Rep. Boozman Named Chairman of House VA Subcommittee

Rep. Boozman Named Chairman of House VA Subcommittee

Third District Congressman quickly rises to head committee on economic opportunities for America's veterans

Washington, Feb 14 - House Committee on Veteran's Affairs Chairman Steve Buyer (R-IN) today announced that U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) has been appointed chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunities.

"This truly is an honor to be appointed chairman of a subcommittee that has the opportunity to do so much good for America's veterans," said Boozman. "I'm am extremely grateful to Chairman Buyer for this appointment and am excited about the important work we have ahead of us."

The new subcommittee will focus on assisting veterans' transition back to their civilian lives. The Subcommittee on Economic Opportunities has legislative, oversight and investigative jurisdiction over the education of veterans, vocational rehabilitation, veteran's housing programs and servicemember's civil relief. This includes the GI Bill (including veterans, survivors and Guard/Reserve), home loans, vocational rehab, employment, Transition/Disabled Transition Assistance Program (TAP/DTAP), homeless veterans and USERRA (employment rights).

"John has the knowledge and the experience in the health profession to be a valued asset as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity," said Chairman Buyer. "As the Committee focuses its efforts on impacting the lives of those disabled, indigent and special needs veterans, John will work to ensure that they are able to live full lives beyond government assistance."
Boozman has been a member of the House Veteran's Affairs Committee since his election to Congress in 2001. During that time, Congress has made great strides to fulfilling some of our veteran's most pressing priorities including changes to concurrent receipt and an elimination of the unfair cut in survivor benefits, known as the "Widow's Tax."

"It is humbling to have the opportunity to give back to those who have given so much to our great nation in the past," said Boozman. "I will work hard to make sure that Congress keeps our promises to America's veterans and ensure that their benefits programs meet their needs."

Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) will serve as vice chair of the subcommittee and Congresswoman Sttephanie Herseth (D-S.D.) will serve as the ranking member. The other members of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee are Reps. Richard Baker of Louisiana and Devon Nunes of California on the Republican side and Reps. Lane Evans of Illinois and Darlene Hooley of Oregon on the Democrat side.

http://boozman.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=6764