Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) was reelected as the ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health.
“I am honored that my colleagues have once again entrusted me with this important role, because it is imperative that we continue to reform the VA to ensure that all of our veterans receive the timely healthcare and benefits that they have earned and deserve,” said Brownley.
Upon her election to Congress in 2012, Brownley asked to serve on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee as her first committee assignment. During her first term, her Motion to Instruct Conferees on the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 was widely credited for getting the stalled conference committee back on track. Locally, Brownley spearheaded the expansion of the VA’s Oxnard Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, increased staffing at the clinic, and held a field hearing at CSU Channel Islands to bring attention to the need to expand VA services in Ventura County, including complementary and alternative medicine. Since coming to Congress, Brownley has also put constituent services first, helping Ventura County’s veterans recover nearly $2 million in retroactive VA benefits and more than $1.8 million in estimated monthly VA benefits going forward.
In the 114th Congress, Brownley has pledged to continue her work for Ventura County veterans. The very first bill she introduced, the Veterans Healthcare Improvement Act, would help ensure adequate funding for veterans medical care. Brownley has also introduced the Veterans Medical Access Act, which would ensure blinded and catastrophically disabled veterans have better access to VA specialty rehabilitation services.
Issues: 114th Congress, Veterans' Affairs