Washington is heading into the holiday weekend with a full slate of veterans policy activity still on the agenda. Today, the House Veterans' Affairs Committee will hold multiple hearings and a markup covering healthcare, community care, caregiving, VA workforce issues, veterans cemeteries, and disability compensation, while Congress and advocates continue discussions of the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday on Saturday, here's what we're watching this week.

• On the Hill: HVAC hearings, Take Care of America's Veterans Act, SAVE America standoff, Rep. Tom Kean's return to Congress

• At VA: Community Care economic impact, police reforms, and payroll modernization

• Across the Nation: The Supreme Court ends its term, America250 celebrations

We’ll keep you up to speed as this short but busy week unfolds!

WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?

Tuesday, June 30th

• 🩺 Legislative Hearing: H.R.4398, the “Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act”; H.R.4805, the “Warrior Impact from Neurological and G-Force Stress Act”; H.R.6835, the “Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices Act”; H.R.9376, the “Trauma Outreach, Understanding, and Resiliency through Spirituality Act”; H.R.9316, the “Travel Assistance for Veterans in Medical Deserts Act”; Discussion Draft: the “Foreign Medical Program Integrity and Improvement Act”; Discussion Draft: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to avoid duplicative, improper, or erroneous billings or payments for hospital care and medical services furnished under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Discussion Draft: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to coordinate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services in administering the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes; Discussion Draft: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to provide for coordination between the Secretaries in the administration of the Veterans Community Care Program and certain health plans under the Medicare program, and for other purposes; Discussion Draft: VA Coaching into Care Act; Discussion Draft: National Task Force on Caregiving Youth of Veterans Act; Discussion Draft: the “VHA OPEN Policies Act of 2026”; Discussion Draft: “To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report biennially on staffing of medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs”; H.R.9018: “Fostering TRUST Act of 2026”; Discussion Draft: the “Veterans Health Administration Personnel Transparency and Accountability Act.” House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health at 10:15 am. Watch here.

• ⭐️ Oversight Hearing: “Memorializing our Veterans: Outreach, Upkeep, and Community Partnerships at Veterans Cemeteries” House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs at 2:15 pm. Watch here.

• 🗒️ Subcommittee Markup: “H.R. 8552, the “Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026”; H.R. 9006, the “Locating Our Unclaimed Veterans Act”; H.R. 6588, the “PROVIDE Act” House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs at 2:15 pm. Watch here.

NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK

Congressional News

Congress returned this week facing a challenging legislative agenda as House leaders work to break a procedural standoff over the SAVE America Act, President Trump's election security proposal. A small group of Republican members led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has blocked House floor action while Speaker Mike Johnson works to attach the measure to the annual National Defense Authorization Act, threatening to delay consideration of other legislation before the July 4th recess and complicating the House's schedule for the remainder of the week.

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday after missing more than 100 House votes since March, revealing in a floor speech that he had been hospitalized and treated for depression. Rep. Kean said he initially believed he could "push through" his illness but ultimately followed his doctors' recommendation to seek treatment, calling on others facing similar challenges to recognize that "asking for help is not a weakness, it is a strength." His return restores another Republican vote to the House's razor-thin majority while bringing renewed attention to mental health awareness in Congress.

Veterans legislation remains a priority on Capitol Hill with an upcoming vote on the Take Care of America's Veterans Act. House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost continued advocating for the package of more than 60 bills designed to expand benefits, improve access to care, modernize VA operations, and strengthen support for veterans, caregivers, survivors, and military families. At the same time, debate over the legislation’s funding mechanism continues. Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal and 46 Senate Democrats urged VA Secretary Doug Collins to reject the bill due to proposed disability rating changes. However, the legislation has received support from 22 veteran service organizations, who urged Congress in a letter to continue advancing the package and highlighted its potential to strengthen healthcare access, caregiver resources, suicide prevention efforts, and services for veterans nationwide in response to an impending rule change.

Veteran News

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced several operational initiatives aimed at improving services for veterans while increasing efficiency across the department. The VA has completed a nationwide effort to centralize payroll operations for its more than 430,000 employees, a move expected to reduce administrative burden, improve accuracy, and streamline financial management across the department.

The VA also highlighted the growing economic impact of its Community Care program, reporting that care delivered through community providers generated more than $36 billion in economic activity during fiscal year 2025. The department said the program continues to expand veterans' access to care while supporting hospitals, physicians, and healthcare providers in communities nationwide.

Separately, VA announced significant reforms to its police force following an independent review of security operations. The department has implemented new training standards, strengthened accountability measures, improved hiring and oversight practices, and increased coordination across facilities in an effort to enhance safety for veterans, visitors, and employees.

National News

The Supreme Court concluded its term this week with several closely watched decisions that will shape the national policy landscape. In one of the term's most significant rulings, the Court rejected the Trump administration's effort to fundamentally change birthright citizenship, reaffirming the protections of the Fourteenth Amendment. The justices also upheld state laws restricting transgender athletes from participating in certain school sports and ruled that federal limits on coordinated campaign spending by political parties violate First Amendment protections.

The nation will celebrate its 250th birthday this Saturday as communities across the country mark Independence Day with commemorative events honoring America's semiquincentennial. In Washington, D.C., there will be a wide range of celebrations, including ceremonies, cultural events, exhibits, performances, and family-friendly activities designed to highlight the nation's history and the capital's central role in the anniversary.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

FOR FUN

From all of us at the Nimitz Group, we hope you have a safe and fun Fourth of July celebrating America’s 250th!

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