[House Report 117-688]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                 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
            
            
            
                            ______

             U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 
50-177                WASHINGTON : 2023

            
            
                          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.
                            C O N T E N T S

                              ----------                              

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
            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-        JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
    Chairman                         JIM BANKS, Indiana
CHRIS PAPPAS, New Hampshire          CHIP ROY, Texas
ELAINE G. LURIA, Virginia            TRACEY MANN, Kansas
FRANK MRVAN, Indiana                 BARRY MOORE, Alabama
SHEILA CHERFILUS-McCORMICK, Florida  NANCY MACE, South Carolina
GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN,      MADISON CAWTHORN, North Carolina
    Northern Mariana Islands         TROY NEHLS, Texas
LAUREN UNDERWOOD, Illinois           MATT ROSENDALE, Montana
COLIN Z. ALLRED, Texas               MARIANNETTE MILLER-MEEKS, Iowa
LOIS FRANKEL, Florida                JAKE ELLZEY, Texas
ELISSA SLOTKIN, Michigan             CONNIE CONWAY, California
DAVID TRONE, Maryland
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 Committee 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 Committee, including the Subcommittees on Economic 
Opportunity and Technology Modernization.
On June 22, 2022, Representative Connie Conway of California was 
appointed to the Committee, including the Subcommittee on Disability 
Assistance and Memorial Affairs.





                                                 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 establishes the jurisdiction of the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs as follows:
          (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 Secretary 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 veterans.

                    ACTIVITIES OF THE FULL COMMITTEE


                           BUSINESS MEETINGS

    Full Committee Business Meeting--Organization of the 117th 
Congress. On Thursday, February 11, 2021, the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs met to formally organize the Committee's 
membership and to adopt the rules of the Committee for the 
117th Congress.
    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 Memorial 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 
Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick to the Economic 
Opportunity 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 
Representative Connie Conway to the Disability Assistance and 
Memorial Affairs 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 
Committee 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 
Contraception 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 Accountability 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; 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 educational assistance; H.R. 2419, the 
Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act; 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; 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 
Universities 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 
Energy 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, without 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 
Committee held a markup on an A.N.S. to the Committee Print, to 
comply 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 
Committee held a markup on H.R. 1836, the Guard and Reserve GI 
Bill Parity Act of 2021; H.R. 3944, the Burial Equity for 
Guards and Reserves Act of 2021; H.R. 5603, the Protections for 
Student Veterans Act; H.R. 4591, the VA Electronic Health 
Record Transparency 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 Veterans Affairs to furnish seasonal influenza 
vaccines to certain individuals, 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 veterans of World War 
II; H.R. 1596, the Commission to Study the Stigmatization, 
Criminalization, and Ongoing Exclusion and Inequity for LGBTQ 
Servicemembers and Veterans Act; H.R. 4845, to amend title 38, 
United States Code, to establish the Advisory Committee on 
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Veterans; 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; 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 
Committee 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 
Coordination 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 Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act of 
2021; H.R. 7369, the Veteran Eligibility for Necessities to 
Undertake Rewarding Entrepreneurship (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 Veterans Affairs to allow for 
electronic fund transfer of educational assistance, 
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 Medicine for a review of examinations, 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; H.R. 7153, the Department of Veterans Affairs 
Principles of Benefits Automation 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 amended.
    Full Committee Markup. On July 19, 2022, the Full Committee 
held a markup on H.R. 8260, the Fast Payments to Veteran 
Survivors 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 improvements relating to the eligibility of 
veterans to receive reimbursement 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 Veterans 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 Warrior 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 administered 
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 
amended.
    Full Committee Markup. On September 21, 2022, the Full 
Committee held a markup on H.R. 6273, the VA Zero Suicide 
Demonstration 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 Whistleblower 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 Treatment Act of 2021; H.R. 
4601, the Commitment to Veteran Support 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, 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 ordered 
reported, as amended.
    Full Committee Markup. On November 16, 2022, the Full 
Committee held a markup on H. Res. 1379, of inquiry requesting 
the President and directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
to transmit, respectively, certain documents to the House of 
Representatives 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 Committees on Veterans 
        Affairs Hearing to receive the Legislative 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 Officers 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 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 DAV testified on the first panel: Mr. Stephen 
``Butch'' Whitehead, National Commander; Mr. Edward R. 
``Randy'' Reese, Jr., Executive Director of the National 
Service and Legislative Headquarters; Mr. Jim Marszalek, 
National Service Director; and Ms. Joy J. Ilem, National 
Legislative Director.
    The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. 
Thomas 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-Founder, MVA; and Ms. Kathryn Monet, Chief 
Executive Officer, NCHV.

Full Committee Hearing--``Joint House and Senate Committees on 
        Veterans'' Affairs Hearing to receive the Legislative 
        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 Veterans (JWV), Military Order of the Purple Heart 
(MOPH), Wounded Warriors Project (WWP), and Iraq and 
Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). TAL, VVA, PVA, JWV, 
MOPH, WWP, 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 testified on the first panel: Mr. James 
``Bill'' Oxford, National Commander; Mr. Vincent James Troiola, 
Chairman of the Legislative Commission; Mr. Lawrence Montreuil, 
National Legislative Director; Mr. Ralph Bozella, Chairman of 
the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation 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 Committees on 
        Veterans'' Affairs Hearing to receive the Legislative 
        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 Reserve Association (FRA), Gold Star Wives of America, 
Inc. (GSW), National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and 
National Association 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. Patrick 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. 
Richard 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), Representative 
Bruce Westerman (Arkansas), Representative Lee M. Zeldin (New 
York), Representative Paul Tonko (New York), Representative 
Matt Cartwright (Pennsylvania), Representative Jahana Hayes 
(Connecticut), and Representative Gregory F. Murphy (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, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Patricia R. Hastings, Chief Consultant 
for Post Deployment Health Services, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. 
Karl Kelsey, Professor of Epidemiology, Pathology, and 
Laboratory Medicine, National Academies 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 Afghanistan Veterans of America, Mr. Shane L. 
Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director for Benefits, 
Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Kristina Keenan, Associate 
Director, Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Veterans 
of Foreign Wars of the U.S.; and Mr. James L. Price, Veteran.

Full Committee Hearing--``Joint House and Senate Committees on 
        Veterans'' Affairs Hearing to receive the Legislative 
        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 Director, 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 Committees on 
        Veterans'' Affairs Hearing to receive the Legislative 
        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 Coalition 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 testified on the first panel: Mr. 
Matthew ``Fritz'' Mihelcic, Commander-in-Chief; Mr. Patrick 
Murray, National Legislative Director; Mr. Ryan Gallucci, 
National Service Director; and Mr. Jay Hoffman, Legislative 
Committee Chair.
    The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. 
Jeremy Butler, CEO, IAVA; Lieutenant General Michael S. 
Linnington, U.S. Army (Ret.), CEO, WWP; Mr. Jack McManus, 
National President, VVA; Mr. Greg Heun, National Commander, 
AMVETS; Ms. Kathryn Monet, Executive Director, National 
Headquarters, 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, President and Executive Director of the Texas 
Veterans Commission, NASDVA.

Full Committee Hearing--``Joint House and Senate Committees on 
        Veterans'' Affairs Hearing to receive the Legislative 
        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 American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial 
Society (BATAAN), 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 Survivors, 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 Director; Mr. Ralph Bozella, 
Chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation 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, 
National President, PVA; Mr. Jared Lyon, National President and 
CEO, SVA; Commander Rene Campos, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Senior 
Director, Government Relations for Veterans--Wounded Warrior 
Care, MOAA; Ms. Claire Manning-Dick, Vice President, GSW; 
Brigadier 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 
Director, 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: Representative 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 Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans 
Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the third panel: 
Mr. Richard Brookshire, Co-Founder, Black Veterans Project; Ms. 
Mitria Spotser, Consultant, The Center for Responsible Lending; 
and Mr. Joseph Sharpe, Director of Veterans Employment and 
Education, The American Legion.

                          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 provided an opportunity for the Secretary present to 
the Committee how he intends to lead VA in delivering care and 
services to veterans 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 witnesses 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 
receive testimony from Members of Congress on legislation and 
veterans' issues within the Committee's jurisdiction for the 
117th Congress.
    There were two witness panels. The following Members 
testified on the first panel: Representative Peter Welch 
(Vermont), Representative Robert Wittman (Virginia), 
Representative Rashida Tlaib (Michigan), Representative Ashley 
Hinson (Iowa), Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas), 
Representative Brian Higgins (New York), Representative Grace 
Meng (New York), Representative Michael Cloud (Texas), 
Representative Lizzie Fletcher (Texas), and Representative 
French Hill (Arkansas). The following Members testified on the 
second panel: Representative Derek Kilmer (Washington), 
Representative Fred Keller (Pennsylvania), Representative Mikie 
Sherrill (New Jersey), Representative Brian Fitzpatrick 
(Pennsylvania), Representative Michael San Nicolas (Guam), 
Representative 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 Representative Kaiali`i Kahele (Hawaii).

Full Committee Hearing--``Investing in a Better VA: Examining the Role 
        of Infrastructure in Veterans' Access to Care and Benefits''

    On May 27, 2021, the full Committee met in open session to 
conduct an oversight hearing to examine all aspects of VA 
infrastructure, 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 at the hearing: (1) 
physical infrastructure, which includes modernized facilities 
that meet the changing needs and demographics of veterans, 
information technology (IT), advances in research, and 
emergency preparedness; (2) human capital, which includes 
investment 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 Secretary, 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 Veterans 
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 Veterans of America; and Mr. Bruce Carruthers, 
Steering Committee Member, Save Our VA.

Full Committee Hearing--``U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget 
        Request for Fiscal Year 2022''

    On June 8, 2021, the full Committee met in open session to 
conduct an oversight hearing to examine the VA's fiscal year 
(FY) 2022 budget and how the Administration plans to fund VA 
priorities 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, Assistant 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 American Veterans; Mr. Roscoe 
Butler, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of 
America; Mr. Patrick Murray, Director, National Legislative 
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Mr. Joe Chenelly, 
National Executive Director, AMVETS.

Full Committee Hearing--``Veteran Suicide Prevention: Innovative 
        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 suicide research and prevention efforts of the Veterans 
Health Administration.
    There were two witness panels. The following witnesses 
testified on the first panel: Dr. Kameron Matthews, Assistant 
Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services, Veterans 
Health Administration; Dr. Matthew Miller, Executive Director, 
Suicide Prevention Program, Veterans Health Administration; and 
Dr. Lisa Brenner, Director, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness 
Research Education and Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, 
Veterans Health Administration. 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--Chairman 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 followed by an open discussion guided by 
talking through each of the seven titles of the bill one at a 
time, with designated VSO representatives called on by the 
Chair and leading off title conversations.
    The following individuals participated in the roundtable 
discussion: 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, 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, Veteran Benefits and Guard/Reserve 
Affairs, Military Officers Association of America; Mr. Roscoe 
Butler, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of 
America; 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 Retention 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 examined the state of human resources management 
at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the extent to 
which VA is addressing longstanding challenges with clinical 
workforce recruitment and retention that may impede veterans' 
access to timely, high-quality health care. The Committee 
evaluated the effectiveness of VA's recent reorganization of 
human resources staff, which resulted in the consolidation of 
services at the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 
level, and the extent to which VHA recruitment and onboarding 
actions are being completed in a timely manner. In addition, 
the Committee examined the implementation of the ``HR Smart'' 
information technology system and the extent to which it has 
helped improve VA's ability to manage clinical positions and 
document various human resources transactions. Further, 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 Veterans 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. 
Department 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 America.

Full Committee Oversight Hearing--``Examining Women Veterans' Access to 
        the Full Spectrum of Medical Care, Including Reproductive 
        Healthcare, Through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
        Veterans Health Administration''

    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, maternity 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 Affairs; 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, Veterans 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. 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 Washington Medical 
Center Montlake; Lindsay Church, U.S. Navy Veteran; and Kayla 
M. Williams, Senior Policy Researcher, RAND Corporation.

Full Committee Oversight Hearing--``Veteran Suicide Prevention: 
        Capitalizing on What Works and Increasing Innovative 
        Approaches''

    On September 29, 2022, the full Committee met in open 
session to conduct an oversight hearing to examine ongoing and 
new suicide research and prevention efforts of the Veterans 
Health Administration.
    There were two witness panels. The following witnesses 
testified on the first panel: Dr. Tamara Campbell, Acting 
Executive Director, 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 Affairs; and Dr. Lisa Brenner, 
Director, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and 
Clinical Center for Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans 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 
Association; 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 
Veterans' 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, including 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 Outcomes Military Exposures, Veterans 
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. 
Robert T. Reynolds, Deputy Under Secretary for Disability 
Assistance, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department 
of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Tracey 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 mission and pandemic response.
    There were two witness panels. The following witness 
testified on the first panel: Maj. Gen. (RET) Richard Stone, 
MD, former Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, 
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Paul Kim, former 
Executive Director, Office of Emergency Management, Veterans 
Health Administration, 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. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Tammy 
Czarnecki, Deputy Assistant 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 Extremism Research & Innovation Lab, 
American University. The following 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 Importance of 
        Peer Support in Preventing Violent Extremism''

    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 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 Professor, 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 
Director, Burn Pits 360; Mr. Patrick Murray, Director, National 
Legislative Services, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Mr. Shane 
Liermann, Deputy 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/Reserve 
Affairs, Military Officers Association of America; Mr. Roscoe 
Butler, Associate Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of 
America; 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.

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 Veterans of America; Mr. 
Darrell Owens, Director of Government Affairs, America's 
Warrior Partnership; and Ms. Brittany Dymond, Associate 
Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign 
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 fiduciary to manage their VA financial benefits, to 
the Federal Bureau 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, Executive 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 
Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, National 
Cemetery Administration National Training Center, St. Louis 
Regional Office, National Personnel Records Center, and the 
John Cochran VA Medical Center. This visit was supported by 
minority staff members.
    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 
purpose 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 
discussed. 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 
National Cemetery. Majority and minority staff supported this 
trip. Issues covered during this visit include: new programs 
and initiatives regarding the caregiver and community care 
offices, homeless 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 
delegation (CODEL) on a trip to Okinawa, Japan; Seoul, South 
Korea; and Taipei, Taiwan. In addition to Chairman Takano, 
Representative 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 security 
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) visited 
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 conditions 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 addition to Chairman Takano, Representative Ed Case 
(HI-1), Representative 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 personnel 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 include 
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 refugees, 
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 
Richland, Washington VA community-based outpatient clinic, the 
Jonathan M. Wainwright VA Medical Center in Walla Walla, 
Washington, and the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in 
Seattle, Washington. Minority staff supported this trip. The 
purpose of this 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).
    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 firsthand 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 veteran housing 
units, a veteran owned small business, an Army Partnership 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, Lebanon. 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 implementation 
of NDAA provisions that relate to military transitions, and 
delivery of benefits related to overseas GI Bill usage.

 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
                         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 discussion draft, to 
        improve 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; a discussion draft, the Restoring Benefits to 
        Defrauded 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 manner 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 
        Department 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 trauma claims processing and the fiduciary 
program.
    There were three witness panels. The following witnesses 
testified 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 (Virginia), 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, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs; 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 Services, 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 Legislative Service, Military Officer Association of 
America; Ms. BriGette McCoy, CEO and Founder, Women Veteran 
Social Justice Network; and Mr. Derek Fronabarger, Government 
Affairs Director, Wounded Warrior Project.

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 Sec. 103(d) to add a new 
        paragraph that would allow surviving spouses who remarry after 
        10 consecutive years of receipt, or entitlement to, benefits 
        relating to Dependency Indemnity Compensation to retain 50 
        percent of the amount payable 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 
        administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; a discussion 
        draft, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create 
        fact sheets, for veterans and for survivors of veterans, 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 Disability Benefit Questionnaires Act; a 
        discussion draft, the Department of Veterans Affairs Principles 
        of Benefits 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 dependents 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 information.
    There were three witness panels. The following witnesses 
testified 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 (Indiana).
    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. Department 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, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Ms. Candace Wheeler, 
Director, Policy, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

                          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 
inventory and bring the inventory down to pre-COVID-19 pandemic 
levels. 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 provide better oversight of its C&P 
contractor vendors, and a discussion 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 Administration, 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, Office 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 
Veterans 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 
session via Zoom to conduct a fully virtual oversight hearing 
to examine the state of the appeals program at the Department 
of Veterans Affairs (VA), particularly the organizational 
structure and performance of the Board of Veterans' Appeals. 
The Subcommittee intended 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 Modernization 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 access for 
        representatives.
    The hearing meant to assess VA's progress in these three 
areas and determine what additional support may be needed from 
Congress to ensure successful resolution of the legacy appeals 
inventory and maintenance of timely processing in the new 
appeals system.
    There were two witness panels. The following witnesses 
testified on the first panel: Ms. Cheryl Mason, Chairman, Board 
of Veterans' 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 Information and Technology, 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: 
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 Survivors: Assessing 
        VA's Military Sexual Trauma Programs''

    On Wednesday, November 17, 2021, the Subcommittees on 
Disability 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 survivors are connected to 
available services while filing a claim based on the impact of 
their MST as well as examine concerns on training, 
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 Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Cheryl 
Rawls, Executive Director, Office of Outreach, Transition, and 
Economic Development Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; 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 
American 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.

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 Subcommittee investigated ways to increase 
outreach and education efforts, 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, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; and Dr. Nilijah Carter, 
Executive Director, Pension and Fiduciary 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 Officers Association of America; and Ms. Pamela 
Laurion, Member-at-Large, Gold Star Wives of America.

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``At What Cost?--Ensuring Quality 
        Representation in the Veteran Benefit Claims Process''

    On April 27, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to 
conduct a joint oversight hearing with the Oversight and 
Investigations Subcommittee entitled, ``At What Cost--Ensuring 
Quality Representation in the Veteran Benefit Claims Process.'' 
The hearing examined administration and oversight of the VA 
Accreditation, Discipline, & Fees Program for agents, 
attorneys, and Veterans Service Organization (VSO) 
representatives who assist veterans 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 
benefit 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, Veterans of 
Foreign Wars; Mr. Marty Callaghan, Deputy Director of Benefits 
& Claims Services, The American Legion; Ms. Diane Boyd Rauber, 
Executive Director, National Organization of Veterans' 
Advocates; Lieutenant Colonel William Taylor, U.S. Army (Ret.), 
Co-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, 
majority 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 discussions 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 Arlington.''
    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, satellite 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 (History), 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 
conducted 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, 
majority 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 
oversight 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 burial 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 University of California-
Riverside, which had a contract with the NCA Veterans Legacy 
Project between 2018 and 2020. A conversation was also held 
regarding a Congressional inquiry forwarded to the 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 purpose 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 
oversight 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.

         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
                         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 mortgage 
        underwriting for home loans guaranteed by the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs by ensuring that energy 
        costs are included in the underwriting process, and for 
        other purposes; a discussion draft, to direct the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a study on 
        the effect of financial and credit counseling for 
        homeless veterans and veterans experiencing housing 
        instability; a discussion draft, to direct the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs 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 extensions 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 discussion draft, 
        to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make available 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 
        Affairs to provide or assist in providing an additional 
        vehicle adapted for operation by disabled individuals 
        to certain eligible persons, and for other purposes; a 
        discussion draft, to amend title 38, United States 
        Code, to provide educational assistance under the Post-
        9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department 
        of Veterans Affairs to students who are rounding out 
        during their final semester, term, or academic period, 
        and for other purposes; a discussion draft, the 
        Affordable Housing 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 Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs to implement a modern information technology 
        service to process claims for educational 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' Employment 
        and Training to carry out a pilot program on short-term 
        fellowships programs for veterans; a discussion draft, 
        to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in 
        the Department of Veterans Economic Opportunity and 
        Transition Administration, and for other purposes; a 
        discussion draft, to amend title 38, United States 
        Code, to eliminate the time period for eligibility 
        under Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance 
        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 hearing on the above bills. There were three 
witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the first 
panel: Representative Ruben Gallego (Arizona), Representative 
Tracey Mann (Kansas), Representative 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 
Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Justin Hauschild, Legal 
Fellow, 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, Veterans 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, Education Service, Veterans Benefits 
Administration; and Mr. Michael W. Fisher, MSW, Chief 
Readjustment Counseling Officer, Readjustment 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 certain veterans, who receive certain 
        educational assistance 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 programs; 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 assistance, 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 programs of 
        rehabilitation, education, or training on at least a 
        half-time basis; a discussion draft regarding homeless 
        grants; a discussion draft, to direct the Secretary 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 delimiting 
        period for certain individuals to use educational 
        assistance benefits administered by the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs; a discussion draft, to direct the 
        Secretary 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 assistance to recipients of grants 
        for supportive services for very low-income families in 
        permanent housing and comprehensive service programs, 
        and for other purposes; 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 grantees that provide services to homeless 
        veterans; a discussion draft, to direct the Secretary 
        of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on 
        the shallow subsidy program 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 provided 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 Veterans 
        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 
        Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance 
        Program for secondary school education; a discussion 
        draft, the Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act of 2021.''

    On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, via the Zoom meeting 
platform, 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 Anthony 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, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
    The following witnesses testified for the the third panel: 
Mr. Anthony (Tony) Lewis, Associate National Legislative 
Director; Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Kathryn Monet, Chief 
Executive Officer, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans; 
Ms. Lauren Augustine, Vice President of Government Affairs, 
Student Veterans of America; Ms. Ashlynne Haycock, Deputy 
Director, Policy and Legislation; Tragedy Assistance Program 
For Survivors, Mr. David Proferes, Education and Credentialing 
Policy Associate, The American Legion; and Mr. Lawrence Guzman 
Romo, National Commander, 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 improve flexibility in 
        the provision of assistance to homeless veterans, and for other 
        purposes; a discussion draft, the Veteran Health Transition 
        Training Act; a discussion draft, to make permanent certain 
        educational assistance 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 member 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 discussion 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 discussion draft, 
        the VA Home Loan Transparency and Consumer Protection Act of 
        2022; a discussion draft, to amend title 38, United States 
        Code, to expand the eligibility of veterans who may receive 
        self-employment assistance under the Veteran Readiness and 
        Employment program of the Department of Veterans Affairs; a 
        discussion draft, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        to update the payment system of the Department of Veterans 
        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 disapproval 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 following witnesses testified on the first panel: 
Ms. Brianne Ogilvie, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for 
Policy and Oversight, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Ricardo Da Silva, Program 
Integration Officer, Education Service, Veterans Benefits 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. 
Monica Diaz, Executive Director, Homeless Programs Office, 
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department 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 President for Programs and Policy, National Alliance to 
End Homelessness; Mr. Justin Hauschild, Policy Counsel, Student 
Veterans of America; Mr. Shane Liermann, Deputy National 
Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans; and Mr. 
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, Chief of Membership, Policy, and 
Equity, National Community 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 
        Department 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 Department of Veterans Affairs programs for 
        homeless veterans; a discussion draft, to amend Title 
        38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for, and 
        extend authorization 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 assistance 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 Department 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 discussion 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 Educational 
        Assistance Program of certain individuals who receive 
        sole survivorship discharges, and for other purposes; a 
        discussion draft, to direct the Secretary of Veterans 
        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 draft, to amend Title 38, United States 
        Code, to provide for the approval of certain study-
        abroad programs for 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 Director, Education Service, Veterans Benefits 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Monica 
Diaz, Executive Director, Homeless Programs, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. 
John E. Bell, III, Acting Executive Director, Loan Guaranty 
Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs.
    The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. 
Kaitlynne Hetrick, Government Affairs Associate, Iraq and 
Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Josh Protas, Vice 
President for Public 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 Bankers Association.

                          OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Military Transition During 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 
pandemic.
    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. Jennifer Dane, Executive Director, 
Modern Military Association of America; Mr. Matt Stevens, Chief 
Executive Officer; The Honor Foundation; Ms. Carolyn Lee, 
Executive Director, The Manufacturing Institute; and Patrick 
Murray, Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
    The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Mr. 
William Mansell, Director, Defense Support Services, U.S. 
Department of Defense; Mr. James Rodriguez, Acting Assistant 
Secretary, Veterans' Employment & Training Service, U.S. 
Department of Labor; Ms. Cheryl Rawls, Executive Director for 
Outreach, Transition and Economic Development Service (OTED), 
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans 
Affairs; Dr. Lawrencia Pierce, Deputy Director, Outreach, 
Transition and Economic Development Service (OTED), Veterans 
Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; 
and Mr. Joshua Lashbrook, Assistant Director of Operations 
Support and Digital GI Bill Program Lead, Education Service, 
Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department on Veterans 
Affairs.

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 
workforce 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, Director, Arizona Coalition for Military 
Families; and Mr. Eric Eversole, President, Hiring our Heroes, 
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
    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 Economic Development Service (OTED), Veterans 
Benefits Administration, 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 
Subcommittee held an oversight hearing, which reviewed the 
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on homeless veterans, along 
with implementation 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 Programs Office, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; 
Mr. Anthony Love, Interim Executive Director, United States 
Interagency Council on Homelessness; and Mr. Richard Cho, 
Senior Advisor for Housing and Services, U.S. Department of 
Housing and Urban Development.

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Isakson-Roe at Six Months: An Update 
        on Implementation of Education Improvements''

    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 David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits 
Improvement Act of 2020.
    There was one witness panel for this hearing. The following 
witness testified on this panel: Ms. Charmain Bogue, Executive 
Director, Education Services, Veterans Benefits Administration, 
U.S. Department 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 programs 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 Affairs; and Dr. Lawrencia Pierce, 
Deputy Director, Outreach, Transition, and Economic Development 
(OTED), U.S. Department of Veterans 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 Manning, 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 
Opportunity conducted a hybrid oversight hearing, which 
examined persistent 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 Employment 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 date and explored the future of veteran education and 
training programs for high-demand jobs.
    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 
Employment, The American Legion; and Mr. Bill Blackstone, 
Executive Vice President, Galvanize.

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Review President Biden's Strategy to 
        Reduce Veteran Suicide by Addressing Economic Risk Factors''

    On June 15, 2022, the Subcommittee held a hybrid oversight 
hearing, which examined President Biden's national strategy 
``Reducing Military and Veteran Suicide: Advancing a 
Comprehensive, Cross-Sector, Evidence-Informed Approach'' and 
included discussions related to how federal, public, and 
private entities can collaborate 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 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. 
Matthew A. Miller, PhD, MPH, Executive Director, Suicide 
Prevention and Acting Executive 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 Prevention and Control, Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention; Ms. Peggy Bailey, Senior 
Advisor to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 
Development; and Mr. James Rodriguez, 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 Families; Ms. Joy Ilem, National Legislative 
Director, Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Betsey Mercado, Co-
Founder & Executive Director, Objective Zero; Ms. Judy Clausen, 
Deputy Chair of the Legislative 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 nutritious, sustainable food resources has a major 
impact on health, well-being, and quality of life. A recent 
U.S. Department of Agriculture 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 made progress in identifying 
veterans experiencing food insecurity and connecting them with 
resources like the Supplemental Nutrition 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 Affairs; Mr. Daniel Santibanez, Chief, 
Nutrition and Food Services, VA San Diego Healthcare System; 
Mr. Matthew Rabbitt, Research Economist, Economic Research 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 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 Affairs, 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 Veteran Education 
        in the Shadow of COVID-19''

    On July 20, 2022, Subcommittees on Economic Opportunity and 
Technology Modernization conducted a joint hybrid oversight 
hearing 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 
American Rescue Plan Act have improved student veteran benefit 
delivery through the Digital GI Bill and broader GI Bill 
modernization efforts. This included the status of spending 
plans for any remaining funds from the CARES Act and American 
Rescue Plan Act, an update on the Digital GI Bill contract with 
Accenture Federal Services, and additional measures the 
Department is taking to streamline 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 Secretary, Office of Policy and Oversight, Veterans 
Benefits Administration, 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 Director, Office of Information 
Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans 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 Employment and Education, The American Legion; Ms. 
Rosezza Miller, Senior Director of Financial Aid Advising, 
Broward College; 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 
Enterprise State Community College, 600 Plaza Drive, 
Enterprise, AL 36331, the Subcommittee conducted a field 
hearing, which evaluated the challenges servicemembers face 
when transitioning in the Southern Alabama region, and examined 
how non-DOD organizations, 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, 
Alabama; 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 
oversight 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-
connected or work-limiting disabilities with education, job 
training, and the resources they need to live independently. 
VR&E Counselors and Employment Coordinators support veterans 
through comprehensive programming, including rehabilitation 
planning, vocational 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 Independent 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 veteran satisfaction with VR&E, participation, and 
success after graduating 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, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
    The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. 
Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director for Government 
Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Mr. Shane Liermann, 
Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled American 
Veterans; and Mr. Jeremy Villanueva, Government Affairs 
Associate Director, Wounded 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 community 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 organizations 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 pandemic. 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 individual, 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 program 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. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. 
Chelsea Watson, National Director, Grant and Per Diem Program, 
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
    The following witnesses testified on the second panel: Ms. 
Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer, National Coalition for 
Homeless 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 Afghanistan 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 
complications some veterans have found learning about VR&E , 
enrolling in the program, and communicating with their 
counselors, among 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 Director; Ms. Kristine Kuehnle, Acting 
Assistant Director for Program/Policy; and Mr. Kevin Scott, 
Assistant Director for Operations. In addition, in attendance 
were Mr. Jeremy Villanueva, Assistant National Legislative 
Director, Disabled American Veterans; Mr. Morgan Brown, 
National Legislative Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; 
Mr. Justin Hauschild, Legal Fellow, Student Veterans of 
America; Ms. Tanya Ang, Vice President, Veterans Education 
Success; Dr. Jan Del Signore, President, National Association 
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 
platform. The roundtable served as an opportunity to receive 
the concerns and comments of stakeholders regarding benefits 
parity for Guard and Reservists. Participants included Mr. Matt 
Schwartzman, Director, Legislation and Military Policy Reserve 
Organization of America; Mr. Matthew Krenz, Executive Director, 
Enlisted Associated of the National Guard of the United States; 
Mr. Daniel Elkins, National Guard Green Beret, Special 
Operations Association of America; Mr. Donald Franklin, 
Legislative Director, The Veterans Education Project; Mr. 
Justin Hauschild, Policy Counsel, Student Veterans of America; 
Mr. John Kamin, Legislative Associate and Grassroots 
Coordinator, The American Legion; Mr. Patrick Murray, Director 
of National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. 
Danielle Martin, Former Nebraska National 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, Government 
Affairs, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Mr. Cory 
Titus, Director of Veteran Benefits and Guard/Reserve Affairs, 
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, Veterans 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), University of California, 
Riverside PhD Candidate (Mathematics); Mr. Brian Haynes, Vice 
Chancellor of Student Affairs, University of California, 
Riverside; Ms. Kathy Eiler, Director of Federal Relations, 
University of California, Riverside; and Theo Lawson, 
Legislative Director, Fleet Reserve Association.

                              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, Subcommittee 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. Following 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 Transition 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 improving 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 
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 Family Readiness Center, 
interacted with airmen over lunch, and attended 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 instructors and program leads to identify, among other 
things, strategies 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 
Veterans' Affairs Buffalo Regional Office and Syracuse 
University Institute 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 employee/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.
    Following the visit in Buffalo, the majority staff visited 
Syracuse University to tour and understand the innovative 
services and research 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 policymaking. 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 University.
    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 requirements 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 
visited 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 Administration 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 
minority 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 Veterans 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 Educational 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.

                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
                         LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES


Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--``Legislative Hearing on H.R. 234; 
        H.R. 344; H.R. 958; H.R. 1448; H.R. 1510; a discussion 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 Affairs; and H.R. 2093''

    On April 15, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to 
conduct a legislative hearing on the above bills. There were 
three witness panels. The following witnesses testified on the 
first panel: Representative Mark Takano (California), 
Representative Lauren Underwood (Illinois), Representative 
Steve Stivers (Ohio), Representative 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 American 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, Analytics, 
Innovations, and Collaborations, Veterans Health 
Administration, 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 
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 Chris Pappas (New Hampshire), Representative 
Conor Lamb (Pennsylvania), Representative Jason Crow 
(Colorado), Representative 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, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Mike Fisher, MSW, Chief Officer, 
Readjustment Counseling Service, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The 
following witnesses testified on the third panel: Mr. Marquis 
Barefield, Assistant National Legislative Director, 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 Supplement (Vet CENTERS) for 
        Mental Health Act of 2021; a discussion draft, to authorize the 
        Secretary of Veterans 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 
        nursing 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 discussion 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), Representative 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 Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Robert Sherrier, Executive 
Director, National Teleradiology Program, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Karen 
M. Ott, DNP, RN, Director for Policy, Legislation, and 
Professional Standards Office of Nursing Services, Veterans 
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and 
Mr. Michael Fisher, Chief Readjustment Counseling Officer, 
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
    The following witnesses testified on the third panel: Mr. 
Marquis Barefield, Assistant National Legislative Director, 
Disabled American Veterans; Ms. Tammy Barlet, Deputy Director, 
National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Dr. 
Kaki York-Ward, President, Association of VA Psychologist 
Leaders.

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 certain improvements 
        relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive 
        reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished 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), Representative 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 & Extended 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, 
Associate 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 
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) and 
Representative Mike Bost (Illinois). The following witnesses 
testified on the second panel: Dr. Matt Miller, Executive 
Director for Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Amanda 
Johnson, Director for Women's Reproductive Health, Office of 
Women's Health, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department 
of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Garth Miller, Executive Director 
for Member Services, Health Eligibility Center, 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 Veterans; 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 Infertility Association.

                          OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Beyond Deborah Sampson: Improving 
        Healthcare for America's Women Veterans 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 people 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 Secretary for Health for Clinical Services, Veterans 
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. 
Patricia Hayes, Chief Officer for Women's Health Services, 
Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans 
Affairs; and Ms. Lelia Jackson, Senior Strategist, Assault and 
Harassment Prevention Office, 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 Military Women; Ms. 
Jennifer Silva, Chief Program Officer, Wounded Warrior Project; 
Lindsay Church, Executive Director, Minority Veterans of 
America; and Ms. Stephanie Gattas, Chief Executive Officer, The 
Pink Berets.

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Aging in Place: Examining Veterans'' 
        Access to Home and Community Based Services''

    On July 27, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to 
conduct 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 institutional 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 Directed 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 of Geriatrics and Extended Care, Veterans 
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and 
Dr. Catherine Kelso, Deputy Executive Director, Office of 
Geriatrics and Extended Care, Veterans Health Administration, 
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 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 Legislative 
Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Lessons Learned? Building 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 
accountability 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 reviewers; how VHA and its VISNs 
oversee the field's response to findings from external reviews; 
and whether VHA is tracking patterns 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. Department 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 Administration, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs.

Joint Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Supporting Survivors: Assessing 
        VA's Military Sexual Trauma Programs''

    On November 17, 2021, the Subcommittees on Disability 
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 survivors are connected to 
available services while filing a claim based on the impact of 
their MST as well as examine concerns on training, 
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 Compensation Service, Veterans Benefits 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Cheryl 
Rawls, Executive Director, Office of Outreach, Transition, and 
Economic Development Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; 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 
American 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: Supporting 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, 
formally known as a program of the Readjustment Counseling 
Service (RCS). This hearing provided an opportunity to evaluate 
Vet Centers' capacity, staffing, resources, training, delivery 
of counseling services, and coordination with VA medical 
centers and central office.
    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. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. David 
Carroll, Executive Director, Office of Mental Health and 
Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Alfred Ozanian, Deputy 
Chief Officer, Readjustment Counseling Service, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. 
Gillian Hinton McDonald, Director, Ventura Vet Center, Veterans 
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. 
Julie Kroviak, Deputy Assistant Inspector General, Office of 
Healthcare Inspections, Office of Inspector General, U.S. 
Department 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. Rene 
Campos, Senior Director, Government Relations for Veterans--
Wounded Warrior Care, Military Officers Association of America.

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Innovative Care Delivery at VA: 
        Partnering to Improve Infrastructure and Operational 
        Efficiency''

    On May 12, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to 
conduct an oversight hearing to examine innovative approaches 
to addressing physical infrastructure needs and clinical 
workforce shortages 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 facilitated 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 recommendations 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 elaborate on its vision, and 
for the Subcommittee to get a better understanding of the 
potential risks and benefits of these partnerships.
    There was one witness panel, and the following witnesses 
testified: Dr. Michael D. Brennan, Executive Director, Office 
of Construction 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 Director, 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 Community Care Access, 
        Utilization, and Expenditures''

    On July 14, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to 
conduct 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 realignment related to community 
care--through the creation of the Veterans Health 
Administration's (VHA) new Office of Integrated Veteran 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 Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration, 
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Laura Duke, Chief 
Financial Officer, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; 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 Medical 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

    Washington, D.C. On February 3, 2021, majority Committee 
staff conducted a site visit at the Washington, D.C. Veterans 
Affairs 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. Department of Homeland 
Security.
    Loma Linda, California. On April 9, 2022, majority 
Committee staff conducted a site visit at the VA Loma Linda 
Healthcare System (VALLHCS) to observe a day-long job fair 
where VA human resources specialists were on hand for immediate 
hires, onboarding, interviews, and resume 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 addressing recruitment and retention 
challenges and the extent to which existing information 
technology systems support effective documentation of 
onboarding and other personnel actions. In addition, 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 effectiveness of their approach to treating PTSD, combat 
stress, and opioid addiction. BCR is a wellness organization 
that develops and promotes treatment based on ``post-traumatic 
growth.'' According to BCR, they enabled participants to 
significantly reduce or completely 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 veterans 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 referral 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 community care at the Savannah 
CBOC. The Savannah Vet Center was selected as a childcare pilot 
site, so it provided a good opportunity 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 Medical 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 experiences 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 legislation 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 
majority Committee staff conducted site visits at VA medical 
centers (VAMC) located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Dallas, 
Texas; Temple, Texas; and Houston, Texas. These site visits 
provided an opportunity for the Committee to gather information 
about the provision of reproductive healthcare to women 
veterans and VA employees 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, Oklahoma; 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 
conducted 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 included 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 referrals to community care the visit 
included discussions with the Office of Community Care and 
review of CLC demolition. Visit included 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 annual 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 and solutions driven by potential 
community partnerships with VA, non-profits, and other support 
entities. Staff to engaged with groups on innovative ways to 
empower veterans, proactively improve their wellbeing, and 
prevent veteran suicide and participated on a Hill-focused 
panel.
    New Orleans, Louisiana. On October 18, 2022, majority and 
minority staff conducted a one-day site visit at the VA 
Southeast Louisiana 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 Reliability Organization 
initiative; and the role of the facility in 4th Mission 
readiness. They also met with local union representatives.

     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.
                         LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES


Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--``Legislative Hearing on: H.R. 711; 
        H.R. 1948; H.R. 2082; H.R. 2428; H.R. 2429; a discussion Draft, 
        the Strengthening VA Whistleblower Protection Act of 2021; a 
        discussion draft, the VA FOIA Reform Act of 2021; a discussion 
        draft, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make 
        certain information publicly available on one internet website 
        of the Department of Veterans Affairs; a discussion draft, the 
        Improving VA Accountability to Prevent Sexual Harassment and 
        Discrimination Act of 2021; a discussion draft, the VA 
        Beneficiary Debt Collection Improvement Act; a discussion 
        draft, VA Equal Employment Counseling Modernization 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 Protection of the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes''

    On April 21, 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. 
Jeffrey R. Mayo, Acting Assistant Secretary, Human Resources 
and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/
OSP), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Hansel Cordeiro, 
Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Accountability and 
Whistleblower Protection (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 Inspector 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, Equity 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 Inclusion, Office of Resolution Management, 
Diversity and Inclusion, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; 
Mr. Kshemendra Paul, Executive Director for Data Governance and 
Analytics and Chief Data Officer, Office of Enterprise 
Integration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Jennifer 
Dane, Chief Executive officer and Executive Director, Modern 
Military Association of America; Lindsay Church, Executive 
Director and Co-founder, Minority Veterans of America; Mr. 
Marquis Barefield, Assistant National Legislative Director, 
Disabled American Veterans; and Mr. Peter Perkowski, Clinical 
Instructor, Veterans Legal Clinic, WilmerHale Legal Service 
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 Improving Oversight of the 
        Veterans Community Care Providers Act; a discussion draft, the 
        VA Preventing Duplicate 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 Department 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 Management, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. 
Harvey Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution 
Management, Diversity 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. Department of Veterans 
Affairs; Ms. Maryanne Donaghy, Assistant Secretary for 
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, Office of 
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Christopher Wilber, Acting Assistant 
Inspector General for Management and Administration, Office of 
Inspector 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. Patrick Murray, Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign 
Wars; Ms. Jennifer Dane, Chief Executive Officer and Executive 
Director, Modern Military Association of America; and Lindsay 
Church, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Minority Veterans of 
America.

Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--``Ensuring Independence and Building 
        Trust: Considering Reforms to Whistleblower Protections at VA''

    On June 16, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open session to 
conduct a legislative hearing regarding H.R. 8510, the 
Strengthening Whistleblower Protections at the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Act, related to the Subcommittee's oversight 
of whistleblower protections and procedures at VA, especially 
as performed by the Office 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. Department 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 Retaliation 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 Director, 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 Response 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, Executive 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 Missal, Inspector 
General, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department 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 
conduct 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 Inclusion, Office of Resolution Management, Diversity and 
Inclusion, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Anne-Marie 
Duncan, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Resolution 
Management, Office of Resolution Management, Diversity, and 
Inclusion, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Ryan Pugh 
Director of Workforce Analysis, Office of Resolution 
Management, Diversity and Inclusion, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Sheila Elliott, President, 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 Whistleblowers and 
        Promoting Accountability: Is VA Making Progress?''

    On May 19, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to 
conduct an oversight hearing, which examined whistleblower 
protections and procedures at VA, with a focus on the 
responsibilities and performance of the Office of 
Accountability and Whistleblower Protection 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 Accountability 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, 
Government Accountability Project; and Ms. Jacqueline Garrick, 
Founder, Whistleblowers of America.

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Modernizing the VA Police Force: 
        Ensuring Accountability''

    On July 13, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to 
conduct an oversight hearing, which examined the governance and 
accountability of the police force at the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.
    The following witnesses testified: Mr. Lewis Ratchford, 
Chief Security Officer, Human Resources and Administration/
Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. James Ward, Executive 
Director of the Law Enforcement 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, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Troy 
Brown, Senior Security Officer, Veterans Health Administration, 
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Leigh Ann Searight, 
Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations, 
Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans 
Affairs; and Ms. Catina B. Latham, PhD, Acting Director, 
Physical Infrastructure Team, U.S. Government Accountability 
Office.

Joint Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Modernizing VA's Medical Supply 
        Chain: Progress Made?''

    On November 18, 2021, the Subcommittees on Oversight and 
Investigations 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, 
Principal Executive Director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, 
and Construction, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Neil 
Evans, Acting Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs; Ms. Deborah Kramer, Acting Assistant Under 
Secretary for Health for Support, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Shelby 
Oakley, Director of Contracting and National Security 
Acquisitions, U.S. Government Accountability 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?--Ending 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 
harassment.There was one witness panel. The following witnesses 
testified: Mr. Harvey Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
Office of Resolution Management, Diversity & Inclusion, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Perdita Johnson-
Abercrombie, Director of Operations (Eastern Region), Office of 
Resolution Management, Diversity & Inclusion, U.S. Department 
of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Thomas Costa, Director, Education, 
Workforce, and Income Security, U.S. Government Accountability 
Office.

Joint Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``VA Major Acquisition Failures: 
        In Search of Solutions''

    On September 20, 2022, the Subcommittees on Oversight and 
Investigations and Technology Modernization met in open session 
to conduct a joint oversight hearing. The hearing examined VA's 
management and oversight of several major acquisition programs, 
the Department's efforts to address longstanding acquisition 
management challenges, and implications for ongoing 
modernization efforts. There was one witness panel.
    The following witnesses testified: Mr. Michael Parrish, 
Chief Acquisition Officer and Principal Executive Director, 
Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Angela Billups, Executive 
Director and Senior Procurement Executive, Office of 
Acquisition and Logistics, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; 
Ms. Michele Foster, Associate Executive Director, Technology 
Acquisition Center, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and 
Ms. Shelby Oakley, Director of Contracting and National 
Security Acquisitions, U.S. Government Accountability Office.

                              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 Garrison-Italy in Vicenza, Italy. During the site 
visit, 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. 
Following 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 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 mandates, 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 
features, 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 Family Readiness Center, 
interacted with airmen over lunch, and attended 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 
instructors, 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 
Subcommittee 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 acquisition 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 Administration 
and will continue at the other VA Administrations and staff 
offices over the next seven years.
    Baltimore, Maryland. On October 15, 2021, majority 
Subcommittee staff, along with minority and majority staff on 
the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, 
participated in a facility briefing and on-site tour of the 
Baltimore National Cemetery and Baltimore Regional and National 
Capital Region Benefits Office. At the benefits office, the 
delegation also conducted multiple focus groups with VA's 
public-facing employees, including claims processors and 
Military Sexual Trauma coordinators.
    Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. On November 10, 2021, majority 
Subcommittee staff, along with minority Subcommittee and 
majority 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 opportunity 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 engaged in a question-
and-answer session with representatives from the Veterans 
Health Administration, DLA, and the contractor operating the 
facility.

       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
                         LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES


Subcommittee Legislative Hearing--``Legislative Hearing on H.R. 4591; a 
        discussion draft, the Department of Veterans Affairs 
        Demographic Data Collection Improvement 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 Assistant 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 Legislative Service, 
Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Jennifer Dane, Executive 
Director, Modern Military Association of America; Lindsay 
Church, Co-Founder/Executive Director, Minority Veterans of 
America.

                          OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Strategic Review: Evaluating Concerns 
        About the Ongoing Implementation of the Electronic Health 
        Record Modernization Program''

    On April 14, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to 
conduct an oversight hearing to perform a strategic review. On 
March 17, 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
informed Congress 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 
billion EHRM program with specific emphasis on the issues and 
challenges 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 syndication.
    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 Veterans Affairs; and 
Dr. Robert Fischer, Director, Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical 
Center, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs. The following witnesses testified on the 
second panel: Mr. Brian Sandager, General Manager, Cerner 
Government Services; Mr. Avi Vaswani, Vice President, Cerner 
Government 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 
conduct a hearing to review the annual Federal Information 
Security Modernization Act (FISMA) audit. In this hearing, the 
Subcommittee assessed how VA manages its cybersecurity program, 
including supply chain management and controlling access to 
confidential data; and evaluated the safeguarding of 
information technology assets. The hearing also examined 
ongoing challenges in cybersecurity 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 Information Security Policy and Strategy, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; 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 Bowman, 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 Veterans Affairs 
        Information Technology Budget''

    On July 1, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to 
conduct an oversight hearing to review VA's proposed technology 
modernization and technology sustainment funding for FY22. The 
hearing 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 Assistant Secretary of Information Technology 
and Acting Chief Information Officer (CIO), U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs; Mr. Michael D. Parrish, Executive Director 
for Acquisitions, Logistics, and Construction, and Chief 
Acquisition Officer (CAO), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; 
Mr. Larry Davis, Executive Director for IT Budget and Finance, 
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Carol C. Harris, 
Director of Information Technology and Cybersecurity, U.S. 
Government Accountability Office.

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Moving Forward: Evaluating Next Steps 
        for the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record 
        Modernization Program''

    On July 21, 2021, the Subcommittee met in open session to 
conduct an oversight hearing to review the next steps of the 
EHRM program and VA's strategic review. On March 17, 2021, the 
Department 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 
billion EHRM program with specific emphasis on the issues and 
challenges 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 necessitated 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, Assistant 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 witnesses 
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 Securing VA's IT 
        Infrastructure''

    On September 30, 2021, the Subcommittee conducted an 
oversight 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 
Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief 
Information Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. 
Todd Simpson, Deputy Assistant Secretary DevSecOps, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Charles Worthington, Chief 
Technology Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and 
Mr. Paul Cunningham, Deputy Chief Information Officer and Chief 
Information Security Officer, U.S. Department of Veterans 
Affairs.

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Next Steps: Examining Plans for the 
        Continuation of the Department of Veterans 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 
Department of Veterans Affairs' Electronic Health Record 
Modernization Program. On September 20, 2021, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (VA) informed Congress that it was prepared to 
move forward with EHRM deployments in VISNs 10 and 20 in early 
2022. There are many outstanding questions about how VA intends 
to accomplish this. This hearing examined VA's ongoing efforts 
to deploy 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 account 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 
Technology 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 management 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 Affairs.

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing--``Next Steps: Examining Plans for the 
        Continuation of the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic 
        Health Record Modernization Program''

    On Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the Subcommittee met in open 
session to conduct an oversight hearing to review next steps of 
the EHRM program after the VA Office of the Inspector General 
released three oversight reports highlighting ongoing concerns 
with the deployment of Cerner Millennium at Mann-Grandstaff VA 
Medical Center in Spokane, Washington in March 2022. These 
reports identify that, almost a year and a half after the go-
live, many 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 Veterans Outpatient Clinic in Columbus, OH, about 
preparations for its planned April 30, 2022, go-live. The 
hearing afforded an opportunity to hear from VA and Cerner 
leadership about plans to address the unresolved issues, 
ameliorate staff frustration, and improve training and change 
management efforts for future deployment 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 Veterans 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, Deputy Inspector General, VA 
Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department 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 
conduct an oversight hearing to review the annual Federal 
Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) audit, assess 
how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) manages its 
cybersecurity program, 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 Technology 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.

Subcommittee Oversight Hearing, ``Protecting Our Veterans: Patient 
        Safety and the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program''

    On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, the Subcommittee held an 
oversight 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 ``unknown queue''. This revelation, in 
addition to the Subcommittee's ongoing concerns about patient 
safety related to the program, necessitated a conversation 
about patient safety as it relates to the system. This hearing 
was an opportunity to hear from VA and Oracle/Cerner leadership 
about plans to ensure that patient safety remains the number 
one priority in the deployment of EHRM program 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 Director, National Center for Patient 
Safety, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs; Dr. Robert Fischer, Medical Center Director, 
Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. Scott 
Kelter, Medical Center Director, Jonathan M. Wainwright VA 
Medical Center, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department 
of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Lynelle Johnson, Acting Chief Medical 
Officer, Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration 
Office, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Mr. David Case, 
Deputy Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Julie Kroviak, Principal 
Deputy Assistant Inspector General, Office of Healthcare 
Inspections, Office 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 Veterans Affairs; Dr. Julie Kroviak, Principal 
Deputy Assistant Inspector General, Office of Healthcare 
Inspections, Office of the Inspector 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 COVID-19 infection rates in the region. On October 24, 
2020, VA deployed its new Cerner electronic health record at 
Mann-Grandstaff and its associated clinics. The committee has 
heard repeatedly 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, minority 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 implementation team, each clinical 
department, and the facilities and information technology staff 
to discuss their preparations and readiness.
    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, 
minority 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 department, 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 division within the organization to understand their 
functions and discussed 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 
Information Technology Center (AITC) to meet with VA staff and 
gather first-hand testimonial evidence and perspectives on 
activities of VA. The AITC supports over 100 customer 
applications that provide 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 maximize its 
effectiveness and reviewed challenges faced by VA leadership 
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 
Medical 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 opportunity to evaluate staff 
engagement and morale, as well as to hear first-hand from staff 
about the concerns with the Cerner Millennium product and the 
deployment program.

              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
                         LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

    The Women Veterans Task Force coordinated all legislative 
activities 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, 
roundtable with Chairwoman Brownley and Co-Chair Radewagen to 
introduce and hear from 24 key Veteran Service Organization 
representatives, 4 subject matter experts, and 3 researchers to 
consider 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, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Rene Campos, Executive 
Director, 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, Executive Director, Combat Sexual Assault; 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, 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 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 
Association; Ms. Yomika Alexander, Black Women Veterans 
Council; Dr. Tiffany Lange, Psychologist, former VA staff; Ms. 
Octavia Harris, former VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans 
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, 
participated in a roundtable with over 30 women veterans from 
across the nation of all ages, backgrounds, and service eras 
during Wounded Warrior Project annual conference in D.C.
    The event was led by Ms. Jen Burch and Ms. Lindsey 
Stanford, Government Affairs Specialists from Wounded Warrior 
Project, additional 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 
solutions 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 
initiatives 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, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Ms. Rene Campos, Executive 
Director, Military 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, 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 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 Harris, 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 Priorities''

    On October 6, 2022, bipartisan staff from the Women 
Veterans Task Force held a roundtable to receive input from 24 
VSO's regarding 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, Veterans 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, Executive Director, 
Combat Sexual Assault; 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, 
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 Foreign Wars; 
Ms. Jen Burch, Government Affairs Specialist, Wounded Warrior 
Project; Ms. Katie Purswell and Ms. Tiffany Ellet, Director for 
VBA, VHA, and Memorial 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--``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 
identify 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, Disabled 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, Paralyzed Veterans of 
America; Ms. Lorry Fenner, Director of Government Operations, 
Service Women's Action Network; Ms. Lindsay Knapp, Executive 
Director, Combat Sexual Assault; Ms. Kaitlynne Yancy, Associate 
Director, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Professor 
Deborah Harmon-Pugh, National Chair, Women Veterans Rock; Ms. 
Stephanie Merlo, Staff, The Pink Berets; Ms. Jennifer 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 
Association; Ms. Jodie Grenier, Founder, Foundation for Women 
Warriors; Ms. Kayla Williams, Senior Policy Researcher, RAND 
Corporation; and Ms. Lucy Del Gaudio, Women Veteran Researcher.

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, Veterans 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, Executive Director, 
Combat Sexual Assault; 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, 
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 Foreign Wars; 
Ms. Jen Burch, Government Affairs Specialist, Wounded Warrior 
Project; Ms. Katie Purswell and Ms. Tiffany Ellet, Director for 
VBA, VHA, and Memorial 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--``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 
assault, and intimate partner violence. the Deborah Sampson 
Act.
    The following VA witnesses attended: Ms. Lordes Tiglao, 
Director, Center for Women Veterans; Michael Fisher, Chief 
Readjustment Counseling Officer, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Leila 
Jackson, Director, VHA Assault and Harassment Prevention 
Program, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Ms. Perdita 
Johnson-Abercrombie, Regional Director, Office of Resolution 
Management Diversity & Inclusion, U.S. Department of Veterans 
Affairs; Dr. Anne-Marie Duncan, Associate Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Office of Resolution Management, U.S. Department of 
Veterans Affairs; Dr. LeAnn Bruce, National Program Manager, 
Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program, U.S. Department 
of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Jennifer Knetig, National Program 
Manager, Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Megabus 
Pilot, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Ms. Jennifer A. 
Koget, National Director Social Work, Fisher House and Family 
Hospitality, and Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Programs 
Care Management and Social Work Services, Veterans Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans 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, 
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, 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; Professor 
Deborah Harmon-Pugh, National Chair, Women Veterans Rock; Ms. 
Stephanie Gattas, Founder, The Pink Berets; Ms. Jennifer 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 Foreign 
Wars; Ms. Jen Burch, Government Affairs Specialist, Wounded 
Warrior Project; Ms. Katie Purswell and Ms. Tiffany Ellet, 
Director for VBA, VHA, and Memorial 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, Veterans 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, Executive Director, 
Combat Sexual Assault; 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, 
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 Foreign 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 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.

                              SITE VISITS

    Washington, D.C. On October 11, 2022, bipartisan staff from 
the Women Veterans Task Force visited the Washington, D.C. VA 
Medical 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 
Director, 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 
Subcommittee Staff traveled to Baltimore's Regional Benefit 
Office Bipartisan staff also visited the Baltimore VA Medical 
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 
Director, Womens Health Program Manager, Womens Health Primary 
Care Provider, a Patient 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 
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 Patient Advocate, LGBTQ+ 
Care Coordinator, MST Coordinator, and Community Care staff.
             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 respect to apprenticeship programs, and for other 
purposes.
    03/09/2021: H.R. 1276--Strengthening and Amplifying 
Vaccination 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 
Reauthorization 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 
corrections 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 
direct 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 
Reintegration 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 veterans reintegration programs, and for other 
purposes.
    05/18/2021: H.R. 711--West Los Angeles VA Campus 
Improvement 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 
Affairs to submit to Congress a report on the use of cameras in 
medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(Public law 117-64).
    05/18/2021: H.R. 2167--GI Bill National Emergency Extended 
Deadline Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide 
for extensions of the 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.
    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 
Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to direct 
the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study 
to assess certain mental health care resources of the 
Department of Veterans 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 
Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021, To 
amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the equal 
employment opportunity 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 
Department of Veterans Affairs who provide equal employment 
opportunity counseling.
    05/18/2021: H.R. 2878--Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges 
and Universities Pilot Program Act, To direct the Secretary of 
Veterans 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 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 educational assistance.
    06/15/2021: H.R. 293--VA Hospitals Establishing Leadership 
Performance Act, To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
establish qualifications for the human resources positions 
within the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
    06/15/2021: H.R. 1257--Homeless Veterans CREDIT Act, To 
direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on 
the effect of financial and credit counseling for homeless 
veteran and veterans 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, Spanish, 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 
Accountability Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to 
improve the staffing, transparency, and accountability of the 
law enforcement operations of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, and for other purposes.
    06/15/2021: 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. 
Passed House under suspension. (Public law 117-96).
    06/24/2021: H.R. 239--Equal Access to Contraception for 
Veterans Act, To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide 
for limitations on copayments for contraception furnished by 
the Department 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 
Affairs 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 
Expiring 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 center 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 individuals, 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 purposes.
    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 certain educational assistance benefits.
    11/16/2021: H.R. 4591--VA Electronic Health Record 
Transparency 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 Electronic 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.
    11/16/2021: H.R. 5516--VITAL Assessment Act, To direct the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a report on 
the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program of the 
Department 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 
expiring provisions of law relating to benefits provided under 
Department 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 
automatic 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 
veterans 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 
Modernization 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 
improve the method by which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
determines the effects of a closure or disapproval of an 
educational institution on individuals who do not transfer 
credits from such institution.
    05/17/2022: H.R. 7153--Department of Veterans Affairs 
Principles of Benefits Automation Act, To direct the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress a plan to modernize 
the information technology systems of the Veterans Benefits 
Administration, and for other purposes.
    05/17/2022: H.R. 7375--To direct the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to update the payment system of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs to allow for electronic fund transfer of 
educational assistance, administered by the Secretary, to a 
foreign institution of higher education.
    05/17/2022: H.R. 7500--Fiscal Year 2022 Veterans Affairs 
Major Medical Facility Authorization Act, To authorize major 
medical facility projects for the Department of Veterans 
Affairs for fiscal 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 direct 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for peer support 
specialists for claimants who are survivors of military sexual 
trauma, 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 General, and for other 
purposes.
    05/18/2022: 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 Medicine for a review 
of examinations, 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 sexual trauma.
    05/18/2022: H.R. 7335--MST Claims Coordination Act, To 
improve 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 Veterans 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 
improve health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic 
substances, 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 
Department 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 certain records, and for other purposes. Passed 
House under suspension.
    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 compensation 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 
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.
    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 Veterans 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 members towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for 
other purposes.
    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 veterans, 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 
Protections 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 of Veterans Affairs an Office of Food Security, and 
for other purposes.
    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 
Veterans 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 
Veterans 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 
Veterans 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 
Information 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 Department 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 
Community Care Program.
    11/17/2022: H.R. 7299--SVAC Act of 2022, To require the 
Secretary 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 
Affairs to conduct a study on the feasibility and advisability 
of furnishing 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 improve 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 
improve the application and review process of the Department of 
Veterans 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 foster homes for certain veterans who 
are unable to live independently, and for other purposes.
    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.
                    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 
Improvement 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 
Veterans 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 
Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Aurora, 
Colorado, as the ``Lieutenant Colonel John W. Mosley VA 
Clinic''
    Public Law 117-62: H.R. 2093--Veterans and Family 
Information 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 
Veterans 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 
Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Gaylord, 
Michigan, as the ``Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of 
Veterans 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 Department 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 Center'', 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 
Affairs 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 
clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Ventura, 
California, as the ``Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner Outpatient 
Clinic''.
    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 Clinic''
    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 Canton, 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 
Veterans 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 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
    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 Enhancement 
for MST Survivors Act
    Public Law 117-XXX: H.R. 7939--Veterans Auto and Education 
Improvement Act of 2022