Congress continues to face the music as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown stretches into its sixth week, with ripple effects majorly hitting airports, federal workers, and broader economic confidence. At the same time, lawmakers are advancing veterans-focused hearings and legislation, with multiple committees examining quality of life, cost-of-living issues, and benefits programs impacting military families and veterans.

Beyond Capitol Hill, developments across the veterans landscape underscore both progress and ongoing challenges. From a tragic loss inside a VA facility to major policy shifts in education benefits and continued efforts to modernize VA’s health record system, these issues reflect how policy, operations, and real-world impacts are converging in ways that directly affect those who serve and have served. Here’s what you need to know.

In this week’s Nimitz Report:

• Remembering Nic Crews: Another fatal shooting leaves loved ones mourning

• VA promotes EHR: Deputy Secretary Lawrence hails new federal electronic health record modernization push

• Four hearings and a markup: A busy week for our friends on the Hill

WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?

Wednesday, March 25th

• 🎖️ Subcommittee Hearing: “Quality of Life in the Military,” House Appropriations Committee, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Subcommittee at 10am. Watch here.

• 📝 Subcommittee Hearing: On Pending Legislation, House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee at 2:15pm. Watch here.

• 👥 Subcommittee Hearing: “Member Day”, House Appropriations Committee, MilCon-VA Subcommittee at 2:30pm. Watch here.

Thursday, March 26th

• 🏠 Subcommittee Hearing: “Kitchen Table Issues: Lowering Costs for Veteran Families Through the VA Home Loan Program,” HVAC Economic Opportunity Subcommittee at 10:30am. Watch here.

• 📝 Subcommittee Markup: To Consider Pending Legislation, HVAC Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee at 1:15pm. Watch here.

NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK

Congressional News

Rifts are emerging among Senate Republicans as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown drags into its sixth week, with growing concern that the political blame and economic fallout could shift toward the GOP. Airport disruptions caused by unpaid Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers are intensifying pressure, prompting some Republicans to consider breaking up the funding bill to reopen critical agencies while continuing negotiations over immigration enforcement. However, disagreements with the White House and continued Democratic demands for reforms to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) leave a clear path to a deal uncertain.

Veteran News

A gunman killed a VA clinic social work case manager, Nicholas “Nic” Crews, during a mental health visit at a Georgia facility last week. Crews, remembered by colleagues and family as a compassionate advocate for veterans, leaves behind a pregnant wife and two young children. The incident has drawn attention to the risks faced by VA employees working directly with vulnerable populations, even as communities rally in support of the family. The case itself remains under active investigation, and officials say more information will be released as it becomes available.

VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence released a statement claiming that the department’s long-troubled federal electronic health record modernization (FERHM) effort is gaining traction, pointing to stronger centralized leadership, streamlined governance, and improved coordination with Oracle Health. Officials report increased system stability, expanded site engagement, and plans to accelerate deployment to additional VA medical centers through 2031. While skepticism remains after years of delays and resets, VA leaders argue the program is now more accountable, standardized, and positioned to deliver a fully integrated health record system with the Department of Defense.

A federal appeals decision, combined with the VA’s withdrawal of its challenge, has cleared the way for more than 1 million veterans to access education benefits under both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The ruling expands eligibility up to a 48-month cap, reversing prior VA interpretations that limited veterans to a single program. The VA is now reviewing affected cases and will automatically notify eligible veterans.

National News

President Trump announced plans to deploy ICE agents to airports to assist TSA officers amid ongoing shutdown-related staffing shortages, a move that has sparked significant concern from lawmakers and aviation groups. While the administration says the effort is intended to ease long security lines, critics warn that using untrained personnel could create safety risks and further politicize airport security, especially given ICE’s central role in the underlying funding dispute.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

FOR FUN

The cherry blossoms are back in Washington! 🌸 Stay updated on peak bloom here.

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