⚡NIMITZ NEWS FLASH⚡

“Legislative Presentation of Veterans of Foreign Wars & Multi VSO: Student Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans, Blinded Veterans Association, Fleet Reserve Association, Minority Veterans of America, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)”

Joint House & Senate Veterans Affairs Committees Hearing

March 3, 2026 (recording here)

HEARING INFORMATION

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

• Carol Whitmore: Commander-in-Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

• Ryan Gallucci: Executive Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

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

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

• Jason Johns: Chairman of National Legislative, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

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

• Tammy Barlet: Vice President of Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America

• Scott P. Stevens: National Commander, Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A.

• Lea Rowe: National Executive Director, Blinded Veterans Association

• Richard Fetro: National President, Fleet Reserve Association

• Colonel Lorry M. Fenner (Ret.): Senior Policy Advisor, Minority Veterans of America

• Andrew Tangen: President, National Association of County Veterans Service Officers

• Kyleanne Hunter: Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

TOP-LINES TO SHOW YOU ARE IN THE KNOW

1. Veterans and VSOs made clear that access to mental health care and suicide prevention remain top concerns, especially making sure veterans don’t fall through the cracks after inpatient treatment.

2. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that the VA needs better coordination between its systems and the community, including improving electronic health records and making care transitions smoother.

3. Several groups warned that military skills still don’t translate easily into civilian licenses or jobs, forcing veterans to repeat training they already completed in uniform.

4. Advocates also pushed Congress to strengthen support for women veterans and surviving spouses, noting persistent gaps in health care, research, and survivor benefits.

5. Across the panels, VSOs emphasized that programs like the GI Bill, PACT Act implementation, and the Major Richard Star Act are about keeping the nation’s promise to veterans and their families.

PARTY LINE PERSPECTIVES

OPENING STATEMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEES

• Chairman Jerry Moran welcomed the witnesses and thanked the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and other veterans service organizations (VSOs) for their advocacy on behalf of veterans nationwide. He underscored that the Committees’ responsibility was to ensure the VA improved the lives of veterans and delivered timely, high-quality care and benefits. Chairman Moran noted the importance of addressing issues such as toxic exposures, long wait times, and access to earned benefits. He looked forward to hearing how Congress and VSOs could work together to fulfill the nation’s commitments to veterans.

• Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal praised the VFW and other organizations for their strong advocacy. He stated that the nation must support service members currently in combat and ensure they receive care, education, and benefits when they return home. The Ranking Member discussed the need for consistent access to health care, including mental health care, and highlighted the importance of increasing awareness and implementation of PACT Act benefits. He also announced his intention to seek unanimous consent in the Senate to pass the Major Richard Star Act, arguing that combat-injured veterans should receive the full benefits they had earned.

• Ranking Member Mark Takano welcomed the witnesses and recognized VFW Commander Whitmore as the first woman to lead the VFW in its history. He honored recently fallen service members and stressed that each new conflict created a new generation of veterans whom the nation must support. The Ranking Member argued that veterans’ benefits should never be cut and warned against VA policies or reorganizations that could reduce staffing or services. He also called for the passage of legislation supporting survivors, the Major Richard Star Act, and efforts to stop predatory claims companies targeting veterans.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS (PANEL ONE)

• Sen. Joni Ernst introduced Ms. Whitmore and highlighted her historic leadership as the first female Commander in Chief of the VFW. She described Ms. Whitmore’s military service, including her deployment to Iraq and her receipt of the Army Combat Action Badge. Sen. Ernst mentioned that Ms. Whitmore had served in numerous leadership roles within the VFW before being elected to lead the organization nationally. She believed that Ms. Whitmore’s experience and leadership made her perspective valuable to the Committees’ work on veterans’ issues.

• Ms. Carol Whitmore testified that the nation must “honor the contract” with service members by ensuring they and their families receive the care and benefits promised after military service. She underlined the need for full implementation of the PACT Act, improvements to VA health care access, and modernization of programs such as the foreign medical program and CHAMPVA. Ms. Whitmore also highlighted concerns about veteran suicide, psychiatric medication oversight, innovative treatment for PTSD and traumatic brain injury, and improved transition assistance for separating service members. She urged Congress to fully fund POW/MIA recovery efforts and to pass the Major Richard Star Act to end the offset affecting medically retired combat veterans.

• Chairman Moran reaffirmed his support for the Major Richard Star Act and asked how to respond to critics who argued that receiving both military retirement pay and VA disability compensation constituted “double dipping.” Ms. Whitmore responded that the military retirement fund was designed to support cases like medically retired veterans and noted that the fund held significant resources. She added that many veterans and their families suffered financially because of the current offset and emphasized that passing the legislation would strengthen recruitment and retention by demonstrating that the nation honored its commitments.

• Ranking Member Blumenthal asked whether the cost of the Major Richard Star Act was justified and whether expanding presumptive conditions under the PACT Act to include additional toxic exposure locations was necessary. Ms. Whitmore agreed that the legislation was worth the cost and reiterated that caring for veterans was part of the cost of war. She also supported expanding presumptive eligibility for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals in additional locations. Ranking Member Blumenthal claimed that veteran advocacy had been essential to passing the PACT Act and would remain important for future reforms.

• Rep. Jack Bergman inquired about the VFW’s views on VA Secretary Collins’ planned reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration. Mr. Ryan Gallucci responded that the VFW generally supported restructuring efforts to improve governance and accountability, noting that the current system required reform. Rep. Bergman also asked about opportunities to improve oversight and spending within the VA. Ms. Whitmore highlighted women’s health care as an area needing continued improvement and noted the importance of addressing issues affecting the growing population of women veterans.

• Ranking Member Takano asked whether the VA had consulted the VFW before issuing and later rescinding a rule affecting disability ratings tied to medication use. Ms. Whitmore stated that the VA had not consulted the VFW and agreed that VSOs should be included in discussions before such policy changes were implemented. The Ranking Member also raised concerns about reports of reductions in VA medical staff. Ms. Kristina Keenan responded that the VFW was concerned about potential impacts and was monitoring the situation because veterans depended on a fully staffed VA system.

• Ranking Member Takano asked whether Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) should be increased to match other federal survivor benefit programs. Ms. Whitmore agreed that Congress should bring DIC to parity and noted that the benefit had not been significantly updated in decades. She shared an example of a surviving spouse struggling financially after losing her husband, illustrating the need for stronger support for military families. The Ranking Member reiterated that improving survivor benefits and passing the Major Richard Star Act were matters of fairness.

• Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds described the challenges veterans in U.S. territories face in accessing VA care due to geographic isolation and asked about balancing VA direct care with community care options. Ms. Whitmore acknowledged the difficulties and spoke on the importance of maintaining a balance between VA services and community care. Ms. Keenan added that community care could supplement VA services in rural or remote areas if referrals, scheduling, and communication were efficient. She stressed that funding should support both VA infrastructure and community care access to ensure seamless treatment for veterans.

• Sen. Maggie Hassan asked about fraud and scams targeting veterans, particularly companies charging illegal fees to assist with VA disability claims. Ms. Whitmore stated that such practices were predatory and exploited vulnerable veterans, and she called for stronger enforcement and oversight. Mr. Michael Figlioli added that only accredited representatives should assist with claims and that collecting fees for such services was illegal. Sen. Hassan also asked about the importance of maintaining access to VA direct care, and Ms. Whitmore explained that many veterans valued the VA because providers understood military culture and could offer care in a supportive environment.

• Sen. Dan Sullivan described Alaska’s high veteran population and mental health challenges, and he asked how Congress could address gaps in continuity of mental health care. Ms. Whitmore responded that veterans should not have had to “start over” in care and said the VFW supported exploring more treatment modalities beyond additional medications. Mr. Gallucci added that community care had been part of VA care, particularly in places like Alaska, and he emphasized building complementary networks so care felt seamless to the veteran.

• Rep. Nikki Budzinski focused on women veterans and asked what Congress should require so the VA continued measuring disparities and did not claim progress by stopping data collection. Ms. Whitmore responded that provider training was essential and said women veterans should have had meaningful choices, including access to female providers, particularly for veterans affected by military sexual trauma. She agreed that tracking data and continuing research were necessary to understand needs and improve outcomes.

• Rep. Abe Hamadeh asked why emerging technology training for veterans was a VFW priority and referenced his bill expanding Vet Tec to fields like AI and semiconductor manufacturing. Ms. Whitmore agreed that AI-related training aligned with the interests of many newer veterans and said programs like VR&E could support disabled veterans in these transitions. Ms. Keenan said that Vet Tec had been popular and argued that relaunching it with expanded eligible professions and on-the-job training options would be crucial for veterans’ futures.

• Rep. Herb Conaway asked whether veterans generally preferred VA direct care over community care and questioned whether VA direct care had been properly staffed and funded amid reported workforce losses. Ms. Whitmore replied that veterans often preferred VA care because of the shared military culture and community, but she emphasized that a balance with community care was needed. Mr. Gallucci added that staffing challenges mirrored those in the civilian sector and noted that VFW surveys still showed a preference for direct care when properly resourced. Ms. Whitmore said shortages could push more reliance on community care, particularly in rural areas where access to VA facilities was limited.

• Rep. Chris Pappas asked about the need for federal action to stop “claim sharks,” arguing that state-level progress was not enough and that the law needed stronger enforcement tools. Mr. Jason Johns explained that accreditation protected veterans because accredited representatives were accountable for filings and misconduct, whereas unaccredited actors left veterans liable for errors or fraud. He argued that Congress should reinforce accreditation requirements and avoid legitimizing illegal practices.

• Sen. Angus King encouraged the audience to keep using grassroots advocacy and asked about support for involving VSOs in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), as well as concerns about VA staffing reductions and whether they had affected services. Ms. Whitmore confirmed support for the TAP-related effort and said the VFW monitored staffing impacts daily and would provide feedback if veterans reported problems. Sen. King also discussed a proposal to lift physician pay caps to help VA compete for talent and asked for VFW engagement on related efforts.

• Sen. Jim Banks asked whether the VFW would support making the VA program for health care for homeless veterans permanent and asked what more the VA should have done to use PACT Act authorities to investigate and cover toxic exposures. Ms. Whitmore responded that more exposure pathways remained unexamined and underscored the need to document veterans’ symptoms and experiences more effectively. Ms. Keenan said veterans needed a clearer avenue to report exposures and conditions and urged stronger oversight so veterans could see what the VA was researching and considering as future presumptives. Sen. Banks also asked about infrastructure planning and funding, and Ms. Whitmore pointed to the need for better VA systems integration and modernization to reduce inefficiencies.

• Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick asked whether staffing reductions or organizational changes had disproportionately affected access to care for specific groups, including women, minorities, rural veterans, and those seeking mental health services. Ms. Whitmore replied that the VFW had not heard specific evidence yet but stated that it continued monitoring impacts closely.

• Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick then asked whether Congress should add guardrails to ensure culturally responsive, trauma-informed care and continued data collection on demographics and outcomes. Ms. Whitmore said oversight remained necessary, and Ms. Keenan emphasized that continued data collection was needed to identify gaps and prevent underserved populations from being overlooked.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS (PANEL TWO)

• Ms. Tammy Barlet testified that student veterans had already succeeded in higher education, but she argued that the national goal should have been turning that success into a deliberate “talent strategy” with better systems and fewer barriers. She underlined that most student veterans were prior enlisted, often first-generation students, frequently supported families, and commonly worked while enrolled, yet still performed strongly. Ms. Barlet urged Congress to strengthen links between education and career outcomes, improve early identification and certification of veterans on campus through secure data matching, and protect stability through flexible learning options without losing belonging and connection. She cited an example of coordinated VA action at a conference as proof that aligning people, processes, and authorities could rapidly deliver benefits and outcomes.

• Mr. Scott Stevens presented the Jewish War Veterans’ priorities as focused on securing military and veterans benefits and combating antisemitism, bigotry, and hate. He said JWV supported improvements to survivor benefits and advocated for concurrent receipt, including enactment of the Major Richard Star Act, and he urged Congress to bring it to a vote or include it in the NDAA. Mr. Stevens noted that JWV had joined other organizations in opposing the VA’s interim final rule affecting disability ratings and that it had been rescinded after unified pushback. He also raised concerns about VA staffing reductions and a proposed VHA reorganization, and he argued that community care should not have substituted for fully resourced VA direct care.

• Ms. Lea Rowe testified that the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) represented legally blind veterans and urged Congress to prioritize research, accessibility, and specialized rehabilitation services. She called for dedicated funding for blast-related vision trauma research and argued that other federal agencies did not cover that specific need. Ms. Rowe urged final passage of legislation to improve accessibility and advisory input from disabled veterans and said procurement should have met Section 508 requirements so new technology did not leave veterans behind. She also advocated for reforms related to service animals, modernization of caregiver and travel policies for blinded veterans, and passage of the Major Richard Star Act.

• Mr. Richard Fetro testified that the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) focused on passing the Major Richard Star Act, fixing VA electronic health record (EHR) modernization, and pursuing disability compensation reform that preserved earned benefits. He argued that concurrent receipt was about fairness because retirement pay compensated years of service while disability compensation recognized service-connected injury, and he rejected “double dipping” claims as disconnected from reality. Mr. Fetro urged strong congressional oversight of EHR modernization to improve interoperability and continuity of care and supported legislation to explore secure data management approaches that gave veterans more control over their health information. He also called for reforms that made compensation calculations more transparent and urged automation for presumptive claims so eligible veterans received benefits without unnecessary delays.

• Ms. Lorry Fenner shared that Minority Veterans of America sought stronger protections and equity for minority veterans and warned that recent policy changes had weakened safeguards, data collection, and clinical pathways. She said directives targeting transgender Americans had created instability in service status, VA clinical guidance, and safety in shelters, and she urged protection of care and safety regardless of gender identity. Ms. Fenner argued that reproductive health care access had been undermined by VA policy changes and urged congressional action to reverse what she characterized as politically driven rollbacks. She also claimed harassment and assault prevention efforts in VA facilities had been weakened and called for stronger enforcement of the Deborah Sampson Act, restoration of equity-focused infrastructure, and publication of required reports to ensure disparities were measured and addressed.

• Mr. Andrew Tangen stated that veterans experienced transition as fragmented systems rather than a seamless continuum, and he argued that missed benefits, delayed care, bad information, and vulnerability to exploitation were predictable outcomes of that design. He said government veterans service officers provided continuity by translating policy into action and connecting veterans to resources across federal, state, county, and community levels. Mr. Tangen warned that predatory, unaccredited claims actors thrived when veterans lacked trusted points of contact, and he argued that enforcement and accredited representation were essential to protect veterans. He urged Congress to fully implement and fund Section 302 of the Dole Act, reinforce claims integrity, and formalize federal-local coordination so systems communicated the way veterans actually lived their lives.

• Ms. Kyleanne Hunter testified that Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) grounded its agenda in evidence and member input and emphasized that post-9/11 veterans had driven major bipartisan reforms in recent decades. She said IAVA’s top priorities for 2026 included health care access and strong PACT Act oversight, suicide prevention and lethal-means safety, expanded rural and telemental health capacity, and research for innovative therapies. Ms. Hunter also highlighted economic stability initiatives such as credential transfer, housing supports, protecting the GI Bill and VA home loan, and adequate VA staffing to deliver benefits modernization effectively. She urged action to support Afghan allies through legislative and processing reforms, advanced equity for women veterans through stronger implementation and oversight of relevant programs, and promoted civic engagement protections, including voting access and safeguards against disinformation and exploitation of veteran identity.

• Sen. King praised the testimony and asked witnesses to provide specific recommendations for improving the GI Bill and addressing gaps or bureaucratic barriers in the program. Ms. Barlet responded that improvements should focus on increasing support for student veterans, including adjusting the GI Bill book stipend, which had remained unchanged since 2009, and improving housing allowances for veterans enrolled in online education programs.

• Sen. King also asked for more detailed feedback on the VA’s proposed reorganization and expressed strong support for passing the Major Richard Star Act, mentioning the bipartisan backing for the legislation. Ms. Hunter responded that many veterans faced redundant licensing requirements and that federal standards could help states recognize military training and prevent veterans from using GI Bill benefits to repeat training they had already completed.

• Ranking Member Takano asked how recent executive orders affecting diversity, equity, and inclusion policies had impacted minority veterans. Ms. Fenner responded that the policies had created uncertainty, removed data used to track disparities, and eliminated offices that previously supported minority veterans. Ms. Hunter added that removing demographic data limited the ability to identify risks, such as higher suicide rates among LGBTQ veterans, and warned that reductions in training on issues like military sexual trauma could weaken culturally competent care at the VA.

• Sen. Bill Cassidy inquired about challenges veterans faced when trying to apply military training to civilian careers, referencing prior legislation allowing EMT training to transfer into civilian certification. Ms. Hunter said that while such policies existed, implementation was uneven across states and professions, with some requiring additional training before licensing.

• Sen. Cassidy also asked how workforce training programs could better connect veterans’ military skills to civilian employment opportunities. Ms. Barlet responded that programs such as Vet Tec and educational initiatives helped veterans expand technical skills but noted that additional support, such as adjustments to GI Bill book stipends and housing allowances, could improve outcomes.

• Ranking Member Takano concluded the hearing by thanking the witnesses and emphasizing that Congress depended on input from VSOs to fulfill its obligations to veterans and their families. He expressed disappointment that an attempt to pass the Major Richard Star Act by unanimous consent had been blocked despite broad bipartisan support. He pledged to continue pushing for the passage of the Major Richard Star Act and other legislation supporting veterans and survivors.

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