MCLEAN, Va., – Military.com's Managing Editor Terry Howell will sit down with two key members of Congress tomorrow to discuss the impact of sequestration on veterans' benefits and talk about the recent legislation aimed at providing increased services and support to veterans.
Howell will host a Q&A with House Armed Services Committee Chairman, Representative Buck McKeon and House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman, Representative Jeff Miller on Friday, September 21, at 9:15 am. The session is open to the public and the media. Information about how to participate is located online.
Howell will ask the congressmen about the "personnel accounts exemption" in the White House's 396-page sequestration report and if there will be any administrative cuts that would affect Veterans Administration benefits. He will then open the session to questions from viewers.
Sequestration could lead to the potential loss of over $57.4 billion in funding to the Defense Department in 2013 on top of the $500 billion cut to the Defense Department dictated by sequestration legislation and spread over the next decade. These massive cuts have many veterans wondering if their benefits will be affected.Â
Also on the agenda will be the bill recently passed by the House of Representatives, H.R. 4057, which improves benefits and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs. A major component of this bill, H.R. 4057, as amended, requires VA to implement a comprehensive policy that aids veterans in making informed decisions about their choices in pursuit of higher education. H.R. 4057 also provides for more transparency of information related to education and training opportunities so that veterans are able to make the most of their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
"I'm looking forward to sharing this discussion with our audience. These are two individuals who have a major influence on military benefits. This is an opportunity for our members to be able to ask them directly about what the future holds," said Howell.