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Countdown to Memorial Day
Compromises and chaos in the House as lawmakers prepare for the upcoming recess. Read this week's Nimitz Report to learn more.
Capitol Hill is bracing for another high-stakes week as lawmakers face mounting pressure on multiple fronts before the Memorial Day recess. House Republicans narrowly advanced President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, while appropriators on both sides express frustration over delayed White House budget details, heightening fears of a fall shutdown. Meanwhile, the VA reported significant progress in reducing the disability claims backlog, though proposed staffing cuts have raised concerns about sustaining that momentum.
The House and Senate both have hearings this week, so stay tuned for updates on software licensing management, adaptive programs for disabled veterans, and pending legislation.
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In this week’s Nimitz Report:
One Big Bill, one big gamble: House GOP advances Trump’s sweeping agenda, but internal rifts remain
Backlog breakthrough: VA celebrates historic drop in disability claims
Countdown to Memorial Day: AMVETS preps for annual motorcycle demonstration through Washington, DC
WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?
Red Star: House Event, Blue Star: Senate Event, Purple Star: Joint Event, Green Star: Other Event
Monday, May 19th
💻 Subcommittee Hearing: “Improving Software Licensing Management,” House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) Technology Modernization Subcommittee at 3 pm. Watch here.
Tuesday, May 20th
🧑🏻🤝🧑🏽 Subcommittee Hearing: “Member Day,” House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies at 10 am. Watch here.
Wednesday, May 21st
NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK
Rep. Chip Roy, a leader of the House Freedom Caucus, posted after last night’s vote: “The bill does not yet meet the moment. We can and must do better before we pass the final product.”
Congressional News
Late last night, the House Budget Committee advanced President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative package, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, by a narrow 17-16 margin after four Republican holdouts voted “present” to let it move forward. The bill includes extensions of tax cuts, increased border funding, and reforms to Medicaid and food assistance programs, including stricter work requirements. While Speaker Mike Johnson hailed the vote as a major win, conservatives like Rep. Chip Roy signaled ongoing concerns over green energy tax credits and Medicaid provisions. The bill now heads to the House Rules Committee for further negotiations ahead of a targeted Memorial Day deadline.
As Congress prepares to enter Memorial Day recess, lawmakers are voicing growing concern over delays in the fiscal year 2026 budget process. Both parties on the House Appropriations Committee criticized the White House for not yet releasing detailed budget plans for federal agencies, despite the fiscal year already being halfway through. A limited “skinny” budget was released earlier this month, but full details are not expected until later this summer. The delays, combined with political battles over the reconciliation bill, have heightened fears of a potential government shutdown when current funding expires on September 30.
Veteran News
The disability claims backlog at the VA has reportedly dropped to around 200,000 cases, its lowest level since early in the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant improvement from the 410,000-case peak in late 2023. Secretary Doug Collins credited operational focus over staffing increases, but other officials recognized new leadership, efficiencies, and the addition of over 9,000 benefits processors since 2022. Lawmakers, particularly Democrats, pushed back on the Secretary’s claims during his hearing last week, noting that workforce expansion likely played a key role in handling a record 2.5 million claims in fiscal 2024. While the VA aims to further reduce the backlog, concerns remain over proposed workforce cuts that could impact future performance.
The VA has expanded its Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) project to include over 210,000 additional veterans buried in overseas cemeteries managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission. The VLM now hosts over 10 million memorial pages, allowing loved ones to add photos, stories, and service details. A new feature, "Your Life, Your Story," enables eligible veterans to create their own memorial pages before death to be published posthumously. This expansion helps preserve the legacies of veterans from all wars, including those who served and died abroad.
This week, the VA is promoting its Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP) to help unbanked veterans access safer, more reliable financial services. In partnership with the Association of Military Banks of America, VBBP has helped over 530,000 veterans and beneficiaries enroll in direct deposit, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring timely delivery of VA benefits. The program now includes 130 banks and credit unions that offer free or low-cost banking and financial services tailored to the needs of the veteran community. In addition to direct deposit, VBBP offers financial counseling, education programs like VetCents, and savings initiatives to help veterans build long-term financial stability.
National News
A Mexican Navy training ship struck the base of the Brooklyn Bridge over the weekend, resulting in two deaths and 22 injuries. The ship, on a goodwill tour and en route to Iceland, reportedly lost power and veered off course before the collision, prompting a federal investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Most of the nearly 200 crew members have since returned to Mexico, while two injured cadets remain hospitalized in New York. Despite the dramatic incident, New York officials reported no visible structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge, which reopened shortly after the crash.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I think we all bear responsibility.”
FOR FUN
This weekend, AMVETS will host its 37th annual Rolling to Remember motorcycle demonstration to honor POWs, MIAs, and service members lost to suicide. On Sunday at noon, thousands of patriotic motorcyclists from across the country will take off from the Pentagon and ride through the capital, demanding accountability and remembering those for whom our nation has yet to account. For more information on the event, click here.
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