Full Committee Oversight Hearing

The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a full committee oversight hearing on May 13, 2026, focusing on the management and future of the West Los Angeles VA campus. The hearing extensively discussed procurement-related issues including the termination of leases with non-veteran benefiting entities such as Brentwood School and Brightburn Energy, which were underpaying the VA by over $40 million annually. The VA detailed plans to expand housing capacity for homeless veterans from 955 beds in 2025 to over 2,000 by 2027, with a $500 million budget request that includes infrastructure projects like an $100 million parking structure. Concerns were raised about delays in submitting the action plan mandated by President Trump's 2025 executive order, staffing shortages particularly in case management and VA police, and the use of nondisclosure agreements limiting transparency. Witnesses from VA, UCLA, veteran service organizations, and local government highlighted ongoing challenges with safety, security, and supportive services on campus. The committee emphasized the need for increased oversight, transparency, and adequate funding to ensure the campus fulfills its mission to serve veterans effectively. Multiple members called for improved security staffing, better case management ratios, and a comprehensive, publicly available master plan to guide future development and operations at West LA.