Veterans' Affairs

Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, Congressman Mark Takano, Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and fellow committee members Chris Pappas, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Morgan McGarvey, Delia Ramirez, Nikki Budzinski, Tim Kennedy, Maxine Dexter, Herb Conaway, Jr., and Kelly Morrison issued the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it would terminate collective bargaining agreements for most VA bargaining-unit employees.

In direct response to the Trump administration’s proposed rule to roll back abortion access for veterans, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the introduction of the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act, which would guarantee that veterans and eligible dependents have the right to receive abortion care, medication, and counseling through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), without interference from political appointees or partisan agendas and protected by law.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the introduction of the Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Equity Act, legislation to ensure surviving spouses of veterans are not unfairly denied benefits due to outdated marriage laws.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley introduced the Loved Ones Interment Act, a bill that ensures that veterans can be laid with their loved ones in national or veterans cemeteries.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, and Congressman Morgan McGarvey reintroduced the Improving Veterans Experience Act, a bill to codify the Veterans Experience Office (VEO) within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Established in 2015, the VEO gathers feedback directly from veterans, their families, and caregivers on their experience with VA and incorporates the information to improve services.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, hosted a roundtable to hear from local veterans about the impacts they’re experiencing related to workforce cuts in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley hosted the annual Valentines for Vets event throughout Ventura County and the Conejo Valley, encouraging students in California’s 26th Congressional District to create valentines for local veterans.

Today, Congresswoman Brownley reintroduced the Driver Reimbursement Increase for Veteran Equity (DRIVE) Act, which would increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate for eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities. Senator Peter Welch introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of the Women Involuntary Separated Earnings Remittance (WISER) Act, legislation aimed at rectifying a wrong perpetuated against women servicemembers from 1951 to 1976.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of a resolution supporting the naming of new or undedicated U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities after women veterans and minority veterans.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of three bills aimed at strengthening the workforce that serves our nation’s veterans, improving the delivery of health care, and addressing service-related needs. The bills include the VA Marriage and Family Therapists Equity Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs Continuing Professional Education Modernization Act, and the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of three bills to expand and improve health care for our nation’s women veterans. The bills include the Veterans Infertility Treatment Act, the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, and the Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act. 

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of the Dental Care for Veterans Act, a bill that seeks to provide dental care to all veterans enrolled in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the introduction of the Supporting Military Families Exposed to Toxic Substances Act (H.R. 10137), legislation that would extend U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care benefits to eligible military and veterans family members exposed to toxic substances.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley issued the following statement following House passage of the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371), a comprehensive package of bills to significantly expand and reform delivery of services at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans, service members, and their families.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced the introduction of the Improving Veterans Experience Act, a bill to codify the Veterans Experience Office (VEO) within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Established in 2015, the VEO gathers feedback directly from veterans, their families, and caregivers on their experience with VA and incorporates the information to improve services.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the introduction of the Loved Ones Internment Act (H.R. 9804) to ensure that veterans can be laid to rest alongside their loved ones in national or veterans cemeteries.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley introduced the Women Involuntary Separated Earnings Remittance (WISER) Act to rectify a wrong perpetuated against women servicemembers from 1951 to 1976.