Mike Bost U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 12th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Mike Bost U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 12th district | Official U.S. House Headshot
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, led an oversight hearing focused on the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Education Services. The hearing aimed to evaluate and improve the delivery of education benefits to veterans.
Van Orden emphasized his personal connection to the subcommittee's work, noting his background as a NAVY SEAL and his use of VA programs. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with Ranking Member Mr. Pappas and other subcommittee members in serving veterans effectively.
Reflecting on previous achievements, Van Orden highlighted the passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act during the 118th Congress. This legislation aimed at enhancing education benefits, preventing homelessness among veterans, and reducing bureaucratic hurdles within the VA.
The hearing addressed concerns over increased staffing at VA’s Education Services headquarters, which grew from 102 employees in 2020 to over 185 in 2024, while taxpayer investment in education benefits rose modestly from $11.5 billion to $12.1 billion. Van Orden criticized what he described as "inside-the-beltway" bureaucracy hindering efficient service delivery.
He cited several issues that arose during the Biden administration requiring intervention by the subcommittee: contract errors with the Digital G.I. Bill, misinterpretations leading schools to withdraw from accepting it, and improper rule proposals causing panic among educational institutions.
The chairman underscored a need for transparency regarding both successes and failures within VA’s Education Services. He noted a recent meeting with a School Certifying Official who criticized VA for not acknowledging its mistakes alongside its accomplishments.
Van Orden called for updates on implementing S. 141, crucial for supporting veterans' education post-military service and maintaining schools' ability to offer G.I. Bill benefits.
The hearing sought candid discussions about past errors during the Biden-Harris administration and strategies for avoiding them in future legislative sessions.
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