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Markup on Pending Legislation

House Veterans Affairs Committee, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee

April 15, 2026 (recording here)

BILLS CONSIDERED IN MARKUP

• H.R. 7950, To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes

• H.R. 7683, the VA Fiscal Management Modernization Act

• H.R. 8041, the Supporting VA Families Act

• H.R. 8052, the Veterans Infection Prevention Act

• H.R. 8010, the VA Police Recruitment and Retention Act of 2026

• H.R. 7280, the Veteran DATA Act

• H.R. 6654, the VAMOSA Act of 2025

• H.R. 8043, the Vets CLEAR Act

OTHER INFORMATION

At the conclusion of the markup, the Subcommittee favorably reported all eight bills to the full Committee.

OPENING STATEMENTS FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE

• Chairwoman Jen Kiggans opened the markup, announcing that eight bills were under consideration. She noted that all bills had been previously considered at legislative hearings and that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) had been contacted for preliminary cost estimates.

• Ranking Member Delia Ramirez thanked the Chairwoman for organizing the markup and agreed to reserve her comments for the discussion of individual bills.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON THE FIRST EN BLOC

• The Chairwoman called up H.R. 7950 and the VA Fiscal Management Modernization Act (H.R. 7683) to be considered en bloc, then presented an amendment in the nature of a substitute (ANS) for each bill. She explained that both bills addressed longstanding bipartisan concerns about VA financial management and transparency.

• Chairwoman Kiggans argued that H.R. 7683 would improve accountability by consolidating financial authority under a single Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She also believed that codifying the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs in H.R. 7950 would formalize expectations for VA responsiveness to Congress. She claimed that both bills aimed to restore trust between Congress and the VA and improve oversight.

• Ranking Member Ramirez expressed serious concerns with both bills and shared that Democrats were dissatisfied with the VA’s current financial leadership. She argued that codifying the CFO role without better understanding VA restructuring could consolidate too much power and create operational risks. She further warned that the legislation could conflict with the Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act and potentially slow VA contracting.

• The Ranking Member then raised concerns that penalties in H.R. 7950 could unintentionally weaken the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs workforce and hinder oversight.

• Rep. Keith Self spoke on his bill, H.R. 7950, stating that it aimed to establish a reliable and structured relationship between Congress and the VA. He explained that codifying the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs would create enforceable expectations, accountability, and consequences for noncompliance. He said that improved communication was essential for effective oversight and better outcomes for veterans.

• Each ANS was agreed to by voice vote, and the en bloc was favorably forwarded to the full Committee.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ON THE SECOND EN BLOC

• Chairwoman Kiggans moved to consider the remaining bills in the second en bloc, voicing her support for several focusing on safety, accountability, and efficiency at the VA. These included the Veterans Infection Prevention Act (H.R. 8052), the Vets CLEAR Act (H.R. 8043), and the VAMOSA Act (H.R. 6654).

• Ranking Member Ramirez expressed appreciation for bipartisan collaboration on the included bills. She mentioned disappointment that one of her bills was not included, but said she would continue working to advance it. The Ranking Member voiced support for labor rights at the VA and the importance of restoring collective bargaining agreements. She indicated interest in further refining H.R. 8052 at the full Committee markup.

• Rep. Tim Kennedy advocated for the VA Police Recruitment and Retention Act of 2026 (H.R. 8010), underscoring staffing shortages and risks to safety. He argued that proposed VA pay cuts would worsen retention issues and reduce emergency response capacity. He explained that his bill would prevent pay downgrades and help maintain adequate staffing levels to protect veterans and staff.

• The en bloc was favorably forwarded to the full Committee by voice vote.

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