Congress returns to Washington this week with several key veterans and national security issues on the horizon. The Senate is scheduled to hold a nomination hearing on Thursday that will draw attention from veterans advocates and policymakers, while lawmakers also begin reviewing the House NDAA proposal and broader fiscal year 2027 priorities. Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs continues to advance new initiatives on housing and mental health care as stakeholders across the veterans community prepare for a busy summer legislative season.

In this week’s Nimitz Report:

• On the Hill: Senate nomination hearing, NDAA debate, and congressional priorities take center stage

• Honoring the Fallen: House passes bill improving survivor benefits, and 5,000 gather for annual Rolling to Remember demonstration over Memorial Day weekend

• Party Discrepancies: Administration personnel moves and growing Republican opposition to Trump’s anti-weaponization fund shape the Washington landscape

WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?

Wednesday, June 3rd

• 📝 Full Committee Hearing: On Pending Nominations, Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) at 4:00pm. Watch here.

NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK

Congressional News

Ahead of last week's recess, the House advanced the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, which would provide a significant increase in benefits for catastrophically disabled veterans and increase dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for Gold Star spouses and families. The package includes expanded support for veterans requiring extensive in-home care and seeks to strengthen survivor benefits for families who have lost loved ones from military service.

The House also passed the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, which would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs from reporting veterans to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System solely because they have been assigned a fiduciary. Under the legislation, a veteran's firearm rights could only be restricted following a judicial determination that the individual poses a danger to themselves or others. The measures now head to the Senate, where veterans organizations will be closely watching their prospects for passage.

Defense policy is likewise moving into focus with the release of the House Armed Services Committee chairman’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) mark. The proposal outlines congressional priorities for military readiness, force structure, modernization, and quality-of-life programs, setting the stage for what is expected to be another closely watched NDAA debate in the months ahead. The NDAA is scheduled for markup on Thursday.

Veteran News

Thousands of veterans, family members, and supporters converged on Washington over Memorial Day weekend for the annual Rolling to Remember motorcycle demonstration, including remarks from VA Secretary Doug Collins. Approximately 5,000 riders traveled through the nation’s capital to honor prisoners of war, service members missing in action, and veterans struggling with mental health challenges. Organizers used the event to continue raising awareness about veteran suicide prevention and the lasting impact of military service on veterans and their families.

The Gold Star Spouses of America also continued pressing Congress to improve survivor benefits. Gold Star spouses and veterans groups have argued that existing federal support programs have not kept pace with the needs of surviving military families, increasing pressure on lawmakers to enact long-sought reforms. Recent House passage of benefits legislation has renewed optimism among advocates that meaningful changes could finally move forward this year.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced two major initiatives aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing veterans. First, the department issued a request for proposals to construct approximately 220 temporary housing units at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus as part of the broader effort to expand housing opportunities for homeless veterans. The project is expected to support the administration’s larger vision for a National Center for Warrior Independence and comes amid ongoing scrutiny of housing conditions and support services at the site.

The VA also launched a new clinical trial examining MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans experiencing mental health conditions, reflecting growing federal interest in emerging treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and related challenges. The initiative marks another step in the department’s effort to explore innovative approaches to veteran mental health care as demand for services continues to rise.

National News

The Trump administration continued to make personnel and policy moves that could have implications across the federal government. The administration announced the appointment of Rosario “Pete“ Vasquez to lead as Border Patrol chief, placing a veteran law enforcement official in one of the government’s most visible homeland security positions as border security remains a central policy priority.

At the same time, political attention has focused on reports that President Trump is reconsidering plans surrounding a proposed “anti-weaponization” fund. The proposal has faced growing bipartisan scrutiny on Capitol Hill, with multiple Senate Republicans expressing concerns about oversight, eligibility requirements, and the potential use of taxpayer funds. Senate Majority Leader John Thune publicly stated that “the best way to handle it is if the administration decides to shut it down themselves,” highlighting a point of disagreement between Congressional Republicans and the White House. The controversy has complicated broader legislative discussions in Congress and underscores the continuing intersection of legal, political, and governance issues likely to shape Washington’s agenda heading into the second half of the year.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

FOR FUN

We hope everyone had a safe and meaningful Memorial Day!

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