Good evening, all. We are in the final two weeks before Congress dips out of town for the holidays. The weather is fickle, but our dedication to our readers is anything but.

We are continuing to monitor news on the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371). After its passage in the House last month, the bill is undergoing discussion in the Senate. We are hopeful to see this legislation pass before the 118th Congress wraps up.

The House Veterans Affairs Committee will hold two hearings this week. The first will focus on the VR&E program, while the second will review the VA’s modernization initiatives across the board. We appreciate the Committee’s hard work to continue giving a platform to important issues for our veterans right up to the end of the year.

In this week’s Nimitz Report:

• “Pardon us, too!”: Veteran nonprofits ask President Biden to pardon “bad paper” discharges

• Drugs for veterans: VA & FDA approve studies for treating PTSD and other conditions

• All about access: Chairman Bost moves to protect community care

⏰ Watch the clock: Lawmakers have until next Friday to pass a short-term funding measure or agree on next year’s budget. (Hint: it’s going to be a continuing resolution. We’ll keep you updated if any additional policies of interest are included.)

WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?

Wednesday, December 11th

• 🧑‍🏫 Subcommittee Hearing: "Examining the Effectiveness of the Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program," House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) Economic Opportunity Subcommittee at 10:30 am. Watch here.

Thursday, December 12th

• 💻 Subcommittee Hearing: “Modernizing VA: Lessons Learned in the 118th Congress,” HVAC Technology Modernization Subcommittee at 8 am. Watch here.

NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK

Congressional News

The 1,800-page-long National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has several amendments that are causing headaches for lawmakers. The $883.7 billion NDAA includes policies supporting American presence in the Indo-Pacific, pay raises for the military, and directing more resources to the defense industrial base. Additional amendments, however, are leading many Democrats to object to the proposal. These contested provisions seek to limit coverage for gender-affirming care for service members’ transgender children and reduce the scope of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the armed forces. A plan to vote on the NDAA is anticipated as early as Wednesday.

House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost has introduced a new bill to protect those enrolled in VA health care’s access to private care. The "Complete the Mission Act" would officially set the eligibility criteria veterans must meet to receive community healthcare and ensure that those who qualify are referred to VA-covered private medical services. In a news release last week, Chairman Bost said, “Following the Mission Act standards is not optional -- it is the law.”

Veteran News

Five veteran nonprofit groups have urgently asked President Joe Biden to pardon thousands of veterans with other-than-honorable military discharges. These organizations include Minority Veterans of America, the Black Veterans Project, Swords to Plowshares, the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, and the Veterans Legal Clinic at Harvard Law School. The groups wrote that these veterans deserve access to benefits and inclusion in the veteran community as many of them now struggle with conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury. They also wrote that they hope Biden continues to expand the use of his pardoning power following last week’s pardon of Hunter Biden.

As announced in October, disabled veterans and military retirees will receive a pay increase in 2025. The annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) will boost monthly payments to these groups by 2.5%. While this adjustment is not as high as it has been in years past, it is only 0.1% lower than the average for the past ten years. For more information on these payments, click here.

The VA recently announced its funding of its first psychedelic-assisted therapy study since the 1960s. Targeting PTSD and alcohol abuse disorder, this research will examine how MDMA can help treat veterans dealing with life-altering conditions. This comes on the heels of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approving a clinical trial to determine whether cannabis helps veterans with PTSD. This multi-state trial, called MJP2, will engage more than 300 participants and assess the potential risks and benefits of the drug for veterans.

National News

Several prominent veterans have signed on to support Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth amid a growing ruckus surrounding his past. Last week, the Heritage Foundation garnered dozens of signatures on a letter endorsing Hesgeth and calling him an “outstanding veteran” who has "worked tirelessly" to bolster American troops. Rumors are spreading that President-elect Donald Trump is considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to take Hesgeth’s place should he be asked to step down.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

FOR FUN

If you aren’t tired of holiday music yet, feel free to shoot Danielle a note asking for her playlist! She’s always happy to share.

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