United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee

Standing committee
Active United States Senate 118th Congress
History
Formed	October 26, 1970
Leadership
Chair	Jon Tester (D) Since February 3, 2021
Ranking member	Jerry Moran (R) Since February 3, 2021
Structure
Seats	19 members
Political parties	Majority (10)      Democratic (7)      Independent (3) Minority (9)      Republican (9)
Jurisdiction
Oversight authority	Department of Veterans Affairs
House counterpart	House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

The United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs is a special group of Senators. Their main job is to look after the needs and issues of military veterans in the United States. Veterans are people who have served in the country's armed forces. This committee makes sure that veterans get the support and benefits they deserve.

What the Committee Does

Helping Veterans: A Special Committee's Role

This committee was created in 1970. Before that, different groups in the Senate handled veterans' issues. For example, the Finance Committee dealt with money matters for veterans. The Labor Committee handled things like their education and medical care.

The government decided it would be better to have one group. This new committee brought all these important tasks together. This way, they could focus completely on veterans' needs.

How Support for Veterans Has Changed Over Time

Over the years, the way the government helps veterans has changed a lot. In early wars, like the Revolutionary War or the Civil War, the government mostly gave money to veterans. There was even a special Senate Committee on Pensions for this purpose, formed in 1816.

After World War I, things started to change. The government began offering more than just money. They created programs like war risk insurance. This showed a shift towards more varied support for veterans.

The GI Bill: A Big Step for Veterans

A huge change happened after World War II. The GI Bill of Rights was passed in 1944. This law was a game-changer for service members and their families. It offered many benefits, including:

• Help with unemployment
• Money for education and job training
• Guarantees for housing and business loans
• Traditional medical care and pensions

Many people believe the GI Bill helped many families join the middle class. It allowed veterans to buy homes, go to college, and start businesses. This law greatly helped the country grow after the war.

Committee Size: Growing to Serve More

When the Veterans' Affairs Committee first started in 1971, it had nine members. Today, it has grown to include 19 members. This larger size helps the committee handle the many important issues facing veterans today.

Who Are the Members? (118th Congress)

Current Committee Members

The committee has members from both major political parties. They work together to support veterans.

Did you know? Two of the current members, Richard Blumenthal and Dan Sullivan, are veterans themselves!

Leaders of the Committee (1971–Present)

Past and Present Chairpersons

The committee has had many different leaders, called "Chairs," since it began. The Chair is usually a member of the majority party in the Senate. The "Ranking Member" is the leader from the minority party.

See also

• List of current United States Senate committees
• United States House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
• United States Department of Veterans Affairs