The U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee will hold its organizational meeting on Tuesday and members from the Florida delegation will be front and center.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., is back to chair the committee while U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., is the ranking Democrat. U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., served as vice chairman of the committee last year and is in the running to remain at the post when the choice is unveiled later this month.
The committee was in the national spotlight last year after national media reports emerged about altered waiting lists at VA medical facilities across the nation, including in Phoenix where dozens of impacted veterans died as they awaited treatment. As a result, Eric Shinseki resigned his post as VA secretary.
Miller worked with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., his Senate counterpart at the time, to reform the VA Department last year -- sending $17 billion to help its medical facilities. The new funds will be used over the next three years. The reform bill designated $10 billion for veterans to seek private care if dealing with extended waits at VA medical centers. Veterans who live more than 40 miles from a VA medical center are also eligible for private care under the legislation. The agreement also designated $5 billion to add more medical personnel to VA centers. President Barack Obama signed the bill into law in August.
While Miller tried to become chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and the House Republican Steering Committee kept him at the VA Committee.
Miller weighed in on his plans for the new session on Friday as he named subcommittee chairmen.
Whether providing much-needed oversight to the Department of Veterans Affairs or championing legislation designed to improve the care and benefits Americas returning heroes have earned, our subcommittees and their chairmen fulfill vital roles, Miller said. This Congress we are fortunate to have a talented roster of both new and returning chairmen. I am confident they will help our committee continue to set the standard for congressional oversight while working to improve the lives of veterans and increase accountability and efficiency at VA.
Miller named U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, R-La., to chair the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee. U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, will lead the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee while U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek, R-Mich., will wield the gavel on the Health Subcommittee. Miller selected U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., to lead the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.
Back in November, Brown kept her position as ranking Democrat on the committee and she tipped her cards as to what her agenda would be.
I am very much looking forward to serving our nations veterans in this new position and to working to make sure these men and women get the care and benefits they earned through their service to our nation, Brown said when she kept her post. During the upcoming session, some of the key issues I plan to address in committee include fully implementing the Veterans Access, Care and Affordability Act by ensuring that our nations brave, returning soldiers have all the resources they need to transition to civilian life. I will also continue my advocacy to get all of the VA Medical Centers opened as soon as possible.
Brown also promised to fight to ensure the VA has the resources necessary to provide superior health care to our veterans; ensure that women veterans have the resources they need to receive proper care; include local community input to provide health-care for our veterans under the supervision of the VA.
The Democratic leadership is expected to name new members to the committee later this month.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
