Veterans' Affairs

On Veterans Day, we recognize the courageous sacrifice of those who chose to fight on behalf of our nation, and honor the legacy of those we lost.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley issued a statement today regarding the mark up of the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Act in the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Today, the House approved a bill that will allow U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health professionals to practice telemedicine across state borders and care for more of America’s veterans.

By Nikki Wentling Stars and Stripes story here. WASHINGTON – Cameras attached to the monitor of psychologist Harrison Weinstein’s computer projects his image to patients far from his office on the Department of Veterans Affairs campus in Salt Lake City. Weinstein, who’s part of a post-traumatic stress disorder team in Salt Lake City, as well […]

By Lance Orozco, KCLU story here. The House of Representatives passed a bill co-authored by a Ventura County congresswoman intended to improve healthcare for veterans. HR 2123 would give Veterans Administration credentialed health care professionals the ability to practice telemedicine across state boarders, without having to get a new license in that state. The idea […]

Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs passed a bill co-authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) to expand access to telemedicine for veterans in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.

Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Julia Brownley (D-CA) introduced H.R. 4099, the “Homeless Veteran Families Act.” The bill aims to assist community agencies that help homeless veterans with dependents, with housing costs – thus helping keep families together.

Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing on legislation to improve veterans’ access to quality care, including a bill to update the Veterans Choice Program and the Veterans E-Health and Telemedicine Support (VETS) Act, a bill co-authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) to expand access to telemedicine at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Today, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health held a legislative hearing to discuss a bill introduced by Subcommittee Ranking Member Julia Brownley (D-CA), the Women Veterans Equal Access to Quality Care Act (H.R. 93).

Congresswoman Julia Brownley issued a statement today after House passage of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017, which extends critical veterans programs through September 2019, including the VA’s child care pilot program, women veterans retreats pilot program, and support services for homeless veterans.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced that she will serve as co-chair of the Reinvesting in Our Returning Heroes Task Force, which the House Democratic Caucus has established to develop a jobs and economic agenda to ensure America’s veterans succeed in the job market after their service to our nation. This initiative is part of the Caucus’s Jobs for America Task Forces, a unified effort to craft a legislative agenda that will benefit hardworking Americans and middle-class families. The Caucus selected Congresswoman Brownley to co-chair the task force based on her ongoing leadership on veterans’ issues.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment offered by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) to increase federal funding for veterans’ treatment courts. Brownley offered her amendment to the FY 2018 appropriations bill (H.R. 3354) to increase funding for these courts from $7 million to $10 million.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, hosted a roundtable discussion with female veterans and active-duty servicemembers from throughout Ventura County to discuss the needs and challenges of the increasing population of women veterans. 

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act (H.R. 95), legislation introduced by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) to make it easier for veterans to receive healthcare. This bill makes permanent the VA’s Child Care Pilot Program and expands it so that qualified veterans who are primary caretakers have a convenient, cost-free option for child care when they have VA medical appointments.

Today, Members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) announced a bipartisan agreement to authorize 28 VA medical facility leases that have been awaiting approval for years, including a new 41,000-square foot clinic in Oxnard—an effort long spearheaded by HVAC Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Julia Brownley (D-CA). The bill also shores up an additional six months of funding for Veterans Choice, a program that allows some veterans to receive care outside the VA that was created in the wake of the Phoenix wait-time scandal. The House and Senate are each slated to take up the legislation before departing for the August District Work Period.

Today, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee passed the Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act (H.R. 95), legislation authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) that would make permanent the VA’s Child Care Pilot Program and expand it so that all veterans who are primary caretakers have a safe, reliable, and cost-free option for child care when they use VA healthcare.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released a statement on the introduction of the bipartisan Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017.

Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee adopted two amendments offered by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), which would help to prevent human trafficking and enforce veterans’ hiring preference at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The amendments were adopted as part of the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2997). At Congresswoman Brownley’s request, the bill also includes language to improve travel for veterans with disabilities.