S.Hrg.119-317

1[Senate Hearing 119-317]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                       S. Hrg. 119-31756           LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF DISABLED AMER-7             ICAN VETERANS AND MULTI VSOs: MILITARY8             OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, BLUE9             STAR FAMILIES, VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMER-10             ICA, NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDI-11             ANS, SERVICE WOMEN'S ACTION NETWORK,12             GOLD STAR WIVES OF AMERICA, INC., BLACK13             VETERANS PROJECT14=======================================================================1516                             JOINT HEARING1718                                 OF THE1920                     COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS2122                               BEFORE THE2324                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES2526                                AND THE2728                          UNITED STATES SENATE2930                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS3132                             SECOND SESSION3334                               __________3536                           FEBRUARY 24, 20263738                               __________3940       Printed for the use of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs4142[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]4344        Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov4546                              __________4748                        U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE4962-986 PDF                     WASHINGTON : 202650=======================================================================5152                                SENATE53                     COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS5455                     Jerry Moran, Kansas, Chairman56John Boozman, Arkansas               Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut,57Bill Cassidy, Louisiana                  Ranking Member58Thom Tillis, North Carolina          Patty Murray, Washington59Dan Sullivan, Alaska                 Bernard Sanders, Vermont60Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee          Mazie K. Hirono, Hawaii61Kevin Cramer, North Dakota           Margaret Wood Hassan, New62Tommy Tuberville, Alabama                Hampshire63Jim Banks, Indiana                   Angus S. King, Jr., Maine64Tim Sheehy, Montana                  Tammy Duckworth, Illinois65                                     Ruben Gallego, Arizona66                                     Elissa Slotkin, Michigan6768                     David Shearman, Staff Director69                Tony McClain, Democratic Staff Director7071                              ----------7273                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES74                     COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS7576                     Mike Bost, Illinois, Chairman7778Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen,       Mark Takano, California, Ranking79    American Samoa                       Member80Jack Bergman, Michigan               Julia Brownley, California81Nancy Mace, South Carolina           Chris Pappas, New Hampshire82Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa       Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick,83Gregory F. Murphy, North Carolina        Florida84Derrick Van Orden, Wisconsin         Morgan McGarvey, Kentucky85Morgan Luttrell, Texas               Delia Ramirez, Illinois86Juan Ciscomani, Arizona              Nikki Budzinski, Illinois87Keith Self, Texas                    Timothy M. Kennedy, New York88Jennifer A. Kiggans, Virginia        Maxine Dexter, Oregon89Abe Hamadeh, Arizona                 Herb Conaway, New Jersey90Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Northern       Kelly Morrison, Minnesota91    Mariana Islands92Tom Barrett, Michigan9394                       Jon Clark, Staff Director95                  Matt Reel, Democratic Staff Director9697                            C O N T E N T S9899                              ----------100101                           February 24, 2026102103                                                                   Page104105                            REPRESENTATIVES106107Hon. Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative from South Carolina.........     1108Hon. Mark Takano, Ranking Member, U.S. Representative from109  California.....................................................     3110Hon. Morgan Luttrell, U.S. Representative from Texas.............    16111Hon. Chris Pappas, U.S. Representative from New Hampshire........    17112Hon. Kimberlyn King-Hinds, U.S. Representative from Northern113  Mariana Islands................................................    18114115                                SENATORS116117Hon. Jerry Moran, Chairman, U.S. Senator from Kansas.............     5118Hon. Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member, U.S. Senator from119  Connecticut....................................................     6120Hon. Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Senator from Illinois.................    36121122                               INTRODUCER123124The Honorable Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative from South Carolina     8125126                               WITNESSES127                                Panel I128129Coleman Nee, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans......     9130131  accompanied by132133  Barry Jesinoski, National Adjutant134135  Bryan ``Cody'' VanBoxel, Executive Director, National136    Headquarters137138  Jim Marszalek, Executive Director, Washington Headquarters139140  Scott Hope, DAV National Service Director141142  Jon Retzer, DAV National Legislative Director143144  John Kleindienst, National Director of Voluntary Service145146  Ron Minter, National Caregiver Support Program Director147148  Melissa Pierce, Auxiliary National Commander149150                                Panel II151152Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), President and153  Chief Executive Officer, Military Officers Association of154  America........................................................    22155156Lindsay Knight, PhD, Chief Impact Officer, Blue Star Families....    24157158Tom Burke, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America.......    26159160Larry Wright, Jr., Executive Director, National Congress of161  American Indians...............................................    28162163Rita Graham, Policy Director, Service Women's Action Network.....    30164165Barbara Burt, Legislative Liaison, Greater Boston Chapter and New166  England Region, National Board Member, Gold Star Wives of167  America, Inc...................................................    32168169Richard Brookshire, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder,170  Black Veterans Project.........................................    33171172                                APPENDIX173                          Prepared Statements174175Coleman Nee, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans......    49176177Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), President and178  Chief Executive Officer, Military Officers Association of179  America........................................................    83180181Lindsay Knight, PhD, Chief Impact Officer, Blue Star Families....   111182183Tom Burke, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America.......   122184185Larry Wright, Jr., Executive Director, National Congress of186  American Indians...............................................   131187188Rita Graham, Policy Director, Service Women's Action Network.....   137189190Barbara Burt, Legislative Liaison, Greater Boston Chapter and New191  England Region, National Board Member, Gold Star Wives of192  America, Inc...................................................   142193194Richard Brookshire, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder,195  Black Veterans Project.........................................   149196197                       Submissions for the Record198199Military Times article, ``Veterans aren't campaign props--200  Congress must start acting like it''...........................   159201202Letter dated February 4, 2026 to Secretary Douglas Collins, U.S.203  Department of Veterans Affairs.................................   162204205February 23, 2026 statement from various veteran, military206  service, and advocacy organizations............................   164207208Letter dated February 24, 2026 to Secretary Douglas Collins, U.S.209  Department of Veterans Affairs.................................   167210211                        Questions for the Record212213Disabled American Veterans response to questions submitted by:214215  Hon. Margaret Wood Hassan......................................   173216217Disabled American Veterans supporting documentation:218219  Fiscal Year 2027 Veterans Independent Budget...................   177220221  2026 Critical Policy Goals.....................................   193222223                        Statement for the Record224225Gold Star Spouses of America, Inc., Tamra Sipes, National226  President......................................................   207227228LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS AND MULTI VSOs:229 MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, BLUE STAR FAMILIES, VIETNAM230  VETERANS OF AMERICA, NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS, SERVICE231    WOMEN'S ACTION NETWORK, GOLD STAR WIVES OF AMERICA, INC., BLACK232                            VETERANS PROJECT233234                              ----------235236                       TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2026237238             U.S. House of Representatives,239                                   and U.S. Senate,240                            Committee on Veterans' Affairs,241                                                    Washington, DC.242243    The Committees met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in Room244SD-G50, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Nancy Mace,245presiding.246247    Present from the House:248249    Representatives Mace, Luttrell, King-Hinds, Takano, and250Pappas.251252    Present from the Senate:253254    Senators Moran, Boozman, Cassidy, Sullivan, Banks,255Blumenthal, and Duckworth.256257             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. NANCY MACE,258            U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM SOUTH CAROLINA259260    Chairwoman Mace. Good morning, and thank you all for being261here. I am glad to be here in the Senate with Chairman Moran262and Ranking Member Blumenthal. Chairman Bost wishes he could be263here today, but due to travel issues caused by the recent264snowstorm that we are enduring today, he could not make it here265in time for the hearing.266    I would like to thank the DAV's National Commander, Mr.267Coleman Nee, for being here today. I would also like to268recognize the DAV Auxiliary National Commander, Melissa Pierce.269Thank you for being here today. A special shout-out to Mr. Dan270Pierce for being here as well.271    And I am pleased that there are folks here from across the272country, including my home State of South Carolina. Thank you273for traveling through a blizzard, through the snow to be with274us here this morning.275    If you are from South Carolina, please stand if you are276able. I would like to see some of my folks out there. There you277are.278    [Applause.]279    Chairwoman Mace. God bless you all, and thank you for280traveling here. And I want to give a warm welcome to those281folks.282    This year marks my fifth year on the Committee. Veterans283have always been a part of my life. I grew up around veterans,284I know veterans, and they have always been part of our285community and our family's community. Every time I am on the286House floor debating a bill or sitting on the dais, I am always287thinking of them, and like my dad, the generations of men and288women who have served, my siblings. In fact, I just had one289come back from a deployment overseas in the Middle East.290    For me it is always about taking care of our veteran291community when they come home. I know the sacrifices each of292you have made, especially our disabled community. Each of you293has fought to protect the freedoms we hold dear.294    I, along with my House Republican colleagues, are leading295the charge to first help make life more affordable for severely296disabled veterans and survivors through the Sharri Briley and297Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act that we reported298out of the Committee two weeks ago. The bill would raise the299monthly benefits rate for the most severely service-connected300disabled veterans that require around-the-clock care by301offering an additional $10,000 annually. It would also boost302the monthly support payment that veterans and survivors receive303by an additional 1.5 percent annually over the next two years.304    These increases have not been made in decades. I need your305support to help ensure they are not cut up in election year306political games and that they are finally enacted.307    Second, ensure veterans get quality health care at the VA308or within the community. That is why we are fighting for the309Veterans' ACCESS Act, which is commonsense legislation to build310and solidify the gains made in the CHOICE and MISSION Acts. The311bill would give veterans even more options in how they access312their health care outside of the VA, especially veterans living313in rural and remote areas.314    Third, we authorize VA to make sure the VA's programs work315for today's and tomorrow's veterans, something that has not316been done in decades. The importance of the Transition317Assistance Program, or TAP, is an area that remains a key318priority for me and many of us, all of us, on the VA Committee.319Ensuring that servicemembers are set up for their next mission320in life is not something I take lightly. Thank you to the DAV321for highlighting the importance of new veterans understanding322the benefits they have earned and that they deserve.323    We are also committed to ensuring opportunities for324veterans to explore nontraditional education. Whether that be325through apprenticeships, on-the-job training, during TAP, or326the Veteran Readiness and Employment program. We must continue327to focus our efforts to ensure veterans are able to find and328maintain meaningful employment.329    The DAV plays an important role in making sure we advance330commonsense proposals and conduct oversight to meet the needs331of all veterans, no matter their ZIP Code and no matter where332they work. Veterans should have the choice to use the benefits333VA offers in exchange for their service to meet their own334needs. You know where we need to push the Agency forward and335not stick to the status quo.336    I can promise you one thing, my House Republican colleagues337and I will never stop fighting for you. And the voices you338represent, the hundreds of thousands of veterans outside the DC339Beltway who just want their health care on time, their benefits340without a headache, and to live the American dream. We take341this mission seriously and I know my House and Senate342Republican colleagues, as well as VA Secretary Doug Collins,343and President Trump do too.344    We made progress with the most recent NDAA, and I proudly345supported the following major provisions: enhancing the346financial planning section of TAP to cover topics such as debt347management, taxes, and investing; improving the warm handover348process between VA, DOW, and DOL; allowing servicemembers to349attend TAP multiple times and encourage folks to bring their350spouses along too. These things make a real difference for351transitioning servicemembers and they must have all the tools352needed to prepare for their next phase of life with their353family.354    We will continue to fight to deliver historic economic355relief for all veterans, including severely disabled veterans356like Eric Edmundson and survivors like Sharri Briley. We will357continue to fight to modernize the VA and its programs forward358through reauthorization. We will continue to ensure veterans,359no matter where they live, get the health care they deserve, at360the VA or in their community.361    I look forward to completing your mission alongside each362and every one of you, and thank you again for being here today.363And with that I will recognize Ranking Member Takano for his364opening remarks.365366             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARK TAKANO,367      RANKING MEMBER, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA368369    Mr. Takano. Well thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning,370everyone. I am glad to see so many of you here ensuring that371your voices are heard today.372    Now as tradition, I would like to shout-out to those who373have traveled from the great State of California. Where are374you, California? All right. There, California, yes.375    [Applause.]376    Mr. Takano. Welcome, welcome to our Nation's capital.377Welcome to everybody to our Nation's capital.378    I would especially like to welcome DAV National Commander379Coleman Nee and DAV Auxiliary National Commander Melissa380Pierce, as well as the representatives from all of the381organizations on our second panel of witnesses. It is great to382see you all, and I am looking forward to an enlightening383conversation.384    Since you were here last, we have all experienced385uncertainty and, at times, flat-out chaos. Just last week,386Secretary Collins announced an interim final rule that would387limit VA's obligations to veterans whose service-connected388conditions are improved by medications. The response from the389veteran community has been loud and near universal, and I agree390with you. This rule cannot stand.391    [Applause.]392    Mr. Takano. Medication may be able to minimize the effects393of injury or illness, it does not erase them. I know that the394Secretary has stated that he will not enforce the rule,395frankly, that is not enough. Mr. Secretary, if you are396listening, I call on you to rescind this rule immediately.397    [Applause.]398    Mr. Takano. The Committee intends to submit a comment in399the Federal Register voicing our disapproval, and I highly400recommend that each of you do the same. The link to do so can401be found in the banner on top of our website at democrats-402veterans.house.gov.403    This year, in addition to the Secretary's harmful interim404final rule, we are facing a massive reorganization of the405Veterans Health Administration. Neither of these major actions406were planned with input from Congress, or as far as I can tell,407from the veteran community either. VA needs improvement, but408this proposal appears to be more of an effort to align VA with409what is happening in for-profit health care. VA should not410emulate that model.411    I also want to address the hurdles that our veterans face412in linking their toxic exposures to their service. We have had413several discussions regarding overlooked veteran populations414that need care. VA has the authority to create new presumptive415conditions and deliver that care, and yet they do not use that416authority nearly enough. Instead, we seem to have a VA417leadership that wants to do more with less, as we have recently418heard the Secretary say.419    You know what? Doing more with less has never worked for420veterans. We cannot expand benefits to more veterans without421having staff at VA to do so. We need doctors and nurses and422researchers. We need claims examiners in VA, social workers,423janitorial staff, and police officers in VHA to ensure VA is424meeting its mission.425    Each of you has served, and you continue to serve your426fellow veterans and their survivors. Now, from the moment you427raised your hand and put on that uniform, you set yourself428apart. That commitment came with a promise that you and your429family would be taken care of afterwards. You fulfilled your430duty. I consider it my duty, and the duty of every American, to431honor that commitment.432    Over the past year we have seen attacks on veterans and433their earned benefits in an attempt to paint you as a group of434scammers, or that you are receiving overly generous benefits.435Let me be clear, these are not handouts, these are earned436benefits.437    [Applause.]438    Mr. Takano. Benefits that were earned by long days, long439nights, months away, missed birthdays, missed anniversaries,440through blood, sweat, and tears, through great sacrifice, and441for some, the ultimate sacrifice. And for those left behind,442the survivor community, we owe you a great debt, as well. That443is why I support the Caring for Survivors Act and the Love444Lives On Act. These bill provide meaningful change for an445underserved and deserving community. I know everyone is waiting446to see progress on the Major Richard Star Act. I have heard you447loud and clear. We need to pass that act.448    [Applause.]449    Mr. Takano. I strongly urge support for the Major Richard450Star Act and delay on action is unacceptable. It is time to get451it done.452    [Applause.]453    Mr. Takano. Now I am being very transparent with you, none454of these bills are cheap. And under the current rules of the455House, it has been a struggle to find ways to pay for them. But456that is just a lame excuse. If we can find an extra $500457billion for the Pentagon, that they do not want or need, we can458find an extra $50 billion for our Nation's veterans, their459dependents, and survivors.460    [Applause.]461    Mr. Takano. Congress must do the right thing, and we should462do so without asking veterans to shoulder the costs. Veterans463earned their benefits already. They should not be asked to pay464for them again when they leave service. We know veterans are465willing to make sure their comrades are taken care of, and I466respect that immensely. But the point is they should not have467to. Congress can and should do better.468    The American public has told us that it is willing to stand469up for those who have served and ensure they get the benefits470they have earned. And that includes taking a stand against471claims sharks. We must pass Representative Pappas' GUARD Act472today.473    [Applause.]474    Mr. Takano. Anytime benefits are increased, the sharks come475circling. Claims sharks prey on veterans and siphon off476hundreds of millions of dollars a year of veterans' hard-earned477benefits, and this is wrong. Even in the past week, the sharks478have come circling again, pushing out ads in an attempt to479profit off of the chaos sown by VA's rule to roll back480disability ratings. The purpose of these ads is to scare481veterans into signing up for their service to, quote/unquote,482``protect their ratings.'' I have even been targeted by these483ads. They are slick and they are made to look like they are484coming from the VA.485    There must be consequences for this behavior. But the486lobbying efforts of these companies is immense, and it has487stalled congressional action. Fortunately, states have stepped488into the breach, and I would like to shout-out to my home State489of California for stepping up on this issue and passing490legislation that takes on these claims sharks. Thank you,491California. And I am proud to see California is leading the492way, but Congress is still not off the hook. We must act.493    So Madam Chair, thank you for holding this important494hearing today, and I look forward to a frank and fruitful495discussion today.496    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you, Mr. Takano. I will now497recognize Chairman Moran.498499             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JERRY MORAN,500               CHAIRMAN, U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS501502    Chairman Moran. Thank you, Chairwoman Mace. It is good to503be here with my Ranking Member, Senator Blumenthal, with504Congressman Takano and you, for our first joint hearing this505year.506    I want to welcome our witnesses and I am glad that you are507here. This is an important component of what we do to make508certain that we are paying attention to those who served, and I509am appreciative of the Disabled American Veterans and the other510veteran service organizations for their presence here today.511And I extend a special welcome to the Kansans who are in the512audience today, and I look forward to spending more time with513you this afternoon.514    I am grateful for the work that VSOs, like the ones we will515hear from this morning, do every day across the country and516here in our Nation's capital to support their fellow veterans517and their families, and advocate for a stronger and better518Department of Veterans Affairs. Our Committees are working519every day with those same goals in mind.520    We may talk often about the challenges veterans face after521service, but I am always reminded at these hearings that522veterans are not defined by those challenges. Far from it.523Every day, in every state, in every district, veterans bring a524wealth of skills, leadership, experience and values from the525military into their communities. It is our responsibility to526make certain that federal programs and policies, at the VA and527in every other department and agency, help veterans translate528those strengths into long-term stability, health, and529opportunity.530    This responsibility is why I, along with Ranking Member531Blumenthal, have introduced the National Veterans Strategy Act532to coordinate the efforts of federal, state, and local533governments, along with for-profit and nonprofit organizations,534all in the best interest of our Nation's veterans. I am535grateful for the widespread support for that bill among the VSO536community, and I am eager to discuss it with our witnesses537today.538    I am grateful to the VSO leaders today for their tireless539work to make certain that the Congress and the VA remain540focused on doing what is in the best interest for our veterans541and military communities. I look forward to hearing how your542legislative priorities advance veteran success and where543Congress can do more to make certain that the VA's policies544translate into real improvements in the veterans well-being.545    Thank you again for being here, and I look forward to546today's hearing.547    Chairwoman Mace. And I now recognize Ranking Member548Blumenthal.549550         OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,551         RANKING MEMBER, U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT552553    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Chair Mace and thank you,554Senator Moran, our Chairman in the Senate. I am honored to be555with all of you today, and I particularly want to welcome556anyone who has managed to make it here from Connecticut, out of557the snow. If you are here, Connecticut, thank you. And thank558you to all the rest of you. Never doubt--never doubt--that you559are making a difference.560    Our VSOs are the lifeblood of our veterans' health care and561other benefits and compensation to the men and women who are562our national heroes. You are the ones who stand in watch over563the VA and over us. The latest example was your reaction to the564cuts that were threatened, cruel, stupid cuts in VA benefits,565and you and your voices turned it around. Thank you to the566veterans service organizations for correcting what would have567been a disastrous slash in benefits for countless veterans who568rely on medications to manage their service-connected569conditions. Thank you, all of you.570    [Applause.]571    Senator Blumenthal. But there is still work to be done.572There is still work to be done on that issue, among others.573Representative Takano and I this morning sent a letter to574Secretary Collins demanding the immediate rescission of the575Department of Veterans Affairs interim final rule. It is576entitled ``Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication,'' a benign-577sounding rule that in fact will impact, cruelly and578dangerously, our veterans. I call on Secretary Collins to579rescind, this rule, this morning, while you are testifying580here.581    [Applause.]582    Senator Blumenthal. And I thank all my colleagues who have583joined in this letter. I am hoping that this effort will be584bipartisan, as so much of our work is and should be, but it has585to result in action.586    I read, just this morning, an excellent article written by587Barry Jesinoski. Thank you for this excellent article in588Military Times. I asked that it be put into the record, Madam589Chair.590    Chairwoman Mace. Confirmed.591592    [The article referred to appears on pages 159-161 of the593Appendix.]594595    Senator Blumenthal. Its headline is, ``Veterans aren't596campaign props--Congress must start acting like it.'' I597couldn't have said it better.598    [Applause.]599    Senator Blumenthal. And to quote the article, ``Recent600Congresses rank among the least productive in modern history,601paralyzed by dysfunction, partisan infighting and an apparent602inability to do the basic job voters sent them to Washington to603do.'' Yes, that deserves your applause for sure. Thank you,604Barry.605    [Applause.]606    Senator Blumenthal. We need to overcome this kind of607dysfunction, not only for our veterans, but for our whole608country. And I hope that this hearing will mark a critical step609in that effort. And the best example would be passing the610Richard Star-Major Richard Star Act. Most of you know, I have611championed this bill for years. I went most recently to the612floor of the United States Senate and asked for unanimous613consent. It was blocked by one of my colleagues.614    I ask all of you, make your views known about the Richard615Star Act. Make sure that your Member of the Senate or Congress616joins in supporting a measure that is about basic fairness, so617that our combat veterans are not deprived of benefits they have618earned. These are not beneficence. They are not charity. They619are not philanthropy. You have earned them. It is not double620dipping. It is deserved. The Richard Star Act should pass621during this session of the United States Congress. And I will622go to the floor and again ask unanimous consent that it be623approved.624    Let me say finally, I am deeply grateful to all of you for625the support that you provided to a range of other measures. I626have read your testimony. The GUARD Act, the kinds of basic627architecture that we need to sustain. We have seen a systematic628degradation of VA health care and the first-ever net reduction629in VA staff. A concerted effort that has forced thousands of630physicians, schedulers, registered nurses, and others to leave631federal service. Veterans have seen increased mental health632care wait times, politically motivated policies that threaten633at-risk veterans and decrease quality of veterans' decisions.634These administrative actions also demand scrutiny and reversal.635    Thank you for all you do for America and for the veterans636of the United States. Thank you.637    [Applause.]638639                INTRODUCTION BY HON. NANCY MACE,640            U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM SOUTH CAROLINA641642    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you. We have with us today National643Commander Coleman Nee, a DAV life member of Chapter 3 in644Boston, Massachusetts, and lives in Cape Cod with his family.645He is a Marine veteran of the Persian Gulf War and a graduate646of American University right here in Washington. The son of a647World War II veteran, Commander Nee walked into a recruiter's648office at the age of 18 and joined the Marine Corps Reserve. It649was an opportunity to serve something bigger than himself while650pursuing higher education.651    But instead of attending his college graduation, Commander652Nee was called to active duty and boarded a plane to Saudi653Arabia, in response to Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait.654There as a motor transport operator, he supported infantry655units with supply runs for six months.656    Like so many of our veterans, Commander Nee's service did657not end when he took off the uniform. From 2011 to 2015, he658served as the Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of659Veterans' Services. Under his leadership, the department660created a number of new initiatives to increase access to661services for all veterans, including the more than 47,000662returning Massachusetts veterans from the wars in Iraq and663Afghanistan.664    As Secretary, Commander Nee also oversaw the creation of a665first-in-the-nation initiative to support veterans and their666families coping with the stresses of returning from war and667oversaw management of the Massachusetts Women Veterans Network,668one of the most successful women's veterans advocacy669organizations in the Nation.670    Commander Nee went on to spend nearly nine years as CEO for671a company dedicated to empowering people with disabilities, to672succeed in employment and leadership positions.673    Before being elected to the organization's highest post,674Commander Nee served on DAV's Board of Directors, National675Interim Legislative Committee, and the National Executive676Committee.677    Through his time in the Marine Corps and his decades of678mission-driven work, Commander Nee has shown who he is--a679servant leader who appreciates and honors service.680    It is now with great pride and appreciation and admiration681that the Committee now recognizes DAV National Commander682Coleman Nee to deliver some opening remarks.683    [Applause.]684685                            PANEL I686687                              ----------688689STATEMENT OF COLEMAN NEE, NATIONAL COMMANDER, DISABLED AMERICAN690  VETERANS ACCOMPANIED BY BARRY JESINOSKI, NATIONAL ADJUTANT;691     BRYAN ``CODY'' VANBOXEL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL692  HEADQUARTERS; JIM MARSZALEK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WASHINGTON693 HEADQUARTERS; SCOTT HOPE, DAV NATIONAL SERVICE DIRECTOR; JON694 RETZER, DAV NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR; JOHN KLEINDIENST,695 NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE; RON MINTER, NATIONAL696    CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM DIRECTOR; AND MELISSA PIERCE,697                  AUXILIARY NATIONAL COMMANDER698699    Mr. Nee. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Thank you, Chairwoman.700Thank you for that very, very kind introduction, and I701appreciate you stepping in for my good friend, Representative702Stephen Lynch, who could not be here. I believe Representative703Lynch is still digging out a parking spot up in Boston, so704thank you for stepping in.705    Chairwoman Mace, Chairman Moran, Ranking Members Blumenthal706and Takano, and Members of the Committees on Veterans Affairs,707thank you for the opportunity to present the 2026 legislative708priorities of DAV, Disabled American Veterans, and our partners709in the Auxiliary, of which I am also a proud member. Together710our over 1 million members represent more than 6 million711wounded, ill, and injured veterans, all of whom returned from712wartime service forever changed.713    My written testimony details DAV's key legislative goals714for this 119th Congress and it summarizes our many programs and715accomplishments that we have made over the last year. So I will716use my limited time here today to highlight some of our717critical policy goals.718    But before I do that, please let me introduce my DAV719colleagues joining me here today: our National Adjutant and720CEO, Barry Jesinoski; our National Headquarters Executive721Director, Cody VanBoxel; our Washington Headquarters Executive722Director, Jim Marszalek; our National Service Director, Scott723Hope; National Legislative Director, Jon Retzer; our National724Voluntary Services Director, John Kleindienst; our National725Caregiver Support Program Director, Ron Minter; our National726Employment Director, Jeremy Yost; and my good friend and my727partner and my commander, our Auxiliary National Commander,728Melissa Pierce.729    I would also like to recognize the many DAV members and730leaders who join me here today. Obviously, not every one of our731members could make the trip to Washington, but their732contributions have been critical to DAV's success as the733Nation's premier veteran service organization.734    I also wish to express my gratitude to our National735Executive Committee, members of our Interim Legislative736Committee, as well as my Chief of Staff Mike Valila, for all of737their support.738    And finally I want to thank my beautiful family, my wife739Karen, my son Jack, and my daughter Kate, who have remained740steadfast partners and supporters, not only of me but veterans741everywhere.742    Members of the Committee, I sit before you as a service-743disabled veteran of the Gulf War. I know from my own time in744uniform, as well as from the experiences of my comrades in745arms, that there is a price paid by all those who serve. As the746former Massachusetts Secretary of Veteran Services, I oversaw747more than $100 million in state funding for veterans and748dependents. This included financial aid and programming.749Suffice it to say, I understand the difficulties you all face750when it comes to making decisions that affect the lives of your751fellow countrymen. It is not easy, and there is no shortage of752critics. So let me take this opportunity, up front, to simply753say thank you for all that you do.754    Long before gaining that insight, I watched and admired as755those who made it home from Vietnam built one of the Nation's756first memorials to the 25 sons of South Boston who made the757ultimate sacrifice there. Witnessing my friends and neighbors758from Southie honor our fallen heroes had a profound impact on759me. It illustrated the importance of banding together to760accomplish a task bigger than oneself. And like many of those761seated behind me, I found military service reinforced that762idea.763    As a Marine motor transport operator, I spent a lot of time764getting tossed around the insanely uncomfortable cabs of765military vehicles. It was not the kind of thing that gets766glamorized in Hollywood. But getting Marines and supplies where767they needed was enough for me to know that I did my part.768    But as we all know, military services comes with trials and769tribulations that can last far beyond our time in uniform.770Fortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs is there to771assist us throughout our lives. When I pursued my higher772education, it was the GI Bill that paid my tuition. When the VA773Home Loan Guaranty Program helped Karen and I buy the house774that we live in today. When my service-connected disabilities775contributed to me stepping down from as CEO from an776organization that I ran for nearly nine years, it was VA777disability compensation that helped me keep our finances in778order. When I needed the medical care for those same779disabilities, it was VA hospitals and vet centers that provided780the care I needed and still need today. And when I am called to781stand my final post, the VA's National Cemetery Administration782relieves the burden for my family and ensure that I am laid to783rest with honor and dignity.784    None of this is unique to me. Countless veterans can share785that same story. Yet with everything happening in our country786today, I cannot help but wonder if VA will be there for future787generations as it was for me and for all of our Nation's788veterans.789    The VA stands at a defining crossroads, one that will shape790not only the institution itself but our Nation's enduring791commitment to those who have worn its uniform. On one path lies792the dismantling, fragmentation, and gradual erosion of a system793that was built to serve veterans. On the other lies a794principled effort to modernize, strengthen, and safeguard the795VA for future generations who will answer the call to serve.796This is not merely a political or bureaucratic debate. It is a797moral issue. It is a strategic issue. It is even a national798security issue.799    As an organization founded before our Nation had a federal800agency charged with honoring veteran sacrifices, we, DAV, know801that the VA was not created by accident or convenience. It was802built out of necessity and obligation. After each major803conflict in American history, our Nation confronted the same804question: How will we keep our promise to those who bore the805cost of war?806    The VA emerged as the answer. Its mission is singular in807American governance, to serve a population not defined by age,808income, or geography but by service and sacrifice.809    Yet today, VA faces intense pressure. Critics point to long810wait times, uneven quality of care, outdated infrastructure,811and administrative inefficiencies. These criticisms are not812unfounded. The VA, like many large institutions, has struggled813to adapt to changing demands, particularly the complex needs of814post-9/11 veterans.815    But acknowledging flaws is not the same as abandoning the816mission. Costs to dismantle or significantly privatize VA are817often framed as pragmatic solutions, offering veterans choice818by shifting care to the private sector. On the surface, this819may sound reasonable. In practice, it risks hollowing out the820only health care system in this country that is purpose-built821for veterans. Private health care systems are not designed822around military service. They don't specialize in combat trauma823or polytrauma rehabilitation. They don't take into account the824lifelong consequences of military toxic exposures, and they are825not accountable to veterans in the same way that a public826institution is accountable to the people that it serves.827    [Applause.]828    Mr. Nee. Dismantling, once begun, is rarely reversible. As829resources, talent, and expertise are siphoned away, the VA's830ability to function deteriorates. This creates a self-831fulfilling prophecy in which weakened performance is used to832justify further destruction of the Department. Veterans are833left navigating a fragmented landscape of providers, insurers,834and bureaucracies, often at the moments when they are least835equipped to do so.836    Preservation, on the other hand, does not mean defending837the status quo. Preserving the VA means reforming it, with838seriousness and resolve. It means modernizing facilities,839investing in digital health infrastructure, streamlining our840claims processing, and holding leadership accountable for841performance. It means expanding our mental health capacity,842strengthening rural access, and ensuring that care keeps pace843with evolving medical science.844    Most importantly, preservation means recognizing that VA is845not simply a health care provider. It is a covenant with those846who have earned its services.847    [Applause.]848    Mr. Nee. If our Nation is serious about honoring the849promise made to those who served, then our priorities must be850clear. Here are some of DAV's critical policy goals for this851year.852    First, we must make the claims and appeals process work for853veterans, not against them. Timely, accurate decisions are not854a courtesy; they are a moral obligation.855    [Applause.]856    Mr. Nee. We must also strengthen presumptive policies so857that veterans exposed to toxic substances are not forced to858prove what history and science already know. No veteran should859have to be forced to wait decades for the health care and860benefits that they have already earned.861    [Applause.]862    Mr. Nee. Equally urgent is closing the gaps in mental863health care and suicide prevention. Every veteran in crisis864deserves immediate, comprehensive support, because no one who865has served this Nation should ever feel forgotten or alone.866    [Applause.]867    Mr. Nee. Our survivors also deserve better modernizing and868strengthening their benefits ensures financial security after a869veteran is gone. Their sacrifices have earned the gratitude of870a grateful nation, and we must never neglect them.871    [Applause.]872    Mr. Nee. As veterans age, long-term care must keep pace873with their needs. That means expanding assisted living options874and strengthening support for caregivers, many of whom bear875enormous responsibilities with limited resources. These unsung876heroes deserve not just our thanks but meaningful support that877makes a difference in their lives.878    [Applause.]879    Mr. Nee. We must also protect veterans' programs from880arbitrary budget caps and PAYGO offsets that quietly erode881funding year after year. Our nation should never balance its882budget on the backs of those who have stood to defend it. They883already paid.884    [Applause.]885    Mr. Nee. And finally, just last week, a new regulation was886published by the VA. It would have reduced compensation for887some disabled veterans simply because they take medication for888their service-connected disabilities. We are pleased Secretary889Collins listened to veterans and announced that the VA would890not be implementing the rule. No veteran should be penalized891for taking the medication they need to survive.892    [Applause.]893    Mr. Nee. Every generation of veterans inherits a system894built by those who came before. The VA that treated World War895II veterans, like my dad, enabled the care of Korea and Vietnam896veterans. The reforms driven by Gulf War veterans like myself897laid the groundwork for post-9/11 care. What we decide now will898determine whether future veterans inherit a robust, integrated899institution or a patchwork of programs that treats their needs900as transactional rather than holistic. The choice before us is901not between reform or stagnation. It is between responsibility902or retreat.903    The VA stands at a crossroads. History will judge which904path we choose. What lies beyond is not merely an institutional905outcome but a statement of our national character. Let us906choose preservation. Let us choose reform. And above all, let907us choose to keep the promise to those who have always kept908faith with us.909    [Applause.]910    Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes my testimony. May God911continue to bless DAV, the men and women who serve our great912nation, and the United States of America. Thank you very much.913    [Standing ovation.]914915    [The prepared statement of Mr. Nee appears on pages 49-82916of the Appendix.]]917918    Chairwoman Mace. Alright. Beautifully stated with a919beautiful Boston accent, so thank you.920    I'm going to recognize myself. We will have approximately921three minutes each on this initial round, and I am going to922recognize myself for questions.923    Commander Nee, how important is community care for924veterans, home health care in rural and remote areas?925    Mr. Nee. I believe integrated community care with VA926facilities is critical for a lot of our rural veterans. Many of927these areas that we go to don't have ready access to VA928services right away. It is why I am very proud of our DAV929transportation network. We are getting many of these veterans930to their medical appointments. But integrated, coordinated care931with our VA services is something that DAV has for a long time932supported. But it has to be done in the right manner and it has933to be integrated with their VA health care records, that we are934collecting that data nationwide.935    Chairwoman Mace. And in addition to transportation means,936are there other things that we can be doing to improve937community care in rural areas?938    Mr. Nee. Yes. If you don't mind I want to answer your939question, Madam Chairwoman, but I also have some great experts940up here, as well, so I may refer to them occasionally, just to941give some follow-up background. And I know Jon Retzer, our942National Legislative Director, might have some comments.943    Mr. Retzer. Great question, Chairwoman. I appreciate that.944And with community care, one of the things that we really want945to see is, first and foremost, the standards that VA has in946training is also extended and required by our VA community947providers. And why is that? When you look at the toxic948exposure, traumatic brain injury, women veterans, special949needs, those all need levels of competency that meet the950standards of the very diverse needs of our population. So that951is one of them.952    The second part is we need a robust interoperable system.953The Electronic Health Record Modernization, as we watch VA go954through '26 and '27 as they deploy to 13 in 26 sites, we really955need to make sure that they have taken and addressed all of the956incidents that you have all identified that are concerning and957safety issues, and make sure that they roll it out very958seamlessly, and ensure that change management within the staff959is also adopted. And that is working between DoD, VA, and960Community Care seamlessly.961    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you. And Commander Nee, my next962question is for you but you may ask somebody else. In some of963your testimony you have discussed alternative therapies in964health care. Any thoughts on any technologies that are more965valuable than others? What should we be focused on on966alternative therapies or tools for recovering and healing for967our veterans when they come home?968    Mr. Nee. Great question, Madam Chairwoman. Yes, I969personally am a huge believer in alternative therapies. I,970myself, have used alternative and naturalistic therapies for my971own disabilities. We have done a significant amount of work on972that, and in fact, we have done a significant amount of973research.974    I believe, Jon, would you like to weigh in a little bit on975some of the specifics?976    Chairwoman Mace. We only have a few seconds left before I977have to hand it off.978    Mr. Retzer. Great. Actually, what we look at is alternate979options, and we really appreciate the alternate options, doing980research on psychedelics. We are looking at options in how HBOT981can have efficacy with regards to our post-traumatic stress982disorder. And we are continuing to also ensure that our woman983veterans, with regards to menopause research, is also there.984    Chairwoman Mace. All right. Thank you. And I now yield to985Ranking Member Takano. Thank you.986    [Applause.]987    Mr. Takano. Mr. Nee, how would you characterize this past988year in terms of information flow between the Department and989the VSO community?990    Mr. Nee. Yes, I know Jim Marszalek, our Washington991Executive Director deals directly every day with the VA, and I992would like him to weigh in a little bit. But before that I can993say that honestly, over the years what I have seen is when your994vet service organization community has an active working995partnership with VA, the system is a lot better and more gets996done.997    Jim, would you like to weigh in on the specifics of this998particular conversation?999    Mr. Marszalek. Yes. Thank you, Commander, and thank you,1000Ranking Member Takano for the question. I think the Commander1001said it perfectly, as well, that working together is very, very1002important. So if we are able to collaborate more, the better1003off VA is going to be, as well, as you have just seen last week1004what occurred. I think if we were involved earlier we could1005have told them, ``Hey, this is not going to go over well in the1006veteran community. This is not a good thing for veterans at1007all.''1008    So the collaboration has improved a little bit over the1009last year. I think Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence was at our1010conference. He spoke on Sunday. Before he made formal remarks,1011I was able to meet with him. He did assure me we will be1012collaborating more. We have a meeting later this week to1013discuss a couple of things. So I am optimistic. I am excited1014about being able to sit down with him and his team and find out1015how we can work better together.1016    Mr. Takano. Okay. Well, I am glad you are optimistic about1017that, that information flow seems to be improving. But I can1018tell you that I have seen that getting data from VA has been1019very difficult. This interim final rule being announced without1020any input from veterans, much less Congress, I thought was a1021huge misstep and a mistake.1022    We have several bills that would radically improve benefits1023for survivors, like Love Lives On and Caring for Survivors. DAV1024supports these bills, right? Is that correct, Commander Nee?1025    Mr. Nee. I believe we do. Jon?1026    Mr. Retzer. That is correct, Ranking Member. DAV supports1027the Major Richard Star, Love Lives On, and we want to ensure1028that we bring the parity with all our veterans as they are----1029    Mr. Takano. Well, great. Thank you. I know, as a1030nonveteran, I would never ask you or your members to bear the1031cost of your earned benefits. Would you agree that veteran and1032survivor benefits are earned and therefore should be paid by1033the general public?1034    Mr. Nee. I would agree with that, Mr. Ranking Member. Thank1035you.1036    Mr. Takano. I ask the same for the Major Richard Star Act.1037Should veterans shoulder the cost of the Major Richard Star1038Act?1039    Mr. Nee. No, they should not. We are opposed to any1040reduction of benefits or services that help our injured or ill1041veterans in VA care.1042    Mr. Takano. Should we allow arbitrary congressional rules1043to stand in the way of doing what is right for veterans?1044    Mr. Nee. No.1045    Mr. Takano. The answer is no. Thank you so much. I yield1046back.1047    [Applause.]1048    Chairwoman Mace. I will now recognize Ranking Member1049Blumenthal.1050    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for1051that excellent testimony, Mr. Nee. I have just a few questions.1052I am very interested in your emphasis on the need for standards1053for community care and at the same time improving the quality1054of care in the VA. If the emphasis is exclusively on expanding1055community care, doesn't that endanger the quality and1056availability of care for the VA, if all the resources go to1057community care?1058    Mr. Nee. Thank you for that question. I believe if all the1059resources were going to community care, no, that would not be1060something we are in favor of. I believe VA works better if1061there is a coordinated community care network, but in my own1062experience, having that information and that medical record1063flow, flow from the community back into your VA record, helps1064tremendously.1065    Senator Blumenthal. And you would agree that standards1066comparable to what the VA has to meet should be applied to1067community care. Correct?1068    Mr. Nee. Yes.1069    Senator Blumenthal. And information about what is happening1070in community care should be the same--the data, the basic1071information that is provided should be the same. Correct?1072    Mr. Nee. Correct.1073    Senator Blumenthal. And would you agree that there ought to1074be a commitment to repair and upgrade VA's aging1075infrastructure?1076    [Applause.]1077    Mr. Nee. I absolutely would agree with that, Mr. Ranking1078Member.1079    Senator Blumenthal. And to replace the 30,000--yes, it is108030,000--physicians, nurses, and others essential to VA health1081care should be filled and replaced. Would you agree?1082    Mr. Nee. I would agree, and I think Mr. Retzer might have1083some thoughts on that, as well.1084    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you.1085    Mr. Retzer. Thank you, Ranking Member. I appreciate the1086line of questioning. And really what DAV has always supported1087is a balance amongst community care, but we have to make sure.1088If you look at our Veterans ``Independent Budget'' of Fiscal1089Year 2027, we have provided recommendations to decrease1090community care budget. And the reason is that we have got1091infrastructure issues, we have inflation market values that is1092really plaguing the Department of Veterans Affairs. We want to1093make sure that we internally strengthen VA's health care system1094to meet the needs of all of our veterans, to include rural1095veterans. So as you look at our report, it will give you some1096guidelines.1097    One of the things that we noticed with the community care,1098too, is the cost of emergency and urgent needs and going out1099into community care. So we did a recommendation in our report1100citing a plus-up with regards to strengthening----1101    Senator Blumenthal. Let me just speak because my time is1102about to expire. I am going to interrupt with apologies. We1103have encountered tremendous difficulty, and I will say on both1104sides of the aisle. I do not want to speak for anyone, but the1105flow of information from the VA has been highly obscure. And1106even after the last hearing that we had, when Secretary Collins1107promised to fully answer all of our questions, to this moment,1108we have received half or less than he promised to provide.1109    So I hope you will join in this effort to demand full and1110complete transparency from the Department of Veterans Affairs,1111so that you can be effective advocates for the veterans of1112America.1113    Thank you so much for being here today.1114    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you, Senator.1115    [Applause.]11161117                     HON. MORGAN LUTTRELL,1118                 U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM TEXAS11191120    Chairwoman Mace. I will now recognize Representative1121Luttrell.1122    Mr. Luttrell. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. And it is good1123to be in the house with all my brothers and sisters. I miss you1124terribly, so I am glad everyone made the trip.1125    [Applause.]1126    Mr. Luttrell. You know for decades, Congress has1127appropriated millions and millions of dollars to the Department1128of Veterans Affairs for suicide prevention inside the VA.1129Millions of dollars. Decades and decades. And every year the1130suicide rate increases. We are losing that battle.1131    You hear the number 22 veterans a day, up to 40 veterans a1132day. Does anyone on the panel know how many spouses of veterans1133commit suicide? Does anybody know the answer to that question?1134    [No response.]1135    Mr. Luttrell. From what I understand, every eight days a1136spouse takes his or her life. I do not know if that is1137concrete. I would like to put that onto the panel to find that1138answer out for me. But through my research that is what I am1139hearing. Every eight days, a spouse of a veteran takes their1140life.1141    I heard you say that you are supporting alternative means1142of treatment, psychedelics, neuroplastogens. We are trying to1143find a name that does not scare everyone away. And to date,1144thousands and thousands of our brothers and sisters go overseas1145for this treatment, and it is highly effective.1146    And out loud, I will say there are three Members of1147Congress--myself, Mr. Correa, and Mr. Bergman, that are openly1148engaged with the VA, with DoD, HHS, FDA, on moving research on1149these medications to save us from that one-inch pistol range.1150And to date, it is like pushing a wet noodle up a hill. It is1151amazing, and some of the responses I have gotten was like,1152``Well, how many do you actually think this will save? '' and1153my response is, ``One! If it saves one veteran [applause], we1154are moving in the right direction.''1155    [Applause.]1156    Mr. Luttrell. But we are not making enough noise. The three1157of us cannot do this alone. You would think in the House of1158Representatives this is where the power lives. But when I look1159out into the crowd, and if DAV supports this effort, I am1160calling for an all-hands muster. You have to be present. Is1161this direction the way that we want to go? I adamantly believe1162it is. It is either taking a step somewhere else or continuing1163down the road of opioids and SSRIs and all the other stuff that1164we pump into our bodies to make ourselves feel good, and that1165inevitably leads to one place for those unfortunate ones.1166    And I do not have a question more than a statement. If we1167are all in, like we are when we are in combat, and you look to1168your left and your right and like, ``Hey, I'm with you. We're1169going,'' this is what we have to do. So I am asking for your1170help. When you travel around the lower chamber, the upper1171chamber, or you are hanging out at the Administration, ask1172these questions. Why aren't, why can't, or why haven't we moved1173research in the VA, in the DoD, and why isn't the FDA1174supporting this? Why is the FDA not supporting this? And God1175bless each and every one of you and your families for your1176service. Thank you.1177    [Applause.]1178    Chairwoman Mace. Amen. All right. Now I recognize1179Representative Pappas.11801181                       HON. CHRIS PAPPAS,1182             U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE11831184    Mr. Pappas. Thank you, Madam Chair, and Commander, thanks1185very much for your testimony, and to all the members that are1186here in this room, thank you for service, for making this1187country so great.1188    Commander, I share your deep concerns that you expressed1189about VA not being there for future generations and efforts to1190dismantle the workforce, to carry out reorganization without1191significant feedback from the veteran community and1192stakeholders, and to implement policies that threaten rather1193than increase or improve benefits, and how that will really1194undermine the ability of VA to be there and to deliver, and1195create this self-fulfilling prophecy around privatization, I1196think we all are in agreement we need to guard against.1197    You asked an essential question, which is how will we keep1198our promise to those who have borne the battle? And then,1199conveniently, you gave us all the answer. You gave us a good1200roadmap in terms of what Congress needs to do to answer that1201question and to make good on the debt that we owe to all those1202who have worn the uniform of this country.1203    And I regret that it has taken so long to get things like1204the Major Richard Star Act considered and across the finish1205line, things like the Love Lives On Act, which is really1206important to survivors.1207    One issue that I hear, which is a top concern of veterans1208in New Hampshire and I believe across the country, that is1209always brought up to me, is dental coverage. And I know that1210Representative Brownley is not here. She has led on that issue1211for a number of years. But could you talk about this as a1212priority in terms of treating the whole veteran and making sure1213that we have the right providers at VA to be able to expand1214this and make sure that more vets get access to dental1215coverage?1216    Mr. Nee. Yes, thank you very much for that question,1217Congressman. Dental care is essential. Dental care, proper1218dental care helps many of our veterans prevent cancer,1219diabetes, other very serious health issues. It helps in1220employment rates. I know when I got to many veteran homeless1221standdowns one of the major services that is provided, with the1222longest lines, is for the dental care, because that helps with1223them to get employment and it helps with their mental health.1224And I think if you talk to all of our members they will tell1225you, all of our service-connected disabled veterans in this1226country deserve comprehensive, holistic health care, and dental1227care is health care, period.1228    [Applause.]1229    Mr. Pappas. Thank you for that response. Absolutely. Well,1230I want to recognize the great veterans from the ``Live Free or1231Die'' State of New Hampshire who are joining us here. We had a1232conversation yesterday that touched on a number of issues.1233Included among those was dependency and indemnity compensation,1234which we know is a critical benefit to surviving spouses and1235family members who have supported our servicemembers and1236veterans. They talked about waits, people waiting months to be1237able to get access to these benefits. Do you have any1238recommendations for Congress on what we should be doing to1239shorten that timeframe and to make sure these benefits actually1240provide the kind of support that survivors and family members1241deserve?1242    Mr. Nee. Yes, absolutely, we do. Thank you, that is a great1243question. I know we have worked extensively on this, and I1244believe Scott Hope has some very specific comments on this1245particular matter.1246    Mr. Hope. Thank you, Commander, and thank you for the1247question. Our dependency and indemnity compensation is1248specifically for surviving spouses. Anything that we can do to1249bring in additional funds and parallel what other federal1250agencies have for individuals who pass away of a service-1251connected disability, we would definitely support. We are1252willing to link shields to defend what is currently available,1253and we will raise our swords to assist you or any member of1254your staff to fight for something in the future.1255    Mr. Pappas. Thanks for that commitment, for all that you1256do. I yield back.1257    Mr. Nee. Thank you.1258    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you. I now recognize Representative1259King-Hinds.12601261                   HON. KIMBERLYN KING-HINDS,1262       U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS12631264    Ms. King-Hinds. Thank you, Madam Chair. First of all, let1265me start off by saying thank you for your service and thank you1266for making your voices echo in the halls of Congress today. I1267honor you today with my thank you.1268    I think, just listening in on the conversation, what we are1269all really talking about is reform, and I think that we can all1270agree that the VA needs reform, right? But the question here is1271how do we do that reform responsibly so that, one, it improves1272performance, but more importantly, delivers better outcomes for1273all of you? And I think in these conversations what I am1274looking for is trying to find that right balance.1275    And so I want to ask any member of the panel who can answer1276this, what metrics should Congress monitor to ensure that we1277are improving access without hollowing out the VA facilities?1278At what point does expanding community care risk weakening the1279VA's internal capacity? As a non-veteran myself, these are the1280conversations that I would like to have so that I can make an1281informed opinion.1282    Mr. Nee. Thank you very much for the question. Obviously,1283as someone who is reliant on VA health care for my own health,1284I am interested in that as well. I believe that we have done a1285significant amount of work on this, and let me ask Jon to give1286you a little bit of a background, please.1287    Mr. Retzer. Thank you. And as we address the health care1288reform and how we balance community care, we have to address1289the access standards, which you have all done for some time,1290with CHOICE Act, MISSION Act. And now we are at a point where1291we also have the introduction of the ACCESS Act, which DAV1292supports. And we believe, as we look at it, not only do we have1293to look at the ACCESS Act with regards to how it facilitates1294services for the urban metropolitan, but we do have to address,1295very specifically, how do we do that differently for our rural1296and remote veterans, along with our women veterans. When we1297have over 1 million this year now enrolled in the VA health1298care system, they are the highest users of community care. So1299we have got to figure out how to bring that back into the VA1300health care system.1301    So we do need to look at the model of health care and flip1302it maybe upside down to say it is not a hospital model only. We1303need to look at really strengthening the CBOC, and that CBOC1304methodology could really strengthen----1305    Ms. King-Hinds. I am going to reclaim my time. I guess,1306what type of metrics should Congress develop when we are1307talking about actually addressing those issues?1308    Mr. Retzer. Yes. And I think because we have such limited1309time we would love to work with your staff on it, and we have1310some recommendations within the Veterans ``Independent Budget''1311that talks about the staffing, infrastructure, and the budget1312requirements.1313    Ms. King-Hinds. All right. Thank you. I am about to run out1314of time, but just a quick question. If Congress does nothing1315differently over the next five years, what is the single1316greatest risk to the long-term viability of the VA system?1317    Mr. Nee. Jon, would you like to----1318    Ms. King-Hinds. And real quickly because I am out of time.1319    Mr. Retzer. Yes. It is going to be that we need mandatory1320funding to keep it strong and healthy.1321    Ms. King-Hinds. All right. Thank you. I yield back.1322    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you. I know that Ranking Member1323Takano has a few more questions, so I will allow a second round1324two minutes. Our side went over by one minute, so I am going to1325give Ranking Member Takano three minutes. But before I do that1326I am going to say something real quick.1327    I love what everyone has said here today, and Congressman1328Luttrell, I am with you. I suffer from post-traumatic stress1329disorder, and I have authored legislation on plant-based1330therapies. I have had a bill in the House and that companion1331bill was in the Senate with Senator Cory Booker and Senator1332Rand Paul.1333    One of the problems up here, as Congressman Luttrell said,1334is that anything up here is like pushing a wet noodle up a1335hill--and I am going to steal that one. We really, to move1336things fast, it is not happening, and the stats on plant-based1337therapy for veterans who are suffering from PTSD and have1338suicidal ideation, the stats of success are through the damn1339roof. It is amazing what it has done to save lives. I mean, the1340majority of veterans who suffer from PTSD and pay thousands of1341dollars, or are sponsored by someone who can afford thousands1342of dollars to go down to Costa Rica or wherever for these1343plant-based therapies, in some cases it is over 75 percent of1344improvement. And why we are denying veterans the ability to do1345that unless they are in some sort of special program at Johns1346Hopkins, that the vast majority of vets cannot get into, is1347beyond me. Because it literally saves lives.1348    So as Congressman Luttrell said [Applause], and as the1349daughter of a Vietnam veteran, I have been to a lot of my1350father's Vietnam reunions. They do not have them anymore. Last1351year was probably the last one. And I have talked with men who1352served with my father, who have a lifetime of trauma. And it is1353only by God's grace that they are still alive.1354    So I really appreciate this very candid conversation, and1355we do need your voices here on the Hill. So thank you all and1356God bless you. And with that, Ranking Member Takano, you have1357got three minutes.1358    Mr. Takano. Thank you. Commander, have you heard anything1359from your members about negative impacts to their health care1360due to VA staffing shortages?1361    [Laughter.]1362    Mr. Nee. Great question, Ranking Member Takano.1363    Mr. Takano. Raise your hand if you have problems with1364staffing shortages at VA direct care.1365    [Hands raised.]1366    Mr. Takano. Go ahead and respond. And let the record show1367that nearly all of the audience raised their hands.1368    Mr. Nee. No, it is a very serious issue, sir. And again,1369for those of us who rely solely on VA for our health care,1370timely and convenient appointments again are not just a1371courtesy. They are something that is an obligation.1372    Mr. Takano. Have your members raised concerns about their1373care in the community?1374    Mr. Nee. Yes. I have heard anecdotes around community care,1375issues around military service not being understood,1376insensitive comments, things of that nature.1377    Mr. Takano. So the level of training and preparedness of1378community providers, as compared to VA providers, is a1379significant issue, would you say?1380    Mr. Nee. It is a very significant issue.1381    Mr. Takano. Would your members support training1382requirements for community providers?1383    Mr. Nee. Yes.1384    [Applause.]1385    Mr. Takano. And should those requirements be enforced1386through the community care agreements? We are about to enter1387into a 10-year agreement. In other words, if VA has a1388requirement about suicide prevention and medications and1389opioids, should community care providers be trained in those1390standards as equally as they are within the VA?1391    Mr. Nee. Yes. I mean----1392    Mr. Takano. That was a problem a number of years ago.1393    Mr. Nee. Correct. Community providers should have specific1394military training so that they recognize the issues that are1395very specific to our veterans.1396    Mr. Takano. And my understanding is that previous1397contracts, and including going forward--in a hearing that I had1398previously on community care that VA told me that third-party1399administrators, that they are not required to do this, and so1400when they build the networks for community care providers they1401cannot really get their providers to do all these trainings to1402be up to the same standards as VA doctors and providers. Do you1403think that is a problem?1404    Mr. Nee. I do think that is a problem, sir.1405    Mr. Takano. And would you change that? Would you ask VA to1406make sure that third-party administrators build networks that1407require their providers to take the same training that VA1408doctors get?1409    Mr. Nee. I would.1410    Mr. Takano. I think we should do that.1411    [Applause.]1412    Could you elaborate on your written testimony regarding the1413risks to adequately staffing VA's own health care system that1414are presented by legislation that would create grant programs1415to fund services outside of VA?1416    Mr. Nee. The specifics of that, I know Jon has done a lot1417of research.1418    Mr. Takano. I have run out of time. I want to be respectful1419to the Chairwoman. But if you could quickly maybe get the1420written testimony to me.1421    Mr. Retzer. We can get back to you on that question.1422    Mr. Takano. Okay. Thank you.1423    Chairwoman Mace. And thank you so much. Our first panel is1424now dismissed, and I want to thank you all for being here. We1425will take a three-minute recess to get the second panel1426installed. Thank you.1427    Mr. Nee. Thank you very much.1428    [Applause.]14291430    [Recess.]1431    Chairwoman Mace. Good afternoon and welcome to our second1432panel. I want to thank you all for being here. We have a lot of1433information of important organizations to hear from on this1434panel, so I would like us to get right to it.1435    Today we are joined by Lieutenant General Brian Kelly of1436Military Officers Association of America; Dr. Lindsay Knight of1437Blue Star Families; Mr. Tom Burke of Vietnam Veterans of1438America; Mr. Larry Wright, Jr., of National Congress of1439American Indians; Captain Rita Graham of Service Women's Action1440Network; Ms. Barbara Burt of Gold Star Wives of America; and1441Mr. Richard Brookshire of Black Veterans Project.1442    Again, welcome to all of you, and to all of your members in1443the audience here today.1444    Lieutenant General Kelly, you are now recognized for 51445minutes for your opening statement.14461447                            PANEL II14481449                              ----------14501451 STATEMENT OF LT. GEN. BRIAN T. KELLY, U.S. AIR FORCE (RET.),1452   PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MILITARY OFFICERS1453                     ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA14541455    General Kelly. Thank you, Chairwoman Mace and although not1456here, thanks to Chairman Bost and Chairman Moran and to our1457Ranking Members Takano and Blumenthal, and all the1458distinguished Members of both Committees. On behalf of the1459Military Officers Association of America, thank you for the1460opportunity to appear before you today. I am honored to be here1461along with so many members of our community who work tirelessly1462to support and help those who serve and have served our1463veterans and their families, who allow our Nation to remain1464free and strong.1465    I would like the MOAA members and staff who are here today1466to stand. They represent more than 356,000 members whose voices1467strengthen our advocacy and who work to preserve and protect1468the earned benefits of over 22 million Americans who serve,1469have served, their families and survivors across all ranks and1470all uniformed services. Thank you.1471    Let me begin by thanking both Committees for your1472leadership in advancing the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation,1473Reemployment, and Retirement Act, MOAA's top veterans' health1474care priority this year. This legislation includes meaningful1475steps to address the financial, professional, and emotional1476burdens borne by caregivers who enable veterans to live with1477dignity and independence. As the bill progresses, we1478respectfully respect your continued support to bring it to the1479floor in both chambers and ensure its passage. As strengthening1480education, employment, and retirement opportunities for1481caregivers honors their service and helps family members avoid1482choosing between caring for a veteran and securing their own1483future, all while reducing long-term reliance on public1484assistance.1485    You have my written testimony, but today I am focusing my1486opening remarks on two priorities that go to the heart of the1487system integrity and long-term force sustainability: the GUARD1488VA Benefits Act and the TAP Promotion Act.1489    First the GUARD VA Benefits Act. Federal law establishes1490who may charge veterans for assistance with VA disability1491claims. That law exists to protect veterans, preserve the1492integrity of the claims process, and ensure accountability for1493those who operate within it. When criminal penalties for1494unaccredited were removed in 2006, Congress did not authorize a1495new industry to emerge outside the existing framework. Yet that1496is exactly what has happened. Unaccredited, for-profit1497companies now openly charge veterans for services that federal1498law already restricts. They operate beyond VA oversight and1499without meaningful consequences.1500    Faced with growing claims volumes, the answer cannot be to1501simply change the law to accommodate those who are breaking it.1502If the system is under strain, our responsibility, all of our1503responsibilities, is to fix the system, not to legitimize1504practices that siphon earned benefits away from veterans.1505    As someone who has spent decades in uniform, responsible1506for people, processes, and accountability, I can say this1507clearly. Weakening standards to compensate for system stress1508only compounds the problem. It erodes trust, which is our1509ultimate currency, undermines legitimately accredited1510representatives, and sends the wrong message to servicemembers1511who expect the rules to apply evenly.1512    The GUARD VA Benefits Act restores accountability without1513restricting access to lawful, accredited assistance. It1514reaffirms that the solutions to system challenges is better1515performance and better oversight. MOAA urges Congress to1516advance this legislation and make clear that earned benefits1517belong to veterans, not to companies exploiting gaps in1518enforcement.1519    Second, the TAP Promotion Act. MOAA believes that service1520does not exist in silos. It begins the day someone raises their1521right hand, and it continues into burial honors. From a1522readiness enforced management perspective, the transition from1523servicemember to civilian is truly a consequential period, not1524only for the individual but for the credibility of the all-1525volunteer force. Yet transition outcomes vary widely. Too many1526servicemembers leave uniform not understanding their earned1527benefits, available resources, or where to turn to for trusted1528help. That lack of continuity increases the risk to the1529veteran.1530    As both an MSO and a VSO, MOAA occupies a unique position1531in this space. We support servicemembers while they are still1532in uniform and continue that support throughout their life as a1533veteran. That continuity matters.1534    The TAP Promotion Act strengthens outreach, improves1535consistency, and ensures servicemembers and their family1536members receive timely, accurate information before separation,1537not after problems arise. It reinforces connections to1538organizations like ours and the others at this table who are1539there testifying before this Committee, that remain with1540veterans long after their service departs.1541    This belief in lifecycle responsibility is also why MOAA1542launched the TotalForce+ Conference. With TotalForce+ we bring1543together leaders from the uniformed services, the Pentagon, the1544VA, the Congress, industry, and the nonprofit community to1545collaborate and advance solutions across this lifecycle1546together. There are plenty of venues that focus on the types of1547the next ships, the next planes, the next tanks, the next1548weapons. TotalForce+ focuses on the people who make strong1549national defense possible, because outcomes improve when1550responsibility is shared rather than passed along, and1551everybody believes that people truly outrank everything.1552    From first salute to final honors, how we care for those1553who serve and those who stand beside them directly impacts who1554will be willing to serve next. That group of people that was1555behind us before with those hats on are your biggest advocates.1556How they are treated will tell whether they tell somebody else1557to serve, and that is important.1558    MOAA stands here today ready for you to serve, and I thank1559you, and I look forward to your questions.15601561    [The prepared statement of General Kelly appears on pages156283-110 of the Appendix.]15631564    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you. I would now like to recognize1565Dr. Knight for 5 minutes for your opening statement.15661567               STATEMENT OF LINDSAY KNIGHT, PHD,1568            CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER, BLUE STAR FAMILIES15691570    Ms. Knight. Thank you, Chairwoman Mace, Chairman Moran,1571Ranking Members Blumenthal and Takano, and distinguished1572Members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to1573provide testimony on Blue Star Families' 2026 priorities.1574    Blue Star Families is the Nation's largest military and1575veteran family supporting organization. Its research-driven1576approach builds strong communities with a focus on innovative1577and data-informed solutions. Since 2009, our research has1578gathered trusted feedback from over 150,000 active-duty and1579veteran-connected families. Our goal is to enable military-1580connected families to thrive in the communities that they call1581home.1582    Since our founding, Blue Star Families has delivered more1583than $336 million in benefits, counts over 440,000 members, and1584supports more than 1.5 million people annually. Thirty-three1585percent of our membership base is comprised of veterans,1586veteran spouses, and veteran family members.1587    Using this data and member insights as our guide, Blue Star1588Families has three primary legislative priorities in 2026.1589    The first one, in 2022, as a result of the Commander John1590Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of15912019, Blue Star Families was awarded funding by the VA under1592the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant1593Program. Blue Star Families appreciates the extensive work your1594two Committees have done to extend this program past the1595original three-year pilot legislation, but we call on you both1596to work together to extend the program for at least another1597three years, and then to work toward a long-term authorization1598for the most successful initiatives.1599    As recipients of the Staff Sergeant Fox grant, Blue Star1600Families operates a program, Blue Star Support Circles Upstream1601Solutions to Crisis. Through this community-based suicide1602prevention program, we prioritize veterans who are at risk of1603suicide by ensuring that their friends and family members can1604recognize and understand signs and intervene before a veteran's1605struggle becomes a crisis.1606    As a quick aside to Representative Luttrell, because he1607brought up the question of how many veteran spouses die by1608suicide a year, I do not have the number of veteran spouses but1609I do have the most recent number from a DoD annual report in16102023 on suicide in the military. That report states that 1461611family members, 93 of which were active-duty spouses, died by1612suicide. I think it is an open question and one that our1613research team is certainly interested in pursuing in1614partnership with the VA to find out what the corollary number1615is for veteran spouses.1616    But I also wanted to point out this is why community- and1617family based interventions and programs matter. Servicemembers1618do not stand on their own. They stand as part of a unit,1619whether that is a family, a community. They are connected to1620others, and oftentimes those individuals are most able to tell1621when a crisis is going to happen before the emergency is at our1622feet. That is the entire theory of change behind our program.1623    To date, nearly 200 individuals have completed this eight-1624week nonclinical program with Blue Star Families. Support1625Circles was externally validated by the University of Alabama,1626and participants demonstrated through pre- and post-surveys1627statistically significant improvements in their capacity to1628help others experiencing suicidal thoughts and their own self-1629efficacy to intervene.1630    Our program increased participants' confidence in1631discussing suicide from 55 percent to 74 percent, enhance1632knowledge of appropriate language and resources, and1633significantly imparted skills to mitigate factors for loved1634ones who might be having thoughts of suicide. Additionally, the1635share of participants indicating that all firearms were stored1636and unloaded increased from 30 percent to 43 percent as a1637result of this program.1638    Veteran suicide prevention, however, is not nice to have.1639It is a moral imperative. I think everyone in this room would1640agree with that. And it also saves VA health care resources1641when done right and done upstream and in a preventative1642fashion.1643    In 2025, using the first three years of participant data,1644we had an external firm conduct an economic analysis of1645outcomes. That analysis projects that the Blue Star Support1646Circles generate health care and economic cost savings 17 times1647greater than program costs. That amounts to roughly $13,247 of1648net cost savings per cohort participant. Our participants show1649measurable PHQ-9 depression improvements, reducing major1650depressive disorder-related health care costs, and preventing1651costly emergency visits and psychiatric hospitalizations.1652    The second legislative priority that we have is that we are1653calling on Congress to enact the Building Readiness and1654Integration for Dependents Going to Civilian Environments Act.1655This is sponsored by Senator Alex Padilla and Representative1656Sanford Bishop and Jen Kiggans. The measure would establish a1657three-year pilot project at four U.S. military bases where1658national organizations serving the military and veteran1659community would coordinate the extension of military transition1660services to military families.1661    Challenges veterans face around transition are persistent.1662In our 2025 annual ``Military Family Lifestyle Survey,'' 581663percent of veteran respondents described their overall1664transition from military-to-civilian life as difficult or very1665difficult, and 44 percent found it more difficult than1666expected. The transition from military-to-civilian life is not1667just a personal journey for the servicemember, it is a profound1668change experienced by the entire family. However, many support1669services for spouses cease at the time of separation, which is1670often when families require it the most. Successful military-1671to-civilian transitions depend on comprehensive support1672strategies that recognize the unique needs of veteran family1673members, not just in their capacity as caregivers but as1674individuals navigating a significant transition themselves.1675    A true measure of a successful transition extends beyond1676the veteran's employment or access to benefits is reflected in1677the family's stability, well-being and connection to their1678community as they establish their new life as a veteran family.1679    Finally, Blue Star Families calls on Congress to pass the1680Major Richard Star Act. As many of you know, this bill will1681allow 52,000 combat-injured, medically retired veterans to1682receive their earned retirement pay and disability compensation1683without offset. The Star Act has 315 House and 77 Senate co-1684sponsors. That is three-quarters of Congress. And it could pass1685today if brought to the floor on each side of the Capitol.1686    Thank you all and distinguished Members of the Committee1687for inviting Blue Star Families to provide our priorities,1688views, and research. I am happy to answer any questions.16891690    [The prepared statement of Ms. Knight appears on pages 111-1691121 of the Appendix.]16921693    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you. I would now like to recognize1694Mr. Burke for 5 minutes for your opening statement.16951696          STATEMENT OF TOM BURKE, NATIONAL PRESIDENT,1697                  VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA16981699    Mr. Burke. Chairman Moran, Chairman Bost, Ranking Members1700Blumenthal and Takano, I appear before you today as a Vietnam1701veteran and the proud President of Vietnam Veterans of America,1702an organization born not from comfort or consensus but from1703necessity.1704    Our motto is simple, and it is unyielding: ``Never Again1705Will One Generation of Veterans Abandon Another.'' That promise1706was forged by Vietnam veterans who came home to a country that1707did not know what to do with us. We did not return to parades,1708gratitude, and too often we had returned to silence. Some1709questioned even if Vietnam was a real war. We learned quickly1710that if veterans did not fight for each other, no one else1711would. So we fought. We fought for ourselves when no one else1712would, and we won battles many said we could not win.1713    Long before PTSD had a name, Vietnam veterans forced this1714Nation to recognize invisible wounds as real injuries. Long1715before Agent Orange or toxic exposure were politically safe to1716acknowledge, we demanded accountability for harms caused in1717service to this country.1718    There were no playbooks, no large budgets--only conviction,1719perseverance, and the refusal to be ignored. That is how1720Vietnam Veterans of America was built. We may not have the1721largest balance sheets, but our passion is rooted in lived1722experience and the hard, hard knowledge of what happens when a1723nation looks away from those it they sent to war.1724    That is why, although our name reflects one generation, our1725mission has never been confined to one. We speak today not only1726for Vietnam veterans but for all veterans, because we know what1727abandonment looks like, and we will not allow it to be1728repeated. Never again will one generation of veterans abandon1729another.1730    That history brings me directly to the Vietnam Veterans'1731highest priority, the full accounting of our prisoners of war1732and those still missing in action. For those who served, this1733is not an abstract. These are names not in the database. They1734are friends we trained with, people we served beside, and we1735expected them to come home.1736    The promise that no one would be left behind did not end1737when the battle stopped, and it does not weaken in time. That1738is why VVA has never wavered on POW/MIA accountability for all1739wars. It is a sacred obligation, not a discretionary program.1740    Reducing budgets for the agencies responsible for1741recovering our missing servicemembers is unacceptable. It1742breaks faith with families who have waited decades and with1743those currently serving who trust their country will not forget1744them. Accounting for the missing is not about the past. It is1745about trust.1746    Vietnam Veterans of America also carries the same sense of1747passion into a cause that our members know all too well, a1748fight for veterans exposed to toxic exposures. For too many of1749us the war did not end when we came home. It followed us. It1750surfaced years later in our bodies, and too often in our1751families. Vietnam veterans were exposed to Agent Orange long1752before anyone was willing to admit what it was doing to our1753bodies. And evidence now demands serious research into toxic1754exposure may affect spouses and biological descendants.1755    This fight is not limited to one generation. Vietnam1756veterans have stood with all veterans who have been harmed by1757toxic exposure, including those suffering from the Gulf War1758illness, whose symptoms were dismissed for far too long. We1759push for recognition because we know exactly what happens when1760denial replaces accountability.1761    This nation must fully accept this responsibility to every1762veteran harmed in service, and the Vietnam veterans will1763continue to speak about this.1764    And this brings me to what deeply--veterans must never be1765used as political leverage. No veteran should ever be helped,1766or ignored, because it is politically convenient. Care must1767never depend on party loyalty, polling, or legislative timing.1768When veterans become bargaining chips, progression stops, trust1769erodes, and real people pay the price. Vietnam Veterans of1770America did not pick sides. We pick outcomes, and we will work1771with anyone, of any party, who is serious about delivering1772results for those who served.1773    Vietnam Veterans of America will continue working across1774the aisle on a wide range of legislative issues. We look1775forward to working with both Committee and every Member willing1776to engage in good faith. We will offer our expertise directly1777to any office, wherever it is helpful, because results matter1778more than credit.1779    Before I close I must ask, how a nation that asks so much1780of its servicemembers can accept that so many will die from1781suicide, sleeping in the streets, or fall apart in transition1782once the uniform comes off? How do we explain that the danger1783does not end when the service is over, be that in combat or any1784area of other service? How can we accept the danger continues,1785in paperwork, in silence? These veteran losses are mostly1786caused by delay, diffusion of responsibility, and the excuse of1787complexity. And when systems fail to act, veterans pay the1788price with their lives.1789    These are our people. They stood watch, they carried the1790burden, and they deserve urgency. They do not deserve1791explanations about why help must wait. Vietnam Veterans of1792America will not accept a system that saves resources while it1793costs lives. Vietnam veterans taught this Nation something1794important, that progress does not come from waiting to be1795invited, it comes from showing up, from telling the truth, and1796from refusing to go away. That is who we are, and that is what1797we continue to be, as long as we have breath in our bodies.1798    Thank you for the opportunity to testify.17991800    [The prepared statement of Mr. Burke appears on pages 122-1801130 of the Appendix.]18021803    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you. I now recognize Mr. Wright for18045 minutes for your opening statement.18051806 STATEMENT OF LARRY WRIGHT, JR., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL1807                  CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS18081809    Mr. Wright. [Speaks Native language.] Good morning,1810distinguished Members of the Committee. I address you in my1811Tribal language, my Ponca language, out of respect and to raise1812awareness for our Navajo Code Talkers, who were instrumental in1813helping our country during World Wars I and II.1814    My name is Larry Wright, Jr. I am the Executive Director1815for the National Congress of American Indians. Previously I1816served as Tribal Chairman for the Ponca Tribe in Nebraska for181711 years. I am also a proud veteran.1818    Thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of1819American Indian and Alaska Native veterans, who continue to1820proudly serve this country at higher rates than any other1821demographic in the United States.1822    As noted in my written testimony, the contributions of1823Native American veterans span from the Revolutionary War to1824today. Whether serving as Code Talkers during World War II or1825helping raise the American Flag at Iwo Jima, Native American1826veterans have demonstrated courage, commitment, sacrifice, and1827undeniable service to this country, many before we were even1828citizens of this country.1829    Many of these veterans commit to continued service upon1830returning to their communities, whether in Tribal governance,1831community development, or other forms of public service. Native1832American veterans carry forward a long tradition of warrior1833societies, rooted in responsibility, protection, and1834leadership. This is why it is important that NCAI is here today1835to advocate for the needs of our veterans, including health1836care, housing, food, and other support mechanisms that ensure1837their continued success in contributions to our communities and1838this country.1839    First, on health care. Since I last testified before your1840Committees, I am proud to report that the Congress has1841continually provided advanced appropriations for the Indian1842Health Service. Many of our veterans live far away from VA1843health care facilities, making IHS the only way for many of our1844veterans to access health care. I thank you for your support in1845this effort, and ask that you continue to ensure that Native1846American veterans relying on IHS receive the same advanced1847appropriations as the VA does.1848    Second, on housing. Many of our veterans have difficulty1849finding safe and affordable housing on or near Tribal1850communities. NCAI supports the Native American Direct Loan1851Program, which provides necessary financing for homes located1852on Tribal trust lands at a 2.5 percent interest rate. Given the1853high cost of housing across the United States and the unique1854financing challenges associated with trust land, below-market1855interest rates are critical to putting our deserving veterans1856in healthy homes.1857    To ensure that the program is successful, we urge Congress1858to provide a directive to the VA to put it into its current1859hiring freeze, and more specifically to hire necessary VA staff1860that can educate Native American veterans on the program and1861provide much needed technical assistance to improve its1862utilization.1863    Likewise, NCAI strongly supports the continuation and1864expansion of the Tribal HUD-VASH Program. As part of this1865process, we encourage your Committees to remove any unnecessary1866restrictions for Native American veterans who reside in current1867assisted stock units. In some Tribal communities, these units1868are the only vacant units available to Native veterans. They1869should not be penalized because of limited housing options.1870    Third, on food. NCAI has been paying close attention to the1871changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. We1872were disappointed to see that recent changes to SNAP removed1873the work requirement exemption for veterans, Native and non-1874Native alike. The elimination of this exemption creates1875unnecessary burdens in accessing critical nutrition for the1876bravest among us, rather than serving as an incentive for1877employment. A significant portion of our veterans reside in1878remote Tribal areas where local unemployment rates are often1879three times or more the national average. In these regions,1880failure to secure a job that satisfies specific hourly1881requirements is more frequently due to geographic limitations1882than lack of effort.1883    Fourth, on additional resources. The VA Advisory Committee1884on Tribal and Indian Affairs has served as a critical mechanism1885to ensure that Tribal voices remain at the table as the VA1886develops policies, programs, and services that directly impact1887more than 145,000 Native American veterans that the VA serves1888today. NCAI strongly believes that any disruption to the1889advisory committee's operations undermines the VA's ability to1890effectively serve Native American veterans. We urge your1891Committees to ensure that the advisory committee has the legal1892framework and financial resources required to meet its1893obligations.1894    To this point, we appreciate the introduction of the1895National Veterans Strategy Act, which would establish metrics1896to determine the well-being of our veterans regarding their1897physical health, mental health, spiritual health, economic1898security and opportunity, education, family and social1899engagement, and civic engagement. This important bill1900rightfully recognizes Tribal governments and Tribal1901organizations as key stakeholders to determine these metrics.1902    Indian Country knows firsthand the shortfalls that our1903veterans face, and we are eager to work with Congress to close1904those gaps. Thank you for your time. I am happy to answer any1905questions that you may have.19061907    [The prepared statement of Mr. Wright appears on pages 131-1908136 of the Appendix.]19091910    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you so much. I will now recognize1911Captain Rita Graham for your opening remarks in 5 minutes.19121913           STATEMENT OF RITA GRAHAM, POLICY DIRECTOR,1914                 SERVICE WOMEN'S ACTION NETWORK19151916    Ms. Graham. Good morning, distinguished Members. Thank you1917for the opportunity to testify today.1918    My name is Rita Graham. I served as an Army Field Artillery1919Officer, and I now serve as the Policy Director for the Service1920Women's Action Network, or SWAN. On behalf of woman veterans1921everywhere and on behalf of SWAN, I respectfully highlight1922three priorities today.1923    Number one, closing the gender-based research gaps under1924the PACT Act. Number two, restoring comprehensive reproductive1925health care access for veterans. And three, protecting1926evidence-based policies on women service and ground combat1927units. These priorities reflect what we are seeing from women1928veterans across the country.1929    Veterans like me volunteered to serve, fully knowing the1930risks of combat. But what we did not expect was that after our1931service our access to health care and benefits that we earned1932could still depend on whether or not the VA systems recognize1933our service and sacrifice.1934    Which leads me to priority number one, ensuring the PACT1935Act implementation fully addresses reproductive and fertility1936impacts. The PACT Act has been hugely successful in1937establishing long-term harms from toxic exposure. However,1938implementation gaps remain for women veterans specifically.1939Women veterans report substantially higher infertility rates1940than civilian women, yet researchers consistently identify1941significant gaps in data on reproductive health outcomes among1942women exposed to military environmental hazards. Substances1943linked to reproductive toxicity, miscarriage risk, and1944infertility are routinely encountered in everyday military1945environments from motor pools, maintenance facilities, and1946firing ranges.1947    Yet infertility and many reproductive health conditions are1948not currently included among toxic exposure presumptive1949conditions. And proving service-connection can be particularly1950difficult due to complex nexus and service-connection1951requirements.1952    While VA data shows success in women veterans' enrollment1953proportional to their population in toxic exposure screenings,1954however, the gap that we see today is that publicly available1955data related to claims approvals and denials and condition1956level outcomes are not consistently disaggregated by gender,1957making it difficult to fully assess whether benefits are being1958delivered appropriately.1959    This issue is not whether or not women are being exposed to1960these chemicals. That has already been well documented. The1961issue today is that research systems to track these toxic1962exposures were built when the force was primarily male.1963Therefore, reproductive outcomes were not systematically1964tracked appropriately. Our challenge today is whether or not1965these outcomes are being fully and effectively measured.1966    And let me be clear. This is not primarily a benefits1967issue. It is a measurement and accountability issue.1968    SWAN urges Congress to require gender disaggregated1969reporting, prioritizing longitudinal reproductive health1970research, and ensuring veterans with service-connected1971infertility have clear treatment pathways. Recognizing1972reproductive harm from toxic exposure does not expand the PACT1973Act's mission but instead fulfills it.1974    Priority two, restoring comprehensive reproductive health1975care access. In December 2025, the VA reversed its policy1976permitting reproductive health services in cases of rape and1977incest. This policy reversal affects countless numbers of1978survivors of military sexual trauma within the female veteran1979population. VA data proves that roughly 1 in 3 women will1980experience military sexual trauma throughout their life, and1981reporting under the Deborah Sampson Act has documented more1982than 1,500 instances of sexual harassment on VA campuses every1983single year.1984    These data highlight the serious ongoing risk, where a1985veteran who survives sexual violence may seek care inside a VA1986system, yet lack the full range of pregnancy-related medical1987counseling available in their counterpart civilian health care1988systems.1989    At SWAN, we believe that no veteran should lose their1990bodily autonomy because of their service to our country. SWAN1991urges Congress to ensure survivors of sexual violence have1992access to the same medically appropriate care available in1993their civilian health care counterparts.1994    Our final priority number three, protecting evidence-based1995policies that affect women's military service. Last month, the1996Department of Defense announced a new or re-review of women in1997ground combat positions. This review comes despite more than a1998decade of research and operational experience that prove that1999integration challenges are solved through leadership,2000standards, and infrastructure, not inclusion.2001    Today, there are approximately 5,000 women who serve in2002ground combat roles, and thousands more have already2003transitioned to veteran status, like myself. While not directly2004under the scope of this Committee, the policies that affect who2005can serve today will shape the population that the VA and this2006Committee will serve tomorrow. SWAN encourages continued2007oversight to ensure personnel decisions remain evidence-based2008to sustain a strong military.2009    Before closing, SWAN would like to appreciate the VA's2010reversal of the interim final rule on medication and disability2011ratings, and hope this will lead to more transparency and2012congressional oversight for all future regulatory changes.2013    In closing, when I became one of the first women integrated2014into a ground combat unit, I did not consider it a historic2015milestone. I was doing my job, as did so many other women2016veterans around the country. And now today we women veterans2017ask for something very simple. We ask that the veteran health2018care system and benefits fully reflect the realities of our2019service.2020    Thank you, and I look forward to any questions.20212022    [The prepared statement of Ms. Graham appears on pages 137-2023141 of the Appendix.]20242025    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you. I will now recognize Ms.2026Barbara Burt for her opening remarks.20272028STATEMENT OF BARBARA BURT, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, GREATER BOSTON2029  CHAPTER AND NEW ENGLAND REGION, NATIONAL BOARD MEMBER, GOLD2030                  STAR WIVES OF AMERICA, INC.20312032    Ms. Burt. Chairwoman Mace, Chairman Bost, Chairman Moran,2033Ranking Member Takano, Ranking Member Blumenthal, and2034distinguished Members of the Committees, my name is Barbara2035Burt. I was born in Kansas, and now live in Hanson,2036Massachusetts, on a small farm. I appear today on behalf of2037Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., representing the widows and2038widowers across this Nation who have lost their spouses as a2039result of military service.2040    Gold Star Wives of America was founded in 1945, to advocate2041for policies and financial support for military survivors and2042their children. Eighty years later, that mission remains as2043urgent as ever.2044    I am the widow of Robert Burt Jr., who served in the United2045States Army Reserves and as a full-time recruiter in the Kansas2046Army National Guard. As the effects of Agent Orange emerged,2047Bob's health declined. In 2019, he was diagnosed with multiple2048system atrophy, a devastating neurodegenerative disease. Within2049two years it took everything from him, including his life.2050    After Bob's death, I became trapped in grief. Gold Star2051Wives of America, Inc., became my restoration. Dependency and2052Indemnity Compensation, DIC, was created to prevent economic2053collapse after the loss of a servicemember. The word2054``indemnity'' recognizes the loss caused by military service is2055permanent, yet today that promise is not being fulfilled.2056    As a new member of Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., I was2057struck by who these military spouses are. Many gave up careers,2058education, and financial security to care for their veteran.2059They met medical, emotional, and financial needs without2060guarantee of a future. When the spouse returned broken in body2061and spirit, or in a flag-draped casket, they stepped forward2062into a life of caregiving, loss, economic instability, without2063hesitation. They served a nation that has not always served2064them.2065    For more than 30 years, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.,2066has advocated for updating the inadequate level of DIC. We are2067often told it costs too much. Meanwhile, I watch grieving2068spouses struggle with inadequate heat, food insecurity, housing2069instability, and unmet medical needs, and still show up. They2070show up for each other, for their communities, and for this2071country. These brave, selfless women and men validated my grief2072and showed me that purpose can grow from loss, what the Bible2073calls ``beauty from ashes.''2074    Today most surviving spouses live on approximately $1,7002075per month from DIC. Some receive Social Security. Many do not.2076Every year that DIC remains inadequate, military spouses pay2077the consequences, not in theory but in daily hardship. That2078hardship means choosing between heat and medication, groceries2079and gasoline, it means delaying care, skipping meals, and2080living with the constant fear that one unexpected expense will2081undo what little stability remains. For many it means losing a2082family home and moving into shared or unstable housing.2083    Members of the Committee, you can change this. H.R. 60472084provides a modest but meaningful increase, and we thank2085Chairman Bost and the House Committee for advancing this bill.2086As noted at markup, this is a down payment, progress, not2087completion. That completion is S. 611 and H.R. 2055, the Caring2088for Survivors Act. Today, DIC replaces only 43 percent of 1002089percent disabled veterans' compensation. This bill raises that2090to 55 percent, aligning military survivors with other federal2091survivors. This is not just a matter of fairness. It is a2092matter of survival.2093    H.R. 1685, the Justice for ALS Veterans Act, reflects2094medical reality. ALS carries a two- to five-year life2095expectancy. Policies requiring eight years of total disability2096create structural exclusion.2097    We also support S. 410 and H.R. 1004, the Love Lives On2098Act, which affirms that our Nation's responsibility to military2099families does not end at loss. Chairman Moran, thank you for2100your leadership.2101    Finally, we support H.R. 2264, the Service-Connected2102Suicide Compensation Act. Like the PACT Act, it shifts the2103burden of proof away from grieving spouses and toward fairness2104and compassion.2105    Members of this Committee, we urge your favorable2106consideration of these bills and are confident that bipartisan2107leadership can move them to the President's desk.2108    Thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of Gold2109Star Wives of America, Inc.21102111    [The prepared statement of Ms. Burt appears on pages 142-2112148 of the Appendix.]21132114    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you. I would now like to recognize2115Mr. Richard Brookshire for 5 minutes for your opening2116statement.21172118STATEMENT OF RICHARD BROOKSHIRE, CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND2119               CO-FOUNDER, BLACK VETERANS PROJECT21202121    Mr. Brookshire. Chairman Moran, Chairwoman Mace, Ranking2122Members Blumenthal and Takano, and distinguished Members of the2123Committees, Black Veterans Project represents the first2124comprehensive reparative justice effort mobilizing Black2125veterans and military families systematically denied access to2126the GI Bill during the height of Jim Crow, as well as those who2127endured systemic racial inequities across the Department of2128Veterans Affairs benefits programs since the end of legal2129segregation.2130    BVP leverages data-driven research, narrative storytelling,2131and impact litigation to redress the Federal Government's2132sustained legacy of racial bias that has siphoned an estimated2133$100 billion in wealth-generating opportunities from Black2134veterans and military families since World War II.2135    While the families of white veterans now hold 32 times more2136wealth than those of Black veterans--a gap of $164,000 per2137household--Black veterans remain twice as likely to live in2138poverty and represent fully one-third of the homeless veteran2139population.2140    Since 2020, Black Veterans Project has worked with Yale Law2141School and the National Veterans Council for Legal Redress to2142FOIA internal VA data exposing the systemic denial of billions2143in disability pay to Black veterans in the post-9/11 era. Monk2144v. United States, a legal case leveraging these findings, is2145poised to become the first race-based class action reckoning2146with the legacy of racial discrimination in VA's benefits2147programs.2148    While more recent disparities at VA has taken years of2149strategic advocacy to bring to light, efforts to further2150investigate and address systemic inequities were haphazardly2151upended last year, when the Office of Equity Assurance was2152liquidated under the auspices of government efficiency.2153    For decades, VA flat-out ignored repeated requests by2154advocates to access its racial data. A 2021 lawsuit by Black2155Veterans Project compelled the release of just two decades'2156worth of disability grant rate data by race, substantiating2157what Black veterans and advocates had long suspected--sustained2158and systemic disparities in the administration of a veterans'2159benefits program. Despite a government record spanning the2160widespread obstruction of Civil War pensions through the2161multigenerational obstruction of veterans' housing, education,2162and healthcare benefits from World War II through the Gulf2163Wars, accountability remains elusive.2164    In January 2024, VA summarily eliminated its diversity,2165equity, and inclusion initiatives focused on improving outreach2166to minority, women, and veterans adversely affected by2167persistent inequality. Seemingly overnight, it terminated more2168than 60 employees and reallocated more than $14 million in2169earmarked funding to wage a war shameless war on ``woke.'' Now,2170innocuous rule changes and unregulated artificial intelligence2171are wreaking havoc in ways that will undermine access, with too2172few guardrails in place to ebb their impact.2173    The deployment of anti-diversity, equity, and inclusive2174narratives, levied through dubious Executive orders, has sown2175confusion and fear, threatening those working to mitigate2176adverse discriminatory outcomes at VA and beyond. The very2177systems built to catalyze integration and guarantee2178accessibility for all veterans have been eroded for partisan2179political gain, and the dignity of our Nation's veterans has2180become collateral damage for an anti-woke agenda that serves to2181distract from the rapid privatization of our Nation's largest2182public health care system.2183    Worse still, powerful forces are actively colluding to2184redefine who is entitled to the myriad of benefits earned2185through military service and whose contributions in uniform are2186ultimately remembered, honored, and uplifted.2187    As we mark our Nation's 250th anniversary, historical2188erasure is adding insult to injury. The veneration and2189advancement of anti-democratic, discriminatory narratives and2190policies present a nexus of crisis across our Federal2191Government that must be confronted, and a decay of values that2192must be uprooted and repaired. Americans envision a multiracial2193democracy in which all veterans are respected and protected.2194That is not the moment in which we now find ourselves.2195    We are at a pivotal crossroads where apathy, animus, and2196willful ignorance are converging. This must be met with moral2197clarity and conviction. The shared values of integration, equal2198opportunity, equity, and inclusion are structural necessities2199that equip the best of us to do the most for all of us. That is2200the America for which countless souls have perished, that is2201the America for which I donned a uniform, and that is the2202America your Committees must embody to adequately care for2203those who have borne the battle, no matter their identity.2204    Black Veterans Project looks forward to working with each2205of you to repair past and present harms and to rebuild the2206public trust required for VA, veterans, and our Nation to2207thrive into the future. Thank you.22082209    [The prepared statement of Mr. Brookshire appears on pages2210149-155 of the Appendix.]22112212    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you so much, Mr. Brookshire. I will2213now recognize myself for three minutes of questions.2214    My first question goes to you, General Kelly. The barriers2215within the transition process preventing veterans from2216accessing and understanding their benefits, what are those2217barriers?2218    General Kelly. First, thanks for the question, Chairwoman,2219and thanks for having us here again today. I think first and2220foremost, when you get into those room--you know, I have gone2221through the Transition Assistance Program, as many of the2222veterans, I am sure, Representative Luttrell went through, as2223well--you get in there and there is focus on a very short2224period of time, and most people are focused on only their2225disability claims, the information that comes out and what is2226going to happen. There are so many other benefits and so many2227other things that have to happen that the information is not2228necessarily passed in the right way.2229    In addition, to make the connections that have to happen2230afterwards, to help people make their transitions to the VA and2231access to all those other benefits and have continued--2232continued--continuity in that really requires a focus, for2233which many of the VSOs, many of the MSOs that you see here, are2234prepared and set to do that, not just on the disability side--2235in fact, we do not even do disability claims at MOAA--but to2236make sure that those veterans have access to all of the2237benefits that they have, and have information from a trusted2238source, so that they do not go looking for somebody who is out2239there just doing it for profit.2240    Chairwoman Mace. And so what are some of those key benefits2241you think that they are missing hearing about?2242    General Kelly. Education, housing, other health care that2243is not related to disability claims. There is a variety of2244those in there that they have earned through their service,2245that are just being lost, or sometimes they are being sent to2246folks who are there to prey on them in regard to helping them2247get a disability outpayment, for which then they will reap the2248benefits, which is unfortunate for our veterans.2249    Chairwoman Mace. I think we call those sharks, right?2250    General Kelly. Yes, we do. That is correct.2251    Chairwoman Mace. And then how do we, I guess for that2252continuity, making sure they know all their benefits, how do we2253remove some of those barriers? What are some of your ideas?2254    General Kelly. I think we have looked at some of them in2255our written testimony, but certainly the work that is being2256done for the GUARD VA Act, to help make sure we police some of2257those sharks, as you called them, out of there is important,2258make sure we get the right groups of people involved in that2259transition so that the connections and the discussions can be2260made, and we can know who the trusted sources are so the2261veterans, even if they do not have the information the first2262time, have the right places to follow up and make sure that2263they get access to all of their benefits.2264    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you. And I have 45 seconds left,2265Captain Graham. My last question is for you. How can the VA be2266more efficient with how it delivers benefits to veterans, their2267families, women, et cetera, everything you talked about?2268    Ms. Graham. Thank you for the question. I think, first of2269all, just having proper reporting data coming from the VA up.2270The question obviously is how to receive the benefits, but the2271VA needs to know what issues there are. A lot of the data that2272we pull is anecdotal from individuals. The VA just needs a2273better understanding of what these issues are for service2274women, and that comes from better research, disaggregated by2275gender.2276    Chairwoman Mace. Okay, thank you. I would now like to2277recognize the Ranking Member.2278    Mr. Takano. I will yield to Senator Duckworth.2279    Chairwoman Mace. Okay. Senator Duckworth, you are now2280recognized.22812282                     HON. TAMMY DUCKWORTH,2283                   U.S. SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS22842285    Senator Duckworth. Thank you, and I want to thank the2286Ranking Member, Congressman Takano for yielding to me. I am2287running a little behind schedule.2288    From the moment my buddies carried me to safety, I have2289dedicated my life to supporting our Nation's veterans and2290serving them, in order to try, in a minuscule way, honor their2291bravery and their sacrifice. That mission is why I am here2292today as a Member of Congress, and that is why I continue to2293join you in fighting tirelessly against Donald Trump's attack2294on the VA. Because I see clear as day that the end goal here is2295to privatize and eventually dismantle the VA, and this effort2296has started even before this Administration. It has been long2297ongoing, and we have been fighting this for a very long time.2298    At this point, President Trump has fired more veterans than2299any other President in American history. He has taken an axe to2300the VA workforce. He has killed collective bargaining rights to2301instill a culture of fear, and consistently withheld oversight2302authorities from Congress. His Administration plans to gut the2303Veterans Health Administration's management structure and2304outsource $1 trillion away from VA clinicians and to a civilian2305provider network that does not have the specialized2306infrastructure to provide service-informed care.2307    Over one year into his second term, there is still no clear2308strategy on how Donald Trump's VA plans to deliver more2309resources to veterans, not less. He claims that he cares about2310veterans, and I state, the President said, and I quote, ``Under2311my leadership our Nation will always uphold the legacy of our2312veterans, and as President I will always have their backs,''2313end quote.2314    Frankly, I am tired of his broken promises, and the veteran2315community should be too. His Administration has turned its back2316on veterans every single time an opportunity has presented2317itself.2318    Secretary Collins' most recent ambush interim final rule,2319should be a sobering call to action. Do not be fooled. Until2320Secretary Collins rescinds that rule, it remains in effect. It2321remains in effect. If you think that this is the end of this2322Administration's effort to attack disability compensation, then2323you are wrong. If that was the case, Secretary Collins would2324have consulted all of us, or at the minimum rescind the rule2325and assert a clear consultation plan with all stakeholders2326being consulted, beginning with the Members of Congress, and2327then, of course, with the VSOs. You are the voice of our2328Nation's veterans, each and every one of you. You should have2329been consulted.2330    This is not a Republican versus Democrat issue. This is not2331even a Trump issue. This is an issue of privatizing the VA,2332which has been an effort that has been underway for decades,2333and we must stand up to it. This is a veterans issue.2334    And my promise, my commitment, is to fight to uphold our2335Nation's promise to veterans, even when that makes us unpopular2336and calls for confrontation. More than ever, Republicans,2337Democrats, and VSOs alike need to come together to protect our2338Nation's veterans. So, let's get to work to codify protections2339that ensure that Donald Trump, or any other future President,2340cannot come after veterans' disability compensation, ever2341again.2342    Before I close, I want to get the panel's view on a2343particularly offensive angle of this ambush rulemaking that the2344public may not fully appreciate. And again, I want to establish2345a precedent that no future President, no future administration,2346regardless of their party affiliation, can do this ever again.2347So this question is open-ended to the members of the panel that2348is here.2349    Can you explain why it was so inappropriate to use an2350interim final rulemaking process for such a controversial2351policy and address the message that is being sent by the2352Administration to the VSOs and the entire veterans community2353and seeking to jam this through before a single comment was2354filed? Basically, I would like each of you to explain to me why2355it is important that you should be consulted when such a rule2356is being made. General?2357    General Kelly. Senator Duckworth, first, thanks for your2358support of veterans in what you do. It is amazing.2359    You know, all of us think we have the ears of our veterans2360and have some information to provide, so transparency in terms2361of consulting us, giving us information, we think would have2362provided the Secretary and the VA with some information that2363may have adjusted the outcomes, which means anxiety and all the2364things that were associated with this recent thing would have2365been avoided. And we think that can happen in the future.2366    This group of people has information to provide and should2367be consulted.2368    Senator Duckworth. Anybody else?2369    Mr. Wright. Yes. From Indian Country it is very important2370that we have those consultation processes and upholding the2371trust and treaty responsibility that the United States has to2372our Tribal people, and in this case, especially our veterans.2373When we look at, there are 145,000 Native veterans in this2374country, a law was passed creating a VA Tribal Advisory2375Committee, and this kind of information and that kind of2376consultation should have gone through that committee, that is2377upheld by law.2378    Senator Duckworth. I was very proud when I was at VA, under2379General Shinseki, to set up the situation where we dealt with2380our First Nation veterans on a nation-to-nation basis. That is2381critically important, especially for a population that has the2382highest per capita service in our Nation's military than any2383other population. So thank you. I think you have a unique2384voice, and you should have a seat at the table, because your2385veterans, in particular, have unique needs that should have2386been addressed, and you were not consulted, and that is2387completely inappropriate.2388    Ms. Graham. On behalf of Service Women's Action Network we2389also fully believe that the filing of the interim rule is so2390important because it has happened to us already, where the2391reproductive health access were taken away under an interim2392final rule. So this just shows a pattern of these unofficial2393systems without any of the veterans, the VSOs being consulted2394on ways to take away further and further minority health care2395and minority veteran benefits.2396    Senator Duckworth. Thank you. You have been very indulgent,2397Madam Chairwoman.2398    Chairwoman Mace. I have been very generous. It is fine. I2399want to hear from our veterans, and thank you, Senator2400Duckworth.2401    Ranking Member Takano, you are now recognized for three2402minutes.2403    Mr. Takano. Thank you, Madam Chair. Ms. Graham, my2404colleagues and I in both the House and the Senate have2405introduce legislation to overturn VA's final rule restricting2406abortion access. How important is it to your members to2407overturn this rule and allow veterans access to abortion?2408    Ms. Graham. Thank you for the question. We believe it is2409incredibly important. If nothing else, there is no other health2410care in the VA system that men can have that women cannot,2411other than this abortion ruling. When these actions get taken2412place, women veterans are just told time and time again that2413our service does not count as much, it does not mean as much,2414and that we do not deserve the same benefits.2415    Mr. Takano. Can you tell me, how do women veterans feel2416that they have put on the uniform of our country, put their2417lives on the line to defend the rights of all Americans, but2418yet have this right over their own health care taken away?2419    Ms. Graham. It is insulting, both as a veteran, and on2420behalf of SWAN. It is insulting that the fact that our health2421care could even be limited in this system that we have earned,2422that we have deserved. So it is insulting, and it is also2423terrifying. Women veterans, especially, need trauma-informed2424care, that the VA is really excellent at providing, and it has2425only improved over the years. When we cannot receive trauma-2426informed care for reproductive health access, women will die.2427Their health outcomes will be adversely impacted. So it is2428hugely detrimental.2429    Mr. Takano. Thank you. Mr. Wright, how is the2430implementation of the Dole Act regarding awarding grants to2431states and Indian Tribes to improve veteran outreach, how has2432that been going this year?2433    Mr. Wright. Indian Country is very thankful for the Dole2434Act and the impact that it has. And in particular, this law was2435signed in January 2025. Two landmark provisions that represent2436a significant step forward for Indian Country is expanding home2437ownership opportunities for Native American veterans----2438    Mr. Takano. Excuse me, Mr. Wright. Is it going well? Is it2439not going well?2440    Mr. Wright. It is. There are other opportunities that we2441would like to see continue to help with the Native American2442Direct Loan Program, HUD-VASH are two other programs that are2443very helpful for Indian Country.2444    Mr. Takano. Well, thank you. Mr. Brookshire, last May,2445Black Veterans of America participated in our roundtable2446assessing disparities for minority veterans. And what we2447highlighted was the importance of the VA's now shuttered Office2448of Equity Assurance. What has been the impact that this office2449closure has had on your community?2450    Mr. Brookshire. Thank you for the question. It is the2451inability to track data and to move on findings that the Office2452of Equity Assurance, findings that were beginning to2453materialize out of the office that were pinpointing where2454disparities were most concentrated and trying to get down to2455the root cause issues. Obviously that work has been abandoned.2456    Mr. Takano. We have seen an explosion in the use of2457artificial intelligence at VA, in both clinical and non-2458clinical spaces. What concerns do you have about these use2459cases, and what recommendations do you have for better2460protecting veteran data as AI continues to expand at VA?2461    Mr. Brookshire. The use of AI at this point is an evolving2462technology with a lot of concern about exacerbating racial bias2463in the system, if implemented without proper oversight and2464regulation. And I believe that many veterans organizations,2465including Black Veterans Project, want an AI Veterans Bill of2466Rights, so that we understand how our data is being leveraged2467at any given moment.2468    Mr. Takano. Thank you for that. Thank you, Madam.2469    Chairwoman Mace. All right. I will now recognize Ranking2470Member Blumenthal for three minutes.2471    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Madam Chair. I am going to2472go a little bit off script, because as you know, you are here2473on a very important day. It is the day of the State of the2474Union address. And typically a President delivering the State2475of the Union address talks about veterans. I certainly hope2476tonight President Trump will talk about veterans.2477    And I have sort of a wish list. I don't know whether you2478do. I would like to see the President of the United States2479commit to immediate passage of the Richard Star Act. I would2480like to see the President of the United States commit to2481replace all of the 30,000 workforce who have been fired or2482encouraged to leave--positions that are open now and are2483essential to veterans' health care and other benefits. I would2484like to see him commit to restoring contracts. We do not know2485how many exactly, and we do not know which ones they are. But2486we know that hundreds have been canceled. The VA has not been2487forthcoming.2488    I would like to see the President commit to the full2489funding of all the programs that benefit veterans, education2490and training that are so essential to their making productive2491lives when they leave active duty. And I would like to see him2492commit to rescinding the interim final rule that we have been2493discussing here today--rescinding it. The Secretary of the VA2494can do it right away, and I would like to see the President2495commit to it, as well as the reversal of the ban which--Ms.2496Burt, you were talking about--that bars providing reproductive2497health care to veterans.2498    Those are just some of the steps that I would like to see2499him take. And I would like to invite anyone who wants to add to2500that wish list to do so now.2501    Mr. Burke. Sir, if I might. The interim rule, according to2502our research, has been in existence since 1958, evaluating2503disability ratings in light of medications veterans are taking.2504This is really not a brand-new concept, but the way it was2505introduced created confusion and concern across the entire2506veterans community.2507    VVA was engaged in professional dialogue with Secretary2508Collins and senior officials to ensure veterans were protected.2509Our concern is not political. It is about clarity,2510transparency, and ensuring no veteran is harmed, now or in the2511future.2512    Never again means never again. Veterans should not be2513blindsided by regulatory action without clear communication and2514opportunity for input, which we never had, and we did not,2515obviously, have a clear communication from the VA. Our goal2516really is simple, is to protect veterans today and prevent2517problems for future generations.2518    Senator Blumenthal. Well, thank you, sir. I hope the2519President is listening, or someone in the White House is2520listening to you, because that interim rule needs to be2521rescinded, or we need to do legislation that will, as you put2522it very well, clarify what the rules are and make sure that2523veterans understand, they do not have to sacrifice their2524medical benefits in order to comply with this rule, which is2525the threat that was raised, the confusion that was created, and2526the unfortunate impact on the veteran community without any2527real communication with them. Thank you.2528    My time has expired. Thank you, Madam Chair.2529    Chairwoman Mace. Yes. I will now recognize Mr. Luttrell.2530    Mr. Luttrell. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. Mr. Brookshire,2531ideally, in my opinion, as a veteran you are probably going to2532appreciate what I am about to say. The transition from active2533duty to veteran, it really does not exist as far as2534information, moving from one space to the other. In my opinion,2535we should be able to take all of the information, our service2536records, our medical records, everything that we have touched,2537tasted, felt, and smelled inside active duty, and it should2538automatically move into the veteran system. I am leaving the2539Navy, PSD says, ``hey look,''-- calls VA up,``Morgan is2540inbound.'' We are going to drag all the information that lands2541inside the VA. The VA says, ``I've got him. He's good to go,''2542and everything is actioned.2543    When I am dealing with VSOs, it touched the homeless2544population. The homeless population don't have all their2545information. They either lost it, or wherever that goes. How do2546we get out in front of the issue that affects our homeless2547population while they are still in the DoD? Is there a2548trajectory that we are missing? Is there information breakdown2549that we can catch? And when you are engaging with the homeless2550population, is there something that kind of elevates to the2551top, like hey, this is what we are seeing in the vast majority2552of our homeless veterans that we could probably catch while2553they are still active duty, or the VA could pay more attention2554to? Until--which I have been working on this for three years2555now--until the system itself moves effectively and efficiently2556for us.2557    Mr. Brookshire. I appreciate the question. I would like to2558consult with the organizations that focus specifically on that,2559specifically Black veterans organizations that focus on that,2560and get back to you.2561    Mr. Luttrell. Because I deal with Black Veterans2562Empowerment with Shawn Deadwiler. I do not know if you are2563familiar with that gentleman. This is where he operates. And I2564have asked the same question to him. But I am trying to gather2565as much information as possible here so we can legislate that2566appropriately. Because to your point, no veteran should be2567forgotten. No veteran should be dismissed. And the system2568itself, since its creation, has created that problem set. I2569would like to say that you take the veteran out of the2570equation, make the system correct, and the veterans are better2571taken care of. And the reason I asked you that specific2572question about our homeless population--and the answers that I2573get, some of our homeless population is like, ``Hey, I'm happy2574where I'm at.'' How are we supposed to address that?2575    Mr. Brookshire. Again, I do not know how to specifically2576answer that question, but the first thing that comes to mind is2577there is a disproportionate amount of homeless veterans who are2578facing other-than-honorable or dishonorable discharges, so you2579have to kind of address some of the root causation of that2580within DoD, that puts them at a disadvantage to begin with when2581they get out. And Black folks are overrepresented even today,2582in the present data, twice as likely, almost three times as2583likely, depending on branch of service, to get out with an2584other-than-honorable discharge, which affects their2585accessibility to benefits. So I think there is a need to2586address the systemic racial justice issues relative to the2587UCMJ.2588    Chairwoman Mace. All right. Thank you. I would like to2589thank Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal, we would like2590to thank you for being here today. I will now recognize Ranking2591Member Takano for closing remarks.2592    Mr. Takano. Thank you. Very briefly, I want to really thank2593the sincere interest of my colleague from Texas, Congressman2594Luttrell, in his questions. Congressman, your concern about the2595transition of military servicemembers going smoothly, making2596sure that all the data, information gets transferred from DoD2597into the VA.2598    I want to suggest you take a look at legislation that I2599have offered called EVEST, which would basically be an opt-out2600program, so that veterans do not have to go and get into VA.2601They are assumed and presumed to automatically be enrolled in2602VA, and they have to opt out of it. That was what EVEST does.2603Oddly enough, it does cost some money to do this. But I think2604for that year, two years, three years that they leave the2605military, that is a very critical time for them to be in touch2606with VA and to know and learn about all the programs. They2607should not have to opt in. They should automatically be put2608into VA as number one.2609    Secondly, we know from the Vietnam War era, minority2610veterans, African American veterans, Latino veterans, faced2611disproportionate disciplinary actions, and upon review many of2612them might retrospectively look very unjust, and I would say2613unjust. And it is not just that particular war. It was many2614other conflicts, where other-than-honorable discharges were2615issued, and it is a big issue for the veteran community. And it2616impacts their ability to get those transition services, and2617many are disproportionately on the streets because of that2618reason.2619    So, I think if we want to address veteran homelessness,2620other-than-honorable discharges are something that we need to2621look at rectifying. And it goes beyond minority veterans. It2622goes to the general veteran population in addressing2623homelessness. We need to look at what veterans are being denied2624services that they need. And look who enters the military2625service. It is not the wealthiest. It is not the most2626privileged. It is people from low-income backgrounds who are2627looking for a way out, a way up. And for many servicemembers,2628the military has been an excellent place for that to occur. But2629the transition services are so important.2630    Madam Chair, thank you so much for hosting these hearings,2631and thank you to all the veteran service organizations for2632being here and testifying. I yield back.2633    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you. And I want to thank everybody2634for being here today, for the veterans who served and traveled2635through snow, through a blizzard, for their testimony today. It2636is very clear we still have, no surprise, shocker, a lot of2637work to do for our veterans when they come home. I am the2638daughter of a Vietnam veteran, exposed to Agent Orange, have2639seen the lifelong health complications that my father has had.2640    You would like to give remarks, as well? Okay. I will2641recognize you.2642    Senator Blumenthal. I am happy to follow you, Madam Chair.2643    Chairwoman Mace. Okay, that is fine. You can go. Go for it.2644    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Well, let me begin by2645thanking you and our other House colleagues for making the long2646trip over here. But I think this hearing has been very, very2647useful. Thank you for your and Representative Takano's2648leadership, and of course, Senator Moran. And I want to thank2649all of you who have demonstrated your enormous patience and2650perseverance in staying with us in the audience and, of course,2651this panel, which has been excellent, like the last one. And as2652I said at the very start, never doubt that you are making a2653difference. You are the chief champions and advocates for our2654veterans, and they need your voice and face.2655    I want to reiterate, for the record, that the Senate2656Committee has yet to receive many of the most important2657responses that we have urged--I was going to say demanded, but2658that we have requested--from the Secretary of the VA, Doug2659Collins. I am going to ask that our letter of February 4th,2660almost three weeks ago, which asks for this information as2661promptly as possible--we have not yet received more than half2662of the responses that are due. If there is no objection, Madam2663Chair.2664    Chairwoman Mace. So ordered.26652666    [The letter referred to appears on pages 162-163 of the2667Appendix.]26682669    Senator Blumenthal. And again, I think transparency is so2670important; transparency, the flow of information,2671communication. Our veterans are attuned to listening. If you2672are taught nothing else in the military it is pay attention.2673Our veterans pay attention. And they deserve, and they need, to2674be told the truth, promptly and accurately.2675    So thank you all for being here today because your2676oversight is so important. And thank you again, Madam Chair.2677    Chairwoman Mace. Thank you, Senator. I would be remiss if I2678did not recognize the Charleston Ralph H. Johnson Veterans2679Affairs Medical Center for those who are here from South2680Carolina. Some of the most preeminence and greatest2681technologies coming out of there for our veterans. A lot of my2682family gets served there, and we are very proud of their work.2683But coming from a veteran family, talking about those that are2684poor and destitute to get out of rural America and make2685something of themselves.2686    My father went into the Army in 1963. He was from little2687old Hampton, South Carolina. He knew to hunt. His family did2688not have a lot of money. And when he went to Vietnam he was one2689of the best sharpshooters they had, even though they did not2690really have that back then. And, you know, he still has2691shrapnel in his body from those days, from serving two tours in2692Vietnam. And his best friend, Mr. Brookshire, was his radio2693operator, a Black young man from North Carolina, who died in2694that service. My father still cannot tell that story without2695tearing up because of the sacrifices. Men and women from all2696walks of life, all colors, have come forward to serve their2697nation, valiantly.2698    And I appreciate the very open, the very honest2699conversation we have had today. I would urge you all to2700continue to use your voices, to be loud, to be heard, as we2701work together for the future, for serving all of our veterans2702across the country. I want to say thank you, I want to say2703welcome home, and I want to say God bless each and every one of2704you.2705    Thank you, and this concludes today's joint VSO hearing. I2706think it is clear that the Committees, in collaboration with2707the VA, under the leadership of Secretary Collins, have a lot2708more work to do in service to our veterans and their families.2709And, of course, we all are committed to the work needed for our2710veterans and their families.2711    Chairwoman Mace. So I ask unanimous consent that all2712members have five legislative days in which to revise and2713extend their remarks and include any extraneous materials. And2714hearing no objection, so ordered. This hearing is now2715adjourned.2716    [Whereupon, at 12:23 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]27172718                            A P P E N D I X27192720                          Prepared Statements27212722[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]27232724                       Submissions for the Record27252726[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]27272728                        Questions for the Record27292730[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]27312732                        Statement for the Record2733[GRAPHICS NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]27342735                                  [all]