Metro East Sun

House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost led the final oversight hearing of the 118th Congress, focusing on restoring congressional power over the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This comes after the Supreme Court's decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo.

Chairman Bost emphasized that the committee has been dedicated to ensuring accountability and improving management within the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the VA. He stated, "It is the fundamental duty of this Committee to make sure that no matter who is in the White House, the administration in charge is properly carrying out the laws to serve veterans in the way Congress intended."

Bost criticized a perceived disconnect between congressional intent and agency regulations, particularly under the current administration. He cited an example involving changes to the VA home loan program through VASP, where "the Biden-Harris administration changed its interpretation of the law" affecting veterans facing foreclosure.

According to Bost, this change allows VA to take over mortgages for approximately 60,000 veterans at an interest rate significantly below market rates. He argued that this move "directly undercuts the intent of Congress" and was made despite bipartisan opposition from committee members.

He also mentioned that efforts by committee members to address these concerns were ignored by VA. "V.A.’s pattern of interpreting laws not how Congress intended, but in ways more favorable to V.A., is unacceptable," he remarked.

The Supreme Court's ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo was highlighted as a potential means to restore balance between legislative and executive powers. Bost expressed hope that this decision would allow Congress to reclaim its role as a lawmaker by providing clearer directives to agencies.

He concluded his remarks by looking forward to hearing testimonies from witnesses on how Congress can ensure effective communication and implementation of its legislative intent before yielding the floor to Ranking Member Takano for his comments.