U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
The United States Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs was created in 1970 to give focused attention to issues impacting America’s veterans. It oversees all legislation and policy connected to veterans’ benefits, healthcare, education, and transition programs, and it has primary jurisdiction over the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Committee plays a central role in reviewing how the VA delivers care, manages disability claims, and administers programs like the GI Bill, home loans, and vocational training.
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Beyond legislating, the Committee conducts investigations and hearings to ensure accountability within the VA and to improve federal services for veterans and their families. It works closely with other committees when veterans’ policy intersects with defense, labor, or housing matters, and it often serves as a bridge between Congress, veterans’ service organizations, and the executive branch.
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As of the current Congress, the Committee is chaired by Senator Jerry Moran (Republican) of Kansas, who represents the majority party. The Ranking Member, representing the minority, is Senator Richard Blumenthal (Democratic) of Connecticut.
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On October 29, 2025, the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing titled “Putting Veterans First: Is the Current VA Disability System Keeping Its Promise?” in response to a Washington Post series implying widespread abuse of veterans’ disability benefits. Convened in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, the hearing brought together VA Inspector General Cheryl Mason, GAO Director Elizabeth Curda, Dr. Daniel M. Gade, and representatives from the major veterans’ service organizations, including the VFW, DAV, and PVA. Lawmakers from both parties used the session to denounce the Post’s portrayal of veterans as fraudsters, emphasizing that fraud in the system is statistically rare and tightly monitored. Dr. Gade’s testimony—calling for reduced compensation and pushing disabled veterans back into the workforce—drew sharp criticism for its lack of evidence and dismissive tone, while Senators such as Tammy Duckworth underscored that any proposed reforms must respect veterans’ earned rights and be guided by data, not media narratives.
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