We have a sacred responsibility to those who have served our country in uniform. As a daughter, sister, and niece of veterans, I take no responsibility more personally and seriously. When I came to Congress, the very first committee I asked to serve on was the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Both here in Ventura County and at the national level, I have made it my priority to put our nation’s veterans first.
That means helping our servicemembers transition back into civilian life and caring for our veterans by ensuring they all receive timely, high-quality healthcare and benefits they have earned and deserve. It also means tackling veterans homelessness and unemployment and addressing high suicide rates that continue to plague our nation’s heroes.
- October 2016
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| Press Releases
Brownley Outraged by Unfair Demands to Repay Enlistment Benefits for California National Guard Servicemembers
Congresswoman Julia Brownley released a statement regarding recent reports that the Department of Defense is seeking repayment of enlistment bonuses from over 9,700 California National Guard servicemembers and veterans.
- September 2016
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| Press Releases
Brownley Veteran Medical Access Act Signed Into Law
Today, Representative Julia Brownley (CA-26) announced the enactment of her bill, the Veterans Medical Access Act, which was approved by Congress as part of the Fiscal Year 2017 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act (H.R. 5325). The law was signed yesterday by President Obama.
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| Press Releases
Brownley Introduces Legislation to Authorize Leases for Critical New VA Medical Facilities
Today, Representatives Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced H.R. 6220, a bill that would authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to move forward with 24 healthcare facility leases that are currently backlogged in Congress, including the proposed 47,200 square foot Oxnard Community Clinic.
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| Press Releases
Brownley Statement on the Passage of the Continuing Resolution
Congresswoman Julia Brownley issued a statement after the House passed the FY2017 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act (H.R. 5325). The bill funds the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects for upcoming year, provides funds to address the Zika crisis, and funds other government agencies at FY2016 levels through December 9, 2016.
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| Press Releases
Brownley urges Action to Address Delays in Authorizing New VA Facilities
Today, Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) urged congressional colleagues to address the bureaucratic roadblock that hinders Congress’ ability to authorize leases for new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities during the House Veterans Affairs’ Committee (HVAC) mark-up.
- August 2016
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VA doctors and patients hook up through cameras and television screens
Zachary Walker had his doubts about seeing a Department of Veterans Affairs doctor in Sepulveda through a two-way camera and television screen. The Navy veteran from Ventura wondered how she would check him over or listen to his heart. But his concerns about telemedicine were trumped by the frustrating alternative: It would take two months […]
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Skype with your doc? ‘Telehealth’ shortens wait times for vets in Ventura County
Military veterans in Ventura County needing specialty medical care are increasingly seeing their providers through a Skype-like app. The Department of Veterans Affairs calls it “telehealth.” Traffic on the highways between the V.A. outpatient clinic in Oxnard and the veterans hospital in Westwood is a big reason for the change. It simply took too long […]
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Brownley sees challenges, progress on visit to Oxnard veterans clinic
Rep. Julia Brownley got a firsthand look at the operations of Oxnard's outpatient facility for veterans on Tuesday, greeting patients and speaking with staff about their needs. The outpatient clinic on Universe Circle has been identified as having one of the worst backlogs for patient appointments. Compared to other Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinics, […]
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| Press Releases
Brownley and Wenstrup Examine Telemedicine in VA Healthcare
Today, Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, led a local hearing in Camarillo to discuss the use of telemedicine within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system. Dr. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), a subcommittee member, also attended the event.
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| Press Releases
Brownley Statement on Nearly 50 Percent Decline in Veteran Homelessness
Rep. Julia Brownley released a statement after the Obama Administration’s announcement that the number of homeless veterans has decreased by nearly half since 2010.
- June 2016
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Brownley’s bill to help prevent suicide among female veterans moves to president’s desk
WASHINGTON — The House passed a measure Tuesday evening aimed at finding and implementing the best ways to prevent suicide by female military veterans. It is now headed to President Barack Obama to be signed into law. The House version of the measure was introduced last June by U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Westlake Village. The […]
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| Press Releases
Bill Requiring VA Study of Female Veterans’ Suicide Prevention Programs Heads to President Obama
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will have to look at whether its suicide prevention programs are meeting female veterans’ needs under a California-led bill that passed the House on Tuesday afternoon.
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Brownley Announces Passage of Her Bill to Prevent Female Veteran Suicides
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Female Veteran Suicide Prevention Act (S. 2487) with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to identify the most effective programs and approaches in reducing suicide rates among female veterans. House passage of the bill sends it directly to President Obama for signing.
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| Press Releases
Brownley Announces Additional Assistance for Homeless Veterans in Ventura County
Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D – Westlake Village) is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded $113,700 to the City of San Buenaventura and the City of Oxnard to help homeless veterans transition into safe and affordable housing. The award will support 13 new housing vouchers that provide rental assistance for homeless veterans and will include access to supportive services.
- May 2016
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| Press Releases
Brownley Amendments Would Improve Health Care for Disabled Veterans
Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) offered two amendments during a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee mark-up. The Brownley amendments would help veterans start families and improve health care services for catastrophically-disabled or blinded veterans.
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| Press Releases
Brownley Bill to Protect Veterans Passes Subcommittee
Today, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) approved Congresswoman Julia Brownley’s (D-Westlake Village) bill, the Protect Veterans from Financial Fraud Act (H.R. 2975). Brownley’s bill was approved as an amendment to the Fair Treatment for Families of Veterans Act (H.R. 4087).
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| Press Releases
Brownley Demands Plan of Action to Improve Oxnard Clinic
Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) hosted a discussion with community stakeholders on the status of veterans’ healthcare services and plans for immediate improvements at the VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Oxnard.
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| Press Releases
Brownley to Host Discussion Regarding Oxnard CBOC
On Monday, May 9, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) will host a discussion with community stakeholders on the status of veterans’ healthcare services and plans for immediate improvements at the VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Oxnard.