servicemembers, and veterans advocates in Oklahoma City, Okla-
homa; Dallas, Texas; Austin, Texas; and Houston, Texas. This trip
helped inform the committee’s continued oversight and legislative
efforts related to veterans’ reproductive healthcare.
Atlanta, Georgia. On August 24–26, 2022, minority staff con-
ducted an oversight visit of the Atlanta Healthcare Medical system.
The purpose was to meet with leadership and staff teams to learn
more about how the Medical Center and the VISN are addressing
recent IG findings and recommendations. The site visit also in-
cluded review of caregiver and long-term care programs, emergency
care, homeless, and mental health programs. As this Healthcare
system has had challenges in the past with access and timely refer-
rals to community care the visit included discussions with the Of-
fice of Community Care and review of CLC demolition. Visit in-
cluded travel to a standalone regional CLC and well as a visit to
the Atlanta Vet Center.
Atlanta, Georgia. On October 4–6, 2022, minority staff in an an-
nual Warrior Community Integration Symposium. The purpose of
the symposium is to connect, educate, advocate, and collaborate to
empower veterans across and within their communities. The three-
day agenda included numerous sessions focusing on veteran issues
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and solutions driven by potential community partnerships with VA,
non-profits, and other support entities. Staff to engaged with
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55
groups on innovative ways to empower veterans, proactively im-
prove their wellbeing, and prevent veteran suicide and participated
on a Hill-focused panel.
New Orleans, Louisiana. On October 18, 2022, majority and mi-
nority staff conducted a one-day site visit at the VA Southeast Lou-
isiana Health Care System in New Orleans, Louisiana. They visit
focused on various aspects of clinical operations, including women’s
health, inpatient care, emergency care; staffing challenges faced by
the facility; quality of care and implementation of VHA’s High Reli-
ability Organization initiative; and the role of the facility in 4th
Mission readiness. They also met with local union representatives.
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ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND
INVESTIGATIONS
CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire, Chairman
TRACEY MANN, Kansas, Ranking Member
CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN, American
ELAINE LURIA, Virginia Samoa
LAUREN UNDERWOOD, Illinois 2 JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
PETER TYLER, Majority Staff Director
JON CLARK, Minority Staff Director
2 On September 22, 2022, Representative Gregorio Sablan of the Northern Mariana Islands
resigned his position on the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and Representative
Lauren Underwood of Illinois joined the Subcommittee.
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(57)
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LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on:
H.R. 711; H.R. 1948; H.R. 2082; H.R. 2428; H.R. 2429; a dis-
cussion Draft, the Strengthening VA Whistleblower Pro-
tection Act of 2021; a discussion draft, the VA FOIA Re-
form Act of 2021; a discussion draft, to direct the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to make certain information
publicly available on one internet website of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; a discussion draft, the Improv-
ing VA Accountability to Prevent Sexual Harassment
and Discrimination Act of 2021; a discussion draft, the
VA Beneficiary Debt Collection Improvement Act; a dis-
cussion draft, VA Equal Employment Counseling Mod-
ernization Act; a discussion draft, the Strengthening VA
Background Checks Act; a discussion draft, to direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a
plan for expending Coronavirus pandemic funding made
available to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for
other purposes; a discussion draft, to amend title 38,
United States Code, to make certain improvements to
the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protec-
tion of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other
purposes’’
On April 21, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct a legislative hearing regarding the above bills. There was one
witness panel. The following witnesses testified: Mr. Jeffrey R.
Mayo, Acting Assistant Secretary, Human Resources and Adminis-
tration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Hansel Cordeiro, Acting As-
sistant Secretary, Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Pro-
tection (OAWP), U.S. Department of Veterans; Mr. Ed Murray,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Chief Financial
Officer, Office of Management (OM), U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Ms. Jessica Bonjorni, Chief, Human Capital Management
(HCM), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs, and Mr. Christopher Wilber, Counsel to the In-
spector General, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on:
H.R. 1596; H.R. 5170; H.R. 2806; H.R. 4845; H.R. 2385; H.R.
3930; a discussion draft, the VA Inclusion, Diversity, Eq-
uity and Access Data Improvement Act; a discussion
draft, the Every Veteran Counts Act’’
On September 22, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session
to conduct a legislative hearing regarding the above bills. There
was one witness panel.
The following witnesses testified: Mr. Harvey Johnson, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, Diversity, and In-
clusion, Office of Resolution Management, Diversity and Inclusion,
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; Mr. Kshemendra Paul, Execu-
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tive Director for Data Governance and Analytics and Chief Data
Officer, Office of Enterprise Integration, U.S. Department of Vet-
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59
erans Affairs; Ms. Jennifer Dane, Chief Executive officer and Exec-
utive Director, Modern Military Association of America; Lindsay
Church, Executive Director and Co-founder, Minority Veterans of
America; Mr. Marquis Barefield, Assistant National Legislative Di-
rector, Disabled American Veterans; and Mr. Peter Perkowski,
Clinical Instructor, Veterans Legal Clinic, WilmerHale Legal Serv-
ice Center of Harvard Law School.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on:
H.R. 6052; a discussion draft, the Faster Payments to
Veterans’ Survivors Act; a discussion draft, the Improv-
ing Oversight of the Veterans Community Care Pro-
viders Act; a discussion draft, the VA Preventing Dupli-
cate Payments Act; a discussion draft, the Improving VA
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Act; a discussion
draft, the Improving VA Workforce Diversity Through
Minority-Serving Institutions Act; H.R. 5776; H.R. 6638; a
discussion draft, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to carry out an information technology system to
manage supply chains for medical facilities of Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs’’
On March 30, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct a legislative hearing regarding the above bills. There were
two witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the first
panel: Mr. Edward Murray, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Management & Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Office of Man-
agement, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Harvey John-
son, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, Di-
versity and Inclusion, Office of Resolution Management, Diversity
and Inclusion, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Dan
Keenaghan, Executive Director, VA Insurance Service, Veterans
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Jennifer Adams, Executive Director, Network Management, Office
of Community Care, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Maryanne Donaghy, Assistant Sec-
retary for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, Office of
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Christopher Wilber, Acting Assistant Inspec-
tor General for Management and Administration, Office of Inspec-
tor General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Seto
Bagdoyan, Director of Forensic Audits and Investigative Service,
U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Tiffany
Ellett, Health Policy Coordinator, The American Legion; Mr. Pat-
rick Murray, Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms.
Jennifer Dane, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director,
Modern Military Association of America; and Lindsay Church, Ex-
ecutive Director and Co-Founder, Minority Veterans of America.
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Ensuring Independ-
ence and Building Trust: Considering Reforms to Whis-
tleblower Protections at VA’’
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On June 16, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct a legislative hearing regarding H.R. 8510, the Strengthening
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60
Whistleblower Protections at the Department of Veterans Affairs
Act, related to the Subcommittee’s oversight of whistleblower pro-
tections and procedures at VA, especially as performed by the Of-
fice of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) and
the Office of General Counsel (OGC).
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Ms. Maryanne T. Donaghy, Assistant Secretary,
Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Catherine Mitrano, Principal Deputy
General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Elizabeth McMurray, Chief of Retalia-
tion and Disclosure Unit, Office of Special Counsel. The following
witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. Jacqueline Garrick,
Founder, Whistleblowers of America; Mr. Tom Devine, Legal Direc-
tor, Government Accountability Project; and Ms. Joanna Derman,
Policy Counsel, Project on Government Oversight.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘The Pandemic and VA’s
Medical Supply Chain: Evaluating the Year-Long Re-
sponse and Modernization’’
On March 24, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing, which examined the VA supply
chain, how well it adapted during the COVID–19 pandemic, and
planned improvements. There was one witness panel. The following
witnesses testified: Ms. Deborah Kramer, Acting Assistant Under
Secretary for Health for Support, Veterans Health Administration,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Andrew Centineo, Execu-
tive Director, Procurement and Logistics Office, Veterans Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Phillip
Christy, Deputy Executive Director for Acquisitions, Logistics, and
Construction, Office of Acquisitions, Logistics, and Construction,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; The Honorable Michael Mis-
sal, Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Shelby Oakley, Director of
Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, U.S. Government
Accountability Office.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Transforming the VA
Workforce: Assessing Progress on Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion Initiatives’’
On May 6, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct an oversight hearing, which examined VA’s workforce, how
the workforce has changed in recent years, and progress regarding
diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. There was one witness
panel.
The following witnesses testified: Mr. Harvey Johnson, Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, Diversity and In-
clusion, Office of Resolution Management, Diversity and Inclusion,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Anne-Marie Duncan, As-
sociate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution Management, Of-
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fice of Resolution Management, Diversity, and Inclusion, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Ryan Pugh Director of Workforce
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61
Analysis, Office of Resolution Management, Diversity and Inclu-
sion, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Sheila Elliott, Presi-
dent, Local 2328 at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Hampton
(Virginia) VA Medical Center, American Federation of Government
Employees; Mr. Victor J. LaGroon, Director and Chairman, Black
Veterans Empowerment Council; and Mr. Rick C. Wade, Senior
Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Outreach, U.S. Chamber
of Commerce.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Protecting Whistle-
blowers and Promoting Accountability: Is VA Making
Progress?’’
On May 19, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct an oversight hearing, which examined whistleblower protec-
tions and procedures at VA, with a focus on the responsibilities and
performance of the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Pro-
tection and the Office of General Counsel.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Mr. Hansel Cordeiro, Acting Assistant Secretary
for Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, Office of Account-
ability and Whistleblower Protection, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; Mr. Christopher Wilber, Counsel to the Inspector General,
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
and Ms. Elizabeth McMurray, Chief of Retaliation and Disclosure
Unit, Office of Special Counsel. The following witnesses testified on
the second panel: Ms. Melissa Wasser, Policy Counsel, Project on
Government Oversight; Mr. Tom Devine, Legal Director, Govern-
ment Accountability Project; and Ms. Jacqueline Garrick, Founder,
Whistleblowers of America.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Modernizing the VA Po-
lice Force: Ensuring Accountability’’
On July 13, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct an oversight hearing, which examined the governance and ac-
countability of the police force at the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs.
The following witnesses testified: Mr. Lewis Ratchford, Chief Se-
curity Officer, Human Resources and Administration/Operations,
Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs; Mr. James Ward, Executive Director of the Law En-
forcement Training Center/Chief of Police, Human Resources and
Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/
OSP), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Tammy Czarnecki,
Deputy Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Operations, Vet-
erans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Mr. Troy Brown, Senior Security Officer, Veterans Health Adminis-
tration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Leigh Ann
Searight, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Eval-
uations, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs; and Ms. Catina B. Latham, PhD, Acting Director, Physical
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Infrastructure Team, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
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Joint Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Modernizing VA’s
Medical Supply Chain: Progress Made?’’
On November 18, 2021, the Subcommittees on Oversight and In-
vestigations and Technology Modernization held a joint oversight
hearing, which examined long-standing supply chain modernization
and acquisition challenges facing VA. There was one witness panel.
The following witnesses testified: Mr. Michael D. Parrish, Prin-
cipal Executive Director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Con-
struction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Neil Evans,
Acting Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Ms. Deborah Kramer, Acting Assistant Under Secretary for
Health for Support, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Shelby Oakley, Director of Con-
tracting and National Security Acquisitions, U.S. Government Ac-
countability Office; and Ms. Leigh Ann Searight, Deputy Assistant
Inspector General, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Progress Made?—End-
ing Sexual Harassment at the Department of Veterans
Affairs’’
On July 28, 2022, the Subcommittee, partnering with the Women
Veterans Task Force, conducted an oversight hearing to examine
VA’s progress in addressing and preventing sexual harass-
ment.There was one witness panel. The following witnesses testi-
fied: Mr. Harvey Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of
Resolution Management, Diversity & Inclusion, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Perdita Johnson-Abercrombie, Director of Op-
erations (Eastern Region), Office of Resolution Management, Diver-
sity & Inclusion, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr.
Thomas Costa, Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Secu-
rity, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
Joint Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘VA Major Acquisi-
tion Failures: In Search of Solutions’’
On September 20, 2022, the Subcommittees on Oversight and In-
vestigations and Technology Modernization met in open session to
conduct a joint oversight hearing. The hearing examined VA’s man-
agement and oversight of several major acquisition programs, the
Department’s efforts to address longstanding acquisition manage-
ment challenges, and implications for ongoing modernization ef-
forts. There was one witness panel.
The following witnesses testified: Mr. Michael Parrish, Chief Ac-
quisition Officer and Principal Executive Director, Office of Acquisi-
tion, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Dr. Angela Billups, Executive Director and Senior Procure-
ment Executive, Office of Acquisition and Logistics, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Michele Foster, Associate Executive
Director, Technology Acquisition Center, U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs; and Ms. Shelby Oakley, Director of Contracting and
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National Security Acquisitions, U.S. Government Accountability Of-
fice.
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SITE VISITS
Venice Italy. On August 10, 2021, majority Subcommittee staff,
accompanied by Economic Opportunity Subcommittee staff and
Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs majority and minority staff,
participated in a staff delegation site visit to the U.S. Army Garri-
son-Italy in Vicenza, Italy. During the site visit, staff participated
in a mission brief provided by the Army Garrison leadership, in-
cluding Major General Andrew M. Rohling, Commanding General,
Southern European Task Force—Africa, and Colonel Matthew
Gomlak, Garrison Commander. Following the briefing, staff ob-
served a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) classroom session
and toured the TAP facilities, meeting with instructors and pro-
gram fellows. Staff also received a TAP overview from the Garrison
Commander and Mr. Poulin, the Transition Service Manager, who
led the Garrison’s TAP. During this presentation, staff queried
TAP instructors and program leads on how they measure the core
goals of TAP, implement National Defense Authorization Act man-
dates, and on plans for modernizing and improving TAP instruction
and effectiveness. Later that day, staff participated in a hosted
lunch, which allowed for staff to meet and discuss the TAP fea-
tures, strengths, and opportunities for improvement, among other
topics, with soldiers from co-located Army units.
On August 11, 2021, the staff delegation conducted a site visit
to Aviano Air Base in Aviano, Italy. Pursuing similar information
as the prior day’s site visit, staff participated in a mission brief
that was led by Brigadier General Jason Bailey, Commander, 31st
Fighter Wing, and Colonel Vincent O’Connor, 31st Fighter Wing
Vice Commander. Staff conducted a tour of the base TAP facilities,
including dedicated classrooms and offices in the Airman and Fam-
ily Readiness Center, interacted with airmen over lunch, and at-
tended a TAP demonstration. During the demonstration, staff were
able to hear from current servicemembers participating in TAP and
veterans who had recently completed the program. Staff were able
to facilitate a discussion with these servicemembers, TAP instruc-
tors, and program leads, to identify, among other things, strategies
for improving TAP effectiveness, and participation, and completion
rates, as well as tracking critical data to measure program metrics.
Ballston, Virginia. On September 23, 2021, majority Sub-
committee staff, along with minority Subcommittee and majority
Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs staff, attended a Financial
Management Business Transformation (FMBT) demonstration at
CGI Federal’s facility in Ballston, Virginia. VA awarded a systems
integration contract to CGI Federal to support the FMBT program.
The FMBT program seeks to modernize VA’s financial and acquisi-
tion management systems to enable VA to become compliant with
federal financials laws and regulations. From FY 16 to FY21, VA
obligated about $734 million for the FMBT program and the Life
Cycle Cost Estimates is nearly $3 billion. The first phase of this
multi-year implementation began at the National Cemetery Admin-
istration and will continue at the other VA Administrations and
staff offices over the next seven years.
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Baltimore, Maryland. On October 15, 2021, majority Sub-
committee staff, along with minority and majority staff on the Sub-
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committee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, partici-
pated in a facility briefing and on-site tour of the Baltimore Na-
tional Cemetery and Baltimore Regional and National Capital Re-
gion Benefits Office. At the benefits office, the delegation also con-
ducted multiple focus groups with VA’s public-facing employees, in-
cluding claims processors and Military Sexual Trauma coordina-
tors.
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. On November 10, 2021, majority
Subcommittee staff, along with minority Subcommittee and major-
ity Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs staff, participated in a
site visit to a Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) distribution center
in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, which VA utilizes as an interim
‘‘Regional Readiness Center.’’ VA began its Regional Readiness
Center initiative in the early months of the COVID–19 pandemic
to aid in the management and resupply of personal protective
equipment (PPE) across the VA enterprise. Staff had an oppor-
tunity to tour the 863,000-square-foot Chambersburg facility,
which, at the time, held roughly 25,000 pallets of blood tubes, rapid
COVID–19 tests, gowns, gloves, masks, and other PPE, and en-
gaged in a question-and-answer session with representatives from
the Veterans Health Administration, DLA, and the contractor oper-
ating the facility.
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ACTIVITIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY
MODERNIZATION
FRANK MRVAN, Indiana, Chair
MATT ROSENDALE, Montana, Ranking Member
MARK TAKANO, California JIM BANKS, Indiana
SHEILA CHERFILUS MCCORMICK, Florida
TIMOTHY BRENNAN, Majority Staff Director
WILLIAM MALLISON, Minority Staff Director
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LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Legislative Hearing—‘‘Legislative Hearing on
H.R. 4591; a discussion draft, the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs Demographic Data Collection Improve-
ment Act of 2021; H.R. 2250; and H.R. 2326’’
On Thursday, October 7, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open
session to conduct a legislative hearing regarding the above bills.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified on
the first panel: Mr. Paul Brubaker, Acting Principal Deputy Assist-
ant Secretary, Office of Information Technology, U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Kshemendra Paul, Executive Director/
Chief Data Officer, Office of Data Governance and Analysis, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified
on the second panel: Mr. Patrick Murray, Director, National Legis-
lative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Jennifer Dane, Exec-
utive Director, Modern Military Association of America; Lindsay
Church, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Minority Veterans of
America.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Strategic Review: Eval-
uating Concerns About the Ongoing Implementation of
the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program’’
On April 14, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct an oversight hearing to perform a strategic review. On March
17, 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) informed Con-
gress that it was conducting a ‘‘strategic review of the Electronic
Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program.’’ In the notification
VA indicated, due to the review, it would delay the next scheduled
EHRM go-live scheduled for April 2021 at the Wylie P. Chalmers
VA Ambulatory Care Center in Columbus, Ohio.
The hearing examined VA’s ongoing efforts to deploy its $16 bil-
lion EHRM program with specific emphasis on the issues and chal-
lenges identified at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in
Spokane, Washington. Topics included: VA’s plans for the strategic
review, the revised deployment schedule; ongoing concerns with
productivity loss and staff morale; clinical workflows; and data syn-
dication.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Acting Deputy Secretary,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Kameron L. Matthews,
Assistant Undersecretary for Health for Clinical Services, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
John Windom, Executive Director, Office of Electronic Health
Record Modernization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr.
Laura Kroupa, Chief Medical Officer, Office of Electronic Health
Record Modernization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr.
John Short, Chief Technology and Integration Officer, Office of
Electronic Health Record Modernization, U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs; and Dr. Robert Fischer, Director, Mann-Grandstaff
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VA Medical Center, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the
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second panel: Mr. Brian Sandager, General Manager, Cerner Gov-
ernment Services; Mr. Avi Vaswani, Vice President, Cerner Gov-
ernment Services; and Ms. Melissa Solito, Vice President and Chief
Nursing Officer, Cerner Government Services.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Cybersecurity and Risk
Management at the VA: Addressing Ongoing Challenges
and Moving Forward’’
On May 20, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct a hearing to review the annual Federal Information Security
Modernization Act (FISMA) audit. In this hearing, the Sub-
committee assessed how VA manages its cybersecurity program, in-
cluding supply chain management and controlling access to con-
fidential data; and evaluated the safeguarding of information tech-
nology assets. The hearing also examined ongoing challenges in cy-
bersecurity and VA’s response to those challenges. There was one
witness panel.
The following witnesses testified: Mr. Paul Cunningham, Deputy
Assistant Secretary and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO),
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Gary Stevens, Deputy
Chief Information Security Officer, Executive Director for Informa-
tion Security Policy and Strategy, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs; Ms. Martha Orr, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Quality
Performance and Risk, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Luwanda Jones, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Strategic
Sourcing, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Michael Bow-
man, Director of IT and Security Audits Division, Office of Audits
and Evaluations, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Chris Jaikaran, Analyst in Cybersecurity
Policy, Congressional Research Service.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Review of the FY22 Vet-
erans Affairs Information Technology Budget’’
On July 1, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct an oversight hearing to review VA’s proposed technology mod-
ernization and technology sustainment funding for FY22. The hear-
ing covered funding for Electronic Health Record Modernization as
well as funding for Information Technology across the department.
The hearing addressed VA’s funding requests to ensure the timely
delivery of IT systems that meet the needs of veterans across the
country. There was one witness panel.
The following witnesses testified: Mr. Jon Rychalski, Assistant
Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Dominic Cussatt, Acting As-
sistant Secretary of Information Technology and Acting Chief Infor-
mation Officer (CIO), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Mi-
chael D. Parrish, Executive Director for Acquisitions, Logistics, and
Construction, and Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO), U.S. Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Larry Davis, Executive Director for
IT Budget and Finance, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
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Carol C. Harris, Director of Information Technology and Cybersecu-
rity, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
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Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Moving Forward: Evalu-
ating Next Steps for the Department of Veterans Affairs
Electronic Health Record Modernization Program’’
On July 21, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to con-
duct an oversight hearing to review the next steps of the EHRM
program and VA’s strategic review. On March 17, 2021, the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs (VA) informed Congress that it was
conducting a ‘‘strategic review of the Electronic Health Record
Modernization program.’’ In the notification VA indicated it would
delay the next scheduled EHRM go-live scheduled for April 2021 at
the Wylie P. Chalmers VA Ambulatory Care Center in Columbus,
Ohio. This strategic review was expected to be complete by June
30, 2021 and has now been delayed.
The hearing examined VA’s ongoing efforts to deploy its $16 bil-
lion EHRM program with specific emphasis on the issues and chal-
lenges identified at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in
Spokane, Washington. Topics included: findings from VA’s strategic
review; how the review will impact the deployment schedule; how
changes to the program will impact program costs; and funding
sources for infrastructure costs associated with upgrades neces-
sitated by EHRM.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Assistant Under Secretary
for Health for Discovery, Education and Affiliate Networks, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Kameron L. Matthews, Assist-
ant Undersecretary for Health for Clinical Services, Veterans
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and
Mr. David Case, Deputy Inspector General, Office of the Inspector
General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The following wit-
nesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Brian Sandager, General
Manager, Cerner Government Services; and Mr. Avi Vaswani, Vice
President, Cerner Government Services.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Modernizing and Secur-
ing VA’s IT Infrastructure’’
On September 30, 2021, the Subcommittee conducted an over-
sight hearing, which reviewed the progress of VA’s modernization
programs as well as their progress with securing IT infrastructure.
The hearing covered the Infrastructure Readiness Plan (IRP),
progress with current modernization programs such as FMBT and
DMLLS/LogiCole, and VA’s Digital Transformation Strategy. The
hearing also addressed overall IT infrastructure and cybersecurity
efforts that are intrinsic to all of VA’s modernization efforts. There
was one witness panel.
The following witnesses testified: Dr. Neil Evans, Acting Assist-
ant Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief Informa-
tion Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Todd Simp-
son, Deputy Assistant Secretary DevSecOps, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Charles Worthington, Chief Technology Offi-
cer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Paul
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Cunningham, Deputy Chief Information Officer and Chief Informa-
tion Security Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Next Steps: Examining
Plans for the Continuation of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization
Program’’
On November 2, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to
conduct an oversight hearing to review next steps of the the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs’ Electronic Health Record Moderniza-
tion Program. On September 20, 2021, the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) informed Congress that it was prepared to move for-
ward with EHRM deployments in VISNs 10 and 20 in early 2022.
There are many outstanding questions about how VA intends to ac-
complish this. This hearing examined VA’s ongoing efforts to de-
ploy its $16 billion EHRM program with specific emphasis on the
issues and challenges identified during the strategic review of the
program. Topics included: how VA intends to integrate findings
from its strategic review; how changes will impact the deployment
schedule and program costs; and how VA means to properly ac-
count for infrastructure costs associated with upgrades necessitated
by EHRM.
There was one witness panel. The following witness testified: The
Honorable Donald M. Remy, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs.
Joint Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘IT Infrastructure
Modernization: Addressing Ongoing Challenges and the
Path Forward.’’
On Wednesday, February 9, 2022, the Subcommittees on Tech-
nology Modernization and Oversight & Investigations met in open
session to conduct an oversight hearing. The hearing reviewed the
coordination and management of VA’s IT modernization programs
as well as the new Chief Information Officer’s vision and plans for
this year. The hearing covered the coordination and top-level man-
agement of the current major IT modernization programs such as
FMBT, Supply Chain Modernization, and HR Modernization. The
hearing also addressed VA’s plans for scheduling and integration of
the major efforts to ensure interoperability and improved services
to VA staff and veterans, including standardization of demographic
data across VA and its IT platforms.
There was one witness panel. The following witness testified: Mr.
Kurt DelBene, Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology
and Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
fairs.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Next Steps: Examining
Plans for the Continuation of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization
Program’’
On Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open ses-
sion to conduct an oversight hearing to review next steps of the
EHRM program after the VA Office of the Inspector General re-
leased three oversight reports highlighting ongoing concerns with
the deployment of Cerner Millennium at Mann-Grandstaff VA
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Medical Center in Spokane, Washington in March 2022. These re-
ports identify that, almost a year and a half after the go-live, many
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70
issues with medication management, referral management, and
VA’s issue resolution process remain unaddressed.
On April 5, 2022, members of the Subcommittee on Technology
Modernization heard from leadership at Mann-Grandstaff and the
Jonathan M. Wainwright VA Medical Center in Walla Walla,
Washington about the impacts of these issues on front-line staff.
Members also heard from leadership at the Chalmers P. Wylie Vet-
erans Outpatient Clinic in Columbus, OH, about preparations for
its planned April 30, 2022, go-live. The hearing afforded an oppor-
tunity to hear from VA and Cerner leadership about plans to ad-
dress the unresolved issues, ameliorate staff frustration, and im-
prove training and change management efforts for future deploy-
ment of the Cerner Millennium system at additional VA facilities.
There were two witness panels. The following witness testified on
the first panel: Dr. Terry Adirim, Program Executive Director,
EHRM Integration Office (EHRM IO), U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs; Dr. Donald Pirraglia, Former Acting VHA Functional
Champion, EHRM IO, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms.
Laura Prietula, Acting Deputy Chief Information Officer, EHRM
IO, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. David Case, Dep-
uty Inspector General, VA Office of the Inspector General, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified on
the second panel: Mr. Patrick Sargent, Senior Vice President and
General Manager, Cerner Government Services; Mr. Avi Vaswani,
Vice President, Cerner Government Services; Ms. Melissa Solito,
Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Cerner Government
Services.
Subcommittee Oversight Hearing—‘‘Cyber- and Information
Security at VA: Continuing Challenges’’
On June 7, 2022, the Subcommittee n met in open session to con-
duct an oversight hearing to review the annual Federal Informa-
tion Security Modernization Act (FISMA) audit, assess how the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs (VA) manages its cybersecurity pro-
gram, and to evaluate the safeguarding of information technology
assets. Ongoing cybersecurity challenges, especially those brought
about by geopolitical events, and VA’s response to those challenges
were also discussed. The hearing also provided an opportunity for
VA to discuss pending cybersecurity bills—including the SVAC Act
(HR 7299, S3863).
There was one witness panel. The following witnesses testified:
Mr. Kurt Delbene, Assistant Secretary for Information and Tech-
nology and Chief Information Officer (CIO), Office of Information
and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Lynette
Sherrill, Acting Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Office of
Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Mr. Michael Bowman, Director of IT and Security Audits Division,
Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Subcommittee Oversight Hearing, ‘‘Protecting Our Veterans:
Patient Safety and the Electronic Health Record Mod-
ernization Program’’
On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, the Subcommittee held an over-
sight hearing to review patient safety concerns with the EHRM
program. On June 19, 2022, the Spokesman Review published an
article citing an unpublished Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report related to a previously
undisclosed function of the Cerner Millennium electronic health
record (EHR). The article alleged that the OIG identified multiple
cases of patient harm caused by this function, labeled the ‘‘un-
known queue’’. This revelation, in addition to the Subcommittee’s
ongoing concerns about patient safety related to the program, ne-
cessitated a conversation about patient safety as it relates to the
system. This hearing was an opportunity to hear from VA and Ora-
cle/Cerner leadership about plans to ensure that patient safety re-
mains the number one priority in the deployment of EHRM pro-
gram and how they intend to rectify these issues before any more
veterans are harmed.
There were two witness panels. The following witnesses testified
on the first panel: Dr. Terry Adirim, Program Executive Director,
Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Edward Yackel, Executive Di-
rector, National Center for Patient Safety, Veterans Health Admin-
istration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Robert Fischer,
Medical Center Director, Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, Vet-
erans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;
Mr. Scott Kelter, Medical Center Director, Jonathan M. Wain-
wright VA Medical Center, Veterans Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Lynelle Johnson, Acting Chief
Medical Officer, Electronic Health Record Modernization Integra-
tion Office, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. David Case,
Deputy Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Julie Kroviak, Principal Deputy
Assistant Inspector General, Office of Healthcare Inspections, Of-
fice of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. Mike
Sicilia, Executive Vice President, Industries, Oracle; Mr. Patrick
Sargent, Senior Vice President and General Manager; Oracle
Cerner Government Services; Mr. David Case, Deputy Inspector
General, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs; Dr. Julie Kroviak, Principal Deputy Assistant Inspec-
tor General, Office of Healthcare Inspections, Office of the Inspec-
tor General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
SITE VISITS
Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, Spokane, WA. On October
14, 2021, Chairman Frank Mrvan held a virtual site visit with the
leadership and staff at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in
Spokane, Washington. The visit was originally intended to be in
person but was converted to virtual due to concerns over rising
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COVID–19 infection rates in the region. On October 24, 2020, VA
deployed its new Cerner electronic health record at Mann-
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Grandstaff and its associated clinics. The committee has heard re-
peatedly from leadership and staff about their concerns with the
system, to include degraded performance, frequent downtimes, loss
of productivity, and other technical and programmatic issues. r
Mrvan heard first-hand from the leadership and staff who have
been struggling under the weight of being first in the monumental
change initiative.
Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, Spokane and Jonathan M.
Wainwright VA Medical Center, Walla Walla, WA. On February
22–26, 2022, minority staff conducted an oversight visit to the
Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, Washington and
the Jonathan M. Wainwright Medical Center in Walla Walla,
Washington to observe the facilities’ readiness for the upcoming go-
live of the Cerner electronic health record. During the visit, minor-
ity staff met with each facility’s leadership teams, their electronic
health record implementation teams, each clinical department, and
their facilities and information technology staff to discuss their
preparations and readiness.
Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Clinic, Columbus, OH. On
March 23–25, 2022, minority staff conducted an oversight visit to
the Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Clinic in Columbus, Ohio
to observe the facility’s readiness for the upcoming go-live of the
Cerner electronic health record. During the visit, minority staff met
with the facility’s leadership team, the electronic health record im-
plementation team, each clinical department, and the facilities and
information technology staff to discuss their preparations and read-
iness.
Jonathan M. Wainwright VA Medical Center, Walla Walla, WA.
On March 28, 2022, Majority staff conducted an oversight visit to
the Walla Walla, Washington, VA Medical Center to observe the
post-go-live activities following the facilities go-live of the new
Cerner Electronic Health Record (EHR). This was only the second
time that VA had deployed the system in eighteen months. The
visit was an opportunity to observe staff engagement and morale,
and to discuss issues with the system.
VA Boise Healthcare System, Boise, ID. On July 9, 2022, minor-
ity staff conducted an oversight visit to the VA Boise Healthcare
System in Boise, Idaho, to observe the facility’s readiness for the
upcoming go-live of the Cerner electronic health record. During the
visit, Minority staff met with the facility’s leadership team, the
electronic health record implementation team, each clinical depart-
ment, and the facilities and information technology staff to discuss
their preparations and readiness. Boise’s go-live was later delayed.
VA Financial Services Center, Austin, TX. On August 24, 2022,
minority staff conducted an oversight visit to the VA’s Financial
Services Center in Austin, Texas. minority staff met with each divi-
sion within the organization to understand their functions and dis-
cussed key issues including financial fraud controls, the Financial
Management Business Transformation program, and management
of the Financial Services Center’ information technology staff.
VA’s Austin Information Technology Center (AITC), Austin, TX.
On August 25, 2022, Majority staff traveled to VA’s Austin Infor-
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mation Technology Center (AITC) to meet with VA staff and gather
first-hand testimonial evidence and perspectives on activities of
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VA. The AITC supports over 100 customer applications that pro-
vide mission-critical data for financial management, payroll,
human resources, logistics, medical records, eligibility benefits and
supply functions for VA customers. Committee staff evaluated the
effectiveness of the facility and the activities undertaken there.
Staff also discussed specific additional resources needed to maxi-
mize its effectiveness and reviewed challenges faced by VA leader-
ship and staff.
Oregon and Washington VA Medical Centers. On October 18–22,
2022, Majority and Minority staff conducted oversight visits to the
White City VA Medical Center, White City, OR; Roseburg VA Med-
ical Center, Roseburg, OR; Portland VA Medical Center, Portland,
OR; and the Vancouver VA Medical Center, Vancouver, WA. The
purpose of the trip was to meet with staff and leadership at the
White City and Roseburg facilities to evaluate the post-go-live state
of the EHRM program and to meet with the staff and leadership
at the Portland and Vancouver facilities to evaluate the state of
preparations for go-live of the system. The visits were an oppor-
tunity to evaluate staff engagement and morale, as well as to hear
first-hand from staff about the concerns with the Cerner Millen-
nium product and the deployment program.
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ACTIVITIES OF THE WOMEN VETERANS TASK FORCE
JULIA BROWNLEY, California, Chairwoman
AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN, (American Samoa), Co-Chairwoman
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP ON THE TASK FORCE
MARK TAKANO, California MIKE BOST, Illinois
COLIN Z. ALLRED, Texas JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania NANCY MACE, South Carolina
MIKE LEVIN, California DR. MARIANETTE MILLER-MEEKS, Iowa
CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire CONNIE CONWAY, California
ELAINE G. LURIA, Virginia
FRANK MRVAN, Indiana
LOIS FRANKEL, Florida
MARCY KAPTUR, Ohio
ELISSA SLOTKIN, Michigan
RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona
GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN,
(Northern Mariana Islands)
LAUREN UNDERWOOD, Illinois
SHEILA CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK, Florida
DR. RAUL RUIZ, California
DAVID TRONE, Maryland
ESTI LAMONACA, Senior Policy Advisor
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LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
The Women Veterans Task Force coordinated all legislative ac-
tivities through the subcommittees of the Committee on Veterans’
Affairs.
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
Task Force Roundtable—‘‘Veteran Service Organizations &
Leaders of the Women Veterans Task Force’’
On August 25, 2022, the Task Force held an open, virtual, round-
table with Chairwoman Brownley and Co-Chair Radewagen to in-
troduce and hear from 24 key Veteran Service Organization rep-
resentatives, 4 subject matter experts, and 3 researchers to con-
sider and resolve women veteran challenges.
The following witnesses attended: Ms. Naomi Mathis, Associate
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Tammy
Barlet, Deputy Director of the National Legislative Service, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Rene Campos, Executive Director, Mili-
tary Officers Association of America; Ms. Janessa Goldbeck, CEO,
Vet Voice Foundation; Ms. Phyllis Wilson, President, Women in
Military Service for America; Lindsay Church, Executive Director,
Minority Veterans of America; Ms. Julie Howell, Associate Legisla-
tive Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Ms. Lorry Fenner,
Director of Government Operations, Service Women’s Action Net-
work; Ms. BriGette McCoy, Founder, Women Veteran Social Justice
Network; Ms. Lindsay Knapp, Executive Director, Combat Sexual
Assault; Ms. Kaitlynne Yancy, Associate Director, Iraq and Afghan-
istan Veterans of America; Professor Deborah Harmon-Pugh, Na-
tional Chair, Women Veterans Rock; Ms. Stephanie Gattas, Found-
er, The Pink Berets; Ms. Jennifer Dane, CEO, Modern Military As-
sociation of America; Ms. Lauren Augustine, Vice President, Stu-
dent Veterans of America; Ms. Kristina Keenan, Assistant Director,
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. MaCherie Dunbar, Associate Direc-
tor, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Jen Burch, Government Affairs
Specialist, Wounded Warrior Project; Ms. Katie Purswell, Director
for VBA, VHA, and Memorial Affairs, The American Legion; Ms.
Cassandra Williamson, Board Member, Transgender American Vet-
erans Association; Ms. Yomika Alexander, Black Women Veterans
Council; Dr. Tiffany Lange, Psychologist, former VA staff; Ms.
Octavia Harris, former VA Advisory Committee on Women Vet-
erans member; Ms. Jodie Grenier, Founder, Foundation for Women
Warriors; Ms. Kayla Williams, Senior Policy Researcher, RAND
Corporation; Ms. Lucy Del Gaudio, Women Veteran Researcher;
Ms. Janet Thompson, Subject Matter Expert; and Ms. Mary
Kaszynski, Subject Matter Expert.
Task Force Roundtable—‘‘Women Wounded Warriors’’
On September 13, 2022, the Task Force, led by acting Task Force
Chairman Mark Takano and acting Co-Chair Nancy Mace, partici-
pated in a roundtable with over 30 women veterans from across the
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nation of all ages, backgrounds, and service eras during Wounded
Warrior Project annual conference in D.C.
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The event was led by Ms. Jen Burch and Ms. Lindsey Stanford,
Government Affairs Specialists from Wounded Warrior Project, ad-
ditional witness names were not collected.
Task Force Roundtable—‘‘Military to Civilian Transition:
Military Sexual Trauma Survivors’’
On September 20, 2022, Chairwoman Brownley and Co-Chair
Radewagen held a roundtable to gain insight on the challenges
MST Survivors encounter during transition and find legislative so-
lutions for what support and services are missing throughout
transitioning. Over the years, Department of Defense (DoD) and
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have implemented joint initia-
tives focused on providing a seamless transition for MST Survivors.
However, for many veterans with MST, especially women veterans,
support when transitioning is insufficient or nonexistent.
The following witnesses attended: Ms. Naomi Mathis, Associate
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Tammy
Barlet, Deputy Director of the National Legislative Service, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Rene Campos, Executive Director, Mili-
tary Officers Association of America; Ms. Jen Goodale, Director of
Government Relations, Military Officers Association of America;
Ms. Janessa Goldbeck, CEO, Vet Voice Foundation; Ms. Phyllis
Wilson, President, Women in Military Service for America; Lindsay
Church, Executive Director, Minority Veterans of America; Ms.
Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of
America; Ms. Lorry Fenner, Director of Government Operations,
Service Women’s Action Network; Ms. Kaitlynne Yancy, Associate
Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Ms. Stephanie
Gattas, Founder, The Pink Berets; Ms. Jennifer Dane, CEO, Mod-
ern Military Association of America; Ms. Lauren Augustine, Vice
President, Student Veterans of America; Ms. Kristina Keenan, As-
sistant Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. MaCherie Dunbar,
Associate Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Jen Burch and
Ms. Lindsey Stanford, Government Affairs Specialists, Wounded
Warrior Project; Ms. Tiffany Ellett, Director, The American Legion;
Dr. Tiffany Lange, Psychologist, former VA staff; Ms. Octavia Har-
ris, former VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans member;
Ms. Jodie Grenier, Founder, Foundation for Women Warriors; Ms.
Lucy Del Gaudio, Women Veteran Researcher.
Task Force Roundtable—‘‘Oversight and Legislative Prior-
ities’’
On October 6, 2022, bipartisan staff from the Women Veterans
Task Force held a roundtable to receive input from 24 VSO’s re-
garding the Task Force’s oversight and legislative agenda.
The following witnesses attended: Ms. Naomi Mathis, Associate
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Tammy
Barlet, Deputy Director of the National Legislative Service, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Rene Campos, Executive Director, and
Ms. Jen Goodale from Military Officers Association of America; Ms.
Janessa Goldbeck, CEO, Vet Voice Foundation; Ms. Phyllis Wilson,
President, Women in Military Service for America; Lindsay
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Church, Executive Director, Minority Veterans of America; Ms.
Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of
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America; Ms. Lorry Fenner, Director of Government Operations,
Service Women’s Action Network; Ms. BriGette McCoy, Founder,
Women Veteran Social Justice Network; Ms. Lindsay Knapp, Exec-
utive Director, Combat Sexual Assault; Ms. Kaitlynne Yancy, Asso-
ciate Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Pro-
fessor Deborah Harmon-Pugh, National Chair, Women Veterans
Rock; Ms. Stephanie Gattas, Founder, The Pink Berets; Ms. Jen-
nifer Dane, CEO, Modern Military Association of America; Ms.
Lauren Augustine, Vice President, Student Veterans of America;
Ms. Kristina Keenan, Assistant Director, Veterans of Foreign
Wars; Ms. MaCherie Dunbar, Associate Director, Veterans of For-
eign Wars; Ms. Jen Burch, Government Affairs Specialist, Wound-
ed Warrior Project; Ms. Katie Purswell and Ms. Tiffany Ellet, Di-
rector for VBA, VHA, and Memorial Affairs, The American Legion;
Ms. Cassandra Williamson, Board Member, Transgender American
Veterans Association; Ms. Yomika Alexander, Black Women Vet-
erans Council; Ms. Jodie Grenier, Founder, Foundation for Women
Warriors; and Ms. Lucy Del Gaudio, Women Veteran Researcher.
Task Force Roundtable—‘‘LGBTQ+ Veterans, their Families,
and their Survivors: Accessing VA’’
On October 25, 2022, Chairwoman Brownley and Co-Chair
Radewagen held a virtual roundtable on LGBTQ+ veterans to iden-
tify ongoing barriers and gaps in policy that VA must address to
truly provide all veterans, their families, and survivors access to
VA benefits and services.
The following witnesses attended: Mr. Evan R. Seamone, General
counsel and Legal Manager, Trajector; Mr. Keith Streicher, Black
LGBTQ+ Veterans Council; Dr. Tiffany Lange, Psychologist, former
VA staff; Ms. Naomi Mathis, Associate Legislative Director, Dis-
abled American Veterans; Ms. Tammy Barlet, Deputy Director of
the National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms.
Rene Campos, Executive Director, Military Officers Association of
America; Lindsay Church, Executive Director, Minority Veterans of
America; Ms. Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director, Para-
lyzed Veterans of America; Ms. Lorry Fenner, Director of Govern-
ment Operations, Service Women’s Action Network; Ms. Lindsay
Knapp, Executive Director, Combat Sexual Assault; Ms. Kaitlynne
Yancy, Associate Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of Amer-
ica; Professor Deborah Harmon-Pugh, National Chair, Women Vet-
erans Rock; Ms. Stephanie Merlo, Staff, The Pink Berets; Ms. Jen-
nifer Dane, CEO, Modern Military Association of America; Ms.
Kristina Keenan, Assistant Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars;
Ms. MaCherie Dunbar, Associate Director, Veterans of Foreign
Wars; Ms. Jen Burch, Government Affairs Specialist, Wounded
Warrior Project; Ms. Katie Purswell, Director for VBA, VHA, and
Memorial Affairs, The American Legion; Ms. Cassandra
Williamson, Board Member, Transgender American Veterans Asso-
ciation; Ms. Jodie Grenier, Founder, Foundation for Women War-
riors; Ms. Kayla Williams, Senior Policy Researcher, RAND Cor-
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Task Force Roundtable—‘‘Outreach, Advocacy, and Support’’
On November 4, 2022, bipartisan staff from the Women Veterans
Task Force held an in-person roundtable to learn how VSOs are
meeting or unable to meet the needs to veterans in communities
across the nation and how Congress or VA can potentially assist.
The following witnesses attended: Ms. Naomi Mathis, Associate
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Tammy
Barlet, Deputy Director of the National Legislative Service, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Rene Campos, Executive Director, and
Ms. Jen Goodale from Military Officers Association of America; Ms.
Janessa Goldbeck, CEO, Vet Voice Foundation; Ms. Phyllis Wilson,
President, Women in Military Service for America; Lindsay
Church, Executive Director, Minority Veterans of America; Ms.
Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of
America; Ms. Lorry Fenner, Director of Government Operations,
Service Women’s Action Network; Ms. BriGette McCoy, Founder,
Women Veteran Social Justice Network; Ms. Lindsay Knapp, Exec-
utive Director, Combat Sexual Assault; Ms. Kaitlynne Yancy, Asso-
ciate Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Pro-
fessor Deborah Harmon-Pugh, National Chair, Women Veterans
Rock; Ms. Stephanie Gattas, Founder, The Pink Berets; Ms. Jen-
nifer Dane, CEO, Modern Military Association of America; Ms.
Lauren Augustine, Vice President, Student Veterans of America;
Ms. Kristina Keenan, Assistant Director, Veterans of Foreign
Wars; Ms. MaCherie Dunbar, Associate Director, Veterans of For-
eign Wars; Ms. Jen Burch, Government Affairs Specialist, Wound-
ed Warrior Project; Ms. Katie Purswell and Ms. Tiffany Ellet, Di-
rector for VBA, VHA, and Memorial Affairs, The American Legion;
Ms. Cassandra Williamson, Board Member, Transgender American
Veterans Association; Ms. Yomika Alexander, Black Women Vet-
erans Council; Ms. Jodie Grenier, Founder, Foundation for Women
Warriors; and Ms. Lucy Del Gaudio, Women Veteran Researcher.
Task Force Roundtable—‘‘Implementation of the Deborah
Sampson Act’’
On November 17, 2022, Chairwoman Julia Brownley, acting Co-
Chair Nancy Mace, and Representative Lois Frankel, held an in-
person roundtable on the implementation of three key areas and
their provisions to include childcare, sexual harassment and as-
sault, and intimate partner violence. the Deborah Sampson Act.
The following VA witnesses attended: Ms. Lordes Tiglao, Direc-
tor, Center for Women Veterans; Michael Fisher, Chief Readjust-
ment Counseling Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Leila Jackson, Director, VHA As-
sault and Harassment Prevention Program, U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Perdita Johnson-Abercrombie, Regional Di-
rector, Office of Resolution Management Diversity & Inclusion,
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Anne-Marie Duncan, As-
sociate Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Resolution Manage-
ment, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. LeAnn Bruce, Na-
tional Program Manager, Intimate Partner Violence Assistance
Program, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Jennifer
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Knetig, National Program Manager, Intimate Partner Violence As-
sistance Program Megabus Pilot, U.S. Department of Veterans Af-
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fairs; and Ms. Jennifer A. Koget, National Director Social Work,
Fisher House and Family Hospitality, and Intimate Partner Vio-
lence Assistance Programs Care Management and Social Work
Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Vet-
erans Affairs.
Additional witnesses include: Ms. Miriam Pierson, Yale Law
School, Veterans Legal Clinic; Ms. Cindy Barnes, Director, U.S.
Government Accountability Office, Ms. Naomi Mathis, Associate
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Tammy
Barlet, Deputy Director of the National Legislative Service, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Rene Campos, Executive Director, Mili-
tary Officers Association of America; Lindsay Church, Executive
Director, Minority Veterans of America; Ms. Julie Howell, Associate
Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Ms. Lorry
Fenner, Director of Government Operations, Service Women’s Ac-
tion Network; Ms. Kaitlynne Yancy, Associate Director, Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America; Professor Deborah Harmon-
Pugh, National Chair, Women Veterans Rock; Ms. Stephanie
Gattas, Founder, The Pink Berets; Ms. Jennifer Dane, CEO, Mod-
ern Military Association of America; Ms. Lauren Augustine, Vice
President, Student Veterans of America; Ms. Kristina Keenan, As-
sistant Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. MaCherie Dunbar,
Associate Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Jen Burch, Gov-
ernment Affairs Specialist, Wounded Warrior Project; Ms. Katie
Purswell and Ms. Tiffany Ellet, Director for VBA, VHA, and Memo-
rial Affairs, The American Legion; Ms. Cassandra Williamson,
Board Member, Transgender American Veterans Association; Ms.
Yomika Alexander, Black Women Veterans Council; Ms. Jodie
Grenier, Founder, Foundation for Women Warriors; and Ms. Lucy
Del Gaudio, Women Veteran Researcher.
Task Force Roundtable—‘‘Road Ahead: Women and LGBTQ+
Veterans’’
On December 15, 2022, bipartisan Task Force staff held a virtual
roundtable to discuss the future of the Women Veterans Task Force
and the 118th Congress House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
The following witnesses attended: Ms. Naomi Mathis, Associate
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Tammy
Barlet, Deputy Director of the National Legislative Service, Vet-
erans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Rene Campos, Executive Director, and
Ms. Jen Goodale from Military Officers Association of America; Ms.
Janessa Goldbeck, CEO, Vet Voice Foundation; Ms. Phyllis Wilson,
President, Women in Military Service for America; Lindsay
Church, Executive Director, Minority Veterans of America; Ms.
Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of
America; Ms. Lorry Fenner, Director of Government Operations,
Service Women’s Action Network; Ms. BriGette McCoy, Founder,
Women Veteran Social Justice Network; Ms. Lindsay Knapp, Exec-
utive Director, Combat Sexual Assault; Ms. Kaitlynne Yancy, Asso-
ciate Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Pro-
fessor Deborah Harmon-Pugh, National Chair, Women Veterans
Rock; Ms. Stephanie Gattas, Founder, The Pink Berets; Ms. Jen-
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nifer Dane, CEO, Modern Military Association of America; Ms.
Lauren Augustine, Vice President, Student Veterans of America;
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Ms. Kristina Keenan, Assistant Director, Veterans of Foreign
Wars; Ms. MaCherie Dunbar, Associate Director, Veterans of For-
eign Wars; Ms. Jen Burch and Ms. Lindsey Stanford, Government
Affairs Specialists, Wounded Warrior Project; Ms. Katie Purswell
and Ms. Tiffany Ellet, Director for VBA, VHA, and Memorial Af-
fairs, The American Legion; Ms. Cassandra Williamson, Board
Member, Transgender American Veterans Association; Ms. Yomika
Alexander, Black Women Veterans Council; Ms. Jodie Grenier,
Founder, Foundation for Women Warriors; and Ms. Lucy Del
Gaudio, Women Veteran Researcher.
SITE VISITS
Washington, D.C. On October 11, 2022, bipartisan staff from the
Women Veterans Task Force visited the Washington, D.C. VA Med-
ical Center, to conduct oversight on the implementation of the
Deborah Sampson Act, which included a thorough tour of the entire
facility and private meetings with Womens Medical Health Direc-
tor, Womens Health Program Manager, Womens Health Primary
Care Provider, a Patient Advocate, LGBTQ+ Care Coordinator,
MST Coordinator, and Community Care staff.
Baltimore, Maryland. On November 18, 2022, bipartisan staff
from the Women Veterans Task Force and majority Health Sub-
committee Staff traveled to Baltimore’s Regional Benefit Office Bi-
partisan staff also visited the Baltimore VA Medical Center to con-
duct oversight on the implementation of the Deborah Sampson Act,
which included a thorough tour of the entire facility and private
meetings with Womens Medical Health Director, Womens Health
Program Manager, Womens Health Primary Care Provider, a Pa-
tient Advocate, LGBTQ+ Care Coordinator, MST Coordinator, and
Community Care staff.
Richmond, Virginia. On December 9, 2022, bipartisan staff from
the Women Veterans Task Force traveled to Hunter Holmes
McGuire VA Medical Center to conduct oversight on the implemen-
tation of the Deborah Sampson Act, which included a thorough tour
of the entire facility and private meetings with Womens Medical
Health Director, Womens Health Program Manager, Womens
Health Primary Care Provider, a Patient Advocate, LGBTQ+ Care
Coordinator, MST Coordinator, and Community Care staff.
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APPENDIX I: LEGISLATION THAT PASSED THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE THAT PASSED
THE HOUSE
01/16/2021: H.R. 147—BRAVE Act, To amend title 10, United
States Code, to make certain improvements to services and benefits
for veterans and separating members of the Armed Forces with re-
spect to apprenticeship programs, and for other purposes.
03/09/2021: H.R. 1276—Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccina-
tion Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every Spouse
Act, To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish
COVID–19 vaccines to certain individuals, and for other purposes.
(Public law 117–4).
03/17/2021: H.R. 1620—Violence Against Women Act Reauthor-
ization Act of 2021, To reauthorize the Violence Against Women
Act of 1994, and for other purposes.
04/20/2021: H.R. 2523—THRIVE Act, To amend the American
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to improve the COVID 19 Veteran Rapid
Retraining Assistance program, to make certain technical correc-
tions to the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans
Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, and for other
purposes. (Public law 117–16).
05/12/2021: H.R. 958—Protecting Moms Who Served Act, To
codify maternity care coordination programs at the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
05/12/2021: H.R. 1448—PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, To di-
rect the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program
on dog training therapy, and to amend title 38, United States Code,
to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide service
dogs to veterans with mental illnesses who do not have mobility
impairments. (Public law 117–37).
05/17/2021: H.R. 2911—VA Transparency & Trust Act of 2021,
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress
a plan for obligating and expending Coronavirus pandemic funding
made available to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for
other purposes. (Public law 117–63).
05/18/2021: H.R. 240—Homeless Veterans with Children Re-
integration Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct
the Secretary of Labor to prioritize the provision of services to
homeless veterans with dependents in carrying out homeless vet-
erans reintegration programs, and for other purposes.
05/18/2021: H.R. 711—West Los Angeles VA Campus Improve-
ment Act of 2021, To amend the West Los Angeles Leasing Act of
2016 to authorize the use of certain funds received pursuant to
leases entered into under such Act, and for other purposes. (Public
law 117–18).
05/18/2021: H.R. 1510—To direct the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs to submit to Congress a report on the use of cameras in med-
ical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Public law
117–64).
05/18/2021: H.R. 2167—GI Bill National Emergency Extended
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Deadline Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for
extensions of the time limitations for use of entitlement under De-
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partment of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs by
reason of school closures due to emergency and other situations,
and for other purposes.
05/18/2021: H.R. 2441—Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental
Health Act of 2021, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
expand the Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement Pro-
gram of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to direct the
Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study to as-
sess certain mental health care resources of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs available to veterans who live in rural areas. (Public
law 117–21).
05/18/2021: H.R. 2494—To amend title 38, United States Code,
to establish in the Department the Veterans Economic Opportunity
and Transition Administration, and for other purposes.
05/18/2021: H.R. 2704—Improving VA Accountability To Pre-
vent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021, To amend
title 38, United States Code, to improve the equal employment op-
portunity functions of Department of Veterans Affairs, and for
other purposes.
05/18/2021: H.R. 2788—VA Equal Employment Opportunity
Counselor Modernization Act, To amend title 38, United States
Code, to eliminate the cap on full-time employees of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs who provide equal employment oppor-
tunity counseling.
05/18/2021: H.R. 2878—Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges
and Universities Pilot Program Act, To direct the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs to carry out a Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges
and Universities Pilot Program, and for other purposes.
06/15/2021: H.R. 290—To amend title 38, United States Code,
to render an individual, who transfers certain educational assist-
ance, to which the individual is entitled because of an agreement
by such individual to serve in the Armed Forces, to a dependent
of that individual, and who fails to complete such agreement, solely
liable for the overpayment of such educational assistance.
06/15/2021: H.R. 293—VA Hospitals Establishing Leadership
Performance Act, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to es-
tablish qualifications for the human resources positions within the
Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs, and for other purposes.
06/15/2021: H.R. 1257—Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act, To di-
rect the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the ef-
fect of financial and credit counseling for homeless veteran and vet-
erans experiencing housing instability, and for other purposes.
Passed House by voice vote.
06/15/2021: H.R. 2093—Veterans and Family Information Act,
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make all fact sheets
of the Department of Veterans Affairs available in English, Span-
ish, and Tagalog, and other commonly spoken languages, and for
other purposes. (Public law 117–62).
06/15/2021: H.R. 2429—VA Police Improvement and Account-
ability Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the
staffing, transparency, and accountability of the law enforcement
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operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other
purposes.
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06/15/2021: H.R. 2545—To amend title 38, United States Code,
to clarify the role of doctors of podiatric medicine in the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Passed House
under suspension. (Public law 117–96).
06/24/2021: H.R. 239—Equal Access to Contraception for Vet-
erans Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for
limitations on copayments for contraception furnished by the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
09/20/2021: H.R. 1281—To name the Department of Veterans
Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Gaylord, Michigan, as
the Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Af-
fairs Health Care Clinic. (Public law 117–89).
09/20/2021: H.R. 3475—To name the Department of Veterans
Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Columbus, Georgia, as
the Robert S. Poydasheff VA Clinic. (Public law 117–56).
09/20/2021: H.R. 4172—To name the Department of Veterans
Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Aurora, Colorado, as
the Lieutenant Colonel John W. Mosley VA Clinic. (Public law 117–
57).
09/20/2021: H.R. 5293—Department of Veterans Affairs Expir-
ing Authorities Act of 2021, To amend title 38, United States Code,
to extend and modify certain authorities and requirements relating
to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
(Public law 117–42).
11/15/2021: H.R. 3665—To designate the medical center of the
Department of Veterans Affairs in San Diego, California, as the
Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
and to support the designation of a component of such medical cen-
ter in honor of Kathleen Bruyere. (Public law 117–98).
11/15/2021: H.R. 5671—To authorize the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to furnish seasonal influenza vaccines to certain individ-
uals, and for other purposes.
11/16/2021: H.R. 2433—Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act, To
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to take actions necessary
to ensure that certain individuals may update the burn pit registry
with a registered individual’s cause of death, and for other pur-
poses.
11/16/2021: H.R. 4233—Student Veterans Counseling Centers
Eligibility Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish
Vet Center readjustment counseling and related mental health
services to veterans and members of the Armed Forces using cer-
tain educational assistance benefits.
11/16/2021: H.R. 4591—VA Electronic Health Record Trans-
parency Act of 2021, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
submit to Congress periodic reports on the costs, performance
metrics, and outcomes of the Department of Veterans Affairs Elec-
tronic Health Record Modernization program. (Public law 117 154).
11/16/2021: H.R. 4626—VA AIM Act, To amend title 38, United
States Code, to require an independent assessment of health care
delivery systems and management processes of the Department of
Veterans Affairs be conducted once every 10 years, and for other
purposes.
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11/16/2021: H.R. 5516—VITAL Assessment Act, To direct the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the
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Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
11/16/2021: H.R. 5603—Protections for Student Veterans Act,
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish protections for
a member of the Armed Forces who leaves a course of education,
paid for with certain educational assistance, to perform certain
service.
11/18/2021: H.R. 3730—To amend title 38, United States Code,
to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs an Advisory
Committee on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated
States, and for other purposes.
12/08/2021: H.R. 5545—REMOTE Act, To extend certain expir-
ing provisions of law relating to benefits provided under Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs during
COVID–19 pandemic. (Public law 117–76).
01/12/2022: H.R. 1836—Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act
of 2021, To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the
time during which members of the Armed Forces serve on active
duty for training qualifies for educational assistance under the
Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
01/20/2022: H.R. 4673—Ensuring Veterans’ Smooth Transition
Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the auto-
matic enrollment of eligible veterans in patient enrollment system
of Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
05/17/2022: H.R. 5754—Patient Advocate Tracker Act, To
amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the ability of vet-
erans to electronically submit complaints about the delivery of
health care services by the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Public
law 117–175).
05/17/2022: H.R. 6376—Student Veteran Work Study Mod-
ernization Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend
eligibility for a certain work-study allowance paid by the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs to certain individuals who pursue programs of
rehabilitation, education, or training on at least a half-time basis,
and for other purposes.
05/17/2022: H.R. 6604—Veterans Eligible to Transfer School
(VETS) Credit Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to im-
prove the method by which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs deter-
mines the effects of a closure or disapproval of an educational insti-
tution on individuals who do not transfer credits from such institu-
tion.
05/17/2022: H.R. 7153—Department of Veterans Affairs Prin-
ciples of Benefits Automation Act, To direct the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs to submit to Congress a plan to modernize the infor-
mation technology systems of the Veterans Benefits Administra-
tion, and for other purposes.
05/17/2022: H.R. 7375—To direct the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs to update the payment system of the Department of Veterans
Affairs to allow for electronic fund transfer of educational assist-
ance, administered by the Secretary, to a foreign institution of
higher education.
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05/17/2022: H.R. 7500—Fiscal Year 2022 Veterans Affairs
Major Medical Facility Authorization Act, To authorize major med-
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ical facility projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fis-
cal year 2022, and for other purposes. (Public law 117–190).
05/18/2022: H.R. 2724—VA Peer Support Enhancement for
MST Survivors Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to di-
rect the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for peer support
specialists for claimants who are survivors of military sexual trau-
ma, and for other purposes.
05/18/2022: H.R. 5738—Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act,
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require a lactation space
in each medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
05/18/2022: H.R. 6052—Department of Veterans Affairs Office
of Inspector General Training Act of 2021, To require the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs to require the employees of the Department of
Veterans Affairs to receive training developed by the Inspector
General of the Department on reporting wrongdoing to, responding
to requests from, and cooperating with the Office of Inspector Gen-
eral, and for other purposes.
05/18/2022: H.R. 6064—To direct the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National Acad-
emies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of exami-
nations, furnished by the Secretary, to individuals who submit
claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of title
38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions linked
to military sexual trauma.
05/18/2022: H.R. 6961—Dignity for MST Survivors Act, To
amend title 38, United States Code, to improve hearings before the
Board of Veterans’ Appeals regarding claims involving military sex-
ual trauma.
05/18/2022: H.R. 7335—MST Claims Coordination Act, To im-
prove coordination between the Veterans Health Administration
and the Veterans Benefits Administration with respect to claims
for compensation arising from military sexual trauma, and for
other purposes.
06/15/2022: H.R. 2726—VA FOIA Reform Act of 2021, To direct
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a plan to reduce the
backlog of requests for information made to the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs pursuant to section 552 of title 5, United States Code,
and for other purposes.
06/23/2022: H.R. 6411—STRONG Veterans Act of 2022, To
amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements
in the mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes.
07/13/2022: S. 3373—Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, To im-
prove health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic sub-
stances, and for other purposes. (Public law 117–168). * Originated
in House as H.R. 3967.
08/12/2022: H.R. 8656—To designate the clinic of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs in Mishawaka, Indiana, as the ‘‘Jackie
Walorski VA Clinic’’. Passed House without objection. (Public law
117–179).
09/14/2022: H.R. 5916—Wounded Warrior Access Act, To amend
title 38, United States Code, to allow for the electronic request of
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certain records, and for other purposes. Passed House under sus-
pension.
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09/14/2022: H.R. 7735—Improving Access to the VA Home Loan
Benefit Act of 2022, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
update the appraisal requirements for certain loans guaranteed by
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
09/14/2022: H.R. 7846—Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living
Adjustment Act of 2022, To increase, effective as of December 1,
2022, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected
disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensa-
tion for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other
purposes. (Public law 117–191).
09/14/2022: H.R. 7939—Student Veteran Emergency Relief Act
of 2022, To make permanent certain educational assistance bene-
fits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs in the case of changes to courses of education by reason of
emergency situations, and for other purposes.
09/14/2022: H.R. 8260—Faster Payments to Veterans’ Survivors
Act of 2022, To amend title 38, United States Code, to shorten the
timeframe for designation of benefits under Department of Vet-
erans Affairs life insurance programs, to improve the treatment of
undisbursed life insurance benefits by the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes.
09/19/2022: H.R. 7698—To designate the outpatient clinic of the
Department of Veterans Affairs in Ventura, California, as the
‘‘Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner Outpatient Clinic’’. (Public law
117–199).
09/28/2022: H.R. 5918—To amend title 38, United States Code,
to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members
of the Armed Forces for certain contributions made by such mem-
bers towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for other pur-
poses.
09/28/2022: H.R. 7589—REMOVE Copays Act, To amend title
38, United States Code, to prohibit the imposition or collection of
copayments for certain mental health outpatient care visits of vet-
erans, and for other purposes.
09/29/2022: H.R. 3304—CARS for Vets Act, To amend title 38,
United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
to provide or assist in providing an additional vehicle adapted for
operation by disabled individuals to certain eligible persons, and
for other purposes.
09/29/2022: H.R. 8510—Strengthening Whistleblower Protec-
tions at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, To amend title 38,
United States Code, to make certain improvements to the Office of
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection of the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
09/29/2022: H.R. 8875—Expanding Home Loans for Guard and
Reservists Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand
eligibility of members of the National Guard for housing loans
guaranteed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
09/29/2022: H.R. 8888—Food Security for All Veterans Act, To
amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department
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of Veterans Affairs an Office of Food Security, and for other pur-
poses.
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11/14/2022: H.R. 5481—To name the Department of Veterans
Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Forest City, North
Carolina, as the ‘‘Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA Clinic’’.
11/14/2022: H.R. 6722—To designate the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in French Camp,
California, as the ‘‘Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic’’.
11/14/2022: H.R. 6863—To designate the medical center of the
Department of Veterans Affairs in Memphis, Tennessee, as the ‘‘Lt.
Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center’’.
11/14/2022: H.R. 7903—To designate the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located in Canton,
Michigan, as the ‘‘Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Clinic’’.
11/14/2022: H.R. 7925—To designate the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located in Palm
Desert, California, as the ‘‘Sy Kaplan VA Clinic’’.
11/17/2022: H.R. 2250—Department of Veterans Affairs Infor-
mation Technology Reform Act of 2021, To amend title 38, United
States Code, to improve the management of information technology
projects and investments of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
and for other purposes.
11/17/2022: H.R. 5721—VIPER Act of 2021, To amend title 38,
United States Code, to improve research conducted within the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
11/17/2022: H.R. 7277—Improving Oversight of the Veterans
Community Care Providers Act of 2022, To improve the methods
by which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs identifies health care
providers that are not eligible to participate in the Veterans Com-
munity Care Program.
11/17/2022: H.R. 7299—SVAC Act of 2022, To require the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs to obtain an independent cybersecurity
assessment of information systems of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and for other purposes.
12/01/2022: H.R. 2521—To require the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs to conduct a study on the feasibility and advisability of fur-
nishing doula services to certain veterans, and for other purposes.
12/01/2022: H.R. 4601—Commitment to Veteran Support and
Outreach Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to States to im-
prove outreach to veterans, and for other purposes.
12/01/2022: H.R. 4772—Mark O’Brien VA Clothing Allowance
Improvement Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to im-
prove the application and review process of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs for clothing allowance claims submitted by veterans,
and for other purposes.
12/01/2022: H.R. 5943—To designate the outpatient clinic of the
Department of Veterans Affairs in Greenville, South Carolina, as
the ‘‘Lance Corporal Dana Cornell Darnell VA Clinic’’.
12/01/2022: H.R. 7158—Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act,
To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts and agreements for the
payment of care in non-Department of Veterans Affairs medical
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foster homes for certain veterans who are unable to live independ-
ently, and for other purposes.
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12/15/2022: H.R. 1948—VA Employee Fairness Act of 2021. To
amend title 38, United States Code, to modify authorities relating
to the collective bargaining of employees in the Veterans Health
Administration.
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APPENDIX II: PUBLIC LAWS ENACTED
Public Law 117–4: H.R. 1276—Strengthening and Amplifying
Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every
Spouse Act
Public Law 117–16: H.R. 2523—THRIVE Act
Public Law 117–18: H.R. 711—West Los Angeles VA Campus Im-
provement Act of 2021
Public Law 117–21: H.R. 2441—Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans
Mental Health Act of 2021
Public Law 117–37: H.R. 1448—PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act
Public Law 117–42: H.R. 5293—Department of Veterans Affairs
Expiring Authorities Act of 2021
Public Law 117–56: H.R. 3475—To name the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Columbus,
Georgia, as the ‘‘Robert S. Poydasheff VA Clinic’’
Public Law 117–57: H.R. 4172—To name the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Aurora, Colo-
rado, as the ‘‘Lieutenant Colonel John W. Mosley VA Clinic’’
Public Law 117–62: H.R. 2093—Veterans and Family Informa-
tion Act
Public Law 117–63: H.R. 2911—VA Transparency & Trust Act of
2021
Public Law 117–64: H.R. 1510—To direct the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the use of cameras
in medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Public Law 117–76: H.R. 5545—REMOTE Act
Public Law 117–89: H.R. 1281—To name the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Gaylord, Michi-
gan, as the ‘‘Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Vet-
erans Affairs Health Care Clinic’’
Public Law 117–96: H.R. 2545—To amend title 38, United States
Code, to clarify the role of doctors of podiatric medicine in the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes
Public Law 117–98: H.R. 3665—To designate the medical center
of the Department of Veterans Affairs in San Diego, California, as
the ‘‘Jennifer Moreno Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Cen-
ter’’, and to support the designation of a component of such medical
center in honor of Kathleen Bruyere
Public Law 117–154: H.R. 4591—VA Electronic Health Record
Transparency Act of 2021
Public Law 117–168: S. 3373 (Originally H.R. 3967): Honoring
our PACT Act of 2022
Public Law 117–175: H.R. 5754—Patient Advocate Tracker Act
Public Law 117–179: H.R. 8656—To designate the clinic of the
Department of Veterans Affairs in Mishawaka, Indiana, as the
‘‘Jackie Walorski VA Clinic’’
Public Law 117–190: H.R. 7500—Fiscal Year 2022 Veterans Af-
fairs Major Medical Facility Authorization Act
Public Law 117–191: H.R. 7846—Veterans’ Compensation Cost-
of-Living Adjustment Act of 2022
Public Law 117–199: H.R. 7698—To designate the outpatient
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clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Ventura, California,
as the ‘‘Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner Outpatient Clinic’’.
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Public Law 117–233: H.R. 5481—To name the Department of
Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Forest City,
North Carolina, as the ‘‘Master Sergeant Jerry K. Crump VA Clin-
ic’’
Public Law 117–235: H.R. 6722—To designate the Department of
Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in French
Camp, California, as the ‘‘Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic’’
Public Law 117–236: H.R. 6863—To designate the medical center
of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Memphis, Tennessee, as
the ‘‘Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center’’
Public Law 117–237: H.R. 7903—To designate the Department of
Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located in Can-
ton, Michigan, as the ‘‘Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Clinic’’
Public Law 117–238: H.R. 7925—To designate the Department of
Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic located in Palm
Desert, California, as the ‘‘Sy Kaplan VA Clinic’’
Public Law 117–XXX: H.R. 8260—Faster Payments to Veterans’
Survivors Act of 2022
Public Law 117–XXX: H.R. 7735—Improving Access to the VA
Home Loan Benefit Act of 2022
Public Law 117–XXX: H.R. 7335—MST Claims Coordination Act
Public Law 117–XXX: H.R. 7299—SVAC Act of 2022
Public Law 117–XXX: H.R. 6961—Dignity for MST Survivors Act
Public Law 117–XXX: H.R. 6604—Veterans Eligible to Transfer
School (VETS) Credit Act
Public Law 117–XXX: H.R. 6064—To direct the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of
examinations, furnished by the Secretary, to individuals who sub-
mit claims to the Secretary for compensation under chapter 11 of
title 38, United States Code, for mental and physical conditions
linked to military sexual trauma
Public Law 117–XXX: H.R. 5943—To designate the outpatient
clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Greenville, South
Carolina, as the ‘‘Lance Corporal Dana Cornell Darnell VA Clinic’’
Public Law 117–XXX: H.R. 2724—VA Peer Support Enhance-
ment for MST Survivors Act
Public Law 117–XXX: H.R. 7939—Veterans Auto and Education
Improvement Act of 2022
Æ
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