“Ready for Round 2,” Congresswoman Ramirez to Serve as Ranking Member in VA Subcommittee
Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) announced she will serve as Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee during the 119th Congress. Congresswoman Ramirez returns to the committee after successfully introducing and passing legislation to restore education benefits for defrauded veterans during the last Congress.
“The Trump Administration and DOGE’s mission to paint vital VA services as a money drain is not a coincidence. Theirs is a laser-focused effort to privatize and dismantle the best blueprint we have to implement people-centered policies popular among working Americans – from health care to housing to education. As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I am ready to fight against their efforts to dismantle the organized labor force, divert money to the pockets of Trump’s billionaire friends, and convince us that healthcare and housing for ALL are impossibilities," said Congresswoman Ramirez.”Whether it is funding to house our veterans in Puerto Rico, defending education benefits, or ensuring health care for veterans in my district, I am ready for round 2 in the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and honored to continue the work we started last Congress. I want to thank Ranking Member Takano and my colleagues for their leadership and for entrusting me with this new role. I look forward to our work to center an agenda for our veterans that honors their service with action and treats them with dignity.”
"I'm pleased to welcome Representative Ramirez back to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for the 119th Congress and congratulate her on being elected Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. We have significant work ahead of us to hold the Trump Administration accountable and ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs is working in the best interests of veterans. Rep. Ramirez is well-suited to undertake this important work, and I look forward to continuing to work with her to make sure all veterans can receive the care and benefits they have earned," said Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee Mark Takano.
“Rep. Delia Ramirez will be an outstanding Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation in the 119th Congress, and her appointment is a testament to her exceptional capabilities and dynamic leadership. Collaborating closely with Ranking Member Mark Takano and the entire Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Rep. Ramirez will address critical challenges and advance meaningful initiatives for the American people. I look forward to witnessing all she will achieve in this role,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse.
“On behalf of Cook County’s veteran community, I want to congratulate Congresswoman Delia Ramirez on her selection as Ranking Member of the HVAC Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations,” said Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County Superintendent Elizabeth D. Soto. “I’m confident that in this role, the Congresswoman will continue her deep commitment to serving veterans and defending their public benefits. As threats of cuts and privatization to veteran services are in the federal conversation, the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County and I look forward to continuing to partner with Ramirez in our efforts to improve and protect the services we have earned.”
Background
The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations has oversight and investigative jurisdiction over veterans' matters generally, information technology and procurement generally, and over such matters as may be referred to the Subcommittee by the Chair of the full Committee for its oversight or investigation and for its appropriate recommendations. The Subcommittee has legislative jurisdiction over such bills or resolutions as may be referred to it by the Chair of the full Committee.
During last Congress, Representative Ramirez introduced:
- The Student Veteran Benefits Restoration Act. which would provide educational assistance under the Department of Veterans Affairs educational assistance programs to an individual who pursued a program or course of education that was suspended or terminated for certain reasons, so they shall not be charged against the entitlement of the individual.
- The Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act, which would amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to limit the interest rate on student loans incurred by a servicemember before military service and consolidated or refinanced during military service.
- The Expanding Health Care Providers for Veterans Act, which would address the lack of health care providers in VA facilities by making it easier for the VA and State Veterans Homes to hire foreign employees on H1-B visas when they cannot find a suitable applicant in the United States.
- Legislation to Expand Permanent Housing for Unhoused Veterans, which authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide funding for housing developers through the Grant Per Diem Program (GDP) to expand the permanent housing units available for veterans.