Congresswoman Elaine Luria Joins House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Press Release

Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), a 20-year Navy veteran, secured a seat on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where she will fight for American veterans and perform oversight duties on the VA.

"As a 20-year Navy veteran and the spouse of a 27-year veteran, I know firsthand the challenges of receiving care and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs," Congresswoman Luria said. "So many Virginians have served honorably and put their lives on the line for America, yet they have difficulty accessing the care they were promised. Being on this committee gives me a unique opportunity to advocate for my fellow veterans, and I'm honored to fight on their behalf."

The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs is responsible for recommending legislation regarding veterans' benefits. The Committee also has oversight responsibility, which means monitoring, evaluating, and proposing solutions regarding the operations of the VA.

Congresswoman Luria this week also was appointed to the House Armed Services Committee. She had requested both committee assignments after her election late last year.

Congresswoman Luria is a proud graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Of all members in the House Democratic Caucus, she served the longest on active duty, having completed 20 years of active military service with the U.S. Navy.

Following six deployments to the Middle East and Western Pacific, Congresswoman Luria's own background will inform her actions on both committees. She served at sea on six ships as a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer and culminated her 20-year Navy career by commanding a combat-ready unit of 400 sailors. Congresswoman Luria was one of the first women in the Navy's nuclear power program and among the first women to serve the entirety of her career in combatant ships.

In a press release announcing committee membership, Chairman Mark Takano (CA-41) specifically referenced Congresswoman Luria's background.

"I am pleased to welcome the new members who will make up the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and look forward to continuing our work to improve access to care, expand earned benefits, and protect whistleblowers and student veterans," Chairman Takano said. "Our committee's membership will showcase the diversity of our nation's veterans, including a Congresswoman who served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy, an Army veteran representing the Northern Mariana Islands, an Army Ranger, National Guardsman, a Navy veteran whose father served in Vietnam, and a Marine Corps JAG. As our nation's veteran population changes, our committee will remain focused on meeting veterans' challenges and working to prepare the VA for the future."

Virginia's Second Congressional District includes eight major military installations representing all branches of the Armed Forces and one of America's highest concentrations of veterans, including the largest number of female veterans nationwide. Congresswoman Luria's subcommittee assignments will be announced as soon as information is available.

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