WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) was elected by the Republican Steering Committee to serve as chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee for the 115th Congress, succeeding Jeff Miller (R-FL), who is retiring at the end of the 114th Congress.
“I am extremely honored and humbled to be given this opportunity. During my time in Congress, veterans’ issues have been a top priority for me, and this is not a responsibility I will take lightly,” said Roe, who himself is a veteran. “With scandal after scandal, it has become clear there’s no federal agency more in need of reform than the VA. I am excited by the opportunity to advance Republican solutions aimed at improving veterans’ care.”
In recent years in light of repeat scandals, Roe has called for more accountability within the VA medical system in regards to not only improving patient care for veterans but to curtail wasteful spending.
“There’s a lot of work to be done — from considering the Commission on Care recommendations and reauthorizing the Choice program to ensuring veterans have timely access to the benefits they’ve earned — and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” Roe said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as the Trump administration, to get things done for our nation’s heroes. I also want to thank Chairman Miller for his leadership and tireless work on behalf of veterans the last six years.”
Roe was sworn in to Congress in 2009, and has been active on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee since that time. Roe earned his Medical Degree from the University of Tennessee in 1970, and served as a captain in the 2nd Infantry Division 2nd Medical Battalion of the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1973-74. During that time, he was stationed for 9 months near the DMZ in Korea; served at a 121 evacuation hospital near Seoul for 3 months; and completed his service at Fort Eustis, VA. He is a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. An OB-GYN, Roe spent time training at a VA hospital in Memphis and worked in consultation with the VA to see veterans in his private practice.