Press Releases

Today, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced the Republican Ranking Members of the Committee’s five Subcommittees.

“I am excited to announce our Subcommittee Ranking Members for the 117th Congress. These Members are skilled leaders and lawmakers. Three of them are veterans themselves. All of them have backgrounds in public service and a passion for helping veterans. I am grateful for their willingness to lead our Subcommittees. I look forward to supporting the good work they will do there.”

117th Congress Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Republican Subcommittee Leadership:

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Tex.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance & Memorial Affairs (DAMA)

Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Health

Rep. Tracey Mann (R-Kans.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations

Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization

Ranking Member Bost also announced the Committee’s new Republican Staff Director.

“I am also proud to announce that Maria Tripplaar will serve as the Committee’s Republican Staff Director,” said Ranking Member Bost. “As the Staff Director of the DAMA Subcommittee, Maria has been my guide and counsel since I started on the Committee six years ago. Her deep knowledge of veterans’ issues, the legislative process, and the law will benefit the Committee and all those we serve. With her at the helm and our Subcommittee Ranking Members in place, we are ready to hit the ground running.”

These assignments are expected to be approved by the entire Committee during the organizational meeting this afternoon, which can be streamed here.

Background:

In 2014, Maria C. Tripplaar joined the staff of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs as Republican Staff Director and Counsel of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance & Memorial Affairs, where she worked closely with then-DAMA Subcommittee Ranking Member Bost. Ms. Tripplaar is particularly proud of the support she has provided to the Committee on the following legislative accomplishments for our nation’s veterans: the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020; the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019; the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017; and, the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016. Ms. Tripplaar has been humbled to accept the DAV Special Recognition Award (2019); and to be honored as a HillVets 100, Class of 2020. She is experienced in the area of veterans’ law and policy and, prior to joining the Committee staff, served as an attorney at the National Veterans Legal Services Program. Ms. Tripplaar began her career in this field at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Board of Veterans’ Appeals, where she served as an attorney from 2009-2010. Ms. Tripplaar is a graduate of the University of Maryland (B.A., 2005) and The Catholic University of America (J.D., 2008). She is a member of the Maryland State Bar. She and her family reside in Maryland.