Congressional & Executive Branch

Joining Forces works hand in hand with the public and private sectors to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families have the tools they need to succeed throughout their lives.

The Senate Committee on Armed Services is empowered with legislative oversight of the nation's military, including the Department of Defense, military research and development, nuclear energy (pertaining to national security), benefits for members of the military, the Selective Service System and other matters related to defense policy.

The oversight responsibilities of the House Committee on Armed Services are instrumental in the committee's consideration of the annual defense authorization bill, which covers the breadth of the operations of the Department of Defense as well as the national security functions of the Department of Energy and other related areas.

The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs has legislative jurisdiction over matters relating to veterans compensation and veterans generally, as well as matters relating to the vocational rehabilitation, education, medical care, civil relief, and civilian readjustment of veterans.

The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs is the authorizing committee for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The committee is responsible for recommending legislation expanding, curtailing, or fine-tuning existing laws relating to veterans' benefits. The Committee also has oversight responsibility, which means monitoring and evaluating the operations of the VA.

VETS serves U.S. veterans and separating service members by preparing them for meaningful careers, providing employment resources and expertise, and protecting their employment rights.

SAMHSA leads efforts to ensure that American service men and women and their families can access behavioral health treatment and services.