Fighting for those who have served in uniform has been one of Congressman Mitchell's top priorities since joining Congress in 2007.   Upon his election, Mitchell sought a seat on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where he could help improve the quality and accessibility of veterans' health care and other essential services.

In 2007, Shortly after joining the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Congressman Mitchell was chosen by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, an unusually high-ranking role for a freshman member of Congress.

Under his leadership, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee has addressed issues ranging from the quality of patient care and the hurdles that service members face in their transition to civilian life to challenges in the areas of information and security management, and the Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to reach out to America's 17 million veterans who aren't enrolled with the VA.

Congressman Mitchell has also led high-profile investigations to help cut bureaucratic red tape at the VA and to combat a troubling epidemic of suicide among our nation's veterans.  During Mitchell's first term as Chairman, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommmittee held 19 oversight hearings, representing a five-fold increase over the previous Congress.

In 2008, Congressman Mitchell teamed up with Senator Jim Webb from Virginia to pass the Post-9/11 GI Bill to give veterans with active duty service on, or after, Sept. 11 2001, enhanced educational benefits.  President Bush signed the Webb-Mitchell Bill into law on June 30, 2008.

Since World War II, our nation has offered education benefits to returning GIs.  Under the first GI Bill, passed in 1944, nearly 8 million veterans earned an education.  Though Congress has passed other versions of the GI Bill since then, the value of the education benefit has declined.  The Webb-Mitchell GI Bill is designed to cover more educational expenses for servicemembers, including Guardsmen and Reservists, such as a living allowance, money for books and the ability to transfer unused educational benefits to spouses or children.  Additionally, veterans would have up to 15 years after they leave active duty to use these benefits.

In the 111th Congress, Mitchell is again serving as a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.  He remains one of the most steadfast advocates in Congress for those who have served in uniform.

Video from Rep. Mitchell's GI Bill Informational Workshop (June 6, 2009):

Press Releases:

The Mitchell Report - Veterans Day Update

Mitchell Statement in Wake of Tragedy at Camp Victory (May 11, 2009)

Mitchell applauds President's move towards interoperable electronic records at DOD and VA (April 9, 2009)

"A Victory for Veterans" (March 19, 2009)

Mitchell Calls on Obama to Kill Plans to Take Away Veterans Benefits (March 17, 2009)