Bishop statement at hearing on Department of Veterans Affairs 2017 budget request

Thank you Mr. Chairman and welcome Mr. Secretary. 

Mr. Chairman, I don’t think anyone will ever be able to say that President Obama or this Congress, whether under Democratic control or Republican control, has not provided the proper resources of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  Like in previous budget proposals, the VA’s budget continues to grow.  In fact, since 2009 total VA funding has grown by 86%.  Let me say that again, VA funding since 2009 has grown 86%.  How many other agencies can say that?

Mr. Chairman, FY 2017 is no different.  The VA sees a healthy increase of five percent over the FY 2016 enacted level.  And when you include mandatory funding, the president’s FY 2017 VA budget proposal provides $182 billion, a 9% increase over the VA’s FY 2016 funding, which is almost double VA’s 2009 budget.

Mr. Chairman, as we have discussed in detail, I am concerned about the future of the VA.  I believe that we need to provide the best care possible; however, I also believe that we need to control costs so they do not spiral out of control.  Furthermore, we need to make sure that the resources this Committee provides are used correctly and efficiently.

          Furthermore, Mr. Chairman, I am also concerned about the current proposal to reform the appeals process.  As we know, the current process is complicated and ineffective, and Veterans are waiting on average about 5 years for a final decision is unacceptable.  I applaud you trying to solve this problem but I believe this proposal needs a serious review. And to me, it is unclear if the authorizers are going to take this proposal up. 

          Another topic I want to discuss today is the Veterans Experience Office (VEO).  My understanding is that the VEO was established as part of the MyVA Task Force under the Office of Enterprise Integration in 2016.  This office was funded through OEI reimbursements and now the FY 2017 budget proposes to make the VEO a stand-alone office within the General Administration. 

          Mr. Secretary, I believe that you are honestly trying to make change at the VA and change needs to happen at the VA, but as I look at all these changes like the VEO and MyVA, my concern is that we setting up programs at the VA that the next Secretary may change and valuable resources will ultimately be wasted.  I want to make sure that the investments this Committee is making will “stick”.

          As you can see, we have a lot to discuss today.  Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to share my concerns. I yield back.