S.Hrg.119-14

1[Senate Hearing 119-14]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                         S. Hrg. 119-1456                      LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF7                 DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS AND MULTI VSOs:8                      AMVETS, VIETNAM VETERANS OF9                    AMERICA, MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE10                    HEART, BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION,11                   VETERANS EDUCATION SUCCESS, GOLD STAR12                      WIVES OF AMERICA, INC., AND13                    RESERVE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA1415=======================================================================1617                             JOINT HEARING1819                               BEFORE THE2021                     COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS2223                                 OF THE2425                             UNITED STATES26                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES2728                                AND THE2930                          UNITED STATES SENATE3132                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS3334                             FIRST SESSION3536                               __________3738                           FEBRUARY 25, 20253940                               __________4142       Printed for the use of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs4344[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]4546        Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov4748                                __________4950                   U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE5159-384 PDF                  WASHINGTON : 20255253-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------5455                 SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS5657                     Jerry Moran, Kansas, Chairman58John Boozman, Arkansas               Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut,59Bill Cassidy, Louisiana                  Ranking Member60Thom Tillis, North Carolina          Patty Murray, Washington61Dan Sullivan, Alaska                 Bernard Sanders, Vermont62Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee          Mazie K. Hirono, Hawaii63Kevin Cramer, North Dakota           Margaret Wood Hassan, New64Tommy Tuberville, Alabama                Hampshire65Jim Banks, Indiana                   Angus S. King, Jr., Maine66Tim Sheehy, Montana                  Tammy Duckworth, Illinois67                                     Ruben Gallego, Arizona68                                     Elissa Slotkin, Michigan6970                     David Shearman, Staff Director71                Tony McClain, Democratic Staff Director7273                              ----------7475        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS7677                     Mike Bost, Illinois, Chairman7879Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen,       Mark Takano, California, Ranking80    American Samoa                       Member81Jack Bergman, Michigan               Julia Brownley, California82Nancy Mace, South Carolina           Chris Pappas, New Hampshire83Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa       Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick,84Gregory F. Murphy, North Carolina        Florida85Derrick Van Orden, Wisconsin         Morgan McGarvey, Kentucky86Morgan Luttrell, Texas               Delia C. Ramirez, Illinois87Juan Ciscomani, Arizona              Nikki Budzinski, Illinois88Keith Self, Texas                    Timothy M. Kennedy, New York89Jennifer A. Kiggans, Virginia        Maxine Dexter, Oregon90Abe Hamadeh, Arizona                 Herb Conaway, New Jersey91Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Northern       Kelly Morrison, Minnesota92    Mariana Islands93Tom Barrett, Michigan9495                       Jon Clark, Staff Director96                  Matt Reel, Democratic Staff Director9798                            C O N T E N T S99100                              ----------101102                           February 25, 2025103104                                                                   Page105106                            REPRESENTATIVES107108Hon. Mike Bost, Chairman, U.S. Representative from Illinois......     1109Hon. Mark Takano, Ranking Member, U.S. Representative from110  California.....................................................     4111Hon. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, U.S. Representative from112  American Samoa.................................................    16113Hon. Chris Pappas, U.S. Representative from New Hampshire........    18114Hon. Jack Bergman, U.S. Representative from Michigan.............    19115Hon. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, U.S. Representative from Florida    21116Hon. Morgan Luttrell, U.S. Representative from Texas.............    22117Hon. Morgan McGarvey, U.S. Representative from Kentucky..........    23118Hon. Abe Hamadeh, U.S. Representative from Arizona...............    24119Hon. Nikki Budzinski, U.S. Representative from Illinois..........    25120Hon. Kimberlyn King-Hinds, U.S. Representative from Northern121  Mariana Islands................................................    26122Hon. Kelly Morrison, U.S. Representative from Minnesota..........    27123Hon. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, U.S. Representative from Iowa.....    28124Hon. Delia Ramirez, U.S. Representative from Illinois............    45125Hon. Maxine Dexter, U.S. Representative from Oregon..............    47126Hon. Herb Conaway, U.S. Representative from New Jersey...........    48127128                                SENATORS129130Hon. Jerry Moran, Chairman, U.S. Senator from Kansas.............     3131Hon. Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member, U.S. Senator from132  Connecticut....................................................     5133Hon. Angus S. King, Jr., U.S. Senator from Maine.................    16134Hon. Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator from North Carolina...............    17135Hon. Margaret Wood Hassan, U.S. Senator from New Hampshire.......    30136137                               INTRODUCER138139Hon. Pete Aguilar, U.S. Representative from California...........     8140141                               WITNESSES142                                Panel I143144Daniel Contreras, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans.     9145146  accompanied by147148  Jim Marszalek, National Service Director149150  Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director151152   Edward R. Reese, Jr., Executive Director, Washington153    Headquarters154155  Barry Jesinoski, National Adjutant156157  John Kleindienst, National Director of Voluntary Service158159  Lamarr Couser, National Employment Director160161  Christopher Easley, Auxiliary National Commander162163                                Panel II164165Horace Johnson, National Commander, AMVETS.......................    32166167Jack McManus, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America....    33168169Robert Olivarez Jr., National Commander, Military Order of the170  Purple Heart...................................................    35171172Paul L. Mimms, National President, Blinded Veterans Association..    36173174William Hubbard, Vice President for Veterans and Military Policy,175  Veterans Education Success.....................................    38176177Nancy Menagh, Past National President, Gold Star Wives of178  America, Inc...................................................    40179180Matthew L. Schwartzman, Director, Legislation and Military181  Policy, Reserve Organization of America........................    41182183                                APPENDIX184                          Prepared Statements185186Daniel Contreras, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans.    55187188Horace Johnson, National Commander, AMVETS.......................    89189190Jack McManus, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America....   100191192Robert Olivarez Jr., National Commander, Military Order of the193  Purple Heart...................................................   115194195Paul L. Mimms, National President, Blinded Veterans Association..   120196197William Hubbard, Vice President for Veterans and Military Policy,198  Veterans Education Success.....................................   137199200Nancy Menagh, Past National President, Gold Star Wives of201  America, Inc...................................................   167202203Matthew L. Schwartzman, Director, Legislation and Military204  Policy, Reserve Organization of America........................   176205206                       Submissions for the Record207208Statement of Alfred J. ``Al'' Lipphardt, National Commander,209  Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).................................   213210211Reports submitted by Disabled American Veterans (DAV):212213   G``Ending the Wait for Toxic-Exposed Veterans: A Post-214    PACT Act215    Blueprint for Reforming the VA Presumptive Process''216217    (available online: www.dav.org/ending-the-wait/)218219   G``The Independent Budget: Fiscal Years 2026 and220    2027''221222    (available online: www.independentbudget.org)223224   G``Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness''225226    (available online: www.dav.org/women-veterans-study/)227228LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS AND MULTI VSOs:229   AMVETS, VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE230 HEART, BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION, VETERANS EDUCATION SUCCESS, GOLD231    STAR WIVES OF AMERICA, INC., AND RESERVE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA232233                              ----------234235                       TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025236237             U.S. House of Representatives,238                                   and U.S. Senate,239                            Committee on Veterans' Affairs,240                                                    Washington, DC.241    The Committees met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in Room242390, Cannon House Office Building, Hon. Mike Bost, Chairman of243the Veterans' Affairs Committee, presiding.244245    Present:246247    Representatives Bost, Radewagen, Bergman, Miller-Meeks,248Luttrell, Hamadeh, King-Hinds, Barrett, Takano, Brownley,249Pappas, Cherfilus-McCormick, McGarvey, Ramirez, Budzinski,250Kennedy, Dexter, Conaway, and Morrison.251252    Senators Moran, Tillis, Banks, Sheehy, Blumenthal, Hassan,253and King.254255              OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MIKE BOST,256          CHAIRMAN, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ILLINOIS257258    Chairman Bost. Good morning. I want to thank you all for259being here. Welcome to my Senate colleagues, Chairman Moran,260Ranking Member Blumenthal, and I would also like to thank DAV's261National Commander, Daniel Contreras and his wife Teresa for262being here today. Thank you.263    I would also like to give a welcome to DAV Auxiliary264National Commander Christopher Easley. Thank you for being265here. And I'm pleased that there are folks here from the great266State of Illinois.267    Voices. Hooah.268    If you would stand, I would just love to see you. Good to269see you. Thank you for being here.270    [Applause.]271    I have to be real careful because we want to include all of272Illinois, but being from Southern Illinois, we capitalize the273``S'' there, so people don't realize how far out of Chicago I274live. But thank you for traveling here from our home state. I275want to say a special thank you for that.276    So, we want to give a warm welcome to everybody. But before277we get started, I would like to acknowledge a couple of people278that--if you are around here, you are around. These two are279very very close to this Committee and DAV should be proud of280who they are and the job that they do, and that's Peter281Dickinson and Shane Liermann.282    [Applause.]283    And for all of their national staff. But let me tell you,284they work hard on your behalf--veterans--they make a real285difference for you. And I want to tell you that we are286continuing to keep them in our prayers as they are trying to287heal up. Both of them have had a health issue and we are hoping288for their speedy recovery.289    Well, this Congress marks a decade on this sacred290Committee. And this is my second term as Chairman, and it is an291honor to serve you. The mission of the VA Committee has always292been personal to me. Many of you have heard my story of how I293grew up around veterans, how my father, Army veteran and his294brothers; my grandfather, one Navy, one Marine.295    Voices. Hooah.296    Chairman Bost. Hooah, yes. An uncle, a Marine in Vietnam297that was victim of the ultimate oxymoron, friendly fire, but298was very successful in life and still alive and doing well, and299that has a whole lot to do to the VA and his services he300received there. Myself, as a Marine, my son as a Marine, my301grandson is a Marine.302    Voices. Hooah.303    Chairman Bost. Hooah. So you know how personal this is to304me. And every time I sit at this dais, I am reminded of how305important this is and the debating, whether it is debating with306the Agency or the other side of the aisle, it is always my307focus is on the veteran.308    Many of you have watched me and known me around here, and309you see this dirty bracelet cord right here? I have worn that310ever since coming to Congress. And then I am going to tell you311the story on that, because about a year and a half ago, the guy312who gave me that, we lost him. We just knew him as Lieutenant313Dan, and he is a Vietnam veteran. And he made these cords, and314he came to me just after I was elected to Congress, and he315said, I am going to give you a couple of these, and I want you316to wear them on a regular basis, he says, because every time317you look down, I want you to remember who you serve, and that318helps tremendously.319    Now, for me, it has always been about the veterans. It is320not about protecting government bureaucracy. I know the321sacrifices each of you have made, especially our disabled322veterans community. Each of you has fought to protect our323Constitutional rights. I am particularly proud of the work DAV324has done to help disabled veterans and their spouses find325meaningful employment. You know, in the testimony that is given326by you today, that recovery from an injury is not complete327until the veterans are able to find meaning and purpose. I look328forward to hearing more about what the DAV is doing to help329disabled veterans and spouses reach their professional goals330and how Congress can help.331    DAV plays a vitally important role in making sure we332advance common sense proposals and conduct oversight to meet333the needs of the entire veteran community, no matter where they334live or where they want to work. Veterans should have the335freedom to use the benefits of VA that VA offers in exchange336for their service to meet their individual needs. And they337shouldn't spend hours driving in a car to get them, or combing338through wonky paperwork for months on end, or needless waiting339for a phone call to get a simple answer. You know where VA is340falling short, and you know where we need to push the Agency to341bring it out of the Stone Age and into the New Age.342    You have my commitment that as long as I am in charge, we343will continue to fight for you. The hundreds and thousands of344veterans outside the DCA Beltway who just want their health345care on time and their benefits when they need them. You know346this old corporal takes this mission seriously and I know our347new VA Secretary and my friend Doug Collins does too.348    Under President Trump's leadership, I know we are going to349put you, the veteran, and the VA service back at the center of350VA mission. And when the bureaucracy tries to get in the way, I351will continue to be the first to hold them accountable and get352the answers for you.353    We made great progress through the Dole Act last Congress354and I appreciate DAV's support for this legislation. By working355together, we can accomplish some tremendous wins. Because of356the Dole Act, we have a law that will help streamline the357disability claims process, reduce veterans homelessness,358strengthen mental health care and improve access to at-home359care and much more.360    The Dole Act was a great victory for our veterans, but361there is much more that we can do and will do with your help.362Now, my door has always been and will continue to be open to363you. We must deliver for our veterans to protect their health364care choice, expand economic and educational opportunities,365streamline benefits, and get it done. I promise to keep up the366fight we all are in together. Now is not the time to take our367foot off the gas. I look forward to completing our mission368alongside of you. Thank you again for being here today and with369that I now recognize Chairman Moran for his opening comments.370371             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JERRY MORAN,372               CHAIRMAN, U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS373374    Chairman Moran. Chairman Bost, thank you. Thank you for375hosting this joint hearing and we look forward to this376continuing. The Senate will host in a few weeks, and we will377see you on our side of the building. But it is good to be here378with you. It is good to be here with your Members. Good to be379here with my Ranking Member, Senator Blumenthal, and the380Ranking Member of the House, Senator--Congressman Takano, and I381welcome our VSOs, our witnesses, and those here present and382those at home watching. I too say a special hello to all VSO383members that are here or tuning in today from Kansas. I am384grateful to the VSO leadership testifying today. I have met, we385have discussed, and being here in person now to share their386great passion and expertise for supporting veterans, their387families and their survivors.388    Policies and programs that we will discuss today depend389upon a strong and effective workforce at the VA to deliver the390care and benefits veterans deserve. I am committed to working391with VSOs and my colleagues to make certain that the necessary392VA workforce is preserved as VA implements new federal393workforce guidance. This Committee has asked, the Senate394committee has asked for lists of those who are impacted by395actions, broken down by location and occupation. The VA has396said none of these employees were in mission-critical397positions, including no VCL responders. The VA has said there398is a process in place that allows for the first senior399executive in an impacted employee's chain of command to request400an exemption. I have asked for and expect to receive, but I am401continuing to wait for further details about this process.402    The VA must be forthcoming and transparent to Congress, to403VSOs, to the public, to its workforce regarding workforce404strategy. We are all engaged in attempts to root out any waste,405fraud, or abuse that is prevalent or is present. And we are all406interested in putting the veteran first. We await additional407answers to our questions.408    I thank you and I look forward to today's hearing.409    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Chairman Moran. I now recognize410Ranking Member Takano for his opening comment.411412             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARK TAKANO,413      RANKING MEMBER, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA414415    Mr. Takano. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today we continue our416annual tradition of jointly welcoming veterans service417organizations to testify before Congress about their418legislative priorities. And I am pleased to welcome our first419panel of the National Commander and representatives of the420Disabled American Veterans, and our second panel421representatives from AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, the422Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Blinded Veterans423Association, Veterans Education Success, the Gold Star Wives of424America, and the Reserve Organization of America. And I would425like to extend a special welcome to DAV's National Commander,426Dan Contreras, who hails from Sherman Oaks, California. We are427practically neighbors and it is great to see you again, sir.428    And speaking of Californians, are there any Californians in429the room this morning? [Applause.] I see one very special one430at the very center of the table. I know he is there to431introduce you, Mr. Contreras. He is my neighbor.432    These hearings are important because they are a great433opportunity for us to hear from the VSOs about issues impacting434veterans in their daily lives. And it was at these hearings in4352022, when the VSOs stood in solidarity calling on Congress to436pass the Honoring our PACT Act that finally convinced the437holdouts to get on board. Without you, we would have never438passed the largest expansion of veterans health care and439benefits since the Vietnam War. Without you, millions of440veterans would still be struggling to access health care for441the toxic exposure they experienced in their service to our442country. I will always be grateful to the VSOs for helping us443get it done.444    As I have said since it passed, the PACT Act was never445meant to be a one and done. There is still so much more work to446be done because the PACT was not only about toxic exposure, it447is also about our promise to ensure that veterans have access448to their care and benefits and that we do everything we can to449end veteran homelessness and veteran suicide. Address the new450categories of illness and injury associated with military451service, for example blast injury and military traumatic brain452injury. Finally, achieve Guard and Reserve parity. Ensure that453VA is welcoming to all veterans who have earned the right to be454there. Ensure that VA's infrastructure can support its mission455and so much more.456    But unfortunately, given today's political climate, I am457not optimistic about our chances. I am afraid these hearings458are occurring in a very different atmosphere this year. Now, I459have grave concerns about how President Trump's Executive460orders are being carried out across the Federal Government,461most especially at the Department of Veterans Affairs. And yes,462Chairman Moran, I too, have questions, and I too think that463veterans deserve those answers to the questions we have.464    I question how purging the workforce, firing the watchdogs,465and making VA hostile to certain veterans is helping VA serve466veterans better. I think serving veterans is why we are all467here. It is certainly why I am here and why I serve on this468Committee, because I think there is no higher calling or honor469than to serve those who have served.470    Since he was sworn in, I have requested information from471Secretary Collins about his implementation of the Executive472orders and his employment actions against VA employees, none of473which he has responded to. This is very troubling. We deserve474answers.475    It is my hope that I can count on the VSO community to help476us hold VA accountable to all veterans and that you will also477hold Congress accountable by making sure action is behind our478words. That we are being held accountable for carrying out our479Constitutional oversight responsibilities by asking tough480questions, demanding answers, and taking legislative action481when it is needed. We cannot waver on this because we know that482veterans are depending on us. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield483back.484    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Takano. I now recognize485Ranking Member Blumenthal for his opening comment.486487         OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,488         RANKING MEMBER, U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT489490    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to491thank you and the Ranking Member on the House side and my492Chairman on the Senate side for your leadership. These issues493have been bipartisan, and I think the record ought to reflect,494Mr. Chairman, that we have a full room, standing room only.495Thank you all for being here today and showing your solidarity496with the veterans of America. [Applause.] And we may have a497couple of people from Connecticut, I am not sure, but welcome498to all of you. A few.499    As the Chairman indicated, we are here today in support of500veterans, and it is very much a family affair. Less than 1501percent of all Americans these days have anything to do with502service in our military, but they are among the most deserving,503the most patriotic, the most dedicated among us. Two of my sons504have served, one as a combat infantry officer in Afghanistan in505the Marine Corps [Cheering], and the other as a Navy SEAL506[Cheering]. And they are both proud veterans, and they keep me507on the straight and narrow.508    We are here today at a pretty momentous and important time,509and I am just going to be very blunt. Our VA is under assault.510The veterans of America are under assault. Just last night,511another 1400 members of the veterans family were fired from512their VA jobs. Many of those who were fired are themselves513veterans who have dedicated their life to serving veterans.514That brings the number to, now, 2400 who have been fired with515no credible explanation. And I recommend to you the statement516that was issued by the Veterans of Foreign Wars National517Commander Al Lipphardt just last night. I am not going to read518it all, but I ask Mr. Chairman that it be entered into the519record if there is no objection. It says, and I am quoting,520``we are losing people who are genuinely committed to the521mission and find a continued sense of purpose in what they522do.'' That describes just about all of our VA employees who523have dedicated their lives, many of them, to serving our524veterans.525    This past month's assault, in my view, on the VA workforce526and on the federal workforce generally, will do significant and527irreparable harm to the delivery of your care and benefits. As528I mentioned, just last night, Secretary Collins fired another5291400 more employees without notice and without cause, and all530in the name of cost savings, even though we all know that the531costs will be higher in the long run. If you don't care for a532veteran when he or she needs it now, it will only be more533expensive later.534    As veterans, you deserve a VA comprised of the very best535medical providers, claims processors, cemetery directors, and536other critical staff, regardless of cost. But in this instance,537the cost will be higher from these supposed savings. In the538name of eliminating waste, Elon Musk and DOGE are laying waste539to the VA. And the VA National Commander put it well, when he540said that Elon Musk is bull-``DOGE''-ing the VA and other541agencies.542    The attacks on the VA staff since January 20th are already543having real-life impacts in the field. And all of you are544hearing from our fellow veterans. All of you are hearing their545stories, their individual life impacts. My office spoke to one546employee last night moments after she found out that she had547been terminated from her job with the Veterans Crisis Line,548which of course saves people when they are thinking about549taking their own lives. She is a 100 percent service-connected550disabled veterans and an active-duty military spouse with551outstanding performance reviews. Her job is to ensure training552is provided to other Veterans Crisis Line responders,553empowering them to do their jobs better.554    Another 100 percent disabled veteran who served his country555for 14 years, did four combat tours and has 10 years of556service. Fired. A veteran who was the lead coordinator on557dozens of contracts for VA and had a 5 out of 5 performance558rating on her last review. Fired. A disabled Army veteran who559successfully transitioned out of homelessness and now has a560bachelor's and two master's degrees and who chose to serve his561fellow veterans on the Veterans Health Administration. Fired. I562could spend the rest of the morning with the list. Real-life563impacts.564    These men and women weren't fired because of poor565performance. They were arbitrarily fired because someone looked566at an algorithm or at a status and saw probationary. Even567though they might have been promoted and are in a probationary568status in that new job, and decided, fired.569    If you believe that the VA is a system worth saving, and I570think everybody in this room does, we are going to need your571help. We are going to need you to be the voice and face of572millions, and I mean millions of veterans across the country573whose care and benefits is at stake. As we begin the first of574six panels over the next two weeks, my fellow lawmakers in both575the House and the Senate need you to be bold, candid, and576strong.577    The VFW National Commander noted that next week on March5784th, he is going to be here before this Committee and he said,579``I want to see hats in the hallways of our Capitol as our580legislative committee members engage with lawmakers in581demanding that they, `Honor the Contract,' the government has582made with those who have already served and sacrificed so much583for America. It is time to apply pressure and stop the584bleeding.''585    I hope we see hats in the hallways. I hope we see heads in586the hallways from all of you and others. And I really want to587thank you for being here today. This picture is worth a588thousand words. Let us keep fighting. Thank you. I yield back.589    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator. I have said this once, I590will say it again. I trust Secretary Collins in doing the right591thing for veterans, taxpayers, to effectively right size and592reorganize VA to work better for men and women it serves. One,593because he is himself a veteran, and two, because he knows the594mission in serving veterans. As Chairman and as a veteran595myself, my mission is the same. Veterans, the people sitting in596front of us right now, are my number one priority, not597protecting bureaucracy. Let me say that again. Veterans who are598sitting in front of me right now are who I am fighting for, not599bureaucracy. That should be and will continue to be the600priority of Republicans on this Committee. We would be lying to601each other and all of you if we said that everything at the VA602is perfect and there aren't any improvements that need to be603made to make the Agency work better. Now, that includes the604workforce. I take Secretary Collins at his word when he says605there will be no impact to the delivery of care, benefits,606services for our veterans in this plan. My colleagues on the607other side of the aisle continue to spread false information608about what has happened and to scare and use veterans as pawns.609    VA has reduced its workforce by less than 1 percent. Let me610say that again--by less than 1 percent. You do understand that611there is over 400,000 employees in the VA. I also want to say612the VA had a record of hiring and a surge over this last year.613The last administration acknowledged many times that they were614over-hiring and were hoping to manage this problem through615employment employee turnover. We have heard this song before,616and I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will617stop using veterans and their families as political posturing.618    I trust that Secretary Collins and President Trump, are619doing the right thing for the millions of veterans VA serves.620As long as I am Chairman, I will continue to focus on the621results for those men and women who have served and our622veterans who we are serving, not the bureaucracies. And let me623also say this. Not only are veterans veterans, they are also624taxpayers. They are also concerned that they want to make sure625that when they go to the VA, they receive the services that626they need to and that the bureaucracy hasn't grown so big that627they are focusing on other areas than the physical treatments628that they need to receive at the VA or the mental health they629need to receive at the VA.630    There is nothing wrong with making sure that our VA is631operating best for you, and understand that is where we are at.632And I look forward to making sure we move forward in a way that633the services are provided at the rate and the place and the634time that the veteran needs them, not having to jump through635the hoops that I talked about earlier in my opening statement.636    But with that, let us get back to the business at hand.637Improving the delivery, care, and services, and benefits. VA638for you. With that, I will now want to yield to Representative639Aguilar to introduce the Disabled American Veterans Commander.640Representative Aguilar, you are now recognized.641642               INTRODUCTION BY HON. PETE AGUILAR,643              U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA644645    Mr. Aguilar. Thank you, Chairman Bost, Chairman Moran,646Ranking Members Takano and Blumenthal, our colleagues in the647Senate and in the House. I am privileged to address your648Committee today to introduce Commander Daniel Contreras. As you649know, the Disabled American Veterans organization was650established after World War I and has played a vital role after651every military conflict in promoting the welfare of our652Nation's veterans as they return home to reintegrate into653civilian life. Combat medic and nurse from 1980 to 1996,654Commander Contreras rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class.655He spent his entire civilian life working to help other656veterans injured during their service. He is a role model and a657pillar of our community back home in Southern California. He is658a fixture in San Bernardino or in Riverside and throughout659California, up and down the state, and now across this Nation.660It is an incredible honor for our community to watch someone661who has given so much be recognized as a champion for veterans.662As your Committee looks to the role of the VSOs, I know that663Commander Contreras will be an invaluable resource for your664Committee and a fierce advocate for the veterans that he665represents.666    This is a difficult time for our Nation's veterans. As you667have all mentioned in your opening statements, disabled668veterans already face significant hardship in employment,669housing, and accessing health care. We should not be taking670steps to add to this burden. I trust that the voices of671America's disabled veterans will continue to inform the work672that you undertake to uphold our Nation's sacred obligation to673those who have worn the uniform.674    Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. And I yield back.675    Chairman Bost. Thank you. Thank you for being here as well.676And, Commander, you are now recognized for 10 minutes to677deliver your opening statement. And thank you again for being678here.679680                            PANEL I681682                              ----------683684  STATEMENT OF DANIEL CONTRERAS, NATIONAL COMMANDER, DISABLED685   AMERICAN VETERANS ACCOMPANIED BY JIM MARSZALEK, NATIONAL686  SERVICE DIRECTOR; JOY ILEM, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR;687     EDWARD R. REESE, JR., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WASHINGTON688    HEADQUARTERS; BARRY JESINOSKI, NATIONAL ADJUTANT; JOHN689  KLEINDIENST, NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE; LAMARR690 COUSER, NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT DIRECTOR; AND CHRISTOPHER EASLEY,691                  AUXILIARY NATIONAL COMMANDER692693    Mr. Contreras. Thank you for that. Thank you for that kind694introduction Representative Aguilar. I very much appreciate the695work we were able to accomplish together in providing our696veterans access to their records through the Wounded Warrior697Access Act.698    Chairman Moran and Bost, Ranking Members Blumenthal and699Takano and Members of the Committees on Veterans Affairs, thank700you for the opportunity to present the 2025 legislative701priorities of DAV, Disabled American Veterans, an organization702representing nearly 1 million members, all of whom returned703from wartime service forever changed.704    My written testimony details DAV's key legislative goals705for the 119th Congress and summarizes our many programs and706accomplishments throughout the last year. So I will use my707limited time today to highlight some of our most pressing,708critical policy goals. But first, let me introduce my DAV709colleagues joining me today, National Adjutant Barry Jesinoski,710Washington Headquarters Executive Director Randy Reese,711National Service Director Jim Marszalek, National Legislative712Director Joy Ilem, National Voluntary Service Director John713Kleindienst, National Caregiver Support Program Director Ron714Minter, National Employment Director Lamarr Couser, and715Auxiliary National Commander Christopher Easley.716    I would also like to recognize the many DAV members and717leaders sitting behind me today. Not every member could make718the trip to Washington, but their contributions have been719critical to DAV's success as the Nation's premier veterans720service organization. Others have supported DAV's vital mission721over the past year. They include our senior and junior Vice722Commanders who step up to serve once again, and leaders of the723DAV Auxiliary.724    I wish to express my gratitude to our National Executive725Committee and members of the National Legislative Interim726Committee, the Department of California, as well as my Chief of727Staff Enrique Ramos for all of their support. And finally, I728want to thank my beautiful wife Teresa, who has remained a729steadfast partner and supporter of myself and veterans730everywhere.731    Mr. Chairman, I sit before you as a service-disabled732veteran who served as a combat medic and nurse for 16 years. My733path to joining the military was laid well before me. As I saw734my brothers and sisters raise their hands swearing to defend735our Nation and the Constitution, I decided it was my turn. I736intended to enlist as a Navy corpsman, but I found the Army to737be the best bet for me.738    Voices. Hooah.739    The Army offered me an immense opportunity that continues740to pay dividends today. As a medic, it opened up the world of741caring. Once I saw the healing side of service, I knew I was742hooked. When my time in uniform ended, my career helping743veterans was taking flight. Early in my civilian transition, I744reconnected with an Army buddy who introduced me to DAV and the745services we provide. What drew me to this organization more746than anything was a chance to secure justice for my fellow747veterans and make sure that a sacred promise was kept. It was a748new kind of caring, one that doesn't go away as we get older.749    Mr. Chairman, veterans need access to a full continuum of750long-term care and caregiver support. That necessity has grown751substantially and will continue to do so as veterans who served752in America's longest war continue to age. The Department of753Veterans Affairs projects that in 10 years the number of754veterans aged 85 and older will increase by a third and women755veterans in this age group could more than double. To meet756aging veteran needs, the VA offers several caregiver support757programs. However, gaps still exist.758    Veteran caregivers have proved to be life-saving. They759provide some of the most essential support to veterans, putting760in countless hours, often sacrificing their own well-being to761care for another. Many do so by foregoing a traditional career762and at a great cost to their personal health.763    But caregiving isn't without its own costs. Taxpayers764benefit because of the services caregivers provide, which keep765veterans from requiring government-funded assistance. But766studies have shown that over 60 percent of caregivers767experience burnout. We see that in the community we serve and768sadly, most don't know where to turn for help.769    When it comes to caregiving, for me, it is personal. I know770it is an area that needs more focus because I live it as a771veteran and a caregiver to my wife who is battling stage four772cancer. Having this experience that no one asked for provides773insight. I have stood by her side through multiple surgeries,774during chemotherapy, radiation, infusion, and a medical trial.775Like every caregiver I know, I do it all in a heartbeat. And I776know with every fiber of my being that if the shoe were on the777other foot, she would be there for me.778    This is such a crucial area and we need to help veteran779caregivers by providing comprehensive resources, including780training and financial assistance and requiring the VA to offer781more assisted living care options. At DAV, we operate our own782Caregiver Support initiative to help these unsung heroes. Since783its inception in October 2023, DAV Caregiver Support has784connected over 1400 caregivers to a host of public and private785resources.786    While we are exceptionally proud of the success of our787program, the responsibility to provide such support ultimately788rests with the VA. We urge Congress to increase resources for789expanding home-based services and create assisted living790options for service-disabled veterans. This will help us ensure791that veterans can live in their own homes with respect and792dignity.793    Mr. Chairman, another crucial and critical issue for DAV is794ensuring that no toxic-exposed veteran is left behind. American795service members have been harmed by toxic exposures since DAV's796founders returned from the trenches of World War I. With the797help and leadership of these Committees, the PACT Act created798more than 20 presumptive conditions for burn pits and other799toxic exposures. And we thank you for that recognition.800    [Applause.]801    In addition to expanding health care access and benefits to802millions of veterans, they are no longer burdened to prove803their exposures cause these cancers and illnesses. And while804the PACT Act has been transformational, the law does not cover805every toxic-exposed veteran. Those who served at Fort McClellan806and other areas still face an uphill battle to prove their807illnesses is a result of exposure. But doing so can be808impossible, especially years or decades later. And it also did809not include adequate accountability and transparency. That is810why DAV and the Military Officers Association of America811researched the history of presumptive conditions for toxic812exposures and produced a groundbreaking report. And we found813that veterans have been forced to wait, on average, more than81434 years after exposure before VA established presumptives for815benefits and health care. Saying that that is too long is an816understatement of massive proportions. Veterans have died817waiting for justice that eludes their survivors. But if we818continue teaming up, as we did to get the PACT Act to the819President's desk, we can make such injustices a thing of the820past.821    [Applause.]822    We shared our findings and recommendations last September823in our report, ``Ending the Wait for Toxic-Exposed Veterans.''824And based on our findings, we call on Congress to pass825legislation that would expand research on toxic exposures,826launch an independent scientific review process, and establish827a Veterans Advisory Commission. Together, we can help end the828wait for toxic-exposed veterans.829    [Applause.]830    Mr. Chairman, a fully funded VA is absolutely vital to831ensuring ill and injured veterans receive the care and benefits832they have earned. Underfunding or delayed funding can have dire833consequences for veterans who rely on VA disability834compensation or health care. It is not an exaggeration to say835in many cases this is life or death. But efforts have been836hampered from a law Congress passed in 2010 limiting its837ability to increase federal spending. The underlying838principle--that is any new laws must not increase any deficits.839In practice, Congress must now offset new benefits by cutting840existing ones. This arbitrary and black and white rule, known841as pay as you go or PAYGO is dangerous, and it doesn't consider842the needs of veterans when determining where and how tax843dollars are spent. But unlike every other government program,844veterans' benefits and health care have already been paid for845through the sacrifices of those who served, period.846    [Applause.]847    And there are other drastic proposals that seek to balance848the federal budget on the backs of those who guaranteed a free849and prosperous Nation. This is wrong, even under the pretext of850fiscal responsibility. Proposals include taxing VA disability851compensations or phasing out certain unemployability benefits852when veterans reach a retirement age. There is also suggestions853to reduce VA disability compensation levels across the board854for future and current veterans. There is even talk of ending855lower disability payments altogether. As if to say your service856and sacrifice doesn't matter if it doesn't rise to more serious857levels. This idea is perilous, cruel, and deeply flawed. We858hope that you will summarily dismiss this. We appreciate that.859    [Applause.]860    Mr. Chairman, we must ensure that the new administration's861promise of a Golden Age for America strengthens how we care for862our veterans. But we are seeing organized efforts to curtail863what veterans have earned and deserve, a VA that is laser864focused on providing the best possible care and timely benefits865to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. To866follow through on this promise, veterans need Congress in their867corners as they have been in ours. In this gilded era, we must868ensure that veterans benefits are reinforced, not clawed back.869The Department of Veterans Affairs needs to be fully funded and870have predictable budgets. Veterans' health care should be871enhanced and streamlined, all while ensuring VA provides the872right options to meet their evolving needs.873    Together, we have the chance to follow through on the874social contract disabled veterans have earned. And we hope you875will join us in this fight. America is counting on it. May God876continue to bless DAV, the men and women who serve our great877Nation, and the United States of America. Thank you.878    [Standing ovation.]879880    [The prepared statement of Mr. Contreras appears on page 55881of the Appendix.]882883    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Commander Contreras, for your884testimony. And Members, be advised that we, rather than our885normal 5 minutes, we will have 3 minutes for the sheer number886and we have a second panel to get to. But we do want to get to887the questions. And I will recognize myself for 3 minutes with888that.889    Commander, DAV supports my bill, H.R. 740, that is the890Veterans ACCESS Act of 2025, which expands community care891options. Can you explain what this bill would do in support of892our veterans?893    Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Chairman Bost, that is a very894important question and I would like to ask our Legislative895Director, Joy Ilem, to answer that question.896    Ms. Ilem. Thank you, Commander. We appreciate the ACCESS897Act, and I know that for a long time with community care, there898have been a number of issues that have been, needed fixing and899we appreciate the timeliness of that bill that has been900introduced. We appreciate working with your staff on that.901While we have a few provisions that we would like to see902changed, we think overall it is a good bill. We appreciate it.903We want to make sure that veterans, when they have to use904community care, they have timely access to that care and905services and especially specialized services like residential906rehab treatment programs. Thank you.907    Chairman Bost. Thank you for that answer. Commander, next908question is, you know I am grateful first off for the DAV. It's909past support of my legislation that the Veterans Second910Amendment Protection Act, which would ensure that the veterans911with fiduciary--that need fiduciary receive the same due912process rights as every other American before their913Constitutional rights are taken away. Is this legislation914something the DAV will continue to support?915    Mr. Contreras. Thank you once again, Chairman Bost. That is916a very important question. I think you will find that DAV's917position is we are not going to take or support any--anything918that takes away Constitutional rights from our veteran. I think919our National Executive Director, Randy Reese, could even go920further into DAV's position.921    Chairman Bost. Reese.922    Mr. Reese. Thank you, Chairman Bost. Last year we923definitely supported legislation to make sure that veterans'924rights are not abridged and that their Constitution due process925is also protected. We appreciate your legislation. You have us926on board.927    Chairman Bost. I appreciate that very much. With that, I928will now yield to Senator Moran, Chairman Moran, for his929questions.930    Chairman Moran. Chairman Bost, thank you very much.931Commander, great to see you in this setting and thank you for932the conversations that we have had. The PACT Act has been a933topic of conversation in your testimony. The PACT Act, part of934the PACT Act, the Secretary is required to hold quarterly935engagements with VSOs to collaborate with, partner with, and936give weight to the advice of veterans service organizations and937other such stakeholders. What has been the experience, your938experience thus far with the provisions, this provision of the939PACT Act? Could you describe whether these engagements are940taking place and what value they provide to veterans? What type941of insight and feedback are you able to provide the Secretary942on behalf of your members during these engagements?943    Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Ranking Member Moran. That is a944very insightful question and I know that our National Service945Director, Jim Marszalek could provide great insight into that.946    Chairman Bost. Marszalek.947    Mr. Marszalek. Thank you, Commander. Yes. So, the quarterly948updates aren't occurring, right. We do provide--the VA does949meet with us frequently. So we are collaborating a lot, but we950are not getting information we really need. And as you know,951our ending the weight report that we published 34.1 years on952average from the time a veteran is exposed to a time of953presumption is actually established. It is very concerning. It954is way too long. So, we got to do better. And part of the PACT955Act required to study to begin on Fort McClellan and those956exposures and what residual disabilities can be attributed to957those exposures. That study started 30 months ago, and we still958don't have any updates to what is occurring. So, VA does got to959provide more regular updates with more information and be more960inclusive in these studies when we are talking about961establishing----962    Chairman Moran. In addition to providing information, the963goal of that provision is for you to provide information to964them as to how they can better implement the act and care for965more veterans. True?966    Mr. Marszalek. Absolutely, sir.967    Chairman Moran. I appreciate it. Although I am disappointed968by your answer, I appreciate your frankness. And we will work969to see that the VA is doing what the law requires. This thing970of passing legislation is hugely important, but if it is not971implemented to its fullest extent, we are really missing out on972the benefits that we provide. Commander Contreras, what973specific strategies can be implemented to close the gaps in974mental health care for veterans?975    Mr. Contreras. Well, I thank you, again, for your question,976Ranking Member Moran. I believe DAV's position is that there977should be a comprehensive review on how we can do things, not978just one way. And I would say that our Legislative Director,979Joy Ilem, could definitely give you some insight.980    Chairman Moran. Ms. Ilem.981    Ms. Ilem. Thank you, Chairman Moran. VA does a great job on982mental health services, providing mental health services to983veterans, but there is always room for improvement. One program984that we think is an excellent program and initiative is their985firearm safety counseling. We know that so many veterans who do986take their lives unfortunately do so using a firearm. It is987like 72, 73 percent. We have to make sure that those veterans988feel comfortable being able to talk to their provider and get989the access to the counseling that they need to put that time990and distance between them and that firearm during a period of991crisis. And I think that is one initiative that we can really,992VA, can continue to build on.993    Chairman Moran. Thank you for highlighting that program.994Mr. Chairman.995    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator. Ranking Member Takano,996you are now recognized.997    Mr. Takano. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You were a bit998distracted when Senator Blumenthal asked for the VFW calls on999administration Congress to stop indiscriminate firing of1000veterans' statement. Can we have unanimous consent to have it1001entered?1002    Chairman Bost. Without objection, so approved.10031004    [The statement referred to appears on page 213 of the1005Appendix.]10061007    Mr. Takano. Thank you. Commander Contreras, did you see the1008VFW statement last night related to the Trump administration's1009indiscriminate firing of veterans? Have you seen this1010statement? Are you aware of it?1011    Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Ranking Member Takano. We have1012seen that.1013    Mr. Takano. Thank you. Do you agree that the indiscriminate1014firing of thousands of veterans from the federal workforce is1015troubling?1016    Mr. Contreras. DAV is highly concerned with what is going1017on with VA, because we know that that is going to take away the1018expedition of being able to accomplish so many things, not only1019in health care, but on claims processing. I would like to ask1020our Executive Director, Randy Reese, to respond further.1021    Mr. Takano. Well, if you mind, I just want to get through1022some of these questions.1023    Mr. Contreras. Okay. Absolutely.1024    Mr. Takano. Do you agree that the termination of thousands1025of federal employees, including thousands of veterans who are1026continuing to serve our great Nation after taking off the1027uniform, means that American taxpayers are losing technical1028expertise, training, and security clearances that we already1029bought and paid for? That, maybe Mr. Reese can elaborate.1030    Mr. Contreras. Most definitely.1031    Mr. Reese. Thank you, Ranking Member Takano. We view the1032series of actions from return to work, hiring freeze, delayed1033resignation, probationary employee terminations, all is just1034unprofessional acts. That is not how you treat people. You1035don't treat your own staff that way. These are not widgets.1036These are human beings. That has got to end--that has got to1037end.1038    Mr. Takano. Well, thank you. Mr. Contreras, do you--does1039DAV intend to issue its own statement related to this1040destruction of the federal workforce?1041    Mr. Contreras. Can you repeat that question?1042    Mr. Takano. Do you all intend to issue your own statement1043regarding the destruction of the federal workforce through1044these firings?1045    Mr. Contreras. We are actively working on our own1046statement.1047    Mr. Takano. Thank you. This, you know, to my knowledge,1048over 2 million claims under the PACT Act alone, not including1049regular claims, have been processed. And that is because there1050was a surge in hiring at the VBA made possible by the PACT Act.1051I can't name the thousands of claims process that were hired.1052But you are aware that VA told Congress that at the VHA that we1053are short on understaffed by 40,000 employees. Does that seem1054right to you, that number? Joy?1055    Ms. Ilem. Yes, that is what we hear. And you know, just in1056terms of providing, the demand is higher for services. We have1057had the expansion with the PACT Act of veterans coming in. So1058absolutely there is still, we have staffing shortages that have1059been noted by the Inspector General.1060    Mr. Takano. So, the PACT Act made 3.5 million veterans,1061theoretically, eligible for benefits. In just two years, two1062million claims have been processed, made possible by the surge1063in hiring at VA. Now, that they are cutting, VA still tells us1064that more veterans have been made eligible, but that we are1065still short 40,000 hiring, 40,000 employees at the VHA to serve1066those veterans' health care. I fail to see any rhyme or reason1067to these firings. And I want to work with the VA to make sure1068that we hold--well, want to work with the DAV to make sure that1069we hold VA accountable and Congress accountable to make sure1070veterans are served. I yield back.1071    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Ranking Member. Senator King, you1072are recognized. 3 minutes.10731074                    HON. ANGUS S. KING, JR.,1075                    U.S. SENATOR FROM MAINE10761077    Senator King. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would call to the1078attention of the DAV a very troubling paragraph in something1079called Project 2025, which I suspect you have heard of, which1080seems to be the template for this administration's approach.1081Here is the sentence that I hope you will attend to. ``The next1082administration should explore how veterans' reviews should be1083accelerated with clearance from OMB to target significant,1084significant cost savings from revising disability rating awards1085for future claimants.'' And listen to this. ``While preserving1086them fully or partially for existing claimants.'' Mr. Leader,1087how do you feel about that idea?1088    Mr. Contreras. Well, anything that is going to take--1089Senator King, apologize. Anything that is going to take away1090from veterans' benefits, we do not support that. We are aware1091of Project 2025's initiatives, not only to reduce category 71092and 8, also to tax veterans' benefits, or to look at1093unemployment benefits as far as at Social Security age. So, I1094would say that we would not be in, in favor of that. And there1095is one of our critical policy goals and it outlines that we1096need to protect those benefits. And there is, there will be1097great opposition to that. And we had the Secretary visit our1098mid-year conference recently and he stated, and we are going to1099hold him to it, that he is putting veterans first. That would1100not be putting veterans first.1101    Senator King. I appreciate that. We have been talking a lot1102about the layoffs. In fact, combining the hiring freeze and1103normal attrition with the recent layoffs, we are really down1104about 5,000 people at the VA in the last month. Now, the1105Secretary, when he released his statement last night said, in1106fact, veterans are going to notice a change for the better. My1107question to you and to the veterans is tell us if that is what1108you notice? The power is with the veterans, and you need to use1109your voice. It is hard for me to believe that these cuts which1110have been made in the last 20 days, as near as I can tell,1111pretty indiscriminately, are going to change things for the1112better for the veterans. And by the way, talking about1113bureaucracy, in my view, the person that answers the phone can1114be as important as the person that delivers the care.1115    [Applause.]1116    If a veteran calls for a health care appointment and there1117is no one there to answer the phone, that is a denial of1118benefits, just as sure as if they can't see the doctor. So, I1119hope that the people in this room will hold us accountable and1120thereby the Agency, the Department, the new Secretary to truly1121putting veterans first. That is an easy phrase to say, but I1122look at what is actually being done. Thank you, Mr. Chairman,1123for the work you have done.1124    [Applause.]1125    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator. Representative1126Radewagen, you are recognized for 3 minutes.11271128              HON. AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,1129            U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM AMERICAN SAMOA11301131    Ms. Radewagen. Thank you. I want to thank the panel for1132appearing today. Thank the Chairman and Ranking Members. And1133thank you for your sacrifice and service to our Nation.1134Commander Contreras, what are some of the challenges veterans1135face when accessing mental health care at VA? And what role do1136VSOs play in connecting veterans with mental health resources?1137    Mr. Contreras. Representative, thank you very much for that1138question. It is something that, of course, mental health is a1139critical issue, not only from suicide prevention and other1140aspects and alternatives, but I would like to ask our1141Legislative Director, Joy Ilem, to elaborate further.1142    Ms. Ilem. I would just add to that the timeliness is of1143this is essential in terms of mental health services. VA1144provides great services, wraparound, all types of options of1145mental health services, from the crisis line to the vet centers1146to inpatient care. But those specialized services are really1147critical to those who are struggling with PTSD and chronic1148conditions like substance use disorder. And veterans are1149telling us they want to get those services. The demand for them1150is increasing and we need to make sure that we break away those1151barriers to accessing those services.1152    Ms. Radewagen. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield1153back the balance of my time.1154    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Representative. Senator Tillis,1155you are now recognized for 3 minutes.11561157                       HON. THOM TILLIS,1158                U.S. SENATOR FROM NORTH CAROLINA11591160    Senator Tillis. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you all for1161being here. I have to ask the obligatory question. How many1162people are either from North Carolina or spent some time at one1163of our bases? [Applause.] Well, thank you all. Come back and1164visit.1165    I have a quick question. I know, I think it is on page,1166begins on page 17. Some of the things that you all would like1167to consider as enhancements to the PACT Act to make it work. I1168think many of you probably know I voted against the PACT Act,1169but it wasn't for a lack of being a material contributor to it,1170the TEAM Act and the Camp Lejeune toxins language alone. But I1171was worried about the implementation. Now, so, when you answer,1172if you can answer and use the balance of my time, one, I still1173see headwinds on funding. We saw the $3 billion shortfall1174before, and I see more. I see also headwinds on wait times.1175These are all things that I anticipated that hopefully we were1176going to fix before we got passed; didn't happen. So, if you1177could answer that, and I would also like to know, I get the1178narrative about the job elimination. So, I particularly have a1179problem with somebody who is not in the VA suggesting job cuts.1180But now we have Secretary Collins there and I have a lot of1181respect for him. He is an even keel person. He got bipartisan1182support. I think he is going to be a good leader. But if y'all1183can speak, people are talking about gross numbers in an1184organization that has tens of thousands of employees. So if you1185can point to any eliminations that you are aware of today that1186you think are mission-critical to veterans, I would like to1187know that. I don't have that information. I don't know if you1188do yet, but I have requested that. So, tell me a little bit1189about the eliminations. Whether or not you believe they are in1190mission, you have evidence that they are in mission-critical1191operations. And give me some suggestions on homework for how we1192get the PACT Act to where I hoped it was when we passed it--1193when we should have passed it, I should say. And I assume that1194is Mr. Reese.1195    Mr. Reese. Thank you, Senator.1196    Senator Tillis.That was a long-winded question [Laughter].1197    Mr. Reese. Well, in the big picture there are lots of our1198members bringing to our attention that they are leaving the1199workforce from all the different methodologies that have been1200put out there, from return to work, they leave, hiring freeze,1201they leave, delayed, they leave. And now, with this1202probationary period, probably the most concerning to us is we1203would rather have disabled veterans and their spouses1204unemployed than working at the U.S. Department of Veterans1205Affairs. I mean, that is a sad thing to say.1206    Senator Tillis. I agree.1207    Mr. Reese. That is happening.1208    Senator Tillis. I agree with that. But I want to, I am a1209very boring management consultant, fact-based sort of guy. So,1210if you all could provide me with specific instances of mission-1211critical jobs or that situation that you gave me, clearly,1212there is no Republican that is going to be any more comfortable1213with that than a Democrat. But if we can get that information1214on exactly how some of these terminations have affected service1215levels or a threat to wait times, that is very important1216information for the Secretary to have, because I will guarantee1217you, he wants those service levels to be the best they ever1218were. Thank you all for your service. God bless you. Come back1219to North Carolina soon.1220    [Applause.]1221    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator. Congressman Pappas, you1222are recognized for 3 minutes.12231224                       HON. CHRIS PAPPAS,1225             U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE12261227    Mr. Pappas. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I want to1228welcome all the veterans here today. I thank you, Commander,1229for your testimony. I had a great meeting with New Hampshire1230DAV folks last night in my office. So, I want to thank all the1231veterans from the ``Live Free or Die'' State who are joining us1232here today. Those conversations are so important because we1233can't just simply count on VA or Congress to get it right. We1234need the veteran input and feedback along the way. So we look1235forward to future conversations and continuing to shape an1236agenda that is going to make things better for America's1237veterans.1238    I wanted to bring up a piece of legislation that I think is1239critically important. It is a bill that I am going to1240reintroduce this Congress called the GUARD VA Benefits Act,1241which would reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited1242claims representatives or claim sharks who charge unauthorized1243fees for assisting [Cheering]. So you have heard of these guys?1244[Laughter.] They charge unauthorized fees for assisting1245veterans with VA claims. So, I want to applaud DAV's VA1246accredited representatives, the only individuals who are1247authorized to prepare, present, or prosecute VA claims under1248strict regulatory and ethical standards. In contrast, these1249unaccredited representatives operate without such oversight,1250often engaging in predatory practices and prey on veterans. It1251is disgraceful.1252    So VA, in its limited ability, can't enforce the law1253because of the explicit criminal penalties were stripped from1254the law decades ago. We have come across a lot of dubious1255arguments about my legislation, but I would love to hear from1256the veteran perspective about the GUARD VA Benefits Act and the1257need to take on these claim sharks. Commander.1258    Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Representative. That is certainly1259a critical issue with us, especially when not only DAV1260provides, at a national level, free services. We have our1261department service officers, our chapter service officers. I1262came from the world of being a service officer and I know DAV1263is prepared to help in that claims process in any way possible.1264So, we are looking at these predatory actors as really, one,1265not being competent. But also, you are hearing where for a 101266percent claim, veterans are paying $30,000. That is ridiculous.1267So we are asking that there becomes more of a process of being1268able to be accredited with VA and not being able to have access1269to our veterans, their claims or information, and also list who1270is available. We are available and we can handle it. I know1271there has been talk that there are so many claims that are1272going on, but we don't rest on our laurels. We help that one1273veteran and move on to the next one. And that is what we1274believe we can do and get rid of these predatory actors.1275    Mr. Pappas. Well, thank you, Commander, for that1276commitment, for the work that DAV does each and every day. It1277makes a difference. We want to continue to hear from you as we1278do our work here in Congress. I yield back.1279    Chairman Bost. Thank you. General Bergman, you are1280recognized for 3 minutes.12811282                       HON. JACK BERGMAN,1283               U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM MICHIGAN12841285    Mr. Bergman. Thank you. Thanks for all of our witnesses for1286being here. Any Michiganders in the crowd? [Hand claps.] All1287right. Any Yoopers?1288    Voices. Yes.1289    Mr. Bergman. Oh, there has got to be one everywhere. We are1290required to have one. All right, well, very good. You know, I1291am looking forward to working with all of you, continuing. As a1292fellow veteran and served all over the world, I have seen the1293good, the bad, and the ugly of human behavior. But we are a1294free country because our veterans step up and do what we need1295to do to guarantee that we have freedom. So, let us get to the1296business here.1297    Commander Contreras, last Congress DAV endorsed legislation1298that I introduced along with Congresswoman Brownley, the1299Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices or Veterans STAND1300Act. As you might remember, the bill would codify the VA's1301obligation to offer annual examinations for spinal cord injured1302and disabled or SCI/D veterans. Take steps to improve the1303outreach for those who are eligible. Ensure paralyzed veterans1304are able to be assessed and provided with these assistive1305devices. Could you please describe the benefits, if you will,1306of preventative health screenings, so preventative health1307screenings like those provided by the SCI for the SCI/D1308veterans.1309    Mr. Contreras. Thank you, General. We appreciate that1310important question. To fully address the specifics, I am going1311to ask our Legislative Director, Joy Ilem, to respond.1312    Ms. Ilem. Great bill. And we appreciate that. And we1313support making sure that veterans, especially those who have1314catastrophic injuries, spinal cord injuries--have the access to1315all of the services that they need, and new and innovative1316technologies that are coming forward, and those preventative,1317you know, appointments to make sure that they have access to1318know what might be an option best for them, are critical. And1319so we are--we appreciate those provisions being included in the1320bill.1321    Mr. Bergman. Thank you. And you know, we all know that1322there are challenges for the disabled veterans to, when they1323are seeking the--to get, if you will, qualified for and1324assessed for. So, we have to really understand that new1325technology appears every day and we have to be realistic about1326how we advance new technologies to better provide those, you1327know, assisted services for the veterans.1328    Another quick--I see we got about a half a minute left. But1329Commander Contreras, I see that DAV supports legislation1330directing the VA to research and make available effective1331psychedelic compounds for treating mental health conditions and1332traumatic brain injury. For those of you who may not be aware,1333I am the co-chair of the PATH Caucus, Psychedelics Advancing1334Therapies, along with my dear friend and colleague Lou Correa1335from California. Any thoughts or comments on what do you think1336the VA role should play in advancing the promising field in1337that area of medicine through research or whatever?1338    Mr. Contreras. Thank you once again, General, for that1339question. I can say that DAV's position is certainly that we1340should look at alternatives. As I addressed earlier that my1341wife Teresa is going through her challenges and so obviously1342there needs to be some alternative choices. So, psilocybin is1343one of them that that is being introduced with her. But I will1344let our Legislative Director----1345    Mr. Bergman. I see I am over my time, so.1346    Mr. Contreras. Oh, I am sorry.1347    Mr. Bergman. Make it quick.1348    Mr. Contreras. I appreciate it.1349    Mr. Bergman. No, that is okay. Whoever you are going to1350just, but the answer----1351    Ms. Ilem. We----1352    Mr. Bergman. Let us do more research at the VA?1353    Ms. Ilem. Yes. We want to make sure the research is1354available and that VA can expedite that to the field as soon1355as, you know, as long as it is efficacious and it can benefit1356veterans.1357    Mr. Bergman. Yes. We should not discount anything just1358because we don't understand it. That is how we get better. Seek1359to understand before trying to be understood, I think, as1360Stephen Covey said. With that I yield back.1361    [Applause.]1362    Chairman Bost. Thank you, General. Representative1363Cherfilus-McCormick, you are now recognized for 3 minutes.13641365                HON. SHEILA CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK,1366                U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM FLORIDA13671368    Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And1369thank you also to all our witnesses and DAV. And thank you to1370all of our Florida veterans who are here. I see you in the1371crowd, yes.1372    I have real concerns. I feel like we keep focusing on some1373of the cuts that are being made in the firing, but we have to1374look at the cumulative effect. And I proffer that any of the1375cuts that are being suggested that can actually harm our1376veterans should be completely off the table right now. We have1377a contract to our veterans, and we cannot compromise them by1378one of our veterans being hurt.1379    One of the areas that I also want to look at, as I have a1380short amount of time, is focusing on our veterans access to1381long-term care. Long-term care has allowed our veterans to stay1382in their homes and in their communities with respect and1383dignity and with their families. We have a real responsibility1384to protect our veterans. And so, I wanted to talk about the1385Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care program administered by the1386VA and, and how it helps our veterans sustain themselves and1387their families. However, the program is limited to the number1388of veterans who have the service, which doesn't allow all of1389our veterans to live with dignity in their homes when they get1390sick.1391    Ms. Ilem, how have your members benefited from the1392Homemakers and Health Care--Home Health Care Act Program?1393    Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Representative. That is a1394question that touches on one of our critical policy goals. I am1395going to ask our Legislative Director, Joy Ilem, to address1396that.1397    Ms. Ilem. Long-term care options for veterans, a wide1398variety are absolutely essential from that Home Health Aide and1399Homemaker services all the way through community living1400centers. But we have also, in our critical policy goal, asked1401for more assisted living options to again, that might, you1402know, benefit younger veterans who want to be able to live1403independently but still need some help. So, those home health1404services are absolutely essential all the way through, you1405know, to meet the unique needs of each veteran.1406    Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick. One of the largest payers for1407long-term care services is actually Medicaid. In fact, 9.41408veterans rely on Medicaid and there is a proposed budget to1409actually start cutting Medicaid. These are the compounded event1410effects that we are talking about. And so, I also wanted to1411know how could cuts to Medicaid affect DAV members?1412    Ms. Ilem. Certainly, services that are outside that, where,1413you know, a program goes away, can certainly put more stress on1414the VA veterans. More veterans may need to utilize their VA1415services. So, we are always looking at, you know, the impact1416of, I know there is some talk again about Medicare suspension,1417issues--veterans that are Medicare age, and also those that1418perhaps are on Medicaid. So, all of those, if a program goes1419away, veterans still need care. So, they are going to probably1420turn to VA in many cases for that care.1421    Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick. Thank you so much. I just wanted1422to stress before my time is over that any cuts that will affect1423one of our veterans should be off of the table. We have a1424project, a promise to each and every one of our veterans and we1425must stand by that, and we must look at the cumulative effect.1426When we look at the cumulative effect, right now, we are1427looking at tens and thousands of people who have been fired,1428who are being denied of Medicaid, who will now be sitting there1429by themselves trying to provide for themselves. And that is not1430what our country is made for. Thank you. I yield back.1431    [Applause.]1432    Chairman Bost. Congressman Luttrell.14331434                     HON. MORGAN LUTTRELL,1435                 U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM TEXAS14361437    Mr. Luttrell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And since everybody1438else is throwing a shout-out to their state, where are my1439Texans at in the room?1440    Voices. Woo.1441    Mr. Luttrell. All right. There you go. You know, luckily1442for you guys, there is not that many of us, because we have a1443tendency to tear things up. So, if you guys go out drinking1444tonight and get in trouble, call me. [Laughter.] I won't join1445you, but maybe I can call somebody. [Laughter.] And do I have1446any Army Rangers? Are there any Army Rangers in, in the1447audience?1448    Voices. Woo.1449    Mr. Luttrell. That is tragic. I mean, I, it is just in my1450bones and I just cannot. I mean, me and Army Rangers just1451don't--do not get along at all. I mean, y'all's existence1452bothers me. I say that. And the reason I do say that is because1453I have an identical twin brother who was rescued by Army1454Rangers. So, I am indebted to you guys for the rest of my life.1455But, so this is me saying thank you. Just don't repeat this on1456social media. And I am sure nobody in here is paying attention1457to what I am saying anyway.1458    [Laughter.]1459    Mr. Contreras, I don't have anything for you, sir. So you1460are not going to be able to pass the football on me. I am going1461to go straight to Mr. Marszalek, here. Your statements earlier1462today, and you are engaging with the VA and it seems to be as1463if you are kind of hitting a brick wall, and there is no1464responsiveness from the VA. This is the tricky part. So, the VA1465is this big machine. It is this big, glorious machine that we1466lean on as veterans quite a bit. And it is kind of, I love to1467wire brush the VA more than anybody. I do. It is like, I hate1468doing it, but it is absolutely necessary. And I am going to1469provide you some guidance to help out the Members of Congress1470and the Senate. So, when you come to us with this problem set,1471the first thing that when you walk into my office is I am going1472to say, who are you talking to? Like, I need a name. I need a1473timeframe and a window that you are engaging with the VA so I1474can personally, or we can personally with the Chairman and the1475Committee, staff, subcommittee can engage with that particular1476individual directly so it didn't get tossed into the abyss and1477nobody is responsive. Because right now, you are just, you are1478fighting. You are pushing a wet noodle up a hill. I mean, I1479hate to say it, but it is just the absolute truth. So when the1480organization is engaging with, do that for us so we can stand1481alongside you shoulder to shoulder, you know, one team, one1482dream. Right? That kind of thing. All that kind of stuff. And I1483just wanted you to hear me say that to you.1484    So moving forward, as we come out of this, we are moving1485into the next phase of VA leadership with Mr. Collins in the1486direction that he is going to take VA. We can provide guidance1487to him at our level. And then you come up, up and into the1488organization, and we are sitting on this up top and coming1489down, and we meet in the middle, and the veterans are the ones1490that, you know, glory be to God, we increase our quality of1491life. Yep. Is that a good enough deal for you?1492    Mr. Marszalek. Absolutely.1493    Mr. Luttrell. Okay. Don't take that personal, Mr.1494Contreras, I just, that is who I wanted to go to. Mr. Easley,1495do you have anything you want to add? You are not going to come1496all the way up to Washington, DC, sit in front of a couple1497hundred people and not say anything. So, I am going to throw1498you something.1499    [Laughter.]1500    [Applause.]1501    Mr. Easley. Thank you, Congressman.1502    Mr. Luttrell. Yes. You are welcome, buddy. You look lonely1503down--look, I am down here on the end, too. They can't see us.1504I am just saying.1505    Mr. Easley. No, I just want to say, as the National1506Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, the1507family side of the organization, we support our veterans. I1508support my best friend here, Dan Contreras. And, you know, I1509just, I hold my auxiliary members accountable to educate1510members like yourself at their state level and at the local1511level, and the needs of our injured, ill, disabled veterans and1512their families.1513    Mr. Luttrell. Sure. We need that, too. Make no mistake1514about it. Catch us on the road, catch us on the street, in a1515restaurant, at a red light. You are the knowledge base that1516provides information that gives Congress the ability to do our1517job, and that is legislate. Okay? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I1518yield back.1519    Chairman Bost. Representative McGarvey.15201521                     HON. MORGAN MCGARVEY,1522               U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM KENTUCKY15231524    Mr. McGarvey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is a tough act1525to follow. [Laughter.] Appreciate that, Morgan. I am the other1526Morgan on the Committee, so. But I guess if you guys do go out1527tonight, Morgan and Morgan will come get you. [Laughter.] I am1528from Kentucky, though, so I just recommend bourbon be your1529beverage of choice.1530    [Laughter.]1531    Appreciate everybody being here today. Thank you. Thank1532each and every one of you for your service. Each and every one1533of you put on a uniform. Were willing to sacrifice everything1534to serve us. That is a debt for which we can never adequately1535repay you. What we certainly can't do is take away the services1536you have earned that we are already not doing a good enough job1537providing. And last night, when the administration announces1538the indiscriminate firing of 1400 workers at the VA, I was glad1539to see that the VFW stood up and spoke against it. You all have1540always answered the call for service, and so I hate to ask you1541to stand up again, but we must do everything we can to protect1542our veterans. That includes making sure that the people are in1543place so that you get, again, not the services we are giving1544you, the services you have earned, and that we are doing that1545in the right manner.1546    I do want to talk briefly about, Mr. Contreras, a bill I1547put forward called the INNOVATE Act. I think that one thing the1548VA can do is do a better job of incentivizing innovation. We1549have so many great people come through the VA, but we don't1550have that right incentive to innovate. When they do innovate,1551they can do cool things. There was a pilot last year, the1552technology enabled respite home care model pilot. It allowed to1553have a find a home caregiver temporarily and the caregiver to1554pay a substitute at a higher wage than the average home care1555provider's 96 percent veteran satisfaction score and a lower1556cost to the VA.1557    Mr. Contreras, just briefly in the time we have left, would1558you talk about the areas of healthcare your members are most1559concerned about, where they have expressed needs that they have1560and where innovation could require an interesting approach?1561    Mr. Contreras. Well, since you have limited time,1562Representative, I will go ahead and pass that on to Joy.1563    Ms. Ilem. Innovation is key. One of the things VA does very1564well is in best practices and looking at how the delivery of1565care and benefits can be improved to veterans, and that is1566essential to keep looking at that. Mental health is one of the1567key areas. Suicide prevention is on everyone's mind in the1568veteran community, and I know Congress. So there are1569opportunities, again, to look at that through that innovative1570office, Office of Innovation, to make sure that they can1571utilize all of the resources they have and the best minds that1572are out there with new ideas to prevent suicide.1573    Mr. McGarvey. Thank you so much. Know we have got your1574back. We will stand up for you, too. And I yield back.1575    Chairman Bost. Thank you. Representative Hamadeh.15761577                       HON. ABE HAMADEH,1578                U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ARIZONA15791580    Mr. Hamadeh. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you for1581focusing this Committee on putting the veterans first and not1582protecting the bureaucracy. And I want to thank every single1583one of you. As a veteran myself, I am so proud to see so many1584veterans supporting each other. It is a really good sense of1585community. We all put that uniform on with the American flag on1586our shoulder sleeve. Didn't matter what race, religion, or what1587your social status in life was, we all put on that uniform. And1588for that, I thank you and our entire country owes a debt to all1589of you.1590    [Applause.]1591    Now, Commander, President Trump's MISSION Act was, you1592know, really put the veterans in charge of their own healthcare1593decisions. Yet today we are still seeing bureaucratic1594roadblocks that are getting in the way to prevent timely access1595to mental health services. What specific changes would ensure1596veterans can immediately access mental health care in their1597communities without the VA's red tape?1598    Mr. Contreras. Representative, certainly DAV is focused on1599making sure every part of the MISSION Act is implemented. Our1600Legislative Director, Joy Ilem, will give you greater insight1601to DAV's position.1602    Ms. Ilem. I think there are a number of provisions that are1603in the ACCESS Act that are positive and can try to overcome1604bureaucratic delays. And definitely within the community care1605program, we have heard from members, our members. You know,1606when you do have to access care in the community, one of the1607biggest delays is trying to get first connected with the Office1608of Community Care. And so, you know, that will be essential to1609try to do that and to have the providers available that can1610help forward these referrals, make sure that veterans get the1611care when and where they need it.1612    Mr. Hamadeh. Yes, we heard tragically in some other1613committee hearings about loss of life. And we need to get1614better at this because it doesn't matter where you are getting1615help at the VA or a community care, it is all about putting the1616veterans first and ensuring their needs are being met. But1617would permanently codifying access standards help prevent the1618VA administrators from making arbitrary denials that put1619veterans' health at risk?1620    Ms. Ilem. I would just note the access standards are1621reasonable. However, they can always be better. You know, we1622want VA to improve access to services. And I think those, some1623of those details and trying to look at where the holdup is, is1624really where we need to target targeted solutions to, you know,1625overcome those issues.1626    Mr. Hamadeh. Thank you. Chairman, I yield back.1627    Chairman Bost. Thank you. Representative Budzinski, you are1628recognized for 3 minutes.16291630                     HON. NIKKI BUDZINSKI,1631               U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ILLINOIS16321633    Ms. Budzinski. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you to the1634Ranking Member, Ranking Member Takano. It is also great to be1635with Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Blumenthal for hosting1636this hearing today. It is wonderful to be in a room with so1637many veterans and I too want to extend my deepest gratitude for1638your service to our country. Thank you very much.1639    It is crucial that we always listen to what our VSOs have1640to say. And I think that is especially important today in light1641of the extreme uncertainty and actions we have with witnessed1642in these last two months.1643    There is a lot to touch on, but I only have a few minutes1644and would like to focus specifically on our women veterans.1645[Applause.] Thank you. The VA, as you know, is a national1646leader in academic research, health research--providing1647groundbreaking work on advancements in medical treatments,1648technology and training our health workforce. And just as1649important, have been the breakthroughs in the unique care1650required for our women veterans. One of the actions that we1651have seen taken by the Trump administration, including within1652NIH and the VA, is the targeting of research grants that1653includes certain so-called ``trigger words.'' One of these1654words is the word ``women.'' As DAV and many of us here know,1655research on women is already considered underfunded. And now,1656this administration is taking actions to curtail the little yet1657incredibly important research being conducted specifically for1658women's health care.1659    I am very concerned about how these sweeping attacks on1660this research will impact women veterans. I recently spoke with1661members of my own Women Veterans Council at home, including a1662council member working at the St. Louis VA who expressed1663serious concerns that women veterans might lose access to1664essential gender-specific care. One of the things we can all1665agree on is that women veterans face distinct challenges both1666during their military service and afterwards.1667    If you don't mind, it is wonderful to have you here,1668National Commander Contreras. If you don't mind, I will go to1669Ms. Ilem. It is great to see you again. I know the DAV has a1670focus on women veterans and has been a leader in advancing the1671work being done to improve care for them. I have enjoyed1672partnering with the DAV on these issues and am looking forward1673to continuing that fight. But Ms. Ilem, how could banning or1674restricting the use of certain terminology such as the word1675women in VA-sponsored research affect our understanding of1676health impacts and conditions unique to our women veterans?1677    Ms. Ilem. Thank you for that great question and certainly1678that would be extremely disappointing because VA really has1679been a leader in women's health research. No one else in the1680world is doing the research that VA has done over the last, you1681know, especially the last 10 years, looking at wartime related1682service and all of the impact of military service on our women1683veterans.1684    Our reports, our three reports that we have done, the1685latest one, Our ``Journey to Mental Wellness,'' was all focused1686on VA research efforts. And we hope that there will be1687reasonableness and meaning, you know, mindfulness when looking1688at that, because that would be a real detriment to our women1689veterans and the step forward and the progress that has been1690made in providing VA services which every veteran should have1691access to, including our women veterans. But they do remain a1692minority, a statistical minority within the VA. We can't let1693that slip. So thank you for your attention to that and we stand1694ready to work with you.1695    Ms. Budzinski. Thank you. I look forward to working with1696the DAV on this and encourage, again, all of our veterans to1697speak out on these very important issues. So, thank you very1698much. I yield back.1699    Chairman Bost. Representative King-Hinds, you are1700recognized for 3 minutes.17011702                   HON. KIMBERLYN KING-HINDS,1703       U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS17041705    Ms. King-Hinds. Half a day. Good morning. I am from the1706Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 8,000 miles away1707from here. I want to first of all start by saying thank you1708very much for your service. And to the VSO, thank you for your1709fierce advocacy for our veterans. Si Yu'us Ma'ase.1710    I wanted to go back to the previous conversation with1711regards to long-care support for our veterans. Right. So, what1712I am seeing in my district is that families are basically1713having to choose between taking care of their veterans or1714having a job. So folks are literally quitting their jobs to be1715able to provide that long-term care. And I know that this is a1716challenge that is very different in rural communities, in1717comparison to, you know, more urban centers. And so, I wanted1718to kind of hear what your thoughts were with regards to policy1719specific to remote rural communities.1720    Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Representative, for that1721question. Looking at telemedicine as certainly an option, but1722as far as community care, as long as it provides the same1723quality care that it would in an in-house facility. I am going1724to have Joy, our Legislative Director, further elaborate on1725that.1726    Ms. Ilem. Thank you. Great question. I think long-term care1727is on all of our minds. We have a really significantly aging1728veteran population of 65, 75, and 85 years and older. All of us1729will need long-term care, especially service disabled veterans,1730earlier than, usual, the general population. Those veterans1731living in rural and remote areas such as yourself really1732struggle with that access to care. And we are really asking the1733Committee to work on long-term care services and options for1734veterans, to start now to really make this a focus, as well as1735the VA for the near future because it is right around the1736corner where everybody is going to be, you know, really, really1737needing these services to a greater extent.1738    Ms. King-Hinds. Thank you. Looking forward to having this1739continued conversation. I yield back my time.1740    Chairman Bost. Thank you. Representative Morrison, you are1741recognized for 3 minutes.17421743                      HON. KELLY MORRISON,1744               U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM MINNESOTA17451746    Dr. Morrison. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have to begin by1747echoing my colleagues grave concerns with the recent mass1748firing of VA employees. After laying off a thousand employees1749two weeks ago, we found out last night that another 1400 more1750public service were--servants were inexplicably let go. I am1751very fearful that these actions threaten the well-being of our1752veterans in Minnesota. And I would urge Secretary Collins and1753the Trump administration to reconsider and to carefully1754consider the impact these decisions will have on veterans'1755access to care and benefits.1756    Mr. Contreras, I want to thank you and your colleagues for1757your service and for being here today to testify. I had the1758pleasure of meeting with a group of women veterans from DAV of1759Minnesota yesterday, many if not all of whom are here today. I1760want to thank them, again, for traveling here to Washington and1761for taking the time to share their stories with me. According1762to the VA, women are the fastest growing group in the veteran1763population. And as an OB-GYN, a women's health provider myself,1764it is a top priority of mine to make sure the VA is equipped to1765care for women after their service to our country.1766    So, Mr. Contreras or Ms. Ilem, I would like to begin by1767asking you to expand a little bit on your testimony. How do you1768think VA can rethink its suicide risk model and mental health1769care services to account for risk factors that1770disproportionately affect women, like intimate partner violence1771and military sexual trauma?1772    Ms. Ilem. Thank you. Obviously, you have been reading our1773report, and we really appreciate that. That was one of the1774things that we identified early on, and we really wanted to1775highlight. We know that 1-in-3 women experienced military1776sexual trauma. Not that it is just, it also affects our male1777veterans, but we know for a higher percentage within our women1778veteran population. Women veterans deserve to be able to get1779the care, the specialized services and care that they need in1780VA. And VA has worked hard to really increase the providers1781that serve our women veterans to make sure specialists like1782yourself, they have access to them. Because much of the care1783for, you know, women, especially maternity care, is all1784throughout in the community, and so their care can easily be1785fragmented. So, we want to make sure that we are really paying1786attention to those issues and really work on them. And we look1787forward, our staff does, to working with you in the future.1788    Dr. Morrison. Thank you. If I may just briefly follow up.1789You know, as the population of women veterans continues to1790grow, I think we need to be thinking about how we can expand VA1791provider workforce for women's health care so we can cut down1792on wait times for necessary procedures like mammograms and1793hysterectomies. How would you assess VA's current capability to1794provide these types of procedures and what should VA be doing1795to improve in this area?1796    Ms. Ilem. VA has really tried to increase their workforce,1797but we always need Congress to provide oversight and attention1798on that issue. Especially women living in rural communities, VA1799is doing some very specific programming to bring women1800provider, you know, training providers in those rural areas.1801But we know we don't have enough providers for women throughout1802the country and at all locations that are needed. And that1803population is really growing. The last I heard was about1804900,000 enrolled, which is another big leap. So, more and more1805women are getting the word that VA is the place to come for1806care. You are going to get the specialized services that you1807need. Now, we need to make sure those providers are there and1808they can get timely, quality care wherever they live, in the1809community, wherever they live.1810    Dr. Morrison. Thank you, so much. My time has expired. But1811before I yield my time, I just, as the wife of an Army combat1812veteran and a proud American, I want to thank every single1813veteran in this room for your service to our country.1814    [Applause.]1815    Chairman Bost. Thank you. Dr. Miller-Meeks, you are1816recognized for 3 minutes.18171818                 HON. MARIANNETTE MILLER-MEEKS,1819                 U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM IOWA18201821    Dr. Miller-Meeks. Thank you very much, Chair Bost. And I1822don't think Brad Whitmore from Iowa is in the audience today,1823but I do want to shout-out to the over 41,000 veterans we have1824in my congressional district. And I say that having a maternal1825grandfather who was in the Army, my maternal uncle was in the1826Navy, my father was Air Force. Six of the eight kids in our1827family served in the military, one in the Marine, one in the1828Air Force, the rest in the Army. The only branches of service1829my family has not served in is the Coast Guard and the Space1830Force. But I will sign up for the Space Force as well as the1831Army.1832    I think the challenges that you all have presented to us as1833a Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the1834past four years that I have been a member, in regards to1835telehealth, in regards to modernization, getting our EHRs, I1836mean active duty military has a functioning EHR system. That is1837still driving cost in our VA system and it is making it1838difficult for you all to engage in care, engage in care in1839difficult facilities and engaging care in the community.1840    What we have done and promoted in community care is1841especially important. I live in a rural area of Iowa. I have1842lived in, you know, very big areas such as San Antonio, Texas,1843which has a lot of military bases and VA facilities. Worked at1844the VA facility adjacent to Bexar County.1845    But what we have done in community care to provide access1846to veterans who either cannot get into the VA in a timely1847manner or the distance where they live is too cumbersome. We1848have done good work on PTSD and suicide prevention, but we know1849we need to do more. And then let me also say that what we have1850done in trying to get employment opportunities, and this is1851both on the active-duty side as you transition out and for1852veterans who have already transitioned out of the military and1853their spouses, I think it is extremely important work that we1854do. That may be non-traditional VA work, but it is extremely1855important for us in making our veterans whole.1856    Taxes and GI Bill. Need I mention those? But then I am1857going to just ask a question so we can get that done since my1858time is limited.1859    Commander Contreras, the work your organization does in the1860adaptive sports program has done wonders for veterans over the1861years and we are glad to see participating, you know, increase1862over post-COVID. What changes do you think Congress could make1863to make the program to ensure that the benefit could be1864utilized by more veterans?1865    Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Representative, for that1866question. DAV's programs with our Winter Sports Clinic as well1867as our Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic. It is an amazing event1868and I would like to ask our Voluntary Service Director John1869Kleindienst to address your question.1870    Mr. Kleindienst. Thank you, Commander. Adaptive sports is1871absolutely a life-changing event. There are many in this room,1872many watching today whose lives have changed for the better as1873a result of DAV and VA's involvement with adaptive sports, more1874specifically the Winter Sports Clinic and the Golf Clinic. I1875think awareness for the types of programs and activities in the1876adaptive sports arena could be highlighted and leaders like1877yourselves, executive leaders at VA, and their attendance and1878awareness and education about what we are doing at that event1879are truly rehabilitative. They are not athletes. They are1880coming to a rehabilitative event to get reintroduced into an1881activity they did pre-injury. So, I just think awareness and1882education and allowing the funding for these types of events to1883take place is of the utmost importance.1884    Dr. Miller-Meeks. I thank you for that. We have a Quad1885Cities Veterans Outreach Program in Scott County which is all1886voluntary, which recently public--purchased a school system1887from the city which now has a program for adaptive sports. And1888I think it is going to, it has done worlds of benefit for our1889veterans. I could not be a Member of Congress if it were not1890for you all. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for all1891you do in defending our freedoms, our liberties, and our1892Constitution. I yield back.1893    [Applause.]1894    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Dr. Miller-Meeks. Senator Hassan,1895you are recognized for 3 minutes.18961897                   HON. MARGARET WOOD HASSAN,1898                U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE18991900    Senator Hassan. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair and Ranking1901Member. I want to start by just acknowledging all the veterans1902who made the trip here today and especially give a shout-out to1903the Granite State veterans who are in the room. I am also here1904as the proud daughter of an infantry sergeant from World War II1905and am particularly grateful to all of the Army veterans here1906in the room.1907    Voices. Woo.1908    Senator Hassan. I would also like to join others who have1909expressed concern about the recent firings at the VA. One1910thousand a couple of weeks ago, 1400 just last night. And I1911think what I would like to say to Mr. Musk is this isn't1912Twitter, it is the VA.1913    [Applause.]1914    To Commander Contreras, I want to see if we can get through1915two questions here. I want to start off by thanking DAV for its1916advocacy on behalf of veterans and especially toxic-exposed1917veterans. I was happy to work with my colleagues to develop and1918pass the PACT Act, but I know, just as the DAV does as well,1919that more needs to be done to help toxic-exposed veterans get1920the benefits that they have earned and deserve. Unfortunately,1921as DAV has noted, it takes the VA too long to formally1922acknowledge toxic exposures. Commander, can you please discuss1923the importance of ensuring that processes are in place to1924quickly and fairly process veterans' claims for toxic1925exposures?1926    Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Representative. That is a very1927important issue, and it is one of our critical policy goals.1928And you can see that we worked with MOAA to establish the1929Ending the Wait report, which indicates that there is a lot1930that Congress can do in order to avoid this long delay. It1931takes too long to establish presumptives. And if you can see in1932our critical policy goals, that is a key issue that we believe1933by preempting and studying these things in advance, we could1934provide our veterans, in presumptive conditions, more expedient1935services.1936    Senator Hassan. Thank you very much for that. And I now1937want to follow up on one of the areas that Representative1938Morrison was talking about. And it may be to you, Commander1939Contreras, or maybe Ms. Ilem. In your written testimony, you1940discussed the fact that suicide rates among women veterans have1941been steadily rising. And in DAV's report on women's veterans'1942mental health, DAV identified that women veterans have several1943unique risk factors for suicide. Commander, can you describe1944the importance of tailoring outreach and services to women's1945veterans and how that can help address the mental health needs1946that these veterans may have?1947    Mr. Contreras. Thank you, again, for that question. As you1948alluded to, this is our third report, this one being the1949``Journey to Mental Wellness.'' Let us definitely have our1950Legislative Director, Joy Ilem, address that.1951    Senator Hassan. Great, thank you.1952    Ms. Ilem. Just very quickly, we appreciate your attention1953to that report and our real concern over women veterans and1954mental health and some unique risk factors, especially military1955sexual trauma--making sure that that is in VA's protection1956predictive model. We know that veterans are at higher risk who1957have experienced MST.1958    Senator Hassan. Right.1959    Ms. Ilem. And so, therefore, we want to make sure that is1960part of that predictive model so there can be outreach to them1961with a focus on prevention.1962    Senator Hassan. Thank you very much. And Mr. Chair, with1963just a moment of privilege, I will follow up on what my1964colleague on the other side of the aisle said. My dad, the1965World War II veteran, used to ask us at the breakfast table,1966what are you doing for freedom today? Which when you are in1967fourth grade, is kind of a hard question to answer [Laughter].1968But it just always reminds me he had the right to ask it. Thank1969you for everything you have all done for our freedom. Thank1970you.1971    [Applause.]1972    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator. Commander, thank you for1973being here. I want to express this to you, but I am also going1974to express it to Mr. Reese and Ms. Ilem. As we see these1975changes and the conversation as they go on, if you see a1976reduction in any service that is due to the change into this1977administration's made, or if you see or hear of someone1978specifically that has been relieved and or let go of their1979duties that you think is something that we should hear, my1980office, you know, is always open. The job of this Committee is1981to make sure that the veterans are provided for, as I said1982before, not that the bureaucrats are protected, but making sure1983that the services that is provided through the VA are for our1984veterans to make sure that they are taken care of. And I want1985to thank all of you, the Disabled American Veterans, for being1986here today, for what you have done, and what you continue to1987do. And I want to thank the audience members for coming in from1988every corner of this United States. And with that, we are going1989to move to the second panel. But here are some instructions1990that I need to give to you, please, because after 11 years of1991being around here, I understand how this room works. If you1992would, your exit, please, this way, so that the next panel can1993come in this way for the flow of traffic. Thank you again for1994being here. God bless you all.1995    [Applause.]1996    Mr. Contreras. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Ranking1997Member Takano.19981999                              ----------20002001    Chairman Bost. The Committee will come back to order. We2002would like now to welcome our second panel. I want to thank you2003all for being here. Now, we have a lot of important2004organizations to hear from on this panel, so let's get right to2005it.2006    Today we are joined by the National Commander Horace2007Johnson of AMVETS. We are also joined with Mr.--by Mr. Jack2008McManus of the Veterans--Vietnam Veterans of America.2009    Mr. Robert Olivarez. Do I say right? Well, no, with--with2010boast. You know that it is not boast, it is Bost. So I want2011yours to be right. How is--it is not close enough, but get it2012right.2013    Mr. Olivarez. It is Olivarez.2014    Chairman Bost. And now I am still going to say it wrong,2015but that is all right. That way you put it down. He is of our2016Military Order of the Purple Heart.2017    Mr. Paul Mimms of the Blind Veterans Association. Thank you2018for being here with us.2019    Mr. William Hubbard of the Veterans Education Success.2020    Ms. Nancy Menagh of the Gold Star Wives of America.2021    Mr. Matthew Schwartzman of Reserve Organization of America.2022Again, welcome to all of you and to all of your members in the2023audience.2024    Mr. Johnson, you are now recognized for 5 minutes for your2025opening statement.20262027                            PANEL II20282029                              ----------20302031                  STATEMENT OF HORACE JOHNSON,2032                   NATIONAL COMMANDER, AMVETS20332034    Mr. Johnson. Well, thank you, sir. Chairman, Ranking2035Members and Members of the Committee, the challenges facing2036veterans aren't new, but recent actions making them worse.2037Right now, veterans working at the VA are losing their jobs.2038Veterans owned small businesses are losing contracts and2039critical services are being cut without a clear plan and2040without accountability.2041    The Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, is making2042sweeping changes in the name of reform, but real reform means2043fixing what is broken, not breaking what works. The VA needs2044improvement, but not reckless cuts are not--but reckless cuts2045are not the answer. Veterans should not bear the brunt of2046mismanagement. Congress must step in before these changes do2047lasting damages.2048    At the same time, while resources disappear in the name of2049efficiency, the VA mental health budget has grown from $6002050million at the start of our Iraqi and Afghanistan wars to over2051$17 billion in 2025. Yet veteran suicide rates remain2052heartbreakingly high. This crisis isn't about a lack of2053funding; it is about misplaced priorities. Billions are wasted2054on ineffective programs, bureaucracies and contracts that2055overpromise and underdeliver. And while that money disappears,2056veterans are left without the care they need. This has to2057change.2058    Veterans is calling for a real solution. We propose the2059Veterans Continuum of Wellness, a framework designed to tackle2060the root causes of mental health struggles. It focuses on early2061intervention, self-sufficiency and long-term wellness. It2062explains access to alternate therapies, including peer-led2063counseling and community-based support, giving veterans more2064options beyond traditional VA care and pharmaceuticals. Because2065when a veteran is struggling, they don't need to be put on a2066waiting list, another waiting list, they need help when they2067ask for it.2068    Another issue that has been overlooked for far too long is2069traumatic brain injury, TBI. Since 2000, nearly a half a2070million service members have suffered at least one TBI each2071year. Over a hundred thousand veterans seek VA care for TBI,2072yet too many are given medical issues instead of--medications--2073instead of real treatment. Businesses, excuse me, businesses2074are shut out. Congress must increase competition, remove2075barriers for veteran-owned businesses and hold contractors2076accountable.2077    There are other urgent issues. Surviving spouses and2078children of service members receive far less DIC payments than2079other civilian counterparts. This must change. The Richard Star2080Act must pass so that medically retired combat veterans can2081receive both their full retirement pay and disability benefits2082without penalty. Far too long, veterans and their families have2083been told to wait while billions are wasted. Veterans are still2084dying by suicide. Veterans with TBI are still searching for2085solutions. Veteran-owned small businesses are still being shut2086out while corporate profits from failed projects. We cannot2087keep on doing the same thing. Congress must act now. Our2088legislative priorities will ensure every veteran has the2089opportunity to thrive.2090    At the same time, Congress must hold underperforming2091contractors accountable, support veteran owned businesses and2092prioritize competition and innovation. AMVETS stands ready to2093help with Congress, the administration and the VA to make real2094reform happen. Veterans need more--don't need more bureaucracy.2095They don't need more failed programs. They need leadership.2096They need vision. They need real results. The time is now.2097Thank you.20982099    [The prepared statement of Mr. Johnson appears on page 892100of the Appendix.]21012102    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Mr. McManus, you are2103recognized for 5 minutes for your opening statement.21042105STATEMENT OF JACK MCMANUS, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, VIETNAM VETERANS2106                           OF AMERICA21072108    Mr. McManus. Morning, Chairperson, esteemed Members of the2109joint House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs and2110fellow veterans in the room. VVA remains steadfast in our2111mission to advocate for the rights, health and well-being of2112all veterans who have served. We are driven by the commitment2113that has guided our organization since its founding.2114    Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon2115another. To divide one's veteran service based upon the2116distinction in time and location at the expense of another2117veteran's equally honorable service is an injustice to both2118veterans. Could we really believe that the sacrifices of the2119veterans lost in the Beirut barracks at the embassy in Benghazi2120were any less a sacrifice than those lost in Al-Fallujah in2121Iraq or Khe Sanh in Vietnam? We are American veterans first,2122last and always.2123    Foremost, I must address an urgent matter. That is the need2124for a full accounting of U.S. personnel categorized as2125prisoners of war or missing in action from the War in Vietnam.2126The families of those service members deserve the answers. And2127you, the Members of this Committee, multiple committees,2128representing the American people, owe it to our former fallen2129comrades to ensure every effort is made to bring them home. We2130call on Congress to fully fund and prioritize efforts to2131recover and account for our missing service members in all2132Vietnam War combat areas. Diligent recovery efforts are2133imperative and must continue at a fast pace at potential sites2134which have been altered by construction and by land2135reclamation.2136    America has made an oath to never abandon our fellow2137veterans. In keeping this promise, do not allow this time and2138opportunity to slip away.2139    The health and safety of our veterans and their descendants2140should be a paramount concern for all veterans--all Americans,2141excuse me. Therefore, we ask for comprehensive studies to2142identify and potentially resolve the negative effects of toxic2143exposures on veterans and their descendants. In this, we hope2144to identify best practices that will mitigate or eliminate2145future toxic exposures.2146    Thousands of Vietnam veterans were exposed to Agent Orange2147in the water and on the ships outside the current 12-mile2148nautical limitation. We call for amendment of the Blue Water2149Navy Act of 2019 to extend this arbitrary man-made limit. If2150you served in the Vietnam theater of combat operations and are2151entitled to receive the Vietnam Service Medal, you should be2152presumed exposed.2153    1,120 women volunteered to serve with the Red Cross during2154the Vietnam War. 627 of those women worked as Donut Dollies and2155three of them never made it home from Vietnam. Providing2156critical morale boosts to our soldiers, these Donut Dollies2157traveled by helicopter to forward operating positions as well2158as in the rear.2159    We call for recognition of their perilous volunteer service2160by awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Donut Dollies.2161I implore this Committee to introduce this long overdue2162legislation. As a personal aside, it would be very important2163and very critical if we could get the Members of this Committee2164to sponsor and introduce the legislation for the Congressional2165Gold Medal for the Donut Dollies.2166    Finally, we adamantly oppose any proposed dilution or2167expansion of the criteria for which the DoD Gold Star2168designation lapel button is awarded. It should always be for2169our Nation's aspiration to have fewer Gold Star families, not2170more. We are opposed to any efforts to diminish the noble and2171selfless sacrifice of those lives ended in military conflict.2172    Thank you for the opportunity to testify. VVA is keen to2173work with Congress on behalf of our veterans. More of our2174priorities can be found in our written testimony.21752176    [The prepared statement of Mr. McManus appears on page 1002177of the Appendix.]21782179    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. McManus. Mr. Olivarez, you2180are recognized for 5 minutes.21812182STATEMENT OF ROBERT OLIVAREZ JR., NATIONAL COMMANDER, MILITARY2183                   ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART21842185    Mr. Olivarez. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman Bost, and2186Ranking Member Blumenthal, and distinguished Members of the2187Veterans' Affairs Committee. I am honored and humbled to2188represent America's Purple Heart veterans in addressing you2189today.2190    I would like to begin by congratulating the new Members of2191Congress and expressing my gratitude to those who have returned2192to serve and enhance the quality of life for our Nation's2193veterans. With the collective efforts, I am confident that the2194119th Congress will make significant stride in supporting our2195Nation's heroes. The 118th Congress passed pivotal legislation2196such as the VA Accountability Act, PACT Act, and the Compact2197Act, which have made substantial improvements in various2198aspects of the American veterans life. This foundation will2199undoubtedly guide our progress during the 119th Congress.2200    Our Nation's veterans answered a call to protect us from2201the darkest threats the world has to offer. We implore you,2202this Committee, and the rest of Congress to consider passing2203further legislation that addresses and presents needs of our2204veterans.2205    We, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, ask for your2206support in the following. First, the Military Medals Protection2207Act, which George Washington established as the Badge of Merit,2208which is the precursor to today's Purple Heart. Recognizing the2209profound significance of military honors. This act grants the2210Department of Defense exclusive trademark authority over all2211military medals, safeguarding them from exploitation and2212preserving their symbolic value. Commercializing or misusing2213these symbols diminishes their essence. The 113th Congress2214recognized this sacredness when they passed the Stolen Valor2215Act. Let's collaborate and expand their protection and restore2216the trade word marks to DoD, ensuring their unimpaired2217safeguard.2218    Second, the National Green Alert Act. H.R. 175-2017 aims to2219create a specialized alert system for missing veterans. The2220purpose of the system is to leverage a successful existing2221alert system like the Amber Alert and Silver Alert, which have2222demonstrated high recovery rates. The Green Alert system would2223provide critical response tools to enable specialized response2224to include public education components to address the unique2225challenges faced by veterans in crisis.2226    Third, the Healthy Heroes Act. This act addresses veterans2227healthcare crisis including mental health, substance abuse and2228homelessness. This act would introduce changes to health--the2229VA health care by embracing alternative treatments such as2230holistic approaches and comprehensive mental health services.2231The Military Order of the Purple Heart also requests Congress2232to expand on the VA dental health care qualifications for all2233veterans.2234    Finally, the Fulfilling the Legacy Act seeks to rectify a2235systematic failure that has been affecting all veterans2236financial security. Consider the story of a 92-year-old Purple2237Heart recipient who diligently paid survivor's benefit premiums2238for decades only to lose $50,000 in premiums when his wife2239passed away. This is not an isolated incident but a clear2240indication and a need for action. This act modernizes the2241survivor's benefit plan, ensuring that veterans investments in2242their families futures are protected. The military retirees2243have already met all requirements and have earned health care2244benefits. So the Military Order of the Purple Heart opposes any2245changes to TRICARE for Life or VA disability benefits that2246would increase the fees and shift costs from the Department of2247Defense to retirees over 65 years of age who rely on TRICARE2248for Life and those who rely on their VA disability2249compensation.2250    The cost of inaction extends beyond monetary losses. It2251involves the loss of life, shattered families and broken2252promises. Each day, 44,000 families, or 44 families, tragically2253lose a veteran to suicide for our delays. Every night, 33,0002254veterans who valiantly defended our Nation find themselves2255sleeping on our streets. On top of that, countless military2256families face financial insecurities due to outdated benefit2257systems. Continuing to allow companies to profit while2258penalizing a Nation's heroes who earned these benefits2259diminishes the sacrifices made by America's warriors.2260    These four acts the Military Order of the Purple Heart2261presents are more than mere policy changes, but they embody our2262sacred moral obligation to those who have served. The Military2263Order of the Purple Heart proposes these acts for American2264veterans to secure their health care for their families'2265futures. Each piece of legislation addresses critical gaps in2266support for veterans. George Washington recognized the2267importance of honoring those veterans who served under him. We2268must too recognize our duty to today's veterans. The 119th2269Congress holds the opportunity to transform how America cares2270for its heroes. Let us set aside partisan politics and focus on2271the issue at hand. The Military Order of the Purple Heart is2272seeking your support and collaboration on these presented acts,2273and also remember to ``Honor the Contract.''22742275    [The prepared statement of Mr. Olivarez appears on page 1152276of the Appendix.]22772278    Chairman Bost. Thank you. Mr. Mimms, you are recognized for22795 minutes.22802281    STATEMENT OF PAUL L. MIMMS, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, BLINDED2282                      VETERANS ASSOCIATION22832284    Mr. Mimms. Good morning, Chairman Bost, and Chairman Moran,2285and Ranking Members Blumenthal and Takano, and the other2286esteemed Members of the congressional Veterans' Affairs2287Committee. The Blinded Veterans Association is honored to2288present our legislative priorities for the coming year as we2289approach, on March 28th, the anniversary of our 80th year of2290existence.2291    What I want to talk to you about today is the ways in which2292America's blinded veterans are continuing to be underserved and2293disenfranchised. And I present that to you by describing myself2294to you, presenting myself to you as a blinded veteran who2295served in Vietnam and was injured there, a former employee of2296the Department of Veterans Affairs as a vet center counselor2297and later computer skills instructor, and eventually a visual2298impairment services team coordinator. And now I am a consumer2299of medical care from my local VA medical center.2300    A day in the life of just trying to get a primary care2301appointment, I will present to you, and the first barrier we2302encounter is transportation. The VA has inadequate2303transportation resources available to blind veterans. What we2304do have provided by the VTS service is that we may actually2305have our appointment canceled the night before, if not the day2306of the appointment. We now have to scramble to try to figure2307out how to get there. Once we get there, we get to the waiting2308room and very often somebody is going to walk out, call my name2309and then walk up to me and say, here, fill this out and hand me2310a clipboard, which of course I can't see. Then when I finally2311get in at my appointment, they are going to give me yet another2312sheaf of papers and say, here is your treatment plan and your2313follow up plan. And so go over that and you know, I will see2314you in six months.2315    Okay. Then I leave there, I go to labs, or I go to2316pharmacy, both are going to be the same thing. I am required to2317take a number from where? And so it is not obvious and if there2318is nobody there to help, there is, now I got to find somebody2319else that is sitting there and hopefully there is somebody so I2320can ask them where do I get my number? Okay, now wait, tell2321me--can you tell me what it is? So that system is not for us,2322but yet we get through that. And when we go to pharmacy after2323we put in our prescriptions, we are sitting in the lobby with2324everybody else, and what we are tasked with doing is waiting to2325see our name on the screen, although we can't, so we got to ask2326somebody else, you know, to find my name if the pharmacy2327doesn't come up with a way in order to inform us that we will2328notify you when your name comes out so you can come up and pick2329up your meds.2330    After we leave to go to the window in order to apply for2331transportation reimbursement because we had to pay our own way2332to get there, then they say, well you are going to have to use2333the website. So I tell them the website is not accessible.2334Well, I am sorry, we can't help you. Yet another barrier.2335    And so that, that is just a day in the life of what we go2336through and as blinded veterans, and I am not unique in that.2337And so as I want to say one more thing about me and that is2338that I am a guide dog handler. And as such, for the last three2339administrations, we have been waiting for the VA to implement2340their own mandated program that would have established a person2341called Service Dog Champion at every VA facility. And they have2342yet to do that. And for the few that are on duty, there is no2343such thing as the training program for them. There is no such2344thing as the guidance for them. So our very--our expectations2345have to be very low in terms of them delivering the service2346that is supposed to come from that program. Another barrier.2347    So we--I don't want you to think that I am a blinded2348veteran and therefore I have a disability and so I want2349everything my way. It is far from that. We served like2350everybody else served, and we served you. In front of me and2351every other veteran in this room, we served alongside them and2352the country. We served on behalf of them. And so we deserve, as2353blind veterans, the same level of dignity, respect,2354sensitivity, and we need to be treated as much of a human being2355as everybody else who doesn't have an obvious different2356abilities.2357    My abilities are different now than they were when I was2358inducted, as I have been discharged. And those different2359abilities don't mean that therefore I have a different level of2360respect and service that I should be able to expect as I try to2361access VA's programs.2362    So I am advocating right now for you to continue the2363funding for blind rehabilitation service. I can tell you there2364is nothing in the general community that will come anywhere2365near the level of service that we get from that program, and we2366desperately need that in order to be able to take our place in2367society alongside our sighted peers and our family members and2368our fellow veterans--being able to serve in the community as2369husbands, fathers, brothers, and taxpayers. And I want to make2370sure that we have continued funding for vision research through2371Senate appropriations. I want the VA to engage on a program2372that would just come up with training for the ways that they2373need it.2374    Once I mentioned that VA employees don't know how to guide2375us. So when we go to a clinic appointment, they are going to2376grab our thumb, wrist, my clothes, my dog's leash, the cane,2377and whatever they can think of that they are supposed to grab2378so they can lead us, when in reality they just need to offer us2379an elbow and we can take that and it is all done. But the VA2380doesn't see it makes sense to teach them that. And so I ask for2381that education. Education for the service dog champions.2382    And last, but not least, we advocate vigorously for the2383establishment of the Federal Committee--Federal Advisory2384Committee on Access. And more so, we advocate for having a seat2385at that table because we finally need now the opportunity to2386speak up for ourselves instead of having people decide, oh,2387this is what they need, so just give them this so they will be2388quiet.2389    So I thank you for this opportunity to present to you, and2390I offer the opportunity to answer any of your questions.23912392    [The prepared statement of Mr. Mimms appears on page 120 of2393the Appendix.]23942395    Chairman Bost. Thank you Mr. Mimms. Mr. Hubbard.2396    Mr. Mimms. Thank you.2397    [Applause.]2398    Chairman Bost. Mr. Hubbard, you are recognized for 52399minutes.24002401 STATEMENT OF WILLIAM HUBBARD, VICE PRESIDENT FOR VETERANS AND2402          MILITARY POLICY, VETERANS EDUCATION SUCCESS24032404    Mr. Hubbard. Thank you. Chairman Moran and Bost, Ranking2405Members Blumenthal and Takano, and esteemed Members of the2406Committee on Veterans' Affairs, thank you for the opportunity2407to testify today on behalf of Veterans Education Success. We2408thank you for your long-standing leadership, especially2409Chairman Moran, Senator Cassidy, and Ranking Member Takano, for2410closing the 90/10 loophole.2411    Our organization works on a bipartisan basis to advance2412higher education success for veterans, service members, and2413military families and to protect the integrity and promise of2414the GI Bill and other federal post-secondary education2415programs. The stakes are high. Veterans and taxpayers alike2416deserve a return on their investment in higher education.2417    While most U.S. colleges are honorable and good, some are2418not, but VA continues to approve them anyway. For example,2419there is roughly 100 colleges that spent less than 20 percent2420of the tuition they charged VA on actually educating veterans.2421And predictably, these schools have abysmal outcomes. One2422veteran told us, ``There are issues such as schools replaying2423free web seminars as their own training and using unqualified2424people to lead the classes. They literally go to YouTube, find2425the free course by someone, then they play that during the Zoom2426meeting and call it training. Everything they are doing could2427have been done by me for free. They also attempted on two2428occasions to place me in classes that are not part of the2429program and do not serve a purpose except to show me in2430class.''2431    A couple of years ago, student veterans and whistleblowers2432reported a different school to us, a school pretending to be a2433legitimate Bible college, which, as the students described, was2434actually a cult. We interviewed the students and teachers and2435provided a comprehensive memo to VA, and yet the school2436continued to receive GI Bill funding for another two years. The2437school even continued to receive GI Bill funding a full three2438months after the FBI raided the school's locations across the2439country.2440    Transitions between military service and civilian life are2441challenging enough as it is, even in the best of times. I have2442personally made this transition multiple times between active-2443duty service and the civilian world after several overseas2444deployments, including my last tour in Afghanistan in 2018 and24452019. When veterans apply to use their GI Bill at a training2446program or college, they don't think, gosh, this is going to be2447such a scam. No, of course they think they are investing their2448time, energy, and valuable GI Bill benefits in something2449worthwhile. Yet we hear from veterans and their families time2450and time again, why would VA approve this program in the first2451place? And that really is a question for Congress to ponder.2452    Our written testimony suggests some common sense standards2453to prevent this kind of fraud in the first place.2454    One, ensure teachers are qualified to teach in their2455subjects.2456    Two, require colleges to prove they are financially stable2457and won't suddenly collapse.2458    Three, require colleges to spend the GI Bill on the2459veteran's education rather than siphoning it off for massive2460marketing budgets.2461    Four, stop colleges from overcharging repackaged content, a2462hit to veterans and taxpayers alike.2463    Five, no more YouTube lectures. Require real instructor2464engagement in online classes.2465    A related and worst problem is that if a veteran was2466defrauded of their hard earned GI Bill benefits, that veteran2467will never get their GI Bill back. Unlike traditional students2468who can apply to be made whole, the veteran is left out. Last2469year, the House voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Student2470Veteran Benefit Restoration Act, a bill sponsored by2471Congresswoman Delia Ramirez and championed by Chairman Mike2472Bost, both members from Illinois, where I grew up. We need to2473pass this bill this year.2474    Before I close, I want to briefly mention two additional2475priorities. First, on the Dole Act, we provide some suggestions2476and our written testimony for some possible technical2477improvements. And second, we call for much better interagency2478data sharing by VA to answer critical questions on veterans2479outcomes.2480    Thank you for your time and commitment to these issues. I2481look forward to your questions.24822483    [The prepared statement of Mr. Hubbard appears on page 1372484of the Appendix.]24852486    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Hubbard. What amazement is it2487that the two set people sitting at the dais are the ones that2488are sponsors of your bill?2489    Mr. Hubbard. I appreciate it.2490    Chairman Bost. With that, Ms. Menagh, you are recognized2491for 5 minutes for your opening statement.24922493 STATEMENT OF NANCY MENAGH, PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT, GOLD STAR2494                     WIVES OF AMERICA, INC.24952496    Ms. Menagh. Chairman Bost, Ranking Members, and Committee2497members, thank you so much for inviting us to testify this2498year. This year marks 80 years that Gold Star Wives of America2499has worked with Congress to bring attention to surviving2500spouses and their families.2501    In our written testimony, we address our many concerns2502concerning toxic exposure, traumatic brain injuries in relation2503to suicide, claims for suicide and their issues, and the burial2504allowance and many other issues facing veterans and their2505families. But today we are here to focus on the Caring for2506Survivors Act of 2025. The first part of the bill will match2507dependent indemnity compensation, known as DIC, closer to2508benefits in other federal survivor programs. And the second2509part will ensure surviving family members receive the financial2510help they deserve if their veteran dies at the 5-year mark2511instead of the 10-year mark if they die of a condition not2512deemed part of their disability.2513    My husband, Captain Philip Menagh, served in Vietnam with2514the Marine Corps, where he earned the Silver Star, the Navy2515Commendation Medal with Valor, and the Navy and Marine Corps2516Medal. He then later joined the Virginia National Guard. On2517June 9, 1984, I was 8 months pregnant, and our four children2518stood at the window, 10, 8, 5, and 3, each holding a dollar2519bill, listening for the ice cream truck. My 8-year-old suddenly2520yelled, mom, mom, there is a police car with two Army guys. As2521I stood waiting for that knock at the door, I knew our lives2522had changed forever. I am now one of the many survivors who2523rely on DIC.2524    Currently, over 93 percent of those who receive DIC are2525over the age of 57 and over 70 percent are surviving spouses of2526Vietnam. Whether an active-duty death or a slow Agent Orange2527death years later, it is this demographic who needs this2528increase in DIC. Of all those who receive DIC, only around 152529percent also receive DIC and SBP. Those who receive only DIC2530are primarily those who are married to our Vietnam veterans.2531    Well, what does this increase mean to us? Let's look at the2532numbers. A married 100 percent disabled Vietnam veteran2533receives an annual amount of $48,532. If that veteran dies, the2534household income drops to a mere $19,836. The rent remains the2535same, the utilities remain the same, and yet that spouse now2536has less than half of the monthly income to maintain that2537household. And that is because their surviving spouse rate is2538only 43 percent of what a single 100 percent disabled veteran2539receives. To bring parity with other federal employing programs2540by raising that amount to 55 percent is really a very small2541price to pay for the sacrifices made for those who served in2542Vietnam and their families. Certainly the sacrifice made by our2543service members are at least as important and worthy as other2544federal employee jobs. Been a lot of talk today about federal2545jobs.2546    While my husband is the one who made the ultimate sacrifice2547for our country, it is me, the surviving spouse, who continues2548to pay that price each and every day for the rest of my life. I2549wear the Silver Star my husband earned to remind me every day2550of who he was, what he did, and how to continue his life of2551service. Our country drafted thousands and thousands of young2552men to serve in Vietnam, and now it is time to show our respect2553for them by taking care of their families left behind. It is2554part of the price tag for their sacrifice, and it is a very2555small price to pay.2556    The second part of the Caring for Survivors Act of 20252557addresses the surviving families of 100 percent disabled2558veterans. Currently, only the families of a veteran rated 1002559percent for 10 years receives benefits in the situation of a2560death deemed not caused by the disability. This bill reduced2561the 10-year qualification to 5 years, thus providing benefits2562to those families who have put their lives on hold caring for2563those veterans every day.2564    You can pass the Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 to2565provide just a little more financial ability to pay the bills,2566to buy that extra bag of groceries, or fill a tank of gas. It2567is no secret how our Vietnam veterans were treated when they2568came home. You can send a message to them that we recognize and2569thank them for their sacrifice and now we will do better to2570take care of the family they leave behind.2571    For 80 years we have come to remind you to follow the words2572of Abraham Lincoln, ``To care for him who have borne the battle2573and for his widow and his orphan.'' Thank you.2574    [Applause.]25752576    [The prepared statement of Ms. Menagh appears on page 1672577of the Appendix.]25782579    Chairman Bost. Thank you. Mr. Schwartzman, you are2580recognized for 5 minutes.25812582STATEMENT OF MATTHEW L. SCHWARTZMAN, DIRECTOR, LEGISLATION AND2583        MILITARY POLICY, RESERVE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA25842585    Mr. Schwartzman. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.2586Chairman Bost and Moran, Ranking Members Takano and Blumenthal,2587and distinguished Members of the Committees on Veterans'2588Affairs, on behalf of the Reserve Organization of America, the2589only National military organization that solely and exclusively2590supports the Reserve and National Guard, thank you for the2591opportunity to testify on our veterans priorities for the 119th2592Congress. By setting aside partisanship, your Committees have2593consistently extinguished the fires of faction warned of in the2594Federalist Papers and have instead kindled a flame of2595constitutional cooperation seldomly seen within the Federal2596Government. That flame was recently ignited with the signing of2597the Dole Act, which included several provisions modernizing the2598Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act2599supported by ROA. ROA is eager to work with you and your staff2600to build on this success and thanks you for your hard work in2601the previous Congress.2602    For over a century, ROA has championed the Reserve and2603National Guard, advocating for military readiness and national2604security. The Department of Veterans Affairs is essential to2605this mission and must ensure the reserve components receive the2606support they need and deserve.2607    While my written statement details over 20 actions Congress2608can take, my remarks today will focus on three critical2609reforms.2610    80 years ago, President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill into2611law, issuing an emphatic notice that the American people would2612not let down their service members. Yet, despite ongoing2613improvements, members of the Reserve and National Guard are2614still left behind. Under current law, an active-duty service2615member and a reservist can perform the same mission, but only2616one earns education benefits. This is simply unacceptable.2617    The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act, reintroduced in2618the 119th Congress, would resolve this disparity by counting2619every day in uniform toward Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility.2620Beyond parity, this bill would boost voluntary reserve2621participation, strengthen the military's compensation package,2622enhance senior enlisted and officer promotion opportunities,2623and improve civilian career prospects for citizen warriors. ROA2624thanks Senators Moran and Blumenthal and Representatives Levin2625and Kelly for sponsoring this bill and urges its swift passage2626into law.2627    The GI Bill's core purpose transcends education and is2628evident in other VA programs like the Transition Assistance2629Program. ROA commends your Committees for prioritizing TAP in2630the previous Congress, leading to the establishment of a2631reserve focus track within the program. This was a significant2632step forward, but more work remains. For example, ROA proposes2633expanding TAPs eligibility criteria and allowing participants2634to waive requirements under certain circumstances that are2635detailed further in our statement. ROA also supports2636incorporating reserve component specific issues in the TAP pre-2637separation checklist and ensuring military spouses are fully2638integrated into the process. ROA remains committed to working2639with your Committees to refine TAP and ensure citizen warriors2640and their families receive the support they need.2641    President Roosevelt's words about the GI Bill were not just2642a promise, they were a call to action. ROA answered that call2643in supporting the PACT Act. During the 72-hour fire watch vigil2644which helped secure the Act's passage, I had the honor of2645spending a night with veterans and other patriotic Americans on2646the Capitol steps. With ROA's headquarters nearby, I offered2647access to our facilities to sustain the vigil. That night a2648veteran jokingly called me ``bathroom guy,'' a title I now wear2649proudly as a symbol of ROA's commitment to delivering toxic2650exposure relief. Thanks to the PACT Act, almost one and a half2651million claims have been approved, with over 6 million toxic2652exposure screenings completed. Despite this, some veterans are2653still left behind.2654    Consider those at the Pentagon on 9/11, forced to return to2655duty the very next day. Many of these heroes were exposed to2656toxic substances that still affect them to this day. Take2657retired Air Force Lt. Col. Susan Lukas, for example. Susan was2658at the Pentagon on 9/11. The next day she returned to duty.2659Soon after, she developed debilitating symptoms, including2660difficulty swallowing and breathing. Years later she was2661diagnosed with a rare lung condition, forcing her to leave the2662career she loved. Today, toxic exposure and PTSD continue to2663impact her life. But you don't have to take my word for it. In2664fact, Susan is here with me today. After this hearing, she is2665ready to share her experience firsthand and discuss ROA's2666proposal to establish a presumption of service-connection for2667her fellow battle buddies.2668    ROA again thanks the Committees on Veterans' Affairs for2669the opportunity to testify. Before closing, I would like to2670recognize ROA's policy fellows, Jake Fails, Peter Donlin, and2671Hannah Miller for their contributions to this statement.2672    Thank you again and I look forward to answering any2673questions you may have.26742675    [The prepared statement of Mr. Schwartzman appears on page2676176 of the Appendix.]26772678    Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Schwartzman.2679    I want to thank you and thank all of the entire panel for2680their thoughtful testimony, and I will now recognize myself for26813 minutes for questioning.2682    Commander Johnson, your organization directly interacts2683with veterans from various walks of life, especially as they2684navigate VA healthcare. What feedback do you receive from2685veterans regarding their experience with the VA healthcare?2686    Mr. Johnson. Most of it is positive, but when it comes to2687making appointments and things like that, it takes a little2688longer than we would want that to happen. We would prefer it to2689be more hands on and more input being more felt and more timely2690because when people are sick, they are sick right then. Okay?2691They don't want to wait until next month. By the time they get2692the appointments, they are well already. So that is the most--a2693lot of the feedback I get from the veterans.2694    Chairman Bost. Appreciate that.2695    Mr. McManus, can you elaborate on why you believe VA's2696practice of reporting veterans with fiduciary to the National--2697the NI--to the next list, okay, for background check system2698stigmatizes them and discourages them from receiving help from2699VA?2700    Mr. McManus. We stand in support in the Military Order of2701Purple Heart and a number of other veterans organizations in2702unison in the efforts to ensure that a level of fairness and2703due process is accessed by our veterans. It is a shame that the2704very people who defend the rights of all Americans are some of2705the ones it has been the easiest to strip away. And we are in2706full support of the Second Amendment Protection Act.2707    Chairman Bost. Appreciate that.2708    Mr. McManus. Mm-hmm.2709    Chairman Bost. Hubbard, in your testimony you highlighted2710the need to restore veterans benefits when there are cases of2711fraud. Would you be supportive to the reintroduction of the2712Student Benefit Restoration Act and the language that passed2713the House 40--406 to 6 last Congress?2714    Mr. Hubbard. Thank you for the question, Mr. Chairman.2715Obviously, we appreciated working with your office and2716Congresswoman Delia Ramirez on that language. I think the fact2717that it was passed so overwhelmingly bipartisan demonstrates2718the fact that America and Congress has acknowledged the need2719for veterans to be made whole when they are defrauded. And we2720look forward to working with you and your office on that very2721closely moving forward.2722    Chairman Bost. Thank you very much. My time has expired,2723and I now recognize Ranking Member Takano.2724    Mr. Takano. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My first question is2725for Mr. Mimms from VVA. In your testimony, you identified2726issues that blind and low vision veterans are experiencing when2727using the Veterans Transportation Service. Mr. Mimms, what do2728you think needs to be changed in the VTS program and how do you2729think it could be improved?2730    Mr. Mimms. First thing that needs to be improved is it2731needs to be an available service that covers the need. And very2732often the reason those appointments are canceled, that I2733mentioned, is because they don't have enough drivers. I don't2734know how we will recruit a driver because I couldn't apply for2735the job, but I know that there are ways that the VA could come2736up with where they could recruit drivers if they could pay them2737an adequate wage so that it would be something that people2738would want to apply for. I think I will stop there.2739    Mr. Takano. Well, have you seen any indication, or are you2740concerned--I want to ask you about Section 508 compliance or2741accessibility. You are kind of laughing a little bit there.2742Section 508 compliance or other accessibility initiatives2743supporting blind and low-vision veterans. Are you concerned2744that they--that this compliance may be impacted by President2745Trump's anti-diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility2746Executive order?2747    Mr. Mimms. I think it could be if they--if we are lumped as2748blinded veterans or even veterans with different abilities, you2749know, as participants in the program of DEI. But Section 5082750has been around for a long time and it was before they even2751thought of DEI and before they really understood blinded2752veterans. And so it has to do with the VA engaging the purpose,2753engaging in the purchase rather, of equipment that will not2754meet our needs as veterans with these different abilities. But2755they put them in place anyway and then if it works out well,2756then they will think about how to do that later, I guess. But2757in the meantime, once again, that is another barrier. And a2758case in point is the kiosk that they were around. They have2759been around for 12, 15 years and by and large they are still2760not accessible to us, but they keep them in place. Well, that2761is how we check in. Yes, sir.2762    Mr. Takano. Well, thank you. I am just very concerned about2763the President's Executive order impacting blind veterans as2764part of DEI.2765    Mr. Mimms. Yes.2766    Mr. Takano. That is a concern of yours as well, right?2767    Mr. Mimms. Yes. You know, as I mentioned, blind rehab,2768there is nothing adequate beyond VA in blind rehab that would2769meet the needs and therefore we get the care that we already2770have. And so I think, you know, once again, we served the2771country, and so we just want you, the 119th Congress, to serve2772us back.2773    Well, thank you so much. And I am very concerned that blind2774veterans are going to get caught up in this unnecessary attack.2775    Mr. Mimms. I am concerned myself, but I am--I guess I am2776lacking in how to fix it.2777    Mr. Takano. Thank you, sir. I yield back.2778    Chairman Bost. Thank you. Representative Ramirez, you are2779recognized for 3 minutes.27802781                      HON. DELIA RAMIREZ,2782               U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ILLINOIS27832784    Mrs. Ramirez. Thank you, Chairman from the--my beloved2785State of Illinois. Appreciate it. And of course, I appreciate2786our Ranking Member from another good state. Not as great as2787Illinois. Just kidding. Just kidding.2788    No, I want to start by just saying thank you to all the2789veterans service organizations that are joining us today and2790certainly every veteran that is here today and if there are any2791veterans from Illinois, I want to personally thank you for the2792ways that you have shown up for every American in this Nation2793and the way that you continue to live a life of public service.2794[Applause.] And, yes, I think we need a round of applause.2795    [Applause.]2796    Thank you to all of you. The reality is that here in the2797Veterans' Affairs Committee, we introduce and we move2798legislation, and hopefully most of that legislation is to make2799the life of veterans better. But that work couldn't be done2800without all of you. So thank you for that.2801    I want to especially thank Will Hubbard at the Veterans2802Education Success for the work that you have done for your2803continued advocacy and partnership and advancing policies that2804are going to create parity for student veterans. Because the2805reality is that we don't have that parity just yet. Veterans2806who have served in uniform and have earned their GI Bill2807benefits should have the same exact protections as any other2808student that uses federal education funds. And as you mentioned2809in your testimony, under current law, even when a court or the2810Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that a school2811defrauded a veteran, that veteran ends up losing their GI Bill2812benefits permanently. Non-veteran students or those that are2813studying under--that are not studying under the GI Bill2814benefits, they have mechanisms in place to protect and restore2815their investments, but veterans don't. And when veterans are2816left out, they are taking advantage at the hands of predatory2817schools and bad actors. These predatory schools begin targeting2818them even before they have returned to civilian life because2819they know they can get away with it.2820    And it is why, with your support and the support of so many2821of you, I was proud to introduce and pass the Student Veteran2822Benefit Restoration Act last Congress with overwhelming2823support. And it is why I am proud to be reintroducing it this2824Congress and hopefully get it through the Senate and signed2825into law.2826    Mr. Hubbard, in your testimony, you talked a little bit2827about this bill and the importance of this bill, but can you2828explain a little bit more why does this inequity exist for2829those that don't understand the difference in terms of2830restoration? And in your explanation, would you also talk about2831the impact it will have once we finally pass this bill into2832law?2833    Mr. Hubbard. Yes. Thank you for not only the question,2834Congresswoman, but also your steadfast support to make this2835happen.2836    We hear day in and day out from student veterans who have2837called us to share their stories about unspeakable fraud. As I2838mentioned in my earlier statement, when a student goes to--when2839a veteran goes to school as a student--they are not2840anticipating that the school is going to be a scam. They find2841that out later and unfortunately their GI Bill benefits are2842wasted at that point and given the fact that existing statutory2843authority does not afford them the chance to go back to school,2844your bill, we are hoping, would make that happen. And with that2845kind of legislation in place, our advocacy on behalf of those2846student veterans would actually give them a second chance to2847get back into the economy, something that we strongly support.2848    Mrs. Ramirez. Thank you, Mr. Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard, so that2849means that if a veteran has been defrauded, he was about to2850graduate this school, the school bankrupt, they weren't able to2851get their degree, and we know so many veterans that are in that2852condition, they are not able to go to school because if they2853could go back to school, but they would have to now pay out of2854pocket. And we know in many cases that means it is impossible2855for them to go to school and afford thousands and thousands of2856tuition. Our bill will be able to restore benefits and ensure2857that schools in the future won't be able to scam our student2858veterans. Is that correct?2859    Mr. Hubbard. Yes. And thank you again for your support on2860that. It is something that we have actively tried to get2861through and look forward to working with your office on.2862    Mrs. Ramirez. I look forward to working with you. I2863certainly appreciate our Chairman who was a co-lead on the bill2864and I know we are going to work really hard to ensure that both2865the House and Senate pass it.2866    I want to just wrap up in saying again what I said at the2867beginning. To all of you service organizations, to the veterans2868that are here today, may we always remember that our2869responsibility is not partisan politics. Our responsibility is2870to honor your service, to commit to ensure that we are2871increasing benefits for you, not cutting them, and making sure2872that we do everything in our power to ensure that you are2873treated with dignity, you are treated with respect, and that2874you receive the full benefits you have earned and have been2875promised to you. It is what I will continue to do in this2876Committee, and I certainly know that a number of my colleagues2877here will do.2878    So, thank you, and with that, I yield back.2879    Chairman Bost. Dr. Dexter, you are recognized for 32880minutes.28812882                      HON. MAXINE DEXTER,2883                U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM OREGON28842885    Dr. Dexter. Thank you so much to our leadership, Chairman2886Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal, Chairman Bost, and Ranking2887Member Takano, for convening this really important hearing. And2888thank you to our witnesses for being with us today and for your2889service to our veterans. Your advocacy on behalf of our2890Nation's veterans is deeply meaningful, and it is an honor to2891be with you today.2892    As a physician who has cared for veterans in the Denver VA2893or previously cared for them for seven years, it is my2894privilege to be in this position advocating with you for the2895health care benefits that our veterans have earned and deserve2896to keep in whole.2897    In reviewing the written testimony for today's hearing, I2898appreciated that many of you emphasized the importance of2899investing in care specifically tailored to women veterans. This2900is certainly reflective of the experience I had as a VA2901provider, and it is what I hear from folks in the women's2902clinic at the Portland VA, which is in my district or serves my2903district.2904    Commander Johnson, do you think it would harm care for2905female veterans to fire providers, cut programs, and close2906clinics that specifically serve this population of patients?2907    Mr. Johnson. Absolutely. I mean, our veterans, I mean, our2908female veterans, are veterans just like the rest of us. They go2909to combat. They do everything every other veteran does, and2910they--they are human beings and they get sick and they need2911help just like every other veteran does. And then when you are2912cutting services, when you are cutting the service for the2913female veterans, you are cutting service for veterans, and2914absolutely I agree with that, that would harm us immensely.2915    Dr. Dexter. Thank you. I couldn't agree more, and that is2916why I am so concerned about the recent actions from the Trump2917administration impacting our VA workforce. Just last week, I2918had a roundtable with Portland VA leadership and staff, and I2919spoke to staff in the women's health program who said to me,2920and this is a direct quote, ``Women say they love our clinic2921because we have staff that care, but now we have staff that are2922scared, vomiting and freaking out'', and that is the end of2923that quote. And these are the people caring for our veterans.2924    Having terrified VA staff absolutely impacts the quality of2925care that our veterans are receiving. I recently heard from a2926patient treated at this clinic who canceled every single one of2927her forthcoming appointments because she is afraid she could be2928retaliated against for getting the care she needs. This is a2929horrifying new reality.2930    So as women make up a growing share of the veteran2931population once again, Commander Johnson, what kind of2932investments in VA workforce for women veterans care would the2933veterans you serve like to see, and do you think these are2934possible if the attacks on the VA workforce continue?2935    Mr. Johnson. So I haven't--we haven't had a full discussion2936on that. I would like to just say that I would speak to my2937constituents and be able to get back with you at a later date.2938    Dr. Dexter. I would appreciate that. Thank you.2939    Mr. Johnson. That is--that is a very important question,2940and it should be answered with a lot of consideration.2941    Dr. Dexter. Thank you, Commander Johnson. I yield back, Mr.2942Chair.2943    Chairman Bost. Thank you. Dr. Conaway, you are now2944recognized for 3 minutes.29452946                       HON. HERB CONAWAY,2947              U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM NEW JERSEY29482949    Dr. Conaway. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am certainly2950pleased to be here and to hear from our veteran community. We2951have a responsibility in this country to make sure those who2952have served us and not only the veteran, but the veterans2953families, are properly cared for. There are a lot of statements2954that are made from the dais such as this and on hustings about2955how much we owe to our veterans in this country and that should2956be met by the appropriate allocations from a budget to have a2957VA that is appropriately staffed to do the job that we ask them2958to do. And particularly as we have expanded access to the VA,2959to different and additional classes of veterans who will need2960to get service there. I am sad to say and sorry to know that2961our allocations, our budget does not reflect the present and2962growing demands that are being placed on the VA.2963    My question to Mr. Johnson is, can you elaborate or give2964insight on the mental health services, the treatment, the care2965that veterans are currently receiving and your opinion, and2966others can offer opinion on this as well, and what you think2967ought to be done to ensure that this care is improved?2968    Mr. Johnson. Well, I think the funds are there. It is just2969that the management of the system itself is not completely2970conducive of what is going on there. Especially with the TBI,2971the traumatic brain injury, that seems to somehow or another be2972new and it is not new. I mean, we have veterans dealing with2973that on a daily basis.2974    Again, we haven't done a complete study on the statistics2975on how it is working. And for me to give you an educated,2976complete answer, I would have to get with my constituents and2977get more based, statistic based information so I can give you a2978better educated answer.2979    Dr. Conaway. Would anyone else care to comment on my2980question? Ms.----2981    Ms. Menagh. I would just like to address a little bit,2982continue about the TBI. That is something we are very concerned2983about. Studies, non-military studies, have shown that a TBI2984anytime in your life, even the mildest concussion, doubles the2985chance of suicide. Sometimes in your life there is such a2986stigma about suicide and mental health, and we would like to2987see more studies to show the physicality of the influence of2988the TBI on suicide and also about the, you know, difficulties2989with the claim process. Thank you.2990    Dr. Conaway. Thank you. I would also ask of anyone who2991cares to answer. I have a great deal of concern that is broadly2992shared, I believe, about the cuts that have been occurring2993across the system that are indiscriminate. And while there have2994been some who have been saved from these cuts, there are issues2995with respect to people who bring food to patients in2996facilities, people who clean those facilities, people who2997provide security at those facilities. And that needs to be2998addressed in my view as well. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2999    Chairman Bost. Thank you. At this time, I would like to3000recognize Ranking Member Takano for any closing remarks he3001might have.3002    Mr. Takano. Well, I want to thank all the veterans service3003organizations that appear before us today and thank all of the3004veterans who have come to Washington to advocate on their3005behalf. Let me just say that I am awaiting answers from the3006Secretary about the firings of veterans. As you know, the VFW3007has condemned the indiscriminate dismissals of veterans,3008veterans who have had stellar performance reviews. I fail to3009see how this advances the mission of VA and I--and I have3010serious concerns about mission-critical employees being3011dismissed.3012    With that, I yield back.3013    Chairman Bost. I thank the Ranking Member for his closing3014statement, and I do also want to say thank you for every one of3015you being here.3016    And I want to offer to you the exact same thing that I3017offered to the previous panel. If you see at any time that your3018services that you specifically deal with for your veterans that3019you represent are being interfered with as we change because I3020think it was in Mr. Johnson's testimony that he said there are3021ineffective programs out there as we need to go wisely through.3022And I am going to--I could ask which one of the people on the3023panel are taxpayers? And I would say you probably all raise3024your hand. And that means that we want to make sure that the3025dollars that we are spending on our veterans are going to3026provide those services that actually benefit our veterans, not3027necessarily benefit a bureaucracy. There is a difference. There3028is a difference. And as this Chairman of this Committee, I have3029said very openly time and time again and will continue to say3030so, the VA was created for the benefit of the veterans, not the3031benefit of bureaucracy.3032    As we move forward, you have heard a lot of things,3033including the fact that veterans are being laid off. Some of3034those that have worked may be veterans, but most of them are3035employees. But as we move forward, it is to make sure that the3036best services are provided. That is why I offered what I just3037said. If there is any reduction in service or someone that you3038know that works at the VA that has been improperly released3039from their employment, please come to me and my office because3040we will argue on their behalf. But to make blanket statements3041based on some reform that has been much needed, I think quite3042often runs into rhetoric that we unfortunately use our veterans3043and our veterans service organizations as pawns, and I don't3044want to see that.3045    So with that being said, once again, I want to say thank3046you to all of you, and that concludes the today's joint VSO3047hearing. And I think it is clear that the Committee is3048collaborating and in its collaboration with the VA, have more3049work to do in service for our veterans and their families.3050    Now, I ask unanimous consent that all Members shall have3051five legislative days in which to revise and extend their3052remarks and include any extenuous material. Hearing no3053objection, so ordered, and the hearing is now adjourned.3054    [Whereupon, at 12:58 p.m., the Joint Committees were3055adjourned.]30563057                            A P P E N D I X30583059                          Prepared Statements30603061[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]30623063                       Submissions for the Record30643065[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]30663067                                  [all]