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Business Meeting

House Veterans Affairs Committee

January 16, 2025 (recording here)

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

• Chairman Mike Bost welcomed both new and returning members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) for the 119th Congress. The Chairman took a moment to recognize the disaster in California and send his thoughts and prayers to those impacted. He then introduced himself as a non-combat Marine Corps veteran from southern Illinois, serving his sixth term in Congress and on HVAC. The Chairman committed to working in a bipartisan manner on behalf of veterans and expressed enthusiasm for organizing the Committee and advancing its agenda during the 119th Congress.

• Ranking Member Mark Takano thanked Chairman Bost for his kind opening words, noting that Southern California was experiencing severe fires and other dangers due to strong winds. He stated that disaster relief should not be a partisan issue and urged members to remember that all Americans deserve support after natural disasters.

• Ranking Member Takano then introduced and welcomed the Democratic members of the Committee, including seven returning members and three new members — Dr. Maxine Dexter of Oregon, Dr. Herb Conaway of New Jersey, and Dr. Kelly Morrison of Minnesota. He described their extensive medical and legislative experience and expressed confidence that they would provide valuable insights to the Committee. He reiterated his hope for bipartisan cooperation and noted that, despite differences, he and Chairman Bost had successfully worked together in previous sessions.

• Chairman Bost explained that most proposed rule changes were technical, but two substantive changes were included. The first would allow the Committee to take votes electronically, aligning with broader House rules. The second would update the “truth in testimony” form to require disclosure of funding from entities associated with foreign adversaries (e.g., TikTok) and, at the minority’s request, entities associated with countries of concern.

• Ranking Member Takano offered an amendment that would require witnesses to disclose all financial contributions exceeding 10% of an organization’s operating budget. He argued that this would increase transparency regarding private funding sources. Chairman Bost opposed the amendment, stating it was unnecessary, overly broad, and might deter witnesses from testifying. The amendment did not pass, and the Committee adopted the proposed rules as presented.

• Chairman Bost introduced a resolution designating Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagon as Vice Chair of the full Committee. The following members were presented as Subcommittee Chairs:

  • Rep. Morgan Luttrell: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

  • Rep. Derrick Van Orden: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

  • Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks: Subcommittee on Health

  • Rep. Jen Kiggans: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

  • Rep. Tom Barrett: Subcommittee on Technology Modernization

• Ranking Member Takano then presented his resolution designating Rep. Herb Conaway as the Vice Ranking Member. He also named the Democratic Ranking Members for each Subcommittee:

  • Rep. Morgan McGarvey: Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

  • Rep. Chris Pappas: Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

  • Rep. Julia Brownley: Subcommittee on Health

  • Rep. Delia Ramirez: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

  • Rep. Nikki Budzinski: Subcommittee on Technology Modernization

• Both resolutions were adopted.

• The Committee unanimously approved resolutions designating the majority and minority membership for each Subcommittee.

• Both Chairman Bost and Ranking Member Takano commended the Committee’s staff, many of whom are veterans themselves. The resolution to approve staff was adopted.

• Chairman Bost stated that the proposed oversight plan laid out a comprehensive strategy for monitoring the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Committee voted to approve the plan, with Ranking Member Takano giving notice of his intent to file additional or dissenting views on behalf of the minority.

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