WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman, a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, is a longtime champion of our nation’s veterans. His continued advocacy on behalf of the men and women who served in uniform has most recently resulted in a trio of legislative achievements heading to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished to modernize Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services and expand the benefits brave individuals called to serve our nation have earned,” Boozman said. “By improving the standard of care they receive and supporting better accountability measures at the VA, we’re taking important steps to live up to the commitment our country made to them. I’m honored to serve as a voice for veterans and will continue to craft and advance measures in support of their needs.”
Last week, Congress advanced Boozman-led bills that are expected to be signed into law including:
The Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans in Combat Environments (SERVICE) Act that will require the VA to conduct mammograms for all women who served in areas associated with burn pits and other toxic exposures regardless of age, symptoms or family history.
The Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act, which will require the VA to develop a strategic plan to improve breast imaging services, create a telemammography pilot program for veterans in areas where the VA does not offer in-house mammography and expand veterans’ access to clinical trials through partnerships with the National Cancer Institute. The legislation would also require the VA to upgrade all in-house breast imaging to 3D mammography, which is considered the gold standard of imaging technology.
The Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act of 2021, a measure to provide the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) with the authority to subpoena testimony from former VA employees who have left federal service, former contractor personnel who performed work for the department, or other potentially relevant individuals during its inspections, reviews and investigations.
These recent accomplishments come on the heels of Boozman’s fight to block veterans resources from being taken away to respond to the crisis at the southern border. Following pressure from the senator, the Biden administration backed off discussions of deploying VA personnel to the border to address the surge of immigrants should Title 42 be lifted.