As Congress moves deeper into the new session, veteran policy and national security issues are coming into sharper focus. Lawmakers are balancing oversight of the VA, negotiations over Department of Homeland Security funding, and a growing bipartisan effort to better coordinate how the nation supports veterans after service. There are many changes underway, both within and beyond the VA, and we are closely tracking developments during this partial shutdown.

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In this week’s Nimitz Report:

• DHS on the clock: GOP divisions over ICE reforms complicate efforts to avert a deeper funding lapse.

• A national strategy for veterans: Bipartisan Senate leaders push to formally define veteran success as a national interest.

• Change at the top: VA Chief of Staff Chris Syrek departs as Curt Cashour steps into a key leadership role.

WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?

Tuesday, February 3rd

• 📝 Subcommittee Hearing: Legislative Hearing, House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee at 10:15 am. Watch here.

Wednesday, February 4th

• 💻 Joint Subcommittee Hearing: “Digital G.I. Bill Undelivered: Contracting Challenges and the Need for Acquisition Reform,” HVAC Technology Modernization and Economic Opportunity Subcommittees at 2 pm. Watch here.

• 🏅 Committee Hearing: “Independent Spirits: Veteran Health & Healing through Adaptive Sports,” Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) at 4 pm. Watch here.

NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK

Congressional News

Republican lawmakers are divided over proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reforms as the House prepares to vote on legislation to end a partial government shutdown triggered by the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. The bill would fund most of the government through September, but provides only a two-week stopgap for the Department of Homeland Security, forcing rapid negotiations over immigration enforcement changes. Some Republicans are open to measures such as ending roving ICE patrols, expanding de-escalation training, and funding body cameras, while others reject Democratic proposals as weakening law enforcement. The internal GOP conflict highlights broader national security and border enforcement tensions, with uncertainty over whether DHS funding and immigration oversight can be stabilized in the coming weeks.

Senate VA Committee leaders Sens. Jerry Moran and Richard Blumenthal introduced the National Veterans Strategy Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation directing the President to develop a quadrennial national strategy to coordinate efforts supporting veteran well-being. The bill would formally recognize veteran success as a national interest, establish standardized metrics to measure outcomes, and require regular coordination across federal, state, local, nonprofit, and private-sector stakeholders. Supporters say the legislation would improve accountability and alignment across more than $300 billion annually in federal veterans spending, complementing but extending beyond the VA’s internal strategic planning. Major veterans service organizations have endorsed the bill, citing its potential to reduce duplication, strengthen transitions to civilian life, and improve long-term outcomes for veterans and their families.

Veteran News

At the end of last week, the VA announced that Chief of Staff Chris Syrek will depart on February 13, with Curt Cashour, the VA’s Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, set to succeed him. Syrek, who has served since January 20, 2025, played a central role in the department’s presidential transition and Secretary Doug Collins’ Senate confirmation, and previously served in senior VA roles during the first Trump Administration. During his tenure, the VA reported major operational gains, including a 60% reduction in the benefits backlog, expanded health care access, record disability claims processing, and the permanent housing of nearly 52,000 homeless veterans in FY25. Cashour, an Iraq War veteran and Bronze Star recipient, brings prior VA leadership experience and a background in veteran-focused reform legislation as he steps into the role.

Congress has passed bipartisan legislation funding $4 million to establish a national center to support justice-involved veterans, with the measure signed into law by President Trump as part of the FY2026 Department of Justice budget. The center, recommended by the Council on Criminal Justice’s Veterans Justice Commission, aims to address gaps in how the criminal justice system identifies veterans and redirects them from incarceration toward treatment and support. Commission research found that service-related trauma, PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and poor coordination among veteran programs often contribute to veterans’ involvement in the justice system. The new center will serve as a hub for research, best practices, and coordination among federal, state, and local programs focused on improving outcomes for justice-involved veterans.

The VA Orlando Healthcare System is using tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons to support veteran mental health through the REVEAL Program, a peer-driven initiative launched in 2023 as part of the VA’s Innovation Project. Developed and led by Navy veteran Victor Mitchell, the program uses collaborative gameplay to help veterans build trust, communication skills, and emotional regulation in a low-pressure, nontraditional setting. The program meets twice monthly at the Lake Nona campus and has drawn positive feedback from veterans across service eras who cite improved connection, creativity, and social engagement. VA leaders hope the initiative can serve as a model for veteran-centered mental health engagement across the VA healthcare system.

National News

President Trump criticized last night’s Grammy Awards as “virtually unwatchable” and has threatened to sue host Trevor Noah over a joke referencing Jeffrey Epstein, denying any connection and calling the remarks defamatory. In a series of social media posts, Trump said his lawyers may pursue legal action, citing past lawsuits against media figures and companies. The controversy unfolded alongside notable moments from the ceremony, including Bad Bunny’s historic win for Album of the Year (the first Spanish-language album to receive the award) and his remarks criticizing ICE enforcement rhetoric.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

FOR FUN

Bad Bunny, who was one of the many artists to make anti-Trump administration comments at last night’s Grammy Awards, will take the stage this weekend for the Super Bowl Halftime Show. For more artists set to perform during the weekend’s event, click here.

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