by Larry Nazimek

On August 21, 2025, Cong. Delia Ramirez, the ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, held a hearing at Chicago’s Riis Park Auditorium.

From her newsletter: From terrible working conditions, to downsizing, to terminating worker’s collective bargaining rights, VA Secretary Collins & the Trump Administration are attacking our VA employees and jeopardizing veterans’ care. That’s why I hosted an oversight forum in IL-03 and was proud to be joined by Rep. Bill Foster, labor unions, and veterans to talk about the negative impacts the Trump Admin’s anti-labor policies are having on the benefits Illinois’ veterans earned and deserve.

For those of you who, like me, have never been to one of these hearings, a description of the hearing is in order. First of all, while many people assume that all hearings are in DC, the fact is that they can be held anywhere. This one was held at Riis Park, which is in Cong. Ramirez’s District.

At one table are the “witnesses,” that is, those who have been invited to testify. Facing them is the table with the congressmen.

The witnesses are called one at a time and are given 3 minutes each to testify. A prominent digital countdown clock shows them how much time they have left. Questions from the congressmen follow. After going through all of the witnesses, the congressmen get 10 minutes each to speak, and someone from the audience holds up signs to tell them how much time remains.

These hearings are a means of getting on the record the problems that the cutbacks are causing to veterans and those who are entrusted with their care.

For those unfamiliar with Cong. Foster, here is his interesting bio: https://foster.house.gov/about/full-biography

If you ever get a chance to attend one of these hearings, I urge you to attend. You will see first hand how they operate.