Congress is back in Washington after a weeklong recess. Members will return to conversations about President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency to secure funding for a border wall.

That will take up much of the news this week, but there’s plenty more happening that affects veterans and the military. Here’s what else you can expect to happen on the Hill:

Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs opened public comments on new access standards late last week. Veterans can now leave comments letting Congress and the VA know exactly how expanding health care options will affect them.

You can let the VA know how great more access to medical care is here.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies will meet with VA Secretary Robert Wilkie on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. for an oversight hearing. They’ll also be joined by Robert Stone, executive in charge for the Veterans Health Administration.

Over the next two weeks, the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee will hold joint hearings on testimony from many of the major veterans service organizations on their legislative priorities for the year. Disabled American Veterans will start things off with their agenda at 2 p.m. Tuesday, and members of the American Legion will testify at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

CVA released its 2019 legislative priorities to Congress in January, outlining our plan to guarantee veterans get the care and benefits they’ve earned.

Armed Services

The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold several hearings this week. At 2:30 p.m. Wednesday the committee will hear testimony on military personnel policies. They’ll reconvene at 9:30 a.m. Thursday to discuss U.S. nuclear policy.

The House Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing at 2 p.m. Tuesday on withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and what that means for national security.

Foreign Affairs

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will ponder the U.S. role in world affairs with testimony from think-tank experts at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday.

House Foreign Affairs will hold several hearings next week including testimony at 2 p.m. Tuesday on the political situation in Venezuela. The committee will also discuss administration’s foreign policy at 10 a.m. Wednesday. That committee will likely discuss President Trump’s intent to withdraw most troops from both Syria and Afghanistan in the coming months.

As always, we’ll keep you up to date with the latest in veterans and military news here on The Overwatch. Want news like this in your inbox every weekday? Subscribe to CVA’s Morning FRAGO!

The post This week on the Hill: VA wants to hear from veterans! appeared first on Concerned Veterans for America.