The 118th Congress is racing to see what they can get done before the end of the year. While must-pass bills are at the top of the agenda for the lame duck, members are still looking for opportunities to get their individual pieces of legislation through. On Wednesday, the House Veterans Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on national cemetery operations. At least one other HVAC hearing is already on the docket for next week, and we will be sure to update you on any other big news as it happens.

In this week’s Nimitz Report:

• Elizabeth Dole & Richard Star bills: VSOs & advocates push for passage

• Trump’s veteran policies in his second term: Leo Shane III makes key predictions

• VASP program gets backlash: Documents show that many veterans are being left behind.

❤️ We missed you: The Nimitz team is glad that everyone’s back in town after a hectic recess and election season. We hope you all had a wonderful Veterans Day, and to those who served and continue to serve, thank you.

WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?

Wednesday, November 13th

• 🪦 Subcommittee Hearing: "Our Nation’s Hallowed Grounds: Review of America’s National Cemetery Funeral Operations for Veterans and Servicemembers," House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee at 11:30 am. Watch here.

NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK

Congressional News

Congress continues to stall on two major pieces of veterans legislation, and many veteran groups plan to increase their pressure as the year comes to an end. The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act and the Major Richard Star Act are being called “must-pass” in the 119th Congress if they fail to pass in the 118th. These bills address important gaps in care and access for many veterans, caregivers, and their families. With the elections now behind us, veterans' service organizations and advocates are calling on Congress to put politics aside and prioritize the passage of these vital measures, which stand to benefit thousands of mil-vet community members nationwide.

The VA is being accused of “calling wolf” on a potential budget shortfall for 2024 after Congress passed a nearly $3 billion supplemental funding bill for the department in September. Two weeks ago, the VA followed up with Congress and reported that instead, the department had a surplus of $5 billion for the year and would not be spending the emergency funds. House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost and House Appropriations Committee, Military Construction Subcommittee Chairman John Carter immediately sent a letter to Secretary Denis McDonough demanding accountability. The VA still claims it will need additional funding for 2025.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Eugene Vindman has defeated Derrick Anderson, a retired Green Beret, winning a Virginia House seat for Democrats in one of the most competitive races of the week. Vindman will take the seat of Rep. Abigail Spanberger after she chose to run for governor in 2025. His role as a whistleblower in former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial will certainly make for an interesting dynamic between them as Trump prepares to return to the White House for his second term.

Veteran News

Leo Shane III, Deputy Editor of Military Times, spoke with Ali Rogin from PBS to offer some insight into what a second Trump term could mean for veterans. Shane predicted that President Donald Trump will likely seek to boost community care options for veterans, dismiss underperforming VA employees, and reinstate strict restrictions on abortions and transgender service member care. He also said that Trump and other Republicans will likely continue the push to end veteran suicide, shifting the approach to community and faith-based models versus traditional, “evidence-based” mental health interventions. To read the full transcript of the interview, click here.

An NPR investigation has revealed that a VA home loan program meant to help veterans afford homes has led to many of them facing higher-cost mortgages. According to data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, at least 1,300 veterans have had their monthly payments raised by more than 50%. The VA is currently rolling out its plan to offer veterans facing foreclosure a new loan, but it leaves those who accepted a loan modification stranded. The department has claimed it does not have the authority to include these veterans in its new Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program.

National News

President Joe Biden made his final Veterans Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery as Commander-in-Chief on Monday. “It’s been the greatest honor of my life to lead you, to serve you, to care for you, to defend you, just as you defended us generation after generation,” he said. President Biden commented on his desire to grow the PACT Act to include coverage for veterans with a “number of cancers” and those harmed by toxins at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan by the end of his term. He appeared with Vice President Kamala Harris in their first joint event since last week’s election.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

FOR FUN

Thank you to everyone who came out and joined the Nimitz team for our Inaugural Election Night Watch Party! Danielle made some (super strong) cocktails, everyone in attendance made some new friends, and we are eagerly looking forward to hosting our next event soon.

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