Veterans' Affairs

In response to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs publication of an Interim Final Rule on expanded access to reproductive health care, House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health Chairwoman Julia Brownley released the following statement.

California Democrat Julia Brownley in March 2021 reintroduced a House bill to ensure veterans can access in-vitro fertilization and other fertility care. The government had for too long “overlooked the healthcare needs of veterans who struggle with infertility,” she said.

“Age, combined with their unique health needs, makes many elderly veterans especially vulnerable to going into nursing homes and institutional care,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Chair of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, who introduced the Dole bill.  “Our nation’s veterans deserve the right to age comfortably and with dignity in their homes. The research is clear: providing health services and assistance in home settings improves health outcomes and delays, if not prevents, nursing home placement for people with disabilities and the elderly.”

As Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) noted in a July 14 hearing of the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee, “spending on community care has increased by 116 percent over five years while investments in direct staff of VA medical facilities grew by only 32 percent. Why are VA’s investments in community care so vastly outpacing investments in in-house care?” she asked.

“Choosing when, or if, to have a family is essential to women’s health and to their economic security. The Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act is another step toward ensuring all women have access to comprehensive contraceptive and reproductive health care,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “As Chairwoman of the Women Veterans Task Force, I am committed to identifying disparities in health care for women veterans and, where necessary, to introduce, advocate, and pass legislation that addresses those gaps.”

“Survivors will continue to suffer without assurances that perpetrators of sexual harassment will be held accountable for their actions. This is wholly unacceptable, and it’s time to fix it,” said Rep. Julia Brownley (D-California).

Congresswoman Julia Brownley, D-California, helped Ligato to speed up the Congressional process for Canley to obtain his award.

“Humble in every interaction we had, Sergeant Major Canley always spoke of his fellow Marines,” she said in a statement. “They served as an inspiration to him, and they serve as an inspiration to us all to live up to the ideals of this great nation for which they served to protect.”

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley released the following statement after the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted to authorize the Women Veterans Task Force and to pass her bills, the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Service for Veterans and Caregivers Act and the Department of Veterans Affairs Continuing Professional Education Modernization Act.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley and Congressman Peter Welch announced the introduction of H.R. 8398, the Driver Reimbursement Increase for Veteran Equity (DRIVE) Act. This bill would increase the Beneficiary Travel mileage reimbursement rate for eligible veterans for travel for health care appointments related to service-connected conditions.

Thousands of women were discharged because of pregnancy, and many received no separation benefits. The policy was rescinded in 1976 after a federal court ruled it was unconstitutional.

The amendment to the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, sponsored by Rep. Julia Brownley, who represents a district in Ventura County, California, passed by voice vote on July 13 as part of a package of amendments.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley released the following statement on House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which includes several key legislative provisions she authored that support Naval Base Ventura County, ensure continued funding for critical firefighting response aircraft, and address gender equity in our military.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley applauded the House of Representatives’ passage of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, a comprehensive legislative package to address the pressing needs of toxic-exposed veterans, including expanded access to healthcare and benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

In a post-Roe America, Democrats are increasingly turning to the White House for solutions and urging President Biden to use executive action to protect and expand abortion access. While Biden’s power is limited, a group of veterans argues he could expand access to care with the Department of Veterans Affairs, an idea with potentially big impact.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley applauded House passage of the Support the Resilience of Our Nation’s Great Veterans Act (H.R. 6411) – or STRONG Act – to support veterans’ mental health and wellbeing through increased outreach, mental health care, suicide prevention, provider training, and research at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act and the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans In Combat Environments Act (SERVICE) Act, legislation she introduced in the House to expand mammography and breast cancer screenings and life-saving care for veterans nationwide. House passage of the two Brownley bills sends them directly to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley applauded the House of Representatives’ passage of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, a comprehensive legislative package to address the pressing needs of toxic-exposed veterans, including expanded access to healthcare and benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Ahead of this week’s joint House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearings with veterans service organizations, Congresswoman Julia Brownley recently introduced the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2022 (H.R. 6823). This legislation would improve and expand home and community-based services for disabled and elderly veterans, ensuring they are able to remain in their homes and receive the care they need. 

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano, Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jon Tester released the following statements on the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the Deborah Sampson Act.