SSVA00 · Senate Standing

Veterans' Affairs Committee

veterans.senate.gov

Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Showing the 116th Congress (2019–2020). Back to the 119th Congress

260 bills referred in the 116th Congress

2,484 across the 13 Congresses on file, most in the 119th at 278. A referral is not a hearing: most bills sent to a committee are never taken up.

Bills referred, by Congress 107th to 119th

Members

Served in the 116th Congress

Meetings

Hearings and business meetings in the 116th Congress

Members, 116th Congress 18

Everyone who held a seat in the 116th Congress, leaders first, with the day they joined or left when it was not with the rest.

Seat	Member	Role
D-MT	Jon Tester	Ranking Member
I-VT	Bernard Sanders
R-LA	Bill Cassidy
R-AK	Dan Sullivan
R-KS	Jerry Moran
D-WV	Joe Manchin III
R-AR	John Boozman
R-GA	Johnny IsaksonLeft Dec 19, 2019
R-GA	Kelly LoefflerJoined Jan 6, 2020
R-ND	Kevin Cramer
D-AZ	Kyrsten Sinema
R-TN	Marsha Blackburn
D-HI	Mazie K. Hirono
R-SD	Mike Rounds
D-WA	Patty Murray
D-CT	Richard Blumenthal
D-OH	Sherrod Brown
R-NC	Thom Tillis

Record

Bills, meetings, hearings, reports and more, newest first. In the 116th Congress.

Newest activity first. In the 116th Congress.

Bill	Title	Referral	Date
S 5083	VISIT Act of 2020	Referred To	Dec 22, 2020
S 5072	Vet Center Improvement Act of 2020	Referred To	Dec 19, 2020
HR 4356	Protecting Families of Fallen Servicemembers Act	Discharged From	Dec 15, 2020
HR 7347	To designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the "Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center".	Discharged From	Dec 11, 2020
HR 4983	To designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Gilbert, Arizona, as the "Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic".	Discharged From	Dec 11, 2020
HR 7105	Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020	Discharged From	Dec 9, 2020
S 4460	State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act	Discharged From	Dec 9, 2020
S 4393	TEAM Act of 2020	Reported By	Dec 8, 2020

Hearings, markups and business meetings, newest first. In the 116th Congress.

Kind	Subject	Status	Date
Meeting	Hearings to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs response to COVID-19 across the VA enterprise.Dirksen Senate Office Building G50	Scheduled	Dec 9, 2020
Meeting	Hearings to examine the VA MISSION Act, focusing on assessing progress implementing Title I.Dirksen Senate Office Building 106	Scheduled	Oct 21, 2020
Meeting	Business meeting to consider S.4393, to improve the provision of health care and other benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, and S.4511, to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to education, burial benefits, and other matters.Capitol (Senate side) 2111 document	Scheduled	Sep 23, 2020

Meeting	Business meeting to consider S.4393, to improve the provision of health care and other benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, and S.4511, to make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to education, burial benefits, and other matters.1 document	Scheduled	Sep 23, 2020

Meeting	Hearings to examine S.785, to improve mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.Dirksen Senate Office Building 1061 document	Scheduled	Sep 9, 2020

Meeting	Business meeting to consider S.3282, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the oversight of contracts awarded by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, S.2558, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain grants to assist nursing homes for veterans located on tribal lands, S.3643, to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize certain postgraduate health care employees and health professions trainees of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide treatment via telemedicine, S.2950, to amend title 38, United States Code, to concede exposure to airborne hazards and toxins from burn pits under certain circumstances, S.4384, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to address exposure by members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan, S.4393, to improve the provision of health care and other benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, S.711, to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for mental health services from the Department of Veterans Affairs to include members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, S.332, to amend title 38, United States Code, to remove the manifestation period required for the presumptions of service connection for chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, and acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents, S.805, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the processing of veterans benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs, to limit the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to recover overpayments made by the Department and other amounts owed by veterans to the United States, to improve the due process accorded veterans with respect to such recovery, S.514, to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to women veterans, S.629, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to review the processes and requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs for scheduling appointments for health care and conducting consultations under the laws administered by the Secretary, S.2216, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to formally recognize caregivers of veterans, notify veterans and caregivers of clinical determinations relating to eligibility for caregiver programs, and temporarily extend benefits for veterans who are determined ineligible for the family caregiver program, S.3235, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot program on posttraumatic growth, and an original bill entitled, "Veterans Benefit Improvement Act of 2020".Russell Senate Office Building 3251 document	Scheduled	Aug 5, 2020

Meeting	Hearings to examine VA telehealth during and beyond COVID-19, focusing on challenges and opportunities in rural America.Dirksen Senate Office Building G50	Scheduled	Jul 29, 2020
Meeting	Hearings to examine recruitment, retention and building a resilient veterans health care workforce.Dirksen Senate Office Building 106	Scheduled	Jul 1, 2020

The published transcripts, newest first, from GovInfo. In the 116th Congress.

Hearing	Title	Held
S. Hrg. 116-483	Va's Response to COVID-19 Across the VA Enterprise79 pages 2 witnesses Dr. Paul R. Lawrence, Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Richard A. Stone, M.D., Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Dec 9, 2020
S. Hrg. 116-482	VA Mission Act: Assessing Progress Implementing Title I97 pages 4 witnesses Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, CEO, OptumServe Mr. David J. McIntyre, Jr., President and CEO, TriWest Health Alliance Mr. Steve Schwab, CEO, Elizabeth Dole Foundation Mrs. Jennie Beller, Pre-9/11 Veteran Caregiver and Fellow, Elizabeth Dole Foundation Accompanied by; Ms. Molly Ramsey, Manager of Policy and Programs, Elizabeth Dole Foundation	Oct 21, 2020
S. Hrg. 116-479	S. 785: Leading the Way to Comprehensive Mental Health Care and Suicide Prevention for Veterans74 pagesOn S. 785 4 witnesses Katie Purswell, Deputy Director of Health Policy, The American Legion Jeremy Butler, Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Jim Lorraine, President and Chief Executive Officer, America's Warrior Partnership Matt Kuntz, Executive Director, NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness	Sep 9, 2020
S. Hrg. 116-471	VA Telehealth During and Beyond COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities in Rural America94 pages 1 witness Dr. Kameron Matthews, Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Community Care, Veterans Health Administration; Accompanied by Dr. Kevin Galpin, Executive Director of Telehealth Services, Veterans Health Administration; Dr. Thomas Klobucar, Executive Director, Office of Rural Health, Veterans Health Administration; and Mr. Eddie Pool, Executive Director, Solution Delivery, IT Operations and Services, Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs	Jul 29, 2020
S. Hrg. 116-466	Recruitment, Retention and Building a Resilient Veterans Health Care Workforce99 pages 1 witness Lieberman, Steven L., M.D., Acting Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Health, Veterans Health Administration; accompanied by Jessica Bonjorni, Chief, Human Capital Management, VHA, and Victoria Brahm, Director, Veterans Integrated Service Network 12, VHA	Jul 1, 2020
S. Hrg. 116-450	Building a More Resilient VA Supply Chain134 pages 5 witnesses Stone, Dr. Richard A., Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration: Accompanied by Brazell, Karen, Principal Executive Director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction and Chief Acquisition Officer, and Acting Assistant Secretary for Enterprise Integration; Kramer, Deborah, Acting Under Secretary for Health for Support Services, VHA; and Centineo, Andrew, Executive Director, Procurement and Logistics Office, VHA Oakley, Shelby, Director of Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, GAO Waldron, Roger, President, Coalition for Government Procurement McDonald, Michael, Director of Government Operations, 3M Health Care Heyssel, Kurt, Former Chief Supply Chain Officer, Veterans Health Administration	Jun 9, 2020
S. Hrg. 116-445	Review of the Fy 2021 Budget and Fy 2022 Advance Appropriations Request and Oversight of Cares Act Supplemental Appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs263 pages 1 witness Wilkie, Hon. Robert, Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Accompanied by Richard Stone, MD, Executive in Charge of the Veterans Health Administration; Paul Lawrence, PhD, Under Secretary for Benefits; and Jon Rychalski, Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer	Jun 3, 2020
S. Hrg. 116-257	Joint Hearing on the Legislative Presentation of the American Legion72 pagesOn H.R. 5697, S. 2950 1 witness Oxford, James W. "Bill," National Commander, The American Legion; accompanied by Joseph Sharpe, Director, Veterans Employment and Education Division; Daniel Seehafer, Chairman, Veterans Employment and Education Commission; Melissa Bryant, National Legislative Director; Chanon Nuntavong, Director, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division; Ralph Bozella, Chairman, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission; and Vincent Troiola, Chairman, National Legislative Commission	Mar 11, 2020

The committee's written reports, most on a bill it sent to the floor. In the 116th Congress.

Report	Title	Issued
S. Rept. 116-51	Legislative and Oversight Activities During the 115th Congress by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs	Jun 26, 2019

Referred to this committee for confirmation, newest first, with the outcome and the latest action. In the 116th Congress.

Nomination	Nominee and post	Outcome	Received
PN1385	Scott J. Laurer, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for the term of fifteen years, vice Mary J. Schoelen, retired.The Judiciary	Confirmed Jul 23, 2020Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.	Jan 9, 2020
PN1110	Scott J. Laurer, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for the term of fifteen years, vice Mary J. Schoelen, retiring.The Judiciary	Returned to the PresidentReturned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate.	Sep 19, 2019
PN1109	Grant C. Jaquith, of New York, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for the term of fifteen years, vice Robert N. Davis, retiring.The Judiciary	Confirmed Jul 23, 2020Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.	Sep 19, 2019
PN631	James Byrne, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, vice Thomas G. Bowman.Department of Veterans Affairs	Confirmed Sep 11, 2019Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 81 - 11. Record Vote Number: 272.	Apr 29, 2019
PN175	John Lowry III, of Illinois, to be Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training, vice Michael Herman Michaud.Department of Labor	Confirmed Nov 21, 2019Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.	Jan 16, 2019

Reports, rules and messages sent to Congress by agencies and the President, and petitions and memorials, referred to this committee. Newest first. In the 116th Congress.

Number	Communication	Referred
EC-5996	A communication from the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legislative Affairs, Department of Justice, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report entitled "Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) Quarterly Report to Congress; Fourth Quarter of fiscal year 2020"; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Executive communication	Dec 2, 2020
EC-5962	A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Administrative Procedures; Guidance Documents" (RIN2900-AQ92) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Executive communication	Dec 1, 2020
EC-5961	A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Authority of VA Professionals to Practice Health Care" (RIN2900-AQ94) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Executive communication	Dec 1, 2020
EC-5960	A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Disclosure of Certain Protected Records Without Written Consent" (RIN2900-AQ64) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Executive communication	Dec 1, 2020
EC-5959	A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Extension of Veterans' Group Life Insurance Application Period in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency" (RIN2900-AQ98) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Executive communication	Dec 1, 2020
EC-5958	A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Reimbursement of Qualifying Adoption Expenses for Certain Veterans" (RIN2900-AQ01) received during adjournment of the Senate in the Office of the President of the Senate on November 20, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Executive communication	Dec 1, 2020
EC-5611	A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Elimination of On-the-Job Training and Apprenticeship Trainee Certification" (RIN2900-AQ61) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on October 1, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Executive communication	Oct 5, 2020
EC-5610	A communication from the Director, Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "VA Acquisition Regulation: Contractor Qualifications; Acquisition of Utility Services; and Contract Administration and Audit Services" (RIN2900-AQ38) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on October 1, 2020; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Executive communication	Oct 5, 2020

By Congress

The committee's record in each Congress on file. Choose one to see the page as it stood then: its members, subcommittees and record. A dash means the official source has nothing that early, not that the committee did nothing.

Congress	Members	Bills referred	Reported	Became law	Reports	Meetings	Printed hearings	Nominations	Communications	Prints
119th2025–2026, sitting	19	278	15	13	5	43	29	22	37	1
118th2023–2024	19	212	5	21	1	33	32	3	88	0
117th2021–2022	18	261	14	49	1	45	40	23	76	0
116th2019–2020	18	260	24	22	1	23	26	5	79	0
115th2017–2018	15	265	5	25	3	—	20	17	90	1
114th2015–2016	15	224	10	16	7	—	34	6	84	1
113th2013–2014	14	187	9	13	8	—	21	9	98	1
112th2011–2012	15	127	8	6	5	—	21	9	84	1
111th2009–2010	17	154	18	10	18	—	36	10	41	1
110th2007–2008	16	194	14	17	14	—	42	8	74	1
109th2005–2006	14	106	8	7	8	—	43	13	67	1
108th2003–2004	15	106	11	9	11	—	12	13	100	0
107th2001–2002	15	110	9	8	9	—	18	15	99	0

Membership changes 2

Who joined, left or changed role after the committee was first filled in the 116th Congress, newest first, each with the official record.

Date	Member	Change	Record
Jan 6, 2020	Kelly Loeffler R-GA	Joined	S.Res. 464
Dec 19, 2019	Johnny Isakson R-GA	Left Congress	Last recorded vote

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Everything here is as published by Congress. Seats run from the 107th Congress, dated by the resolutions that made them and the Congressional Record; referrals and nominations from the 107th; meetings from the 116th. A committee older than that shows less than it has done. Records come from Congress.gov, GovInfo and the House and Senate.