Kaptur Selected to Serve on House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs for the 117th Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), released the following statement announcing that she will serve on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the 117th Congress. Citing Rep. Kaptur's previous service on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) and the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee selected Rep. Kaptur to return to the Committee for the 117th Congress. Rep. Kaptur will continue to serve in her senior role on the House Committee on Appropriations, including as the Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies.
"It is an honor and a privilege to return to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, among the most productive and bipartisan authorizing committees in Congress," said Rep. Kaptur. "Earlier in my service, I had the honor to serve on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee – at the time serving as its' only woman. As the Representative who fought for 17 years to construct the WWII Memorial on our National Mall, serving our veterans has always been one of my highest priorities. There is no shortage of work to be done to improve the quality of life and delivery of care for our veterans. We owe a debt of gratitude to all people who have bravely served our nation in uniform and fought to protect liberty at home and around the globe. It is our duty in Congress to uphold that sacred promise. On the Committee, I will fight to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs is always fully funded and has the resources it needs to provide top-of-the-line care to our veterans; protect and strengthen the core benefits veterans have earned through their service, including the G.I. Bill and disability assistance; achieve justice for veterans suffering from toxic exposure, including burn pits and water contamination; improve VA's ability to provide mental health care and prevent veteran suicide; and make sure VA is taking the necessary steps to provide care to every veteran, regardless of gender, sex, race, religion, or age. I thank Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Takano, and my colleagues on the House Steering and Policy Committee for this opportunity."
"I am pleased to welcome the members who will make up the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the 117th Congress," said Chairman Takano. "With members representing nearly 750,000 veterans and even five veteran members themselves, our Committee members will bring a deep understanding of service and sacrifice. Together, we will work to ensure that VA is prepared to support more women, LGBTQ+, Black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native veterans than ever before. We will build on our bipartisan, bicameral efforts to address veteran suicide and work to ensure any veteran exposed to toxic substances during their service can use VA. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I'm confident that our Committee will be ready for the challenge and help ensure we serve all those who've served."
Members returning to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs:
- Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41)
- Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26)
- Congressman Conor Lamb (PA-17)
- Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49)
- Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01)
- Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02)
- Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (NMI)
- Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)
- Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32)
Members joining the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs this Congress:
- Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
- Congressman Frank Mrvan (IN-01)
- Congressman Anthony Brown (MD-04)
- Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)
- Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)
- Congressman David Trone (MD-06)
- Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-07)
- Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-36)