| Offices : Beckley • Charleston • Fairmont • Martinsburg • Washington, DC | E-mail Senator Rockefeller |
June 6, 2001
ROCKEFELLER TAKES OVER CHAIRMANSHIP OF SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Senator Also Will Chair Health Care, Aviation Subcommittees
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Moving to the forefront of the newly Democratic Senate, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) announced today that he is taking on a familiar role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Rockefeller assumed the position after the Democrats regained control of the Senate last night. Rockefeller will also take on the chairmanships of the Health Care Subcommittee on Finance, and the Aviation Subcommittee on Commerce.
"While I am eager to take on these new roles, my mission remains the same -- to improve the lives of every West Virginian," Rockefeller said. "I will continue to safeguard the health care needs of veterans, fight for a Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors, and create more economic opportunities and jobs in my state. My titles may have changed, but my priorities will always remain the same."
Rockefeller outlined a number of goals that will top his agenda on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which he previously chaired in 1993-94. He remains committed to providing for the long-term care of our Nation’s veterans and making continued improvements in the quality of their coverage. He also plans to address the looming nursing shortage, as registered nurses are a critical component of the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system. Another one of Rockefeller’s goals on the Veterans’ Committee is streamlining the benefits claims process, which currently suffers from a serious backlog. "The VA has a serious staffing shortage, and our initiative to hire 700 employees this year is just the beginning," he said.
On the Health Care Subcommittee, Rockefeller will advance a cause that he has long fought for: passing a meaningful Medicare prescription drug benefit to protect seniors from fast-rising pharmaceutical costs. "The time to pass prescription drug coverage is now. This is an opportunity we can’t afford to pass up, and I will not rest until we pass this legislation," he said.
On the Aviation Subcommittee, Rockefeller will keep working to increase regional air service in West Virginia and boost federal funding for the state’s airports. "Bringing more flight routes to West Virginia and making our airports better and safer will increase economic development and tourism opportunities throughout the state," he said.
Rockefeller acknowledged that Democrats are going to have their work cut out for them. "Achieving genuine progress on the issues we care about most is going to require a lot of hard work, compromise and bipartisanship."
E-mail Senator Rockefeller | Click here for more contact information.