Metro East Sun

Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, delivered opening remarks at a subcommittee oversight hearing. The session aimed to examine the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Office of Information and Technology (O.I.T.) and its proposed budget.

"Let’s set the stage: nothing at VA can function without technology," Barrett emphasized. He noted that O.I.T.'s mission is crucial for providing veterans with high-quality benefits and services. Since its inception in 2016, O.I.T. has been tasked with maintaining existing technology systems and modernizing outdated ones.

Barrett expressed concerns about whether O.I.T. is maximizing its technology investments and prioritizing cost-effectiveness. "While it’s easy to ask for more money, history has shown that funding alone has not been the answer," he stated.

The President's VA budget request for Fiscal Year 2026 introduces a "smarter, not bigger" strategy for O.I.T., focusing on automation and digital services to enhance efficiency. The plan includes significant investments in cybersecurity monitoring and infrastructure readiness.

Barrett stressed the importance of involving O.I.T. early in decision-making processes to prevent wasteful spending on I.T. projects that fail to meet expectations. "There must be real ownership and emphasis from VA Central Office to involve the experts at O.I.T. in technology decisions," he said.

Earlier this year, Barrett held an oversight hearing on VA's software licensing management, uncovering challenges in tracking software usage and costs associated with unused licenses.

Barrett reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that VA's I.T. spending yields tangible results for veterans: "My job is to make sure that the billions of dollars that VA spends on I.T. is accounted for and produces real results."

He concluded by expressing his anticipation of working with Ryan Cote, the President's nominee for VA C.I.O., upon confirmation by the Senate.

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