The Texas Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee Hearing will take place today, at the Port of Houston Bayport Container Terminal in Pasadena, TX. Starting at 12:20 p.m., you can watch the hearing online!

The committee will discuss issues related to Veteran Administration clinic wait times, as well as federal actions that may affect Texas military installations.

The hearing will address the following Interim Charges:

  •  Charge #1. Investigate the impact of federal actions (including the federal government shutdown, sequestration, military force reductions, and potential base closure or realignment) on active-duty service members, the Texas Military Department, veterans, their families, defense-related contractors, small businesses, local governments, and state agencies.

  • Charge #3. Provide an update on the State Strike Force teams’ progress and recommendations on any additional steps necessary to ensure that veterans promptly receive all federal disability benefits to which they are entitled.

  • In addition to the formal Interim Charges, the VAMI Committee will be looking into recent allegations that the VA has denied health and mental health care and manipulated waiting lists for veterans to access care.  VAMI will be hearing from veterans and giving them a chance to voice their concerns and tell their stories about VA health care.  The Committee will also consider whether or not the state has a role in assisting veterans in Texas with VA health care as it did with the Strike Force Teams for VA disability claims.

You can watch the discussion happen live by clicking here.

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