New Leadership for VA Committees

Committees overseeing the Department of Veterans Affairs and related issues will come under new leadership in the 115th Congress.

Representative Phil Roe (R-TN), a physician and an Army vet, has served on the committee since 2009 and will chair the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“I am excited by the opportunity to advance Republican solutions aimed at improving veterans’ care,” said Roe in a statement. “There’s a lot of work to be done – from considering the Commission on Care recommendations and reauthorizing the Choice program to ensuring veterans have timely access to the benefits they’ve earned – and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

Across the aisle, though, Democrats have not yet named the Ranking member for the committee for the 115th Congress. Representative Mark Takano (D-CA) currently holds the title. He stepped in following then-Ranking Member Corrine Brown’s (D-FL) indictment for conspiracy and fraud. Brown went on to lose primary in November. Representative Tim Walz (D-MN), a veteran, has also indicated an interested in serving as the ranking member on the committee.

Over in the Senate, Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) is expected to keep his spot as chairman, but the Democrats will replace Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) with Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)

Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has not yet announced his nominee for VA secretary, but a number of names have been floated for the position.