[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS' OVERSIGHT OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 15, 2010

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the budget enforcement 
resolution for fiscal year 2011 passed by the House of Representatives 
on July 1, 2010, as Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs I am 
submitting ``findings that identify changes in law that help achieve 
deficit reduction by reducing waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, 
promoting efficiency and reform of government, and controlling spending 
within Government programs'' the Committee may authorize.
  Under Democratic leadership, the Committee has undertaken an active 
and far-reaching oversight agenda that has, among other 
accomplishments, identified ways to save millions of taxpayer dollars 
within the Department of Veterans Affairs through improvements in the 
operation and management of veterans' benefits and health care 
programs. Working closely with the VA's Office of Inspector General, we 
have pushed the VA to more effectively utilize the generous and robust 
budgets provided by this Congress under your leadership.
  Since the beginning of the 110th Congress, the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs has been striving to revolutionize the manner in which the VA 
provides benefits to veterans. By mandating greater efficiency and a 
veteran-first attitude, we have sought to change the perception of the 
VA as being the veterans' adversary to standing as the veterans' 
advocate.
  To further this effort, we are continuing to work toward major 
reforms in the VA's claims processing system and the VA's acquisition 
and procurement system. I am confident that when these reforms take 
place, taxpayers will realize major cost-savings by providing greater 
efficiency, fairness, and accountability. The Committee is also working 
toward integrating the VA's Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits and improving 
and streamlining the application process.
  These efforts will, in the months ahead, result in assisting the 
House in working toward its goal of making government more responsive 
and effective while saving taxpayer dollars and reducing our deficit.

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