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“Legislative Hearing Presentation of The Veterans of Foreign Affairs Wars of the U.S. & Multi VSOs: PVA, IAVA, SVA, TAPS, EDF, NCHV”

Joint House & Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing

March 4, 2025 (recording here)

HEARING INFORMATION

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

• Mr. Alfred J. "Al" Lipphardt: Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

• Mr. Patrick Murray: Acting Executive Director of the Washington Office, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

• Ms. Kristina Keenan: Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

• Mr. Michael Figlioli: Director, National Veterans Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S

• Mr. Mitch Fuller: Chairman, National Legislative Committee, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

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

• Mr. Robert Thomas: National President, Paralyzed Veterans of America

• Ms. Allison Jaslow: Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

• Mr. Jared Lyon: National President & Chief Executive Officer, Student Veterans of America

• Ms. Bonnie Carroll: President & Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

• Ms. Meredith Beck: Government and Community Engagement, The Elizabeth Dole Foundation

• Ms. Kathryn Monet: Chief Executive Officer, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

Keywords mentioned:

• Contracts, staffing, firings, homelessness, PACT Act, transitioning service members, caregivers, benefits delivery

IN THEIR WORDS

OPENING STATEMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEES

• Chairman Jerry Moran welcomed attendees and described the vital partnership between Congress, the VA, and the veterans service organization (VSO) community in achieving meaningful policy outcomes for veterans. He highlighted legislative accomplishments such as the Elizabeth Dole Act and stressed the importance of proper implementation to benefit veterans, caregivers, and survivors. He committed to preserving a strong VA workforce, improving transparency, and ensuring the VA avoids actions that would harm veterans' access to care and benefits.

• Chairman Mike Bost reflected on his personal connection to military service, sharing his family's deep history of service across multiple generations. He claimed that his work is always focused on serving veterans, not bureaucrats, and praised the VFW’s advocacy for improving the transition from military to civilian life. He pledged to advance practical legislation and conduct oversight to ensure that veterans have access to care and benefits without unnecessary bureaucracy or delays.

• Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal welcomed the VFW and thanked them for their advocacy, especially in responding to recent funding freezes and contract cancellations. He criticized VA Secretary Doug Collins’ handling of the situation, expressing frustration over the lack of transparency and the potential harm to veterans' care. He promised to fight recent efforts that threaten veterans’ services, mentioning an upcoming resolution to reverse unlawful firings of VA employees.

• Ranking Member Mark Takano praised the role of VSOs in passing the PACT Act and said that supporting veterans requires ongoing work, including ensuring access to benefits, addressing veteran homelessness and suicide, and achieving Guard and Reserve parity. He criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the federal workforce at the VA, including firing employees unlawfully and creating unnecessary chaos. He called on VSOs to help Congress hold the VA accountable and ensure that the VA remains a welcoming place for all veterans, regardless of their background.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS (PANEL ONE)

• Sen. Jon Ossoff introduced VFW Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt, reviewing his distinguished military service and lifelong dedication to veterans. He mentioned the importance of maintaining bipartisan oversight of the VA, especially in response to recent disruptions caused by the administration.

• Mr. Al Lipphardt testified on behalf of the VFW’s 1.4 million members, urging Congress to honor the contract made with all who served by fully funding the VA and ensuring timely access to earned benefits. He advocated for an improved transition assistance program (TAP), better support for toxic-exposed veterans, and expanded research into alternative treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mr. Lipphardt also warned about predatory “claim sharks” exploiting veterans and called for fair treatment of National Guard and Reserve members, as well as ending the unjust offset of retirement pay for disabled retirees. He then reminded Congress that caring for veterans is a solemn obligation that must never be forgotten.

• Chairman Moran asked about the implementation of the PACT Act, particularly the process for adding new presumptive conditions and the challenges faced by veterans whose conditions are not currently covered. Mr. Michael Figlioli stated that the VFW had limited engagement with the VA on this process, noting a lack of transparency and stakeholder input despite the legal requirements of the PACT Act.

• Chairman Moran also asked about the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act. Ms. Kristina Keenan explained that many Guard and Reserve members still do not earn full benefits despite frequent deployments, calling for equal treatment.

• Chairman Bost asked whether the VA should receive annual audits to prevent unnecessary budget scare tactics. Mr. Lipphardt strongly agreed, and Mr. Patrick Murray discussed the importance of transparency and ensuring full funding and staffing at the VA.

• Chairman Bost also asked whether the VA’s community care process was effective in quickly connecting veterans with substance use treatment. Mr. Murray replied that barriers remain, underlining the need for immediate access when veterans seek help.

• Ranking Member Blumenthal expressed support for the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act and asked if Mr. Lipphardt agreed that recently fired VA employees and canceled contracts should be reinstated to ensure proper implementation of the PACT Act. Mr. Lipphardt agreed, stating that veterans deserve precise, careful decision-making from the VA, not hasty cuts that threaten services. Ranking Member Blumenthal echoed the need for the VA to use a “scalpel, not a meat axe” when eliminating waste, and he praised the VFW for advocating for younger veterans’ engagement.

• Ranking Member Takano asked whether the VFW would continue to stand with Congress in opposing the mass firings and indiscriminate contract cancellations at the VA. Mr. Lipphardt agreed and demonstrated the importance of the PACT Act by asking veterans in the room to stand if they had experienced toxic exposures, making the issue visually apparent.

• Ranking Member Takano then asked about the balance between community care and VA care. Mr. Murray said that the key was ensuring community care is consistent and used as a supplement — not a replacement — for VA care.

• Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagen inquired about barriers to timely access to the TAP program. Ms. Keenan explained that mission requirements sometimes prevent service members from attending TAP on schedule, and she urged Congress to hold the Department of Defense (DoD) accountable for ensuring all service members can fully participate.

• When Rep. Radewagen asked how Congress could better support veterans' employment opportunities, Mr. Lipphardt said that codifying the veterans' service contract into law would help ensure long-term stability.

• Sen. Maggie Hassan asked about efforts to improve scheduling at VA facilities, particularly for rural veterans. Mr. Murray claimed that the goal should be to allow veterans to schedule multiple appointments in one visit, and he cautioned against the VA trying to develop its own scheduling tool given past IT failures.

• Sen. Hassan also raised concerns about potential budget cuts to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), pointing to the importance of its work in identifying and repatriating missing service members.

• Rep. Abe Hamadeh asked how the existing offset between retirement pay and VA disability compensation harms veterans. Mr. Lipphardt explained that retirement pay compensates for years of service, while disability pay compensates for service-connected injuries. The VFW believes that they should not offset each other. Mr. Murray urged Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act and lamented that despite widespread support last year, the bill never came to a vote.

• Rep. Chris Pappas praised the VFW’s leadership against predatory “claim sharks” and urged Congress to pass the Guard VA Benefits Act to reinstate criminal penalties for unauthorized fees. He also asked about alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and massage, for veterans with chronic pain and PTSD. Mr. Mitch Fuller supported expanding access to such therapies, alongside emerging treatments like psychedelics and medical cannabis. He called for the VA to move beyond mere research and begin implementing effective treatments.

• Sen. Tommy Tuberville asked whether VFW members were more likely to receive mental health care directly from the VA or through community care. Mr. Murray said that they did not have firm data but would follow up with the information.

• Sen. Tuberville also asked what advice the VFW gives to veterans who are denied community care. Mr. Murray encouraged veterans to challenge denials if they meet eligibility criteria under the VA MISSION Act.

• Sen. Tuberville then spoke on his bill supporting the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Mr. Fuller strongly supported it, noting its effectiveness in treating traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD, and other conditions.

• Rep. Kelly Morrison asked if recent mass firings at the VA would harm veterans. Mr. Lipphardt responded that the terminations would absolutely harm veterans and underscored that all veterans deserve respect and care.

• Rep. Morrison then asked about the roles of transition assistance and housing in preventing veteran suicide. Mr. Murray explained that stable housing, employment, and financial security are critical factors that prevent veterans from sliding into crisis.

• Sen. Dan Sullivan asked for the VFW’s commitment to fight law firms exploiting sick Marines and their families through excessive legal fees related to the Camp Lejeune Act. Mr. Lipphardt firmly committed to that fight, agreeing that those funds should help veterans, not enrich lawyers.

• Sen. Sullivan also asked if the VFW would support his upcoming legislation to improve rural veterans’ access to care. Mr. Lipphardt confirmed the VFW’s support, calling it an honor to work together.

• Rep. Herb Conaway asked if the VFW agreed that VA health services suffer from staffing shortfalls and if they had suggestions for the next steps. Mr. Murray confirmed that long-standing vacancies, combined with mass firings, severely harm veterans’ care, sharing an example from a Vet Center in Massachusetts that had to close its front desk due to staffing shortages. He claimed that fully staffing VA facilities is essential to providing the care veterans have earned.

• Sen. Mazie Hirono acknowledged the veterans present and thanked the VFW for its advocacy. She strongly criticized the indiscriminate firings at the VA, DoD, and Department of Justice (DOJ), noting that they disproportionately affect veterans and fuel unnecessary chaos. Sen. Hirono promised to continue working with the VFW to fight these actions and ensure the government honors its commitments to veterans.

• Sen. Angus King highlighted that the hearing fell on March 4th, which he called a fitting "march forth" moment for advancing bills like the Major Richard Star Act. He criticized the mass firings at the VA, saying that cutting probationary employees often means firing experienced veterans who recently earned promotions. Sen. King praised Mr. Lipphardt’s testimony about the importance of precision and urged the VFW to continue amplifying veterans' voices.

• Sen. Jim Banks asked if the VFW would support his legislation to refund Montgomery GI Bill contributions for veterans who later qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Mr. Lipphardt confirmed the VFW’s support. Sen. Banks also asked for the VFW’s support in ensuring veterans can always be buried alongside their spouses, to which Mr. Lipphardt agreed.

• Sen. Banks asked how well VA partnerships with nonprofits have worked to prevent veteran suicide. Mr. Murray said that community connections were vital, and he claimed that the VFW would fight to protect funding for these programs.

• Sen. Ruben Gallego expressed concern about how veterans working at the VA are being affected by mass firings, especially younger veterans who chose public service careers. He asked what VFW members were saying about the layoffs and how future staffing decisions should be handled. Mr. Murray stressed the importance of stopping these indiscriminate cuts and ensuring that veterans who work at the VA, especially high performers, are protected from arbitrary termination.

• Sen. Bill Cassidy asked how technology, including AI, could be used to speed up claims processing at the VA. Mr. Lipphardt supported embracing technology, and Mr. Figlioli confirmed that the VA is already using AI in some areas but needs to invest further in IT modernization.

• Sen. Cassidy noted that AI combined with electronic health records could help detect service-connected conditions more efficiently. Both Mr. Lipphardt and Mr. Figlioli agreed that technology must work alongside human oversight to ensure accuracy.

• Chairman Moran asked Mr. Lipphardt to review any final key points before the end of the first panel. Mr. Lipphardt reiterated the importance of honoring the contract between the nation and its veterans. He said that veterans kept their promise to serve, and now the government must keep its promise to provide care and benefits. Mr. Lipphardt praised the Committees’ commitment but urged them to focus on results, not just effort.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS (PANEL TWO)

• Mr. Robert Thomas testified on behalf of veterans with spinal cord injuries, focusing on the importance of preserving the VA’s specialty care system. He described how community care often lacks the expertise required to meet the complex needs of paralyzed veterans, resulting in poorer health outcomes. He warned that chronic staffing shortages, infrastructure problems, and outdated facilities are jeopardizing the future of this essential care system. Mr. Thomas urged Congress to invest in staffing, infrastructure, and specialty services to protect veterans’ health and their access to life-saving care.

• Ms. Allison Jaslow shared her personal journey from Army service to advocacy, stating that her role as CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) has been a profound honor. She expressed frustration that post-9/11 veterans are continuously asked to "soldier on" despite facing suicide crises, delayed care, and political neglect. She criticized Congress for failing to provide true leadership and for prioritizing political survival over courage and accountability. Ms. Jaslow called on lawmakers to stop asking veterans to bear the burden alone and to start making sacrifices worthy of the offices they hold.

• Mr. Jared Lyon discussed the 840,000 student veterans using their GI Bill benefits and the importance of community to their academic success. He stressed that reliable financial support, clear career pathways, and functional VA services are essential for student veterans’ success. He called for modernization of the GI Bill to ensure parity for online students, increases to outdated book stipends, and improvements to VA work-study programs. Mr. Lyon stated that investing in student veterans benefits both the veterans and the broader economy.

• Ms. Bonnie Carroll outlined Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors’ (TAPS) priorities, including ending the financial penalty for surviving spouses who remarry before age 55. She advocated for increased Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and expanded healthcare coverage for surviving children, aligning benefits with those available to civilians. She also spoke on TAPS’ critical role in implementing the PACT Act and the need to address toxic exposure-related deaths. Ms. Carroll urged Congress to remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers for surviving families, particularly for those grieving losses to suicide, and to fully support programs that honor their sacrifices.

• Ms. Meredith Beck presented findings from a RAND study showing that military caregivers provide over $119 billion in unpaid care while facing financial strain and mental health challenges. She raised concerns about the VA’s proposed changes to its caregiver program, warning that the new rules are overly complicated and could exclude caregivers of veterans with mental health and cognitive disabilities. Ms. Beck also urged Congress to "grandfather in" post-9/11 caregivers already in the program to spare them further uncertainty. She called on the Committees to ensure seamless access and to protect caregiver support programs from funding cuts and arbitrary staffing reductions.

• Ms. Kathryn Monet claimed that veteran homelessness has decreased significantly due to dedicated efforts by the VA and community partners, but she warned that federal staffing reductions and grant disruptions threaten this progress. She urged Congress to maintain funding for increased per diem rates for homeless programs, expand eligibility to include all veterans regardless of discharge status, and protect case management services at VA-enhanced housing sites. Ms. Monet also called for legislative changes to ensure disability compensation does not disqualify veterans from housing programs.

• Ranking Member Takano asked Ms. Monet if the progress made in reducing veteran homelessness during the Biden-Harris administration was real and what factors contributed to that progress. He also asked what roadblocks could prevent further progress. Ms. Monet confirmed that the progress was real, noting that VA programs helped hundreds of thousands of veterans throughout the year. She acknowledged that while improvements were still possible, much of the challenge stemmed from factors outside the VA, such as the lack of affordable housing and employment struggles. She warned that veterans’ overrepresentation in the federal workforce, coupled with rapid terminations, could worsen homelessness.

• Ranking Member Takano then asked Mr. Lyon about the impact of recent counselor terminations on the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program and how these counselors helped prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. Mr. Lyon stated that VR&E was already chronically understaffed and plagued with delays in benefit approvals even before the recent firings. He explained that terminations had exacerbated these problems, causing weeks or even months-long delays for veterans trying to access educational and employment services. He said that these counselors played a critical oversight role, helping veterans navigate the system and preventing abuse.

• Rep. Delia Ramirez asked Ms. Monet how freezing grants for homeless veterans or permanent housing programs would impact efforts to end veteran homelessness. She also asked how freezes affected the organizations and communities that rely on these funds. Ms. Monet described the last grant freeze as chaotic, pushing service providers to the brink financially. She said providers scrambled to manage their cash flow and questioned the federal government’s commitment to ending veteran homelessness.

• Chairman Moran asked Mr. Lyon to explain why the National Guard GI Bill Parity Act was important and how it would impact Guard and Reserve veterans. Mr. Lyon explained that under current law, Guard and Reserve members do not receive equal GI Bill benefits for time spent in uniform, despite performing similar duties. He stated that the bill would correct this disparity by ensuring every day in uniform counted equally toward education benefits.

• Chairman Moran asked Ms. Carroll for her suggestions on how Congress and the VA could better work with the VSO community to ensure survivors know about their benefits. Ms. Carroll said that TAPS uses partnerships with other VSOs, public awareness campaigns, and outreach through the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to inform survivors about their benefits. She also highlighted TAPS’ collaboration with funeral directors to reach newly bereaved families, ensuring they understood the benefits their loved ones had earned.

• Chairman Moran asked Ms. Monet to comment on the importance of the NCA’s apprentice program, which offers employment to homeless or at-risk veterans. Ms. Monet emphasized that employment plays a critical role in reducing veteran homelessness by providing income, dignity, and connection to community. She praised the apprentice program and said that her organization strongly supported expanding it and creating more similar opportunities within the VA and other federal agencies.

• Chairman Moran turned to Ms. Beck, inquiring about what she knew regarding recent contract cancellations. Ms. Beck replied that most information came directly from concerned contractors and caregivers who feared losing access to critical services. She added that VA research programs were also at risk due to funding cuts and staffing freezes, impacting studies vital to PACT Act implementation.

• Chairman Moran then asked Mr. Thomas if he had additional insight into the contract cancellations or pauses. Mr. Thomas said his members were reporting sudden disruptions in Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants, often finding that the VA contacts they had been working with were abruptly gone. This forced veterans to restart the process from scratch, causing harmful delays in essential home modifications for veterans with catastrophic injuries.

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