Honored to be chosen again as VA committee chairman in 115th Congress

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., was confirmed as chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (VA) for the 115th Congress in a unanimous vote by his colleagues. Isakson has served as chairman of the committee since January 2015.

Isakson is a veteran himself – having served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-1972 – and has been a member of the Senate VA Committee since he joined the Senate in 2005. Isakson’s home state of Georgia is also home to more than a dozen military installations representing each branch of the military as well as home to more than 750,000 veterans.

Isakson will serve alongside Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., the incoming ranking member of the committee.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to once again serve as the chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee,” said Isakson.“Last Congress, the committee showed the American people that, regardless of political party, we are on the same team when it comes to getting things right for our veterans. There is still plenty of work to be done, and I look forward to working with Senator Tester and the members of our committee as we build upon the progress we have made thus far to tackle some of the biggest problems facing our veterans.”

Since January 2015, when Isakson took over as chairman, the Senate VA committee has advanced 41 pieces of legislation, 32 of which were signed into law. In addition, the committee held 20 oversight hearings focused on issues that include the VA’s budget, homelessness, mental health, veterans’ transition to civilian life and women veterans, among others.

In the 115th Congress, which formally began on January 3rd and runs through early January 2019, Isakson said the committee will focus on improving accountability at the VA and ensuring veterans have the choice of receiving healthcare from providers in their communities rather than waiting for a VA appointment or traveling long distances to a VA facility.