02.12.15 • Press Release
Washington D.C.- House Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Corrine Brown joined President Obama today during the White House official signing ceremony of H.R. 203, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act, making HR 203 law. This bipartisan legislation - which unanimously passed both the House and Senate - addresses the epidemic of suicide among our nation's veterans.
The SAV Act was one of the first bills of the 114th Congress to be introduced, with the laudable goal
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01.27.15 • Press Release
Washington D.C.- At today's House Veterans' Affairs Committee legislative hearing, Ranking Member Corrine Brown delivered the following opening statement:
"Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding the Committee's first legislative hearing of the 114th Congress.
I look forward to this Committee, in our usual bipartisan fashion, being busy in looking at bills that will help our veterans, and assist the VA in its efforts to accomplish its mission.
I am especially pleased that my bill, H.R.
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01.21.15 • Press Release
Washington D.C.- On January 21st, 2015, The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held its first hearing of the 114th Congress to examine the Department of Veterans' Affairs' (VA) major construction program.
"From my personal experience with the years of delay in Orlando, and the issues in Denver, it seems that the VA is struggling with construction planning and execution," stated Ranking Member Corrine Brown (D-FL).
The Committee focused on the delays and cost-overruns experienced by
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01.20.15 • Press Release
Washington D.C.- House Veterans Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Corrine Brown announced the appointment of Mr. Don Phillips to become the next HVAC Democratic Staff Director. Don is a 29 year Army veteran with a leadership background in military planning, operations and force management.
While in the Army, Colonel Phillips served as a Battalion Commander, a Brigade Commander, a Senior Operations Officer, and senior military assistant and advisor to two Under Secretaries of Defense.
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01.13.15 • Press Release
Washington D.C.- House Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Corrine Brown worked alongside her colleagues in the Veterans' Affairs Committee to bring about unanimous House passage of H.R. 203, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act. The SAV Act was one of the first bills of the 114th Congress to be introduced, with the goal of addressing the epidemic of suicide among our nation's veterans. With respect to this legislation, Ranking Member Brown released the following
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01.07.15 • Press Release
Washington D.C.- With respect to the shooting at the El Paso VA Health Care Center, Ranking Member Corrine Brown released the following statement:
"In light of the recent tragedy, I would like to extend my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims and those impacted by the shooting that occurred at the El Paso VA Health Care System yesterday. I understand the VA continues to work with military and civilian authorities at Beaumont Army Medical Center. My
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01.06.15 • Press Release
Washington D.C.- Congresswoman Corrine Brown made the following statement:
"Thank you Leader Pelosi.
I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the 114th Congress and by the support of my Democratic colleagues.
I am very much looking forward to serving our nation's veterans in this new position and to work to make sure these men and women get the care and benefits they earned through their
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11.13.14 • Press Release
Washington D.C. - The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a hearing earlier today on the progress of implementing the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014. Congress passed the overwhelmingly bipartisan and comprehensive reform package this past summer, and President Obama signed it into law in early August. Sloan Gibson, who served as Acting Secretary at the time of the bill's passage, testified at today's hearing.
Following this morning's proceedings, U.S. Rep.
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11.05.14 • Press Release
Washington D.C. - U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, released the following statement this afternoon about the death of former U.S. Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL).
"My thoughts and prayers are with Lane's friends and loved ones during this difficult time. Lane was an incredible advocate for our veterans and a force on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. I feel privileged to have served with him and to have had his committed, respectful and
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09.17.14 • Press Release
Washington D.C. - The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a comprehensive hearing today examining the VA's OIG report into the systemic failures in Phoenix. VA Secretary Robert McDonald testified before the committee, and addressed many of the reforms the Department needs to undertake to improve outcomes for veterans.
Ranking Member Mike Michaud (D-ME) issued the following statement after today's hearing:
"Today's hearing provided valuable insight into what problems remain within
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09.16.14 • Press Release
Washington D.C. - U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, called on President Obama today to convene a working group around the formation of a National Veterans Strategy. Michaud is calling for a national strategy to re-affirm the nation's obligation to veterans, identify the principles and priorities in ensuring a broad support system for returning and transitioning service members, and define the fundamental outcomes for veterans expected from the
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09.11.14 • Press Release
Washington D.C. - Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, met this morning with Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald to discuss reforms to the Department that will improve the delivery of services and benefits to veterans and their families. Michaud released the following statement after today's meeting:
"Secretary McDonald is moving forward with examining a number of the reforms which I have suggested and discussed with him in the
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09.08.14 • Press Release
Washington D.C. - U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, announced today the first of several proposed starting points for comprehensive changes to how our nation's veterans receive services and benefits.
Michaud, who shared many of his ideas with then-VA Secretary nominee Bob McDonald earlier this summer and put forward his thoughts in an NBC News op-ed, shared his preliminary plans the same day Secretary McDonald held a press conference to
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08.26.14 • Press Release
Washington D.C. - U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, released the following statement this afternoon in response to the release of the VA OIG report looking into allegations of wrongdoing in Phoenix:
"This report details extremely disturbing findings about what was going on in Phoenix. It confirms our worst suspicions about the systemic failures plaguing the VA system. While our oversight hearings over the last few months have uncovered a host
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08.26.14 • Press Release
Washington D.C. - President Barack Obama announced today a series of executive actions that will strengthen access to timely, high-quality healthcare and services for veterans. The President made the announcement before the American Legion's 96th National Convention. The President highlighted a series of initiatives and actions today that, in particular, will build capacity within the Department of Veterans Affairs with the launch of a new recruiting campaign for physicians and nurses;
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07.30.14 • Press Release
Washington D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan VA conference agreement by a 420-5 vote this afternoon. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, worked over the weekend to finalize the deal with Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Michaud issued the following statement after today's vote:
"Today's House vote on our bipartisan agreement is an important step toward righting the wrongs within the VA that
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07.28.14 • Press Release
Washington D.C. - The Conference Committee tasked with reconciling bills from the House and Senate announced today that they have reached agreement on final legislation to tackle the ongoing crisis at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, worked over the weekend with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Jeff Miller (R-FL) to finalize the deal, which the complete conference is expected to vote on later
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07.25.14 • Press Release
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, met this morning with Robert McDonald, nominee for VA Secretary, to discuss McDonald's vision and leadership plans should he be confirmed to take over the agency. Michaud released the following statement after the meeting:
"I appreciate Bob McDonald sharing with me his vision for the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is time for the VA to begin a new chapter: one in which there is a
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07.24.14 • Press Release
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the current status of conference negotiations related to VA reform legislation:
"Within the past few hours, we have learned more about the individual proposals from Senator Sanders and Representative Miller related to our VA conference committee efforts. While we must continue our discussions over some aspects of the bill, I remain
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07.10.14 • Press Release
Washington, D.C. - The House Veterans' Affairs Committee continued their series of oversight hearings into the ongoing systemic problems plaguing the VA's delivery of care, with a hearing today focused on mental health services and suicide prevention. The panelists included family members of deceased service members who shared their personal difficulties in obtaining acceptable VA care during their time of need.
Following today's hearing, Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME), Ranking Member, released
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