Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Luttrell Leads Markup of Proposed House GOP Bills to Promote Accountability in VA Benefits Administration, Meet[...]

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Luttrell Leads Markup of Proposed House GOP Bills to Promote Accountability in VA Benefits Administration, Meet the Needs of Veterans and their Families

Today, Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, delivered the following opening remarks, as prepared at the start the subcommittee's markup on 7 proposed bills that seek to promote better tracking and bring back accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Board of Veterans Appeals and the National Cemetery Administration, ensure benefits for survivors and veterans meet their needs, and simplify the burial reimbursement process for veteran families who choose to bury their loved on in a private cemetery. A full list of the bills at today's subcommittee markup can be found here.

The Subcommittee will come to order.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Today, we are considering seven bills, several of which I will be asking unanimous consent to consider en bloc.

All of these bills were considered at a legislative hearing held by this Subcommittee.

In accordance with Committee rules, the Subcommittee has contacted the Congressional Budget Office seeking informal, preliminary cost estimates for each of the bills being considered today.

These preliminary scores are only a range of potential costs.

None of the bills included in the en bloc, today, include the offsets that would be necessary to move the bills forward through the Full Committee.

Finding offsets ensures that we keep our fiscal house in order.

We have the privilege of considering the types of reforms that would help VA better serve veterans, their family, and their survivors for their life after service.

Offsets are a central part of this process and I look forward to working with my colleagues on this Committee, Republican and Democrat, to see where we can find common ground.

I look forward to working with Ranking Member McGarvey and other Members of the Subcommittee to find reasonable offsets for these bills.

I now recognize the distinguished Ranking Member for any opening remarks he may have.