Women Veterans Task Force

Congresswoman Julia Brownley released the following statement following her election as Chair of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health. Brownley will also continue to spearhead the Women Veterans Task Force, which she founded in the 116th Congress.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Chair of the Women Veterans Task Force during the 116th Congress, released the following statement on the confirmation of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Chair of the Women Veterans Task Force, announced the introduction of several legislative initiatives to recognize the contributions of women veterans, support women veterans and their families, and improve equitable access to resources, benefits, and care.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley applauded the passage of H.R. 7105, the omnibus veterans bill named for Senator Johnny Isakson and Congressman Phil Roe, M.D., which included the Deborah Sampson Act (H.R. 3224) and several other bills she authored.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley released the following statement in response to a report by the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General, which found that Secretary Wilkie and senior VA officials failed to adequately respond to accusations of sexual assault at a VA medical center.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley issued the following statement on the VA Inspector General’s investigation of VA Secretary Robert Wilkie.

Recently, President Trump signed into law the Veterans COMPACT Act (H.R. 8247), bipartisan legislation to improve U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mental health services and to address the epidemic of suicide among our nation’s veterans. Two provisions, authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley were included in the bill.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley introduced a resolution to express support for naming new or undedicated Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities after women and minority veterans.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley applauded passage of several of her bills in the U.S. House of Representatives, which will improve healthcare services and benefits for veterans.

Today, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee passed the Veterans COMPACT Act (H.R. 8247), bipartisan legislation to improve U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mental health services and to address the epidemic of suicide among our nation’s veterans.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Chair of the Women Veterans Task Force, hosted the Task Force’s first virtual roundtable.

Recently, Chairwoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), along with Deputy Undersecretary Dr. Kameron Matthews, visited the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to meet with veterans to better understand the unique barriers to care faced by Native veterans.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26), Chairwoman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) issued the following statements after VA released a letter calling into question a Committee staffer’s allegations of sexual assault at a VA facility this September. In the letter, Secretary Wilkie claimed, “We believe that VA is a safe place for all Veterans to enter and receive care and services, but the unsubstantiated claims raised by you and your staff could deter our veterans from seeking the care they need and deserve.”

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), Chairwoman of the Women Veterans Task Force, introduced the Reproductive Health Information for Veterans Act, which would ensure the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides veterans with comprehensive information about reproductive health care and services.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Chairwoman of the Women Veterans Task Force, introduced the Women Veterans Therapeutic Transitional Residence in Urban Settings Act, also known as the TRUST Act, which would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to analyze the need for long-term, residential, women-specific drug and alcohol dependency treatment and rehabilitation programs, as well as carry out a related pilot program.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Deborah Sampson Act, legislation authored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), which will address inequities and barriers that women veterans face when accessing VA care and benefits. The bill is named after a Revolutionary War veteran, Deborah Sampson Gannett, who served in the Continental Army from 1782-1783 and was awarded a full military pension for her military service after years of petitioning Congress.

Today, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved the Deborah Sampson Act, legislation authored by Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village), which will address inequities and barriers that women veterans face when accessing VA care and benefits. The bill is named after a Revolutionary War veteran, Deborah Sampson Gannett , who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and who was awarded a full military pension for her military service.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) introduced the Stop Harassment and Sexual Assault at VA Act, legislation urgently needed to implement a department-wide policy to stop harassment and sexual assault that too often occurs at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities throughout the country.