The House is quiet this week following a pre–July 4th sprint, but the policy world hasn’t hit pause. President Donald Trump signed his long-promised tax and spending bill into law, Democrats are ramping up efforts to recruit veteran candidates ahead of 2026, and the House advanced key VA provisions on alternative therapies and tech-enabled suicide prevention.

We’re keeping close tabs on it all—here’s what you might have missed.

In this week’s Nimitz Report:

• Democrats recruit veterans: Party members seek to gain ground in competitive races

• “Big beautiful” law: President Trump signs controversial bill

• VA doctors move toward marijuana: Amendments allow physicians to recommend alternative treatments where legal

WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?

⏸️ All previously scheduled events have been postponed:

• Subcommittee Markup: House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) Health Subcommittee.

• Subcommittee Markup: HVAC Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Subcommittee.

• Subcommittee Markup: HVAC Economic Opportunity Subcommittee.

NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK

Congressional News

Democrats are recruiting military veterans like Rebecca Bennett and Cait Conley to run for Congress in 2026 in an effort to regain ground with conservative and rural voters who have increasingly favored Republicans. Party leaders believe that veteran candidates can bridge cultural divides and appeal to voters who view Democrats as weak or unpatriotic. Veterans currently favor Republicans by a wide margin, but Democrats need just three seats to retake control of the House. While some conservatives dismiss the strategy, Democrats argue that military service builds trust and credibility among voters across the political spectrum.

President Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” a sweeping tax and spending package, was signed into law before the July 4 deadline, extending the 2017 tax cuts at an estimated cost of $3.7 trillion over the next decade. The law also includes major reductions to Medicare and SNAP, which analysts say will disproportionately harm low-income Americans while providing large financial gains to the wealthiest households. Additional tax breaks, such as a temporary expansion of the SALT deduction, benefit residents in high-tax states but are set to expire in 2028. Critics have raised concerns about the bill’s true cost, with estimates ranging from $440 billion to over $3 trillion.

Veteran News

The House-passed VA budget bill for fiscal 2026 includes a landmark amendment allowing VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana to veterans in states where it is legal, marking a major shift in federal policy toward alternative treatments. The amendment would also block the enforcement of VA policies that prevent clinicians from assisting veterans in accessing state-approved cannabis programs. A separate amendment, led by Rep. Jack Bergman, supports VA planning for psychedelic-assisted therapy, signaling growing congressional support for innovative treatments for trauma-related conditions. Supporters say both measures could help veterans manage pain and mental health issues without relying on prescription narcotics, offering long-overdue options for those with treatment-resistant conditions.

The VA has expanded its SQUARES digital tool, originally designed to help reduce veteran homelessness, to now support suicide prevention, legal services, and health care eligibility verification. The system allows VA staff and approved community partners to quickly determine a veteran’s eligibility for key services by submitting basic identity information. Officials say the update will help reach at-risk veterans more effectively, especially those who may not self-identify, and streamline access to crisis intervention and support. The VA is promoting its continued efforts to leverage technology in addressing critical issues like homelessness and veteran suicide across local, state, and federal levels.

Two American veterans working with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) were injured in a grenade attack while distributing aid to Palestinians, an assault GHF attributes to Hamas. The organization said that the veterans, both highly decorated, are in stable condition and condemned the international community’s silence amid repeated threats, including recent bounties placed on aid workers’ heads. U.S. and Israeli officials criticized Hamas for targeting humanitarian efforts, with the IDF confirming its role in facilitating the veterans’ evacuation. The incident underscores the escalating dangers facing American veterans and aid personnel in conflict zones, raising concerns about the safety of veteran-led humanitarian missions abroad.

National News

Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race between Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger is being closely watched as a bellwether for national political sentiment during President Trump’s second term. Spanberger, a former CIA officer and moderate Democrat, currently leads in fundraising and polling, positioning Democrats to potentially expand their hold on the state legislature. The outcome could influence momentum heading into the 2026 midterms, especially as Virginia often swings between parties in gubernatorial elections.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

FOR FUN

Over the weekend, Danielle rewatched the musical 1776 with her family to celebrate the Fourth of July. She enthusiastically recommends it for anyone who has yet to see it!

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