With Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) retiring in 2019, it left a leadership void in the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.  That void was soon filled by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS).  Senator Moran was sworn in as Committee Chairman on January 10, who has served on the Committee since 2011.  When he was a member of the House of Representatives, he served on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee from 1998 – 2010.  Upon his swearing in, he said:

“During my time in Congress – as both a member of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs – I have made improving the quality of life for veterans across the country a top priority, including the nearly 200,000 veterans living in Kansas. Today, I have the distinct privilege of assuming the role of chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. There is no group of people I hold in higher regard than those who serve our nation, and I take seriously the responsibility of providing our veterans with the best our country has to offer.

“I have always relied on veterans to help drive policy decisions in Washington, and I will continue to look to those who have served for ideas and solutions to improve the lives of their fellow servicemembers. As chairman, I am committed to ensuring our veterans have the right resources at the right time to achieve success after service. To veterans in Kansas and millions of veterans across the country: I work to serve and honor you.”

You can read more about Senator Moran’s goals for the Committee here:

• New Senate VA Committee Chairman to Focus on Veteran Suicide (Wall Street Journal)

• Kansas’ Moran takes over Veterans’ Affairs Committee with focus on suicide prevention (Kansas City Star)

In the House of Representatives, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Phil Roe (R-TN) announced earlier this year that he will be retiring at the end of 2020.  He is not seeking re-election.  Representative Roe is one of 17 physician Members of Congress (three in the Senate and 14 in the House of Representatives).  He is an Army veteran, and served two years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps attached to the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, South Korea.

VA Secretary Robert Wilkie was quoted in The New York Times in January as saying about Dr. Roe, “The work he did during his time leading the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee has reshaped V.A. for generations to come and will positively impact the lives of millions of veterans.”

If you would like to reach out to thank Representative Roe for his service on the House Veteran’s Affairs Committee before he leaves office in December, you can do so by calling 202-225-6356 or sending him an email.