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HOUSE VETS' COMMITTEE GETS BUSINESS UNDERWAY --
Organizational meeting over, all the players in
place,
now, down to business.
After some stutter-stepping, the House
Committee on Veterans' Affairs is getting down to business.
We have two press release explaining who
is who...and, both Democrats and Republicans have pledged absolute
loyalty to the needs of veterans.
Democratic press release here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/
07/hcva07/hcva013107-1.htm
Press release below:
---------------
DEMOCRATIC
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday January 31, 2007
Veterans’ Committee Holds Organizational Meeting
Chairman Filner Announces Assignments For
Democratic Members On Committee
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA), Chairman of the House
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced during the Committee’s
organizational meeting the roster of the Democratic members serving on
the Committee. He also announced the Members selected to lead the
panel’s respective subcommittees.
Chairman Filner led the Committee in its first business meeting of the
110th Congress as it ratified the full panel’s membership, staff, and
Committee rules. The Committee also adopted an oversight plan for the
110th Congress, outlining areas of interest or concern with respect to
veterans’ services and benefits.
The following Democratic members have been selected to chair
subcommittees during the 110th Congress:
Cong. Michael Michaud (ME) – Chairman of the Health Subcommittee;
Cong. Stephanie Herseth (SD) – Chairwoman of the Economic Opportunity
Subcommittee;
Cong. Harry E. Mitchell (AZ) – Chairman of the Oversight and
Investigations Subcommittee;
Cong. John J. Hall (NY) – Chairman of the Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.
In addition, the following Democratic members will also serve on the
Committee during the 110th Congress:
Corrine Brown (FL); Vic Snyder (AR); Phil Hare (IL); Michael F. Doyle
(PA); Shelley Berkley (NV); John T. Salazar (CO); Ciro Rodriguez (TX);
Joe Donnelly (IN); Jerry McNerney (CA); Zack Space (OH); and Timothy J.
Walz (MN).
“The Members serving on this panel are talented, bright and hardworking
individuals. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides
of the aisle to provide our veterans and military families the services
and benefits they have earned and deserve,” said Filner.
“I am honored to be the Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs
Committee and I am excited that we have held our first committee meeting
and we are ready to get down to business,” Filner continued. “Now that
we are formally organized and reconstituted, I plan an aggressive
agenda, beginning with preparing for the President’s budget submission
for fiscal year 2008.”
The Committee will meet on Thursday, February 8th, 2007, to examine the
FY 2008 budget request for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
---------------
Republican press release here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/
07/hcva07/hcva013007-2.htm
Press release below:
---------------
REPUBLICAN PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday January 30, 2007
HVAC 110th ORGANIZATION COMPLETE
America’s veterans will be served well by Republican members’ knowledge
and experience
Washington, D.C.—For the needs of America’s veterans, the 110th Congress
officially got underway with the organization of the House Veterans’
Affairs Committee. Ranking Member Steve Buyer (R-Ind.) announced the new
additions to the Republican membership, as well as those who will serve
as ranking members of the four subcommittees.
“The Republican members of this Committee all have a firm commitment and
an unwavering dedication to serve our nation’s 26 million veterans. From
those who have served on this Committee in the past and those who have
now chosen to serve, this membership is comprised of those who have
answered the call to ensure that America’s veterans have a strong voice
in Congress,” Buyer stated.
“I am anxious for this Committee to begin its work in the 110th Congress
to care for veterans with service-connected disabilities, those with
special needs, and the indigent, ensure a seamless transition from
military service to the VA, and provide veterans every opportunity to
live full, healthy and dignified lives,” Buyer added.
One of the newest members of the Committee will also serve as Ranking
Member of the Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Assistance.
Congressman Doug Lamborn (C0-05), elected in 2006, comes to the
Committee after serving a decade in the Colorado House and Senate. His
district is home to the U.S. Northern Command, the U.S. Air Force
Academy, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Peterson
Air Force Base,
http://www.schriever.af.mil/Schriever Air Force Base and Fort
Carson.
Congressman John Boozman (AR-03), Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Economic Opportunity in the 109th Congress, returns as its Ranking
Member. With jurisdiction over veterans education, vocational
rehabilitation, housing, and servicemembers civil relief, Congressman
Boozman’s tenure as chairman included the passage of legislation
awarding set-aside contracts to service-disabled vet-owned small
businesses, and mandated training for all federally-funded veterans
employment specialists at state employment services.
The Subcommittee on Health sees the return of another former Chairman
with Congressman Jeff Miller (FL-01) taking over as Ranking Member.
Formerly the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial
Assistance, Congressman Miller will have jurisdiction over the largest
health delivery system in the country, including 1,300 sites of care. He
has been a member of the Committee since his election to Congress.
Taking over as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations, Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-03) oversees all the
Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as all other federal agencies
that affect veterans. Florida’s Third District boasts the second highest
veterans population in the country. A member of the Committee since
elected to Congress in 2002, Congresswoman Brown-Waite has been an
active and engaged member of the Committee.
The Republican Membership of the Committee is as follows:
Steve Buyer (IN-04)
Cliff Stearns (FL-06)
Dan Burton (IN-05)
Jerry Moran (KS-01)
Richard Baker (LA-06)
Henry E. Brown, Jr. (SC-01)
Jeff Miller (FL-01)
John Boozman (AR-03)
Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05)
Michael R. Turner (OH-03)
Brian P. Bilbray (CA-50)
Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
Gus M. Bilirakis (FL-09)
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Larry Scott
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