Full Committee Legislative Hearing

The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs held a full committee legislative hearing on May 21, 2026, focusing on oversight and reform of veterans' benefits, services, and infrastructure. Key procurement-related discussions included concerns about the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) contracting practices, with testimony highlighting that in fiscal year 2015, the VA made nearly $288 billion in awards including $90 billion in contracts, with over $6 billion awarded without competition. Witnesses emphasized the need for improved oversight, accountability, and modernization of VA leasing and infrastructure projects, particularly supporting legislation such as HR 6599 to streamline leasing authority and reduce bureaucratic delays. The hearing also addressed the importance of authorizing appropriated funds for programs like mental health research and the challenges posed by outdated cost estimation methodologies used by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for VA infrastructure projects. Additionally, several bills related to veterans' healthcare, economic opportunity, and transition services were discussed, with veteran service organizations providing support or concerns regarding their impact on service delivery and procurement. The committee underscored the necessity of reauthorizing and reforming VA programs to better meet the needs of today's veterans while ensuring fiscal responsibility and effective use of taxpayer dollars.