H.R. 7950 · In committee · Armed Forces and National Security

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

What it does

Establishes the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs within the Department of Veterans Affairs to serve as the principal liaison between the Department and Congress.
Requires the Office to coordinate communications, facilitate hearings and briefings, prepare testimony, manage congressional requests, and ensure timely and accurate responses to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs.
Designates an Assistant Secretary appointed by the President with Senate confirmation to oversee the Office, with separate Deputy Assistant Secretaries for Legislative Strategy and Congressional Operations to ensure independent exercise of legislative and operational functions.
Mandates at least 65 percent of Office full-time equivalent positions be filled by career employees in the competitive service, with political appointees restricted to policy and strategy roles that do not replace core operational positions.
Requires the Department to acknowledge congressional requests within two business days, provide a production plan within five business days, and deliver all requested materials within 45 days, with extensions to 60 days available only upon Secretary certification of exceptional scope or complexity.

May 14, 2026: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 10.

Committee: House Veterans' Affairs