As we head into the fourth week of the government shutdown, the Senate keeps moving while much of the federal government remains in limbo.

This week, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee will dig into the Washington Post’s explosive report on VA disability claims and alleged fraud. Also making headlines: VA Secretary Doug Collins faces mounting scrutiny over underperforming hospitals and stalled disability appeals, veterans and survivors are set to receive a 2.8% COLA increase, and public frustration over the shutdown continues to grow.

Enjoy the week ahead, and if you need a break from the chaos, we’ll see you at the HillVets Halloween Happy Hour on Wednesday. 🧛‍♂️

In this week’s Nimitz Report:

• Day 27: November approaches with no shutdown end in sight

• COLA adjustment: Social Security Administration announces 2026 changes

• VA Secretary makes moves: Doug Collins takes aim at disability appeals and low-rated medical centers

WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?

Wednesday, October 29th

• 📰 Committee Hearing: “Putting Veterans First: Is the Current VA Disability System Keeping Its Promise?” Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC) at 4 pm. Watch here.

• 🎃 HillVets Halloween Happy Hour: Mission - Navy Yard at 5:30 pm. RSVP here.

NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK

Congressional News

The government shutdown has now entered its fourth week, and critical programs like SNAP, WIC, and Head Start are days from running out of money. President Donald Trump temporarily used Pentagon research funds to pay active-duty troops earlier in the shutdown but is now facing dwindling reserves and uncertainty about whether military pay could continue. Thousands of civilian federal workers, including many VA employees, have missed full paychecks, raising fears of delayed services and reduced operations across key agencies. Lawmakers warn that with no deal in sight, essential benefits, rural air service, and even basic nutrition programs could soon stall, deepening hardships for veterans and working families alike.

Strategists from both parties are warning that public frustration with Washington’s dysfunction is growing and could damage Democrats and Republicans alike. Polls have shown that while more Americans initially blamed Republicans, both parties’ approval ratings have dropped sharply as millions of households face uncertainty. Democrats argue that they are standing firm to protect health care subsidies, while Republicans say they passed clean funding bills and accuse Democrats of obstruction. With air traffic disruptions, rising insurance premiums, and stalled VA operations looming, lawmakers face intensifying pressure to reach a compromise before broader economic fallout hits service members and working families.

Veteran News

A federal panel of judges denied VA Secretary Doug Collins’ request to pause nearly all veterans’ disability appeals during the ongoing government shutdown, calling the proposal “significant and extreme.” Sec. Collins had argued that his department was running out of funds and that its attorneys were not classified as essential workers, but the judges ruled that reviewing veterans’ benefits qualifies as an essential function that must continue. Advocates warned that halting appeals would have left up to 15,000 veterans waiting indefinitely for decisions on long-pending disability and health claims. The ruling ensured that appeals processing would continue, preserving veterans’ access to long-delayed benefits despite the shutdown.

The Social Security Administration has announced a 2.8% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026, boosting monthly payments for military retirees, disabled veterans, and surviving spouses. The increase, slightly higher than last year’s 2.5%, was tied to inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index and will raise VA disability payments by about $4.91 for a 10% rating and $107.28 for a 100% rating. Retirees will see an extra $28 per $1,000 of pension income each month, with slight reductions for those under the CSB/Redux plan. The adjustment seeks to ensure that veterans, survivors, and retirees maintain purchasing power amid rising costs of living.

Last week, VA Secretary Collins gathered leaders from the department’s lowest-rated medical centers in New Orleans and directed them to improve patient care and efficiency without additional staff or funding. Sec. Collins argued that leadership and better internal processes, not more resources, were key to raising quality scores across the 26 facilities that received below-average ratings. His approach drew pushback from unions and Democrats, who claimed that the VA was demanding more from employees while shifting more veterans into private community care programs. The move underscored growing tensions over how to modernize VA health care while protecting the integrity of its in-house medical system.

National News

Earlier today, President Trump told reporters he underwent an MRI and cognitive test during his recent physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and said both results were “perfect.” His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, confirmed that Trump remained in “excellent overall health” and noted minor, age-related conditions, including chronic venous insufficiency and mild bruising attributed to aspirin use. Trump’s remarks, which included challenging members of Congress to take similar cognitive exams, came amid ongoing public scrutiny of his health and fitness for office.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

FOR FUN

Happy Halloween, everyone! The Nimitz team wishes you a weekend full of festive chills, friendly frights, and a well-deserved break from the real-world scares of D.C. politics.

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