As Washington digs out from the longest shutdown in U.S. history, lawmakers are racing to stabilize federal operations while the veteran community looks toward what comes next.

This week brings major oversight on disability exams, new state-level protections for veterans, and sweeping federal action that restores GI Bill eligibility for those discharged under the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Even with the government reopened, Congress faces renewed scrutiny over the shutdown’s impact on VA staffing, electronic health record (EHR) modernization, and access to life-saving crisis-line services.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, and plenty still simmering on Capitol Hill, here’s what you need to know.

In this week’s Nimitz Report:

• The end of the shutdown era: VA funding secured, lasting impacts unknown

• Trump signs EO: GI Bill restored for veterans discharged under COVID mandate

• Setting the tone: New York expands protections and benefits for veterans statewide

WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?

Thursday, November 20th

• ♿ Subcommittee Hearing: “Improving Outcomes for Disabled Veterans: Oversight of VA’s Medical Disability Examination Office,” House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee at noon. Watch here.

NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK

Congressional News

Congress and the White House reached an agreement to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history by passing a combined continuing resolution (CR) and three-bill FY26 appropriations “minibus.” The package fully funded the VA through FY 2026, providing $133 billion in discretionary funding and placing strict limits on VA staffing cuts, including a prohibition on reducing staff or services at the Veterans Crisis Line and other suicide-prevention programs. Lawmakers required the VA to maintain staffing levels sufficient to meet access-to-care standards for primary, specialty, and mental health appointments, and to submit a new staffing model to Congress within 90 days.

The bill also provided $3.4 billion to restart the VA’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) modernization, while withholding 30% of that funding until the VA completes four consecutive, incident-free deployments demonstrating safety and operational stability. Additionally, the package included technical corrections restoring VA Home Loan partial-claims authority, which helps prevent veteran foreclosures. It also reversed more than 4,000 federal layoffs that had begun during the shutdown, protecting VA employees and preserving the continuity of veteran-facing services. Veterans can access current information on benefits and services via the official VA.gov website.

Veteran News

This morning, the VA announced that thousands of veterans who were separated for refusing the military’s COVID-19 vaccine could regain GI Bill eligibility under President Donald Trump’s new executive order. Following direction from the Department of Defense, nearly 900 veterans have already received discharge upgrades, with many more expected to qualify once their records are reviewed. Veterans discharged with less than honorable characterizations under the prior mandate are encouraged to seek corrections through military review boards and reapply for education benefits once upgraded. VA Secretary Doug Collins said the move aimed to “make these veterans whole again,” restoring access to educational programs that many lost due to their discharge status.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed three veteran-focused bills aimed at improving employment access, protecting benefits, and honoring service members statewide. One measure required state and local agencies to better promote civil service jobs reserved for disabled veterans, addressing the longstanding underuse of the 500 available positions. Another bill cracked down on pension-poaching scams by creating penalties up to $10,000 for unaccredited representatives and directing fines to accredited groups assisting veterans with claims. A third law formally designated New York as a Purple Heart state, honoring combat-wounded veterans and strengthening the state’s commitment to recognizing and supporting those who served. Experts believe these reforms could influence similar veteran-focused legislation nationwide.

National News

A new CBS News poll found that most Americans believe President Trump and congressional Republicans secured more of what they wanted when the government shutdown ended, while many Democrats feel their party compromised too much. Across the electorate, frustration remains high with how all parties handled the shutdown, including among federal workers and veterans who went weeks without pay or access to full services. While respondents expect air travel and federal operations to stabilize, Democrats express lingering pessimism about the outcome, reflecting the broad strain the shutdown placed on families dependent on government services.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

FOR FUN

Fun fact: over 50 million pumpkin pies are consumed on each Thanksgiving Day across the United States. Want more tidbits to share around the table next week? Click here.

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