Congresswoman Elaine Luria Selected to Chair Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs in 117th Congress

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria was selected to chair the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) in the 117th Congress. This will be Congresswoman Luria's second term as DAMA chair.

"It is an honor to lead the subcommittee responsible for ensuring that our veterans receive the benefits they have earned from their service," said DAMA Chair Elaine Luria. "In the 117th Congress, I will continue my efforts to address the abysmal backlog of C&P exams, advocate for veterans exposed to burn pits, fight for survivors of military sexual trauma, and ensure efficient implementation of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act."

A 20-year Navy veteran, Congresswoman Luria was the first-ever woman veteran from a military service branch to serve on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the first to lead an HVAC Subcommittee.

As DAMA Chair in the 116th, Congresswoman Luria oversaw an aggressive legislative agenda and conducted pivotal oversight dedicated to ensuring that veterans receive the benefits they have earned from their service, including:

The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, which passed the Subcommittee with Congresswoman Luria's support, became law in June 2019.
Congresswoman Luria's Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act became law, putting more money in the pockets of American veterans by providing a cost-of-living adjustment increase on disability compensation.
The VA Website Accessibility Act (H.R. 1199) became law after passing both the House and Senate. This legislation directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study and submit a plan to Congress that would make VA websites accessible for veterans affected by blindness or hearing loss.
Congresswoman Luria led a legislative and oversight hearing to help ensure veteran survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) have access to disability benefits.
Congresswoman Luria led the first virtual forum of DAMA during COVID-19 to discuss the growing compensation and pension (C&P) examinations inventory, what this buildup may mean for a claims backlog, and how the Veterans Health Administration can safely and effectively conduct C&P exams during the pandemic.
Congresswoman Elaine Luria represents Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she is the committee's Vice Chair, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where she serves as Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, and the House Committee on Homeland Security.

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