U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman is a Hot Springs native currently serving his fourth term as representative from the Fourth District of Arkansas, having first been elected in 2014. Westerman serves on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and as Ranking Member of the Committee on Natural Resources. Westerman also serves on the Minority Whip Team under the leadership of House Minority Whip Steve Scalise.
* The following information is sourced from the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
H.R. 3819: The Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2017
H.R. 3819, introduced by Rep. Brian Mast, would extend a number of expiring authorities impacting veterans’ benefits, health care, and homeless programs, including nursing home care, support services for caregivers, transportation, child care assistance, adaptive sports programs and housing and home loan services. Click here for more information. Read the bill here.
H.R. 3218: The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017
The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, introduced by Rep. Phil Roe, would remove time restrictions to use the GI Bill, enabling future eligible recipients to use their GI bill benefits for their entire lives, as opposed to the current 15-year timeline. Click here for more information. Read the bill here.
H.R. 2288: The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017
The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017, introduced by Reps. Mike Bost and Elizabeth Esty, would modernize the appeals process at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Click here for more information. Read the bill here.
The HIRE Vets Act, introduced by Rep. Paul Cook, as amended, would require the Department of Labor to establish a HIRE Vets Medallion Program to recognize companies for their efforts to employ veterans. Click here for more information. Read the bill here.
S. 1094: The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017
The Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 would create a new streamlined and efficient process to remove, demote or suspend any VA employee for poor performance or misconduct with a concrete shortened timeline, while still protecting employees’ due process rights, and would provide them with the right to appeal the action. It would also provide expanded protections for whistleblowers and would specifically bar VA from using this removal authority if the employee has an open whistleblower complaint/case with the Office of Special Counsel. Click here for more information. Read the bill here.
S. 114: A bill to authorize appropriations for the Veterans Choice Program
S. 114 would provide $2 billion to continue the Choice Program for six months while Congress works on other reforms to the Choice Program. It would also authorize 28 major medical facility leases and enhance the recruitment, retention and training of the VA workforce. Click here for more information. Read the bill here.
Senate companion to H.R. 369: Eliminating the Sunset Date of the Choice Act
The Eliminating the Sunset Date of the Choice Act, introduced by Chairman Phil Roe, M.D., would eliminate the statutory sunset date for the Choice Program and instead allow the program to continue until the original funding has been expended. Click here for more information. Read the bill here.