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“Legislative Hearing Presentation of Disabled American Veterans & Multi VSOs: AMVETS, VV, MOPH, BVA, VES, GSW, ROA”

Joint House & Senate Veterans Affairs Committees Hearing

February 25, 2025 (recording here)

HEARING INFORMATION

Witnesses & Written Testimony (linked) (Panel One):

• Mr. Daniel Contreras: National Commander, Disabled American Veterans

• Mr. Jim Marszalek: National Service Director, Disabled American Veterans

• Ms. Joy Ilem: National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans

• Mr. Edward R. Reese, Jr.: Executive Director, Washington Headquarters, Disabled American Veterans

• Mr. Barry Jesinoski: National Adjutant

• Mr. John Kleindienst: National Director of Voluntary Service, Disabled American Veterans

• Mr. Lamarr Couser: National Employment Director, Disabled American Veterans

• Mr. Christopher Easley: Auxiliary National Commander, Disabled American Veterans

Witnesses & Written Testimony (linked) (Panel Two):

• Mr. Horace Johnson: National Commander, AMVETS

• Mr. Jack McManus: National President, Vietnam Veterans of America

• Mr. Robert Olivarez, Jr.: National Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart

• Mr. Paul L. Mimms: National President, Blinded Veterans Association

• Mr. William Hubbard: Vice President for Veterans & Military Policy, Veterans Education Success

• Ms. Nancy Menagh: Past National President, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc.

• Mr. Matthew Schwartzman: Director, Legislation and Military Policy, Reserve Organization of America

Keywords mentioned:

• Veterans healthcare, women veterans, VA workforce, mental health, TBI, toxic exposure, GI Bill, veteran benefits, suicide prevention, blind veterans, VA reform, legislative priorities, veteran advocacy, VA accountability

IN THEIR WORDS

OPENING STATEMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEES

• Chairman Mike Bost expressed his deep personal connection to veterans, citing his family’s military background. He committed to ensuring that the VA prioritizes veterans over bureaucracy and improves access to care and benefits. He mentioned the importance of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and its role in helping disabled veterans and their spouses find meaningful employment. He pledged to hold the VA accountable and work with Congress to push forward initiatives to streamline benefits, combat veteran homelessness, and improve mental health care.

• Chairman Jerry Moran welcomed the attendees and acknowledged the leadership of fellow Committee members. He stressed the importance of a strong and effective VA workforce in delivering care and benefits to veterans. He noted concerns about workforce reductions at the VA and the need for transparency in how these changes are implemented. The Chairman committed to ensuring that veterans remain the top priority and looked forward to the testimonies and discussions in the hearing.

• Ranking Member Mark Takano described the significance of the annual hearings, as they provide a platform for veterans service organizations (VSOs) to articulate their priorities. He credited VSOs for their role in passing the PACT Act, which expanded veterans’ healthcare and benefits. He stressed that the work is not done and pointed out ongoing challenges, such as veteran homelessness and ensuring VA infrastructure meets veterans’ needs. He voiced his concerns over executive actions affecting the VA workforce and called for greater accountability from VA Secretary Doug Collins.

• Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal strongly criticized recent VA workforce reductions, which he described as an assault on veterans and the services they depend on. He elaborated on the impact of these cuts, including the termination of veterans employed at the VA, which he argued would have long-term negative consequences. He urged the veteran community to be vocal and active in demanding accountability from the VA and Congress. He then called on lawmakers to resist efforts to undermine VA services and ensure that veterans receive the care and support they deserve.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS (PANEL ONE)

• Rep. Pete Aguilar thanked the Committees for the opportunity to introduce his constituent, DAV National Commander Contreras. He shared a few words about his career and military service, speaking on the importance of his presence at the hearing today.

• Mr. Daniel Contreras then gave his opening statement. He outlined DAV’s key legislative priorities, focusing on expanding caregiver support, improving long-term care for aging veterans, and ensuring full funding for the VA. He called for urgent action to support caregivers, citing their critical role in veterans’ well-being and the need for financial and training resources. He also addressed toxic exposure, advocating for continued efforts to recognize and support veterans suffering from related health conditions. Mr. Contreras warned against proposals to reduce VA benefits, claiming that veterans have already paid for their care through their service and sacrifice.

• Chairman Bost asked the witnesses about their support for his bill, the Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025, which aims to expand community care options. He requested insight into how this bill would benefit veterans. Ms. Joy Ilem responded, stating that the organization appreciated the bill and had worked with the Chairman’s staff on it. She acknowledged ongoing issues in community care and noted that while DAV had some recommendations for changes, the bill was overall a positive step.

• Chairman Bost then inquired whether DAV would continue to support the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act, which aims to ensure due process for veterans before their constitutional rights are restricted. Mr. Randy Reese confirmed their continued support for legislation that protects veterans’ constitutional rights. He reiterated that DAV does not support any action that would strip veterans of their rights without due process.

• Chairman Moran asked about the implementation of the PACT Act, specifically whether the quarterly engagements required between the VA and VSOs were happening and whether they were effective in providing insights to the VA. Mr. Jim Marszalek responded that while the VA frequently meets with DAV, they were not receiving the necessary information. He pointed out that the "Ending the Wait" report found that it takes an average of 34 years from exposure to the establishment of a presumption, which is far too long.

• Chairman Moran then asked about strategies to close gaps in mental health care for veterans. Ms. Ilem responded that while the VA provides strong mental health services, more can be done, particularly in firearm safety counseling. She pointed out that a large percentage of veteran suicides involve firearms and stressed the importance of making veterans comfortable discussing safety with providers.

• Ranking Member Takano referenced the recent Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) statement criticizing the Trump administration’s firing of thousands of VA employees and asked whether DAV had seen the statement. Mr. Contreras confirmed that DAV was aware of the statement and shared concerns about the impact of these firings on healthcare and claims processing. He said that DAV was actively working on its statement on the same topic.

• Ranking Member Takano highlighted that the VA had previously stated it was understaffed by 40,000 employees and asked whether DAV believed these workforce reductions made sense given the high demand for services. Ms. Ilem confirmed that DAV was aware of the staffing shortages and that the demand for services had increased due to the PACT Act. She called for maintaining a sufficient workforce to meet veterans' needs.

• Sen. Angus King raised concerns about Project 2025, which suggests revising disability rating awards to target cost savings. He asked DAV for their stance on this proposal. DAV witnesses strongly opposed any initiative that would reduce or remove veterans’ benefits. They cited DAV’s critical policy goals, which prioritize protecting veterans' compensation and ensuring that any such reductions are met with strong resistance.

• Sen. King also addressed recent VA layoffs, questioning whether these cuts could truly result in improvements for veterans, as claimed by Secretary Collins. He urged veterans to speak out and said that job cuts, especially those impacting critical service positions, could result in denials of care equivalent to not being able to see a doctor.

• Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagen asked about the challenges veterans face in accessing mental health care at the VA and the role of VSOs in helping them. Ms. Ilem mentioned that the VA provides excellent mental health services, but challenges remain, particularly in ensuring timely access to specialized treatments like PTSD care and substance use disorder programs. She underscored that the demand for these services is growing, and more work is needed to eliminate barriers to access.

• Sen. Thom Tillis asked about enhancements DAV would like to see in the PACT Act, as well as concerns over funding and wait times. The witnesses acknowledged concerns about funding shortfalls and wait time increases, which they had anticipated. They expressed the need for Congress to address these issues and ensure proper implementation.

• Sen. Tillis also asked for specific examples of mission-critical positions affected by VA job cuts. The witnesses did not have specific names but confirmed that they were gathering information on terminations that affected service delivery. They committed to providing more detailed data to the Committees.

• Rep. Chris Pappas discussed the issue of "claim sharks" who charge unauthorized fees for assisting veterans with their claims. He asked for DAV’s perspective on the GUARD VA Benefits Act, which would reinstate penalties for unaccredited claims representatives. Mr. Contreras strongly supported the legislation, describing predatory actors as both incompetent and exploitative. He noted that some veterans were being charged up to $30,000 for simple claims, which DAV provides for free. He called for increased oversight and a stronger accreditation process to protect veterans.

• Rep. Jack Bergman asked about the importance of preventative health screenings for veterans, particularly those with spinal cord injuries. Ms. Ilem responded that preventive screenings were crucial in ensuring veterans with catastrophic injuries receive necessary care and access to evolving medical technologies.

• Rep. Bergman also inquired about DAV’s stance on researching psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental health treatment. The witnesses supported further research into alternative treatments, including psychedelics like psilocybin, to expand mental health treatment options for veterans.

• Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick focused on long-term care options for veterans, particularly the VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program. She asked how DAV members benefited from the program and whether more should be done. Ms. Ilem voiced DAV’s support for long-term care services, from home-based care to assisted living options, and said that programs must be expanded to accommodate veterans' diverse needs.

• Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick also expressed concerns about proposed Medicaid cuts and how they would affect DAV members. DAV witnesses warned that eliminating Medicaid programs could put more pressure on the VA, as many veterans rely on Medicaid for care. They restated that any cuts to veteran services should be off the table.

• Rep. Morgan Luttrell addressed the witnesses about their interactions with the VA, noting that they seemed to be hitting a brick wall. He asked DAV to provide specific names and timeframes when reporting VA issues to Congress so that direct action can be taken. Mr. Contreras agreed with this approach, acknowledging that having detailed information would improve the ability to address concerns effectively. Mr. Christopher Easley emphasized the DAV Auxiliary’s commitment to supporting veterans and educating lawmakers on the needs of disabled veterans and their families. He reaffirmed that their role extends beyond Washington, reaching local and state levels.

• Rep. Morgan McGarvey criticized the recent mass firing of VA employees and urged DAV to stand against it. He then discussed his INNOVATE Act, which aims to incentivize innovation at the VA. Ms. Ilem responded that innovation is key to improving mental health services and suicide prevention. She underlined that the VA’s Office of Innovation must continue developing new methods to improve care and ensure access to critical resources.

• Rep. Abe Hamadeh praised the sense of unity among veterans and asked what specific changes could ensure veterans have immediate access to mental health care without bureaucratic red tape. Ms. Ilem stated that improving the community care process, particularly the initial connection with the Office of Community Care, would be a key solution. She said that providers must be available to expedite referrals and ensure timely access to mental health services.

• Rep. Hamadeh followed up by asking if permanently codifying access standards would prevent arbitrary denials. Ms. Ilem noted that while current access standards are reasonable, they could be improved. She conveyed the importance of identifying specific bureaucratic delays and implementing targeted solutions to improve efficiency.

• Rep. Nikki Budzinski raised concerns about the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict research that includes certain "trigger words” in VA-funded studies. She asked how limiting these terms could impact women veterans’ healthcare. Ms. Ilem responded that the VA has been a leader in women’s health research, and restricting such studies would be detrimental. She went on to say that the VA’s research has played a critical role in understanding the impact of military service on women’s health, and any restrictions would slow progress in providing specialized care.

• Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds asked about long-term care challenges in rural communities, noting that many families must choose between caring for a veteran or maintaining employment. Mr. Contreras acknowledged the challenge and underscored the importance of ensuring community-based care maintains the same quality as VA-provided care. Ms. Ilem added that the aging veteran population is increasing, making it essential for Congress to prioritize long-term care solutions.

• Rep. Kelly Morrison expressed concern over the VA layoffs and their impact on veterans in Minnesota. She then asked how the VA could improve suicide prevention efforts for women veterans, particularly regarding risk factors such as military sexual trauma (MST) and intimate partner violence. Ms. Ilem responded that DAV’s research identified these risk factors as major concerns. She claimed that military sexual trauma must be included in the VA’s predictive suicide risk model and that outreach programs need to be tailored specifically to women veterans.

• Rep. Morrison followed up by asking about the VA’s capacity to provide specialized procedures for women, such as mammograms and hysterectomies, and what improvements were needed. Ms. Ilem noted that while the VA has made progress in recruiting women’s healthcare providers, more oversight and investment are needed, particularly in rural areas. She pointed out that while 900,000 women veterans are now enrolled in VA care, provider shortages remain a challenge.

• Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks asked about improving access to adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and what changes Congress could make to increase participation. Mr. John Kleindienst emphasized that adaptive sports programs are life-changing for disabled veterans. He suggested that increasing awareness, education, and funding for these programs would allow more veterans to participate.

• Sen. Maggie Hassan thanked DAV for its work on toxic exposure issues and asked what could be done to improve the VA’s process for handling toxic exposure claims. Mr. Contreras reiterated that the long delays in recognizing toxic exposures are unacceptable. He pointed to DAV’s collaboration with MOAA on the “Ending the Wait” report and advocated for Congress to implement a more proactive approach to identifying and addressing toxic exposure-related conditions.

• Sen. Hassan then asked how suicide prevention efforts could be better tailored to women veterans. Ms. Ilem replied that women veterans have unique risk factors that should be incorporated into the VA’s predictive models. She urged the department to engage in targeted outreach and preventative strategies to address these risks.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS (PANEL TWO)

• On behalf of AMVETS, Mr. Horace Johnson expressed concerns about recent actions negatively impacting veterans, including job losses at the VA, contract losses for veteran-owned businesses, and reductions in critical services. He questioned the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for implementing reforms that dismantle functional systems rather than fixing what is broken. Mr. Johnson stated that despite the significant increase in VA mental health funding over the years, veteran suicide rates remain high, indicating mismanagement of resources. He called on Congress to enact real reforms, such as expanding access to alternative therapies, increasing support for veteran-owned businesses, and addressing issues like traumatic brain injury (TBI), survivor payment discrepancies, and ineffective contractor accountability.

• Mr. Jack McManus reaffirmed Vietnam Veterans of America’s commitment to ensuring that no generation of veterans is abandoned. He urged Congress to prioritize the recovery and accounting of U.S. personnel listed as prisoners of war (POWs) or missing in action (MIAs) from the Vietnam War, warning that time-sensitive opportunities for recovery efforts were being lost. He called for comprehensive studies on the long-term effects of toxic exposure on veterans and their descendants, particularly those affected by Agent Orange. Mr. McManus also advocated for expanding the Blue Water Navy Act, honoring Red Cross volunteers with the Congressional Gold Medal, and protecting the integrity of the Gold Star designation to ensure it remains reserved for those who died in military conflict.

• Mr. Robert Olivarez from the Military Order of the Purple Heart discussed the need to protect military honors from commercial exploitation through the Military Medals Protection Act. He advocated for the implementation of a Green Alert system to locate missing veterans, modeled after Amber and Silver Alerts. He also underlined the importance of improving veterans’ healthcare by incorporating holistic treatments and expanding VA dental care eligibility. Additionally, Mr. Olivarez called for reforms to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to prevent financial losses for surviving spouses and opposed any increases in TRICARE costs for retirees over 65, warning that inaction would lead to further hardship for veterans and their families.

• Mr. Paul Mimms, speaking for the Blinded Veterans Association, described the many barriers blind veterans face when accessing VA healthcare, from unreliable transportation services to a lack of accessible materials and communication methods. He detailed the challenges of navigating VA facilities, such as filling out paperwork they cannot read and relying on others to notify them when their prescriptions are ready. He criticized the VA’s failure to implement mandated programs for service dog handlers and the lack of training for VA employees on how to properly assist blind veterans. Mr. Mimms urged Congress to continue funding blind rehabilitation services, improve accessibility at VA facilities, and establish a federal advisory committee to address the unique needs of blind veterans.

• Mr. William Hubbard from Veterans Education Success criticized the VA for approving subpar educational institutions that exploit veterans' GI Bill benefits while providing little to no real education. He cited examples of fraudulent schools that charged tuition for repurposed free content, offered unqualified instructors, and even operated as cult-like organizations. Mr. Hubbard proposed a series of common-sense standards, such as ensuring instructors are properly certified, requiring financial stability from institutions, and preventing excessive marketing expenses from being deducted from GI Bill funding. He also called for veterans who have been defrauded to be eligible for benefit restoration, similar to protections available to traditional students.

• Ms. Nancy Menagh, on behalf of Gold Star Wives of America, described the financial struggles of surviving spouses who rely on Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), which currently provides significantly less support than comparable federal survivor programs. She described her own experience as a widow after her husband's service-related death, noting that the drastic reduction in household income makes it difficult for survivors to meet basic expenses. She advocated for the passage of the Caring for Survivors Act of 2025, which would increase DIC payments and reduce the waiting period for eligibility. She urged Congress to take action to correct these disparities and properly honor the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.

• Mr. Matthew Schwartzman from the Reserve Organization of America called on Congress to address the ongoing inequities faced by members of the National Guard and Reserve. He pointed out that reservists and active-duty service members often perform the same missions, yet only active-duty personnel receive full GI Bill benefits. He advocated for the passage of the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act to address this disparity. Mr. Schwartzman also emphasized the need to improve the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for reservists and expand toxic exposure coverage to include those stationed at the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks.

• Chairman Bost directed a question to Mr. Johnson, asking about the feedback veterans provide regarding their experiences with VA healthcare. Mr. Johnson responded that while most feedback was positive, a major complaint was the lengthy wait times for appointments. He said that when veterans are sick, they need care immediately.

• Chairman Bost then questioned Mr. McManus about why he believed the VA’s practice of reporting veterans with fiduciaries to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) stigmatizes them and discourages them from seeking help. Mr. McManus argued that veterans, who had defended the rights of all Americans, were among the easiest to have their rights taken away. He claimed that his organization, along with others, strongly supported the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act to ensure fairness and due process for veterans.

• Chairman Bost then asked Mr. Hubbard whether he supported the reintroduction of the Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act. Mr. Hubbard expressed strong support, noting that the bill had previously passed the House with bipartisan backing. He underscored that both Congress and the American people had acknowledged the need to restore benefits to veterans who had been defrauded by predatory schools and pledged to continue working toward passing the legislation.

• Ranking Member Takano questioned Mr. Mimms about what changes were needed in the Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) program to better serve blind veterans. Mr. Mimms identified the lack of available drivers as a major problem, leading to last-minute cancellations that prevented veterans from attending medical appointments. He suggested that the VA should improve recruitment efforts and offer better wages to attract more drivers.

• Ranking Member Takano followed up by asking whether Section 508 accessibility compliance could be negatively impacted by President Donald Trump’s executive order on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Mr. Mimms acknowledged the concern, particularly if blind veterans were categorized under broader DEIA programs. However, he pointed out that accessibility issues predated DEIA initiatives and were a long-standing problem, citing the VA’s continued use of inaccessible check-in kiosks as an example of systemic barriers blind veterans face.

• Rep. Delia Ramirez addressed Mr. Hubbard, asking him to explain why the current system does not restore benefits for defrauded veterans and what impact the Student Veteran Benefit Restoration Act would have. Mr. Hubbard explained that, unlike non-veteran students who can reclaim their financial aid if defrauded, veterans who lose their GI Bill benefits due to fraudulent schools have no recourse. Many veterans only realize too late that they have attended predatory institutions, leaving them without a degree and no way to reapply their benefits. The proposed bill would ensure that veterans in this situation could re-enroll in legitimate programs without financial hardship.

• Rep. Maxine Dexter turned her attention to Mr. Johnson, asking whether cuts to providers, programs, and clinics serving female veterans would harm their care. Mr. Johnson affirmed that such reductions would be highly detrimental, as female veterans require the same level of medical attention as their male counterparts. He stressed that cutting services for female veterans was equivalent to cutting services for all veterans, as they had served and sacrificed equally.

• Rep. Herb Conaway raised concerns about the adequacy of mental health services for veterans and asked Mr. Johnson to elaborate on the care currently available. Mr. Johnson responded that while funding was not the primary issue, mismanagement within the system prevented veterans from receiving proper treatment, particularly for TBI. Ms. Menagh added to the discussion by highlighting the link between TBI and suicide, citing research that even mild concussions double the risk of suicide. She called for additional studies to explore this connection and improve the claims process for veterans suffering from TBI-related mental health conditions.

• In his closing remarks, Ranking Member Takano criticized the VA’s recent layoffs and demanded answers from Secretary Doug Collins. He expressed concern that these dismissals did not align with the VA’s mission of serving veterans.

• Chairman Bost reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that government funding prioritizes veteran services over bureaucratic inefficiencies. He invited all attendees to report any reductions in services that negatively impacted veterans, restating that the VA was created for the benefit of veterans, not bureaucracy. He emphasized that while reforms were necessary, they should be implemented with careful consideration to avoid harming those who have served.

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