[Senate Hearing 118-94]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 118-94
LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF VETERANS OF
FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES AND
MULTIPLE VSOs: PVA, WWP, NASDVA, MRC,
BSF, IAVA, BVA, SWAN, SVA, AMVETS
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JOINT HEARING
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
UNITED STATES SENATE
AND THE
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
__________
MARCH 6, 2024
__________
Formatted for the use of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
55-118 PDF WASHINGTON : 2024
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Jon Tester, Montana, Chairman
Patty Murray, Washington Jerry Moran, Kansas, Ranking
Bernard Sanders, Vermont Member
Sherrod Brown, Ohio John Boozman, Arkansas
Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Bill Cassidy, Louisiana
Mazie K. Hirono, Hawaii Mike Rounds, South Dakota
Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Thom Tillis, North Carolina
Kyrsten Sinema, Arizona Dan Sullivan, Alaska
Margaret Wood Hassan, New Hampshire Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee
Angus S. King, Jr., Maine Kevin Cramer, North Dakota
Tommy Tuberville, Alabama
Tony McClain, Staff Director
David Shearman, Republican Staff Director
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Mike Bost, Illinois, Chairman
Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, Mark Takano, California, Ranking
American Samoa Member
Jack Bergman, Michigan Julia Brownley, California
Nancy Mace, South Carolina Mike Levin, California
Matthew M. Rosendale, Sr., Montana Chris Pappas, New Hampshire
Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa Frank J. Mrvan, Indiana
Gregory F. Murphy, North Carolina Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick,
Scott Franklin, Florida Florida
Derrick Van Orden, Wisconsin Christopher R. Deluzio,
Morgan Luttrell, Texas Pennsylvania
Juan Ciscomani, Arizona Morgan McGarvey, Kentucky
Elijah Crane, Arizona Delia C. Ramirez, Illinois
Keith Self, Texas Greg Landsman, Ohio
Jennifer A. Kiggans, Virginia Nikki Budzinski, Illinois
Jon Clark, Staff Director
Matt Reel, Democratic Staff Director
C O N T E N T S
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March 6, 2024
Page
SENATORS
Hon. Jon Tester, Chairman, U.S. Senator from Montana............. 1
Hon. Jerry Moran, Ranking Member, U.S. Senator from Kansas....... 4
Hon. Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator from Alaska...................... 15
Hon. Margaret Wood Hassan, U.S. Senator from New Hampshire....... 18
Hon. Tommy Tuberville, U.S. Senator from Alabama................. 19
Hon. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator from Connecticut........... 21
Hon. Mazie K. Hirono, U.S. Senator from Hawaii................... 24
Hon. Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator from North Carolina............... 25
Hon. Angus S. King, Jr., U.S. Senator from Maine................. 28
REPRESENTATIVES
Hon. Mike Bost, Chairman, U.S. Representative from Illinois...... 2
Hon. Mark Takano, Ranking Member, U.S. Representative from
California..................................................... 5
Hon. Julia Brownley, U.S. Representative from California......... 20
Hon. Chris Pappas, U.S. Representative from New Hampshire........ 22
Hon. Christopher Deluzio, U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania.. 24
Hon. Morgan McGarvey, U.S. Representative from Kentucky.......... 26
Hon. Matthew Rosendale, U.S. Representative from Montana......... 27
Hon. Mike Levin, U.S. Representative from California............. 50
Hon. Jack Bergman, U.S. Representative from Michigan............. 51
Hon. Greg Landsman, U.S. Representative from Ohio................ 52
Hon. Frank J. Mrvan, U.S. Representative from Indiana............ 53
INTRODUCTION OF WITNESSES
Ryan Gallucci, Executive Director of the VFW Washington Office... 8
The Honorable Jeff Van Drew, U.S. Representative from New Jersey. 8
WITNESSES
Panel I
Duane Sarmiento, Commander in Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States.............................................. 10
accompanied by
Ryan Gallucci, Executive Director of the VFW Washington Office
Patrick Murray, National Legislative Director
Michael Figlioli, National Service Director
Stanley Borusiewicz, Legislative Committee Chairman
GUEST REMARKS
The Honorable Elizabeth Dole..................................... 29
Panel II
Robert Thomas, National President, Paralyzed Veterans of America. 31
Lt. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, USA (Ret.), Chief Executive
Officer, Wounded Warrior Project............................... 33
Dennis Wimer, President, National Association of State Directors
of Veterans Affairs............................................ 35
Jim Whaley, Chief Executive Officer, Mission Roll Call........... 37
Kathy Roth-Douquet, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Star Families.. 39
Allison Jaslow, Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America............................................ 41
Paul L. Mimms, National President, Blinded Veterans Association.. 42
Lorry M. Fenner, PhD, Colonel, USAF (Ret.), Director of
Government Relations, Service Women's Action Network........... 44
Jared Lyon, National President and Chief Executive Officer,
Student Veterans of America.................................... 46
William ``Bill'' Clark, National Commander, American Veterans.... 48
APPENDIX
Prepared Statements
Duane Sarmiento, Commander in Chief, Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States.............................................. 61
Robert Thomas, National President, Paralyzed Veterans of America. 92
Lt. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, USA (Ret.), Chief Executive
Officer, Wounded Warrior Project............................... 112
Dennis Wimer, President, National Association of State Directors
of Veterans Affairs............................................ 151
Jim Whaley, Chief Executive Officer, Mission Roll Call........... 169
Kathy Roth-Douquet, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Star Families.. 175
Allison Jaslow, Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America............................................ 187
Paul L. Mimms, National President, Blinded Veterans Association.. 198
Lorry M. Fenner, PhD, Colonel, USAF (Ret.), Director of
Government Relations, Service Women's Action Network........... 213
Jared Lyon, National President and Chief Executive Officer,
Student Veterans of America.................................... 229
William ``Bill'' Clark, National Commander, American Veterans.... 266
Statement for the Record
The Honorable Elizabeth Dole..................................... 279
LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED
STATES AND MULTIPLE VSOs: PVA, WWP, NASDVA, MRC, BSF, IAVA, BVA, SWAN,
SVA, AMVETS
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2024
U.S. Senate, and
U.S. House of Representatives,
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in Room
SD-G50, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Jon Tester,
Chairman of the Committee, presiding.
Present:
Senators Tester, Brown, Blumenthal, Hirono, Hassan, King,
Moran, Boozman, Cassidy, Tillis, Sullivan, and Tuberville.
Representatives Bost, Bergman, Mace, Rosendale, Miller-
Meeks, Takano, Brownley, Levin, Pappas, Mrvan, Deluzio,
McGarvey, Ramirez, Landsman, and Budzinski.
Also Present: The Honorable Elizabeth Dole.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JON TESTER, CHAIRMAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MONTANA
Chairman Tester. I want to welcome everybody to today's
joint Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing with
the veteran service organizations. We are going to first kick
things off hearing from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. A special
thank you to the VFW members who have traveled from every
corner of our country to be here, particularly the Montanans in
attendance, which include Joe Fletcher, Tim Peters, Jack
Hawley, James Layton, and Fred Hamilton. Thanks for being here,
fellas.
I am proud to have recently introduced the Fred Hamilton
Lost Military Records Act, based on Fred's own experiences, as
a Montana vet trying to get access to his earned benefits. When
military treatment records are lost after being transmitted to
the VA by the Department of Defense this bill would allow the
VA to consider other documentation when determining
compensation and pension benefits.
This is a great example of how Congress relies on the VFW
to keep us updated on the needs of our veterans and their
families and how we best support these folks. Historic
achievements like the PACT Act simply would not have been
possible without your vision, your leadership, and your
passion. Thank you.
[Applause.]
Chairman Tester. And make no mistake about this: it was the
VSOs and the veterans who put pressure on Congress to do the
right thing for our toxic-exposed veterans and their survivors.
You made democracy work, you held us accountable, and you
flipped the votes to get the job done.
We now are focused on getting the Major Richard Star Act
across the finish line, to finally deliver combat-injured
veterans their full DoD and VA benefits, and passing the
Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Health Care and Benefits
Improvement Act to bolster veterans' access to health care
benefits and services for which they are entitled and for which
they deserve. We also need to hold claim sharks accountable for
preying on veterans' hard-earned benefits through the Guard VA
Benefits Act.
But just like with the PACT Act, we need your continued
partnership to be successful. Your advocacy is democracy at
work, and we are here today to continue taking our cues from
you on the work ahead. So thank you for being here.
With that I will turn it over to Chairman Bost.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MIKE BOST, CHAIRMAN,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ILLINOIS
Chairman Bost. Thank you, Chairman Tester. Good morning. I
want to say a special hello to all of you and a special hello
to all those from Illinois. And if you are from Illinois you
know my part of Illinois is way south. But we want to thank you
for being here. And thank you to our friends on the other side
of the Capitol for hosting this first joint hearing during the
second session of the 118th Congress. It is an honor to join my
friends Chairman Tester, Ranking Member Moran, and Ranking
Member Takano, in welcoming you to the VSO hearing.
I would also like to thank VFW's National Commander in
Chief, Duane Sarmiento--I want to get that right--and his wife,
Ellen, for being here today.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. I would also like to give a shoutout to the
Illinois State Commander, Mr. Brett Nila.
If you are joining us from Illinois, if you would just
wave, will you. Fantastic. A few in the back there. All right.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. Welcome to Washington, DC, and thank you for
traveling here from the best state in the union. We knew we
would get a response.
As most of you know by now, being a Chairman is not a
responsibility I take lightly. It is very personal for me and
my family. Many of you know I am a Marine--oohrah, yes. As a
third-generation Marine, and my son is a lieutenant colonel at
this time, and a grandson who is a corporal at this time in the
Marine Corps. So you can see it is a family thing.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. With that, our family knows, and each one of
us up here know the sacrifices you have made. And I know that
at the end of the day, you just want access to the health care,
benefits, and services you have earned, without a headache.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars are great advocates for both
here in DC. and across the country, in every community. You
have my commitment that we will continue to fight for you and
the voices you represent, just as hard as you fought for us.
That is why we want to make sure we do that.
I am proud of all that we have accomplished together in the
last few years, as mentioned by the Chairman, including the
President signing the bipartisan PACT Act into law. This
legislation is the largest expansion of health care and
benefits for veterans and their families in recent history, and
we are going to make sure VA gets it right. And when they make
mistakes, I will be the first to hold them accountable and get
answers for you if they have made those mistakes.
We need all of you to continue to let us know what is
happening out in the field when it comes to wait times for
toxic-exposed veterans' health care and other claims decisions.
As Chairman, a top priority of mine is to hold VA accountable
for you, the men and women who serve, no matter what. So please
call or visit our website, or call us to report any waste,
fraud, or abuse. We need your help in making VA what you
deserve.
Looking ahead, I am focused on making improvements where we
can to modernize the delivery of care and services at the VA.
We have made great progress in identifying improvements that
could be made to the Transition Assistance Program, or the TAP,
through our oversight efforts. The TAP program, I always tell
people that whenever I got out of the Corps we had a TAP
program. The colonel tapped me on the shoulder and said, ``Hey,
I'll see you later,'' and that was it. So we have actually
improved quite a bit by having it, and we are working on
legislation to increase accountability at DoD, as well as
adding separate TAP courses for National Guard, Reservists, and
military spouses. We will make sure TAP is a worthwhile
experience for every single servicemember.
I am also proud to have led the effort to safeguard
veterans' Second Amendment rights. As Chairman, a veteran, and
a sportsman, fixing the VA's discriminatory process toward
veterans was a challenge--and I am going off script here. But I
am going to tell you, the frustration I felt when I found out
that a veteran, all they have to do is seek from the VA--and
having done this for 30 years--all they do is ask for a
fiduciary, and if they get a fiduciary, they lose their Second
Amendment rights, without due process. That is ridiculous. It
has gone on too long. It has discouraged veterans from going to
seek the VA, and we are hoping we are getting that problem
fixed now.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. We will be working on that through a budget
that is hopefully passing today.
I am proud to say that our efforts have drawn attention to
this injustice, and they have paid off. The language of my bill
is currently included in the VA appropriations bill and will
soon become law. As the VFW knows, fixing this is long overdue.
I thank Senators Moran and Tester for helping us get this
provision across the finish line, and I believe that Senator
Moran introduced that bill the first time back in 2009. So it
is finally coming to fruition.
Right now, we are in bipartisan negotiation to get a
package of veterans' bills to the President's desk, as well.
This comprehensive package includes many of VFW's priorities,
like expansions to VA's long-term care services to put veterans
in control of where they want to live out their days;
strengthening the Community Care Program; expansions to the VET
TEC education program; support for homelessness programs to
ensure VA can continue to lift veterans out of homelessness and
get them back on track; and so much more. I would like to, with
my colleagues, get this package done as soon as possible.
But make no mistake. Our work is nowhere close to being
finished. On my side of the Capitol, we have held over 50
oversight hearings, brought in more than 100 VA officials to
answer to the veterans and taxpayers they serve, and connected
with over 10,000 veterans and their families through in-person
and telephone town halls.
My door is always open and will continue to be always open
to you, because veterans are still fighting a VA bureaucracy to
access the benefits they want, when and where they need them,
dealing with underperforming VA employees who do not have the
veterans' best interests in mind, and reeling with the impacts
of Bidenomics and rising costs of living which is, in return,
causing an increase in homelessness across the country,
including with our veterans. These might seem like small
things, but when it comes down to it, they impact veterans
every single day. And I will ensure that VA gets the budget it
needs to complete its goals.
I look forward to meeting that mission alongside all of
you, and I thank you again for being here today. With that, I
yield back.
Chairman Tester. I will now recognize Ranking Member Moran.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JERRY MORAN,
RANKING MEMBER, U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS
Senator Moran. Chairman Tester, thank you, and I thank you
and Chairman Bost for hosting us, and it is good to be here
with both of you and Ranking Member Takano once again as we do
our oversight and hear our instructions and suggestions from
the VFW and many VSO organizations today and tomorrow. I thank
all of our witnesses for being here, for the members who
traveled to join us here today, for servicemembers and their
family members, for veterans, for caregivers, all who are here
to care and love and see that we do the right thing when it
comes to those who served our country.
I highlight the Kansans who are in the office and I
appreciate the strong relationship and friendship we have. It
was good to see the VFW in our office yesterday, and DAV
tomorrow, and others throughout this week.
None of the work we do here is at all possible without the
contributions and support, the efforts that are made by the VSO
community, including those present today. We, in my view, have
accomplished some major things in recent years. None are
insignificant, and all are important, but there is more, much
more, to be done, particularly in making certain that when we
pass legislation it is not just a high-five and a press
release. It actually results in the increased well-being and
welfare of those veterans that we are committed to serving. We
need to make sure that DC, the Department of Veterans Affairs,
is implementing correctly, and when we have made errors in our
legislation we need to make sure those errors are corrected.
I know that many in this room share priorities together in
this second session of Congress, including protecting and
expanding and reinsuring timely access to quality health care,
both at the VA medical facilities and in the community;
ensuring proper implementation of the PACT Act to avoid further
backlog of disability claims; engaging with VA to make certain
that the PACT Act's presumptive decision process is responsive
to veterans; increasing and updating benefits for survivors;
assisting veterans in rural areas with unique challenges they
face; continuing efforts to prevent veteran suicide;
strengthening and supporting for transitioning members,
servicemembers, student veterans, and homeless veterans as well
as individuals within the caregiver, survivor, Guard, and
Reserve communities.
This is a great Committee to serve on. I have served on it
since my original days in the House, 14 years in the House, 14
years in the Senate. I have asked for this Committee assignment
in all of my time in Congress. And I want to take this
opportunity to continue to express my gratitude for the help by
those in this room and my commitment to work together this year
and into the future.
Thank you all for your tireless advocacy on behalf of
veterans and survivors across the country. Your efforts are
critical. They do make a difference, and every American should
know the value of the veteran service organization, and every
veteran should see the opportunities to serve other veterans
through a VSO.
I look forward to your testimony, and I yield back. Thank
you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Tester. Thank you, Senator Moran. I will now
recognize Ranking Member Takano.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARK TAKANO,
RANKING MEMBER, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA
Mr. Takano. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Chairman Tester.
Before I begin my comments I would like to just take a moment
to send well wishes to Rick Weidman. Many of us know and have
worked with Mr. Weidman over the years, and he has been a
forceful advocate for veterans on behalf of Vietnam Veterans of
America. Rick, you are in our thoughts, and I look forward to
your returning to hold us accountable and ensuring that
Congress properly supports the next generation of
servicemembers and veterans.
Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Moran, thank you for
hosting us here on the Senate side. It is a pleasure to be here
with my colleague, Chairman Bost, and it is great to see all
the VSO members and veteran advocates here for our annual
discussion of priorities.
The first and most important question, are there any
Californians in the room? California, in my opinion, is the
best state. So welcome, and I thank all of you who could not be
with us in person and who are watching us at home.
So it is an honor to join all the members of the House and
Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs to hear directly from
the commander in chief and representatives of Veterans of
Foreign Wars. I would also like to welcome the organizations we
will be hearing from on the second panel. It is great to have
all of you here, as well, and I look forward to hearing about
your priorities, and I thank you all for your continued
advocacy and support for the veteran community.
As we approach the 2-year anniversary of the Honoring our
PACT Act, the implementation of that historic legislation
remains a high priority for both me, personally, and the House
Veterans' Affairs Committee Democrats at large. We remain
committed to ensuring that VA has the resources it needs to do
the job we asked it to do, and that it does that job to the
best of its ability.
And I will resist vigorously any attempts to undermine the
law and shift back to the old funding paradigm of pitting one
veterans' program against another or against other domestic
spending priorities by undermining the Toxic Exposure Fund,
which is used to pay for PACT Act health care and benefits, as
some have proposed to undermine. Veterans and their families
deserve better than that, and so I hope VFW and other VSOs will
join me in opposing any efforts to pull back from the promise
of the PACT Act.
[Applause.]
Mr. Takano. Today VA is receiving and processing more
claims for disability compensation than ever before. The VA has
opened its doors in extraordinary ways to more toxic-exposed
veterans so they can get the care they need. The last I looked
at the dashboard, 720,000 claims have been approved for the
PACT Act.
[Applause.]
Mr. Takano. And while the PACT Act continues to be a good-
news story, the law is not without its challenges, particularly
with respect to hiring and training of new staff, modernizing
the aging medical facilities, and enacting information
technology updates. So as I said, we will continue to monitor
VA's progress with this law and push the Department harder when
necessary. And I will work to build on the success of the PACT
Act to expand coverage for veterans exposed to toxins, both
abroad and here at home.
[Applause.]
Mr. Takano. But beyond the PACT Act, however, a great deal
remains to be done on behalf of veterans during this Congress,
and among my principal priorities are preserving women
veterans' health care freedoms, including by ensuring that they
have access to the full range of reproductive care and
counseling, including IVF, which Julia Brownley has an
excellent bill on the Veteran Infertility Treatment Act, which
would codify access to IVF and remove the service connection
requirement. So reproductive health care is veterans' health
care, and we must make it the law.
[Applause.]
Mr. Takano. Delivering VA for all veterans, irrespective of
their age, gender, sexual orientation, or race; working to end
veteran homelessness and food insecurity; ensuring benefits
parity for America's veterans, whether they be active duty,
Guard, or Reserve; and rejecting efforts to privatize VA by
siphoning off more of VHA's budget for private health care.
Now unfortunately, we have yet to make much progress on
those issues in the Congress. In fact, we have seen a
noticeable backslide on a number of key veteran priorities over
the last year, like veteran homelessness and suicide. We have
seen issues related to caregivers and survivors get nothing but
lip service, and we have seen an exponential growth in the
number and scale of claim sharks, which my colleague, Chris
Pappas, has been trying to crack down on with his excellent
GUARD Act.
[Applause.]
Mr. Takano. But sadly, the legislative response to those
issues from this Congress has largely been nonexistent.
Instead, we have spent time chasing scandals where they do not
exist, complaining about flags and mottos, and arguing about
whether it is a good thing that VA is open and welcoming to
veterans from all walks of life. At best, it has been a
distraction from the more pressing issues at hand, and at worse
it has been a case of severely misplaced legislative
priorities.
However, I commit to those who are watching today that I
will continue to fight for real, concrete, actionable solutions
to the problems veterans currently face. Now I trust that I
will continue to have the VSOs as a partner in that effort. You
all have been a tremendous force for good, especially when that
voice is unified toward the same policy goal. We saw that with
your collective advocacy for the PACT Act, which was
instrumental in getting that bill over the hump.
And so I applaud your past efforts, and I encourage your
future ones, and I will always be your champion. I will add,
though, that I am less optimistic, albeit still hopeful about
the willingness or ability of the House majority to do what is
right and necessary to address key veterans priorities.
Case in point, I think everyone in this room, probably in
this country, views ending veteran homelessness as a key
priority, and I would posit that this is indeed an eminently
achievable goal. There are policy tools that we know work, know
work well, and quickly, to reduce homelessness among veterans.
Yet we have allowed VA's authority to use those tools to
expire. And in our efforts to renew them through the HOME Act,
we have continually heard complaints about cost and complexity,
not to mention that we have seen the cynical ploy of pushing
through knowingly flawed legislation, that the Senate cannot do
anything with, to pretend that the issue has been addressed, as
was the case with both the HOME Act and the Elizabeth Dole Home
Care Act. And on top of that, the improved versions of both of
these bills are now being held hostage to the majority's desire
to privatize more VA health care.
So I implore my colleagues to reject the politics of
scandal and the culture war and focus on the real and actual
problems that veterans face on a daily basis so that we can
make real, lasting progress. Veterans deserve better than what
this Congress is currently delivering, and we can do better,
and we have to muster up the courage to deliver.
So thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding, and I will
conclude by simply saying, don't feed the sharks.
[Applause.]
Chairman Tester. I do not know if the VFW knows this but
you have got some fine people back here working in Washington,
DC, and I want to introduce one of them, Executive Director of
the VFW Washington Office, Ryan Gallucci, to introduce the VFW
national officers.
INTRODUCTION BY RYAN GALLUCCI
Mr. Gallucci. Thank you, Chairman Tester. Members of the
Senate House Veterans' Affairs Committees, I am honored to have
the privilege of introducing the national officers of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and our
Auxiliary.
Mr. Chairman, please allow me to ask those to be introduced
to please remain standing, and I wish to request the audience
to hold its applause until all have been introduced.
From the VFW Auxiliary, our National VFW Auxiliary
President, Carla Martinez, from Utah; Senior Vice President of
our Auxiliary, Brenda Bryant, of Missouri; Junior Vice
President, Lois Callahan, from Arkansas; and the National
Auxiliary Secretary-Treasurer, Ann Panteleakos, from
Connecticut; and Commander in Chief's wife, Ellen Sarmiento,
from New Jersey.
And VFW national officers, Senior Vice Commander in Chief
Alfred J. ``Al'' Lipphardt, and his wife Carol, from Georgia;
Junior Vice Commander in Chief, Carol Whitmore, and her husband
Brad, from Iowa; Junior Vice Commander in Chief Designee, Tim
Peters, from Montana; Adjutant General Dan West, from Texas;
Quartermaster General Marc Garduno, from Delaware; Assistant
Adjutant General Brian Walker, from Tennessee; Chaplain David
Frei, from Idaho; Judge Advocate General J. Douglas Whitaker,
from Mississippi; Chief of Staff Carey Pritchett, from New
Jersey; Inspector General Peter J. Mascetti, from Germany;
Surgeon General Curtis ``Doc'' Bohlman, from Oklahoma.
Now joining the VFW Commander in Chief here on the dais,
Chairman of the VFW National Legislative Committee Stanley
Borusiewicz, from Connecticut; Director, VFW National
Legislative Service, Patrick D. Murray, from Rhode Island; I
will skip over Representative Van Drew and our Commander in
Chief; Director of VFW National Veteran Service, Michael
Figlioli, from Massachusetts.
Finally, I would like to recognize the tenth class of VFW
SVA legislative fellows, our past Auxiliary Presidents and past
VFW Commanders in Chief who are with us, as well as, I do not
know if they came in, but Tonya Star, the widow of Major
Richard Star, and Senator Elizabeth Dole, a champion for our
nation's caregivers.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Tester. Thank you all for being here.
[Applause.]
Chairman Tester. Now I want to recognize Representative
Jeff Van Drew to introduce VFW Commander Sarmiento.
INTRODUCTION BY THE HON. JEFF VAN DREW
Mr. Van Drew. Thank you, Chairman. Chairmen, Senators, my
colleagues in the House of Representatives, it is an honor to
be here, and it is my honor to introduce Duane Sarmiento, a
good New Jersey name, right?
Mr. Sarmiento. Absolutely. Yes, sir.
Mr. Van Drew. He is a distinguished man, a distinguished
individual, a man who has spent most of his life dedicated to
serving his nation, a fellow native of my South Jersey, a
Commander in Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Duane
Sarmiento is a great man.
He was born and raised in New Jersey. Duane enlisted in the
United States Navy in 1988. He served on active duty from 1988
to 1997, and in the United States Reserve from 2002 to 2006.
During his time on active duty, Duane deployed in support of
Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield, where he earned his
VFW eligibility. In recognition of his service, he received
that Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Combat Action Ribbon, the
Navy Good Contact Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with
three campaign stars, Saudi Arabian Medal for the liberation of
Kuwait, and the Kuwaiti Medal for the liberation of Kuwait
again, and numerous other medals and ribbons, too many to name
here today.
Following his military service, Duane chose to continue
serving his community of Gloucester County in the State of New
Jersey. He served as a police officer with the Greenwich
Township Police Department, and later the Gloucester County
Sheriff's Department. Yes, he has done a lot of stuff.
Upon his retirement from law enforcement, Duane served his
fellow veterans in Gloucester County as the County Director of
Veterans Affairs. He held that position until his election as a
VFW national officer. Duane joined the VFW in 1990, at Post
5579, in Gibbstown, New Jersey, where he maintains his gold
legacy life membership. He has served in elected and appointed
positions in the post, district, department, and national
levels, to include his election as a State Commander of VFW
Department of New Jersey from 2018 to 2019.
On July 27, 2023, Duane was elected as the 115th Commander
in Chief of our nation's most established combat veterans
organization, the VFW. Since his election, Duane has continued
connecting with and understanding the experiences of veterans,
active servicemembers, and their families. Not only has he
traveled across the country, visiting their families in almost
all of the 50 states, but has also visited veterans and our men
and women in uniform living and serving overseas in Europe,
Central America, and Southeast Asia.
Duane has made it his mission to advance the VFW's three
pillars of advocacy, assistance, and camaraderie. He is
committed to serving those who serve and embrace them, and
advocating for them wherever he travels. That is why he is here
to testify on their behalf today.
You know, just a few brief words on veterans. I served in
the VA as a dentist, and I saw broken hearts, broken bodies,
broken minds, and broken souls. There are no words, there are
no proclamations, there are no resolutions, there are no awards
that we can give them to suffice for what they have done and
what they are willing to do.
I will be happy one day when we do not hear the words
unemployed veterans, homeless veterans, veterans without health
care, veterans that do not have educational opportunities,
veterans with a higher suicide rate than anybody else in the
United States of America, and veterans and active military that
do not have to have woke policies forced upon them. We need a
strong military and strong support for our veterans, period.
Duane represents that. I am proud to introduce him. God
bless you, Duane, God bless this VFW, God bless this Committee
for the work it does. Thank you.
Chairman Tester. Thank you, Congressman, for that
introduction.
[Applause.]
Chairman Tester. Congressman Sarmiento, I will now turn it
over to you for the VFW's----
Unidentified Voice. You called him Congressman.
Mr. Van Drew. He would be in my district. He would be me.
He probably could.
Chairman Tester. He has not told you that he just filed
yesterday?
[Laughter.]
Mr. Van Drew. I have got to check. Come on, Duane. You did
not tell me.
Chairman Tester. I will tell you one thing, when I called
you Congressman I got Bost's attention, I will tell you that.
[Laughter.]
Chairman Tester. Commander Sarmiento, I will now turn it
over to you for VFW's opening statement. Thank you all for
being here, and we look forward to your statement.
PANEL I
----------
STATEMENT OF DUANE SARMIENTO ACCOMPANIED BY RYAN GALLUCCI,
PATRICK MURRAY, MICHAEL FIGLIOLI, AND STANLEY BORUSIEWICZ;
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Sarmiento. Chairmen Tester and Bost, Ranking Members
Moran and Takano, thank you for the opportunity to represent
the 1.4 million members of the VFW and our Auxiliary here
today.
The 117th Congress passed the PACT Act, which was a
generational bill that provided care and benefits for veterans
of all eras. I would like to take this moment to show you just
who the VFW represents and why the PACT Act was so important to
us. It provided expanded care for Vietnam veterans exposed to
Agent Orange. Could my Vietnam veterans please stand.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. It provided expanded care for Gulf War
veterans exposed to Sarin and other unknown chemicals and
toxins. Could my Gulf War veterans please stand.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. And it provided new presumptive conditions
and care for veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa,
Eastern Europe, and other areas where they were exposed to burn
pits and other airborne hazards. Could my Post-9/11 veterans
please stand.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. Thank you. This is who the VFW is and who
your work is helping today.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. The men and women in this room are a cross-
section of the VFW, a cross-section of our veteran population,
and a cross-section of America. This is why I call upon you as
our leaders in Washington, DC, to continue fighting for those
who served, are still serving, and to every day meet the
challenge.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. Now let's talk about claim sharks.
[Chorus of boos.]
Mr. Sarmiento. With the passage of the PACT Act, the VFW
saw an increase in online advertisements from predatory claim
sharks that targets veterans' earned VA benefits. They argue
that the high fees they charge make them more effective in
assisting veterans than the free services offered by VA-
accredited veteran service organizations. That is false. They
say that there is no way for them to seek VA accreditation.
That is also false. Anyone can seek accreditation. But they
refuse to do so because they would no longer be able to charge
exorbitant fees, especially for work they did not do.
Companies that prey upon veterans and disregard the law
must be held accountable, not rewarded with legislation and
legalize their predatory behavior.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. It is distasteful that these claim sharks
take money from veterans, but it is absolutely disgusting that
they take money from survivors.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. The VFW strongly supports the GUARD VA
Benefit Act, which would only reinstate penalties for charging
veterans unauthorized fees for VA claims. Claim sharks are
spending millions of dollars to lobby against the GUARD Act
here in DC, stalling a Federal fix. So instead, we are working
in the states to enforce the law. New Jersey and New York have
already made claim sharks illegal, and bills are moving forward
through legislatures all around the country. The claim sharks
have fought our bills in every state and continue to try to buy
influence. But we will never give up because we have the law
and the moral high ground on our side.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. This is why it is so important to the VFW
because VA claims are the gateway to lifesaving care and
benefits. We invest heavily in our professional service program
at two dozen military bases. Every year, VFW-accredited
representatives assist approximately 20,000 servicemembers with
their benefits delivery at discharge or BDD claims before they
leave the military, meaning they can receive benefits almost
immediately upon separation for free.
Unfortunately, access to accredited representatives for BDD
is inconsistent. That is why the VFW highly recommends the
passage of the TAP Promotion Act, which would ensure all
servicemembers have direct access to accredited representatives
during TAP classes. The VFW commends the VA for starting down
this path in January, but this only reinforces the need to make
this the law.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. Transition is an important milestone in a
servicemember's life, and the VFW believes we need to do
everything we can to support that journey. That is why the VFW
works with like-minded organizations like Onward Ops, USO
Pathfinder, and Wounded Warrior Project to offer data-driven
resources for transitioning servicemembers. We have also
partnered with Columbia University to produce a report on
transition that will come from real-time experiences from those
exiting the military.
Recently transitioned former junior enlisted veterans have
higher rates of homelessness, unemployment, and suicide than
other veterans. We must do everything we can to help ease that
transition, especially for those who are at higher risk. Trying
to stop suicide or homelessness is meaningless if we ignore the
root causes. The VFW urges Congress to pass the Not Just a
Number Act to direct VA to report on all its programs and
veterans in crisis. Preventing crisis requires looking at more
than, ``When was your last mental health appointment? ''
We need to look at all VA benefits to know what actually
works instead of fumbling to react when it is too late. VA's
own research shows that factors like financial stability,
housing, and jobs protect against crisis. But if veterans have
problems accessing benefits like the GI Bill, why would they
trust the VA with their health care? After years of sounding
this alarm, VFW is optimistic that VA may finally be listening,
but we can do more.
After the Navy I spent 20 years as a police officer. If you
have got the gun in your mouth, it is too late. We need to
understand what happens before a veteran gets to that point.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. Next, we need to make sure our veterans
receive the full benefits they have earned. Year after year,
and Congress after Congress, the VFW has advocated to fix
concurrent receipt, and this year is no different, because
Congress has yet to finish the work it started and promised to
finish 20 years ago. Our government says it holds veterans in
high regard, yet we keep using them as a way to save money.
Military retirement and VA disability are two fundamentally
different benefits, earned for two entirely different reasons,
yet the law calls this double-dipping. The Major Richard Star
Act gained overwhelming bipartisan and bicameral support from
the 117th Congress, yet not enough to send it to the
President's desk. The VFW fears the 118th Congress will end up
with the same result.
We must pass the Richard Star Act so veterans receive the
full benefits they have earned through their blood and sweat
and service to our country.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. Another inequity that demands the attention
of Congress is how we treat our veterans living overseas. I am
Filipino-Italian American from New Jersey. I know it is an odd
mix.
[Laughter.]
Mr. Sarmiento. I still have many friends and family who
live overseas. Many are veterans who have earned care and
benefits through their service. We know there will never be the
same level of care outside the U.S., but what many overseas
veterans face is indifference and apathy. Common services like
direct deposit are not available to overseas veterans. In many
countries, services like medical care and postal service for
veterans are being reduced. These are not just veterans who
retired for a better beach. Many of these veterans are still
employees who work for the Department of Defense or State,
supporting interests in the military mission. Cutting off
service for overseas veterans should be viewed as a national
security risk, which is why we need to enact common sense
reforms for veterans living outside the U.S.
This is why the VFW calls on Congress to undertake
substantial reform to the VA Foreign Medical Program. I want to
thank my Congressman, Jeff Van Drew, for his interest in our
efforts.
The current foreign medical program is literally a riddle
wrapped in a puzzle because experiences vary widely depending
on where you are and who you know. We have to provide
consistent access to care and support to veterans overseas. VFW
welcomes the opportunity to discuss these issues with you.
Lastly, I close my remarks. I feel it is necessary to
remind everyone of our sacred obligation to make sure we never
leave a fallen comrade behind. Former President Calvin Coolidge
stated, `` The nation which forgets its defenders will itself
be forgotten.'' That not only applies to the men and women who
made it back home from the fighting overseas but also those who
never made it home. We must continue to fully fund and
prioritize DoD's critical mission to make sure all
servicemembers who went missing or prisoners of war are
recovered and returned with honor, in their final resting place
on U.S. soil.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. Moreover, it is imperative that DoD properly
recognize the dangerous service of all Americans overseas. I
have had the chance to visit with servicemembers around the
world over this last year, whether it is alongside DPAA on a
mountain in Laos, or alongside decision-makers and care
providers at SHAPE or Landstuhl. I have heard firsthand about
the needs of today's force, which is why those who are fighting
terrorism in the Middle East or deterring aggression on the
eastern flank of NATO deserve proper recognition for their
service on behalf of a grateful nation.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. Chairmen Tester and Bost, Ranking Members
Moran and Takano, your Committees have done so much over recent
years to serve our veterans, culminating with the PACT Act. The
VFW thanks you for all your hard work and work yet to come.
Thank you for the opportunity to share the VFW's priorities as
we enter our next 125 years in service to our veterans. We are
eager to answer any questions you may have.
[Cheers and applause.]
[The prepared statement of Mr. Sarmiento appears on page 61
of the Appendix.]
Chairman Tester. Look what you have started. So for the
information of the folks on the dais, there will be 3-minute
rounds, and there are going to be a lot of questions to be
asked, so try to keep it to that.
I am going to start out, Commander, asking you about mental
health. Look, Senator Boozman and I introduced the Not Just a
Number Act. It requires the VA, as you pointed out in your
opening statement, to more closely examine the association
between veterans and their benefits and suicide. This bill
would have the VA look at the veterans' use of disability
compensation, education, employment benefits, home loans,
foreclosure assistance, and housing assistance programs.
So my question to you is this. How could this analysis of
veterans' use of VBA programs improve VA suicide prevention
efforts?
Mr. Sarmiento. Chairman, we fully support this. You know,
what happens is, and just like I said, when a veteran commits
suicide it is like when was his last appointment. We need to
look at the total package with VHA and VBA, what benefits were
they receiving. Because when it is too late, if we are worrying
about when their last mental appointment was, it is too late.
We have to say what is the root causes here.
You know, suicide and homelessness, I have got to be quite
honest, Mr. Chairman. A lot of the root causes are the same.
You know, when you say we would like to have zero veteran
homelessness, zero veteran suicide, you know, I think in a
perfect world you are right, that is going to happen. I can
tell you, as a police officer, if we can save one, if we can
look in and help out with their transition, because what causes
the transition? Financial stability, jobs. That is the stat we
will never know because if they have that they never get to the
endpoint.
But when we look back on the data and see what they
received, that is when we can start making a change. And if we
can save one out of five, two out of five, that is a home run.
That is a home run. And that goes the same for homelessness. It
is the sustained root causes. Because--and I will be done, but
now you have got me rattled, and I apologize.
Chairman Tester. It is Okay. You did good. Thank you.
Look, my friend, Tim Peters, who is sitting right over
there, who is the VFW's Junior Vice Designee, informed me some
time ago that veterans are being denied earned VA benefits
because the Federal Government lost their military records,
through no fault of their own. We recently introduced
legislation to address this, named after a Montana veteran by
the name of Fred Hamilton, who I believe is here today.
Could you tell me, I know the VA supports this bill, could
you please discuss how this Fred Hamilton Lost Records Act
would improve the claims process for veterans?
Mr. Sarmiento. Absolutely. I would love to. And Fred is in
the room. I truly believe that, or I know that.
So the Fred Hamilton which you bring up, I mean, veterans
are being denied a claim because the VA lost their records.
This is a no-brainer. I mean, I get it. The government is big
and bureaucratic. The bureaucracy of the government, I
understand, and I understand there has got to be tweaks to be
made. And I appreciate you putting this in, and I hope this
Committee forwards this out. Because when you get down to the
bottom line of this, a veteran puts a claim in, they get their
medical record and service record, and they deny it because
they lost it. That does not even make sense to me.
But thank you for taking the initiative on this, and I know
this is a no-brainer for the Committee, sir.
Chairman Tester. Thank you, Commander. Chairman Bost.
Chairman Bost. First off, let me say that there are some
times that each one of us, when we deal with government, a lot
of things do not make sense to us, okay. That being said, we
know the VFW is a staunch supporter of VA's Community Care
Network, but we know some veterans are still waiting too long
to get the care they want. What do you think the VA needs to do
to improve Community Care access?
Mr. Sarmiento. That is an excellent question, Chairman. It
is a balancing act with the VA. I use all VA health care. I
truly do. Everything I do, I use the VA, and there are some
times I get farmed out to Community Care. But it is balancing
act. You cannot have too much of one. The VA Secretary was just
briefing us, saying it is, in some places, up to 40 percent are
getting sent out, and even he agrees that is not right. It is
more of a balancing act.
Because what happens is--and I talk to veterans all the
time--you get sent out to Community Care, you are on the hook
to pay the bill, even though the VA sent you, because you are
the one getting the late notices--where is my money, where is
my money--and you are being drug into court because the VA sent
you out.
There is a fine line here. We have to find it, do this
balancing act with it. I mean Community Care, we are supportive
of it. It does help care, especially in rural areas, sir. But
for the veterans that sit there and be billed, with late
notices, time after time after time, it creates undue stress.
And I am hoping that we can find this balancing act.
Chairman Bost. You know, I was pleased to be working with
Senator Moran, Senator Tester, Speaker Johnson, and we were
able to get the language of my bill, H.R. 705, to protect
Second Amendment rights for veterans, included in the
appropriations bill, which we will consider this week. And I am
grateful the VFW passed support of this issue. Is this
something that the VFW will continue to support?
Mr. Sarmiento. I absolutely guarantee the VFW will continue
to support this. What it does--and you know, and sir, you
brought it up in the beginning--veterans are not asking for
anything special. All we are asking for is due process, that
every other agency or any other person that goes to any other
service in the Federal Government gets, not a VA administrator
deciding we are taking your guns. All we want is due process.
However that plays out, then so be it. But that is all we are
asking for, and thank you for spearheading this.
Chairman Bost [presiding]. Well, thank you, and my time is
running short, and there are a lot of others. Senator Sullivan,
I think you are recognized. There you are.
HON. DAN SULLIVAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA
Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to ask my
fellow Alaskans, if they are in the audience, if you can stand
and be recognized. Here we go. And I think they get the award
for traveling the furthest. Maybe a little bit of a dispute
with the Hawaiians. But we also get the award--no offense on
Alaska--more veterans per capita. That is a fact. So how about
a round of applause.
[Applause.]
Senator Sullivan. All right. And then I was just going to
mention, I retired from the Marine Corps last month after 30
years, and so now I take one title, U.S. Marine, which I am
very proud of, and now another very distinguished title, an
American veteran. So I am very excited about that.
[Applause.]
Senator Sullivan. Commander, I want to thank you and your
team and all the other VSOs. Last year you might remember I
really, really focused on this Camp Lejeune issue. It was a
priority of so many of our VSOs. We had sick families at Camp
Lejeune. We gave them the legislation to get funded, to get
better. Unfortunately, we had some law firms that wanted to
make sure they got the money and not the sick Marines.
Everybody came out against that. We finally got an Executive
order saying that there is a cap on attorney's fees, 20 to 25
percent, period. The Attorney General of the United States has
said if a law firm charges sick Marines more than that they
will be civilly or criminally liable. Okay?
[Applause.]
Senator Sullivan. Really important. Some of these law firms
are charging 60 and 70 percent contingency fees. It is
disgusting.
So can I ask you very quickly, and I know when the other
VSOs come up, can you make sure that we are still getting the
word out to our veterans that there is now a cap, and this is
really important. Even if they have already signed a contract
with a law firm, 70 percent, I have asked the Attorney General,
that is null and void. And if that law firm tries to charge a
family of sick Marines, they could be criminally liable.
So can you, and are you getting the word out so none of our
Marines and their families are getting ripped off by these
unscrupulous law firms?
Mr. Sarmiento. Sir, we are absolutely getting the word out.
We raised the alarm on this last year.
Senator Sullivan. I know you did.
Mr. Sarmiento. I want to thank you for spearheading this.
We put out to our people, our VFW actually partnered with some
law firms that already gave us the reduced rate, because before
this was passed, you are right, 60, 70 percent. It is insanity.
Senator Sullivan. Crazy.
Mr. Sarmiento. Absolute insanity. And we are glad this has
been codified into law. And sir, thank you for being a member
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Senator Sullivan. I am, yes.
[Applause.]
Senator Sullivan. Well, Commander, I have a reputation on
this Committee of going way over my time, and I think it ticks
off a lot of my Senate colleagues. I do not want to tick off
the House colleagues. So with one second left I am going to
yield back, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Bost. Thank you. Ranking Member Takano, you are
recognized.
Mr. Takano. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Commander
Sarmiento, I know you are not a Member of Congress, but in the
event you become one I know you are going to join the
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
So with that let me just say, I want to thank the VFW for
your support for the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act, and
I am happy to report that Mr. Levin introduced the bill
yesterday with Senators Moran and Tester, and I am happy to
support it again this Congress. And I absolutely echo your
written testimony--your written testimony--that it is beyond
time that the National Guard and Reserve servicemembers receive
GI Bill eligibility for the entirety of their time in uniform.
So my question to you is this. To be absolutely clear and
blunt to the other members of these two Committees, when you
say in your written testimony that the time is now for parity,
are you calling for Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity to be
passed in this Congress?
Mr. Sarmiento. Chairman Takano, yes, we are.
Mr. Takano. Well, let's get it done.
Mr. Sarmiento. Absolutely.
[Applause.]
Mr. Takano. Now let me go on. Your testimony discusses how
the social determinants of health are intertwined with veteran
suicide prevention work, and you highlight homelessness and
financial instability, unemployment, and justice involvement.
And I agree with your push to see better data transparency out
of VA to address these issues.
And I guess what I would ask is how you would respond to
politicians who drag their feet in paying for programs in this
space or try to cut and defund social safety nets. What are
they doing to veterans?
Now, as a follow-up, well, let me just ask you about that.
What do you think about politicians trying to cut or defund
social safety net programs?
Mr. Sarmiento. Mr. Chairman, I am going to turn that over
to our subject matter expert, Pat Murray.
Mr. Murray. Mr. Chairman, sorry, Ranking Member, a lot of
these issues require funding, upfront funding and full funding,
so that these programs can continue all year long without
interruptions. The start, stop, start, stop of funding affects
them, which ultimately trickles down and affects veterans. We
need to make sure that these programs continue to be fully
funded all year round, going forward.
Mr. Takano. And that includes the social safety net
programs like SNAP.
Mr. Murray. Yes, sir.
Mr. Takano. Thank you. Now, as a follow-up, talking about
homelessness programs, Congress, these two committees that are
sitting in front of you here today, have failed to extend much-
needed pandemic-era authorities that were proven to be
effective in reducing housing insecurity while also connecting
homeless veterans to health care appointments and job
interviews.
Your testimony mentions H.R. 3848, the HOME Act, which
would address these problems. Do you have any thoughts on how
Congress should proceed and the effects of the delays in
getting this bill to the President's desk on having housing-
insecure veterans?
Mr. Sarmiento. Congressman, we are hoping that this moves
forward. As you know, the HOME Act increases the maximum rate
of per diem to VA providers. It creates services for shelters,
food, clothing, I mean, basic necessities of Americans, and
especially those that are vulnerable.
We fully support this, and we want to get this passed, get
it signed, do whatever it is we have to do. And we talked about
the steps of where do we stop homelessness, this is the
beginning steps. These are root causes of all those issues. We
are fully behind this.
Mr. Takano. Well, thank you very much. Let's get it done
this Congress. Thank you.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. Senator Hassan is now recognized.
HON. MARGARET WOOD HASSAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE
Senator Hassan. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and to
you and Chairman Tester and our Ranking Members, thank you for
this hearing. Commander, thank you for your testimony. To all
the Granite State VFW and Auxiliary members here, thank you for
your service. I am very proud of our veterans in New Hampshire.
And to all the veterans who are here today, regardless of what
state you are from, thank you for being here. And to our
Vietnam vets in particular, welcome home. I cannot say that
enough.
[Applause.]
Senator Hassan. Commander, in your testimony you mentioned
claim sharks, people who are not accredited benefits agents but
who nonetheless offer to, quote, ``help veterans file their
benefits claims,'' and then they charge enormous fees. I am a
strong supporter of the GUARD VA Benefits Act that would help
crack down on claim sharks who target veterans. But can you
just please discuss a little bit more the important role that
accredited agents play in helping veterans access benefits and
how these claim sharks undermine this important work?
Mr. Sarmiento. I would absolutely love to. The importance
of the VSOs, any veteran service organizations, number one, it
is free. The claim sharks are breaking the law. Ever since the
PACT Act was signed, we never even heard of a claim shark.
There have been hustlers and grifters ever since currency was
invented, and as soon as the PACT Act came out all of a sudden
we have got attorneys that want to get involved, to sit there
and prey upon family members that just lost a veteran, to sit
there and prey on a vulnerable veteran. That is a shark. That
is why we call them a shark. And it is against the law.
All we are asking is to reinstitute penalties, put the
penalties back. Look, I am from New Jersey. I get it. We have
got the crime in DC--I have got the same in New Jersey. If they
said carjacking is illegal but there is no penalty, I would
have to walk everywhere I go in the State of New Jersey. That
is what I mean. I mean, I hate to use an oxymoron like that,
but truly, all we are asking is put the penalty back. They prey
upon us.
It was totally amazing that before the PACT Act was signed
you never heard about this.
Senator Hassan. Right. Right.
Mr. Sarmiento. They saw the money. They smelled the blood,
and that is why we are against this, ma'am.
Senator Hassan. All right. Well, thank you very much for
that very clear explanation.
[Laughter.]
Senator Hassan. Very, very clear. I want to move on to one
quick topic before my time is up. You mentioned also,
Commander, the need for the VA to provide easily accessible
health care and counseling for women veterans at all VA
locations. To help address issues faced by women veterans this
Committee has worked on a bipartisan basis to pass into law
several key pieces of legislation--the Deborah Sampson Act that
eliminated some of the barriers to care that women veterans
encounter, and the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act that
expanded eligibility for breast cancer screening. We need to
continue building on this work.
I am out of time, but I would love it if, in the course of
this discussion this morning, if you can just touch on how we
can increase access to care for women veterans and fully
integrate them into the VA care.
Mr. Sarmiento. Ma'am, Pat Murray has testified in front of
several subcommittees and committees. I am going to pass this
on to him to make sure you get exactly the answer you want.
Senator Hassan. With the Chair's indulgence.
Mr. Sarmiento. Oh, I am sorry. Is that how it works, sir?
Senator Hassan. Yes. Thank you. That would be great.
Chairman Bost. Yes, go ahead.
Senator Hassan. Yes, go ahead.
Mr. Murray. Ma'am, one of the things that we are seeing is
preventive care. It is critically important. Things like
prenatal vitamins. Veterans who are pregnant are not treated
that they are pregnant until they actually are positive. Having
access to prenatal vitamins is incredibly important to prepare
healthy bodies for that future next step.
Senator Hassan. Right. Thank you very much. Thanks, Mr.
Chair.
Chairman Bost. Senator Tuberville.
HON. TOMMY TUBERVILLE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ALABAMA
Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks for
being here today. My State of Alabama, do we have anybody here?
We have got a few. Thank you very much.
Real quickly, under the Trump administration there was an
evaluation of a lot of people in the VA. It is not just about
money. It is not about buildings. It is about people who work
in those buildings. Four thousand people were fired for cause.
This Administration has allowed them to come back, with back
pay, and work in the VA. It is a disgrace. Do your job or you
do not work in the VA. You deserve great care, great care, not
average care.
[Applause.]
Senator Tuberville. Now, unfortunately, the VA has lost its
way under this Administration. They have gotten caught up in
the border crisis caused by President Biden and his open border
policies. While the VA should be leveraging every available
resource to ensure timely and quality care to veterans, a
section of the VA Financial Service Center helps process health
care claims for illegal aliens. VA Community Care providers are
used by the DHS to provide care for illegal aliens.
Do you approve, Mr. Chairman, of the Biden administration
using the VA and our taxpayer dollars to assist with health
care claims, processing illegal aliens at ICE detention
centers?
Mr. Sarmiento. Senator, it is our understanding, from even
going to Chairman Bost's committee, and speaking to the VA
Secretary, that there are 10 VA employees on the border
processing ICE financial claims. They have been doing this
since 2002. Obviously, we are against any--if VA is using
resources, medical resources on undocumented immigrants, we are
against that. But from our understating, and if I am answering
your question, Senator--I want to make sure I am
understanding--that we have 10 people--I should not say
``we,''--the VA has 10 people down on the border doing medical
billing process, and it is not taking away anything from
veterans in the VA, sir.
Senator Tuberville. So that being said, my bill, 3490, the
No VA Resources for Illegal Aliens Act, would stop any of this
from happening. Would you support that?
Mr. Sarmiento. I do not believe we have seen that. We have?
It is something that, if you would like to speak to our staff
here in DC, sir, we sure would be willing.
Senator Tuberville. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Bost. Representative Brownley.
HON. JULIA BROWNLEY,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA
Ms. Brownley. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, VFW,
for being here. I love the energy in this room and your
determination and commitment and advocacy for getting all of
this legislation done for our nation's veterans. So thank you
very, very much.
Mr. Commander, I wanted to thank you for your support for
the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, and I know that your people
testified, or sent a statement for the record, in front of the
House VA Committee, and you wrote about how important this bill
is, particularly for our veterans who are experiencing early
onset of dementia, which I think is extremely important. I
think the Elizabeth Dole bill is very important for our aging
veterans. I think the Elizabeth Dole bill is very important for
our disabled veterans.
So if you could just speak a little bit about why this bill
is important and why veterans cannot afford to wait any longer
for its enactment.
Mr. Sarmiento. Thank you, ma'am. The VFW believes it is
imperative that we pass this piece of legislation on the
caregivers, because it is so important. Look around at all the
blue hats out here, whether they are male or female. They are
family members. They were caregivers before that term even came
about.
So we support this legislation. We want this to pass. We
are hoping that nobody--sometimes what happens, as you know
better than I do, when we change regulations or we change the
law those already on it are getting kicked off, that we be
mindful of that, and we are more than willing to work with you
to be sure that does not happen. But we are on board with this.
Ms. Brownley. Well, thank you very much. I think Ms. Dole
is going to be here later in this meeting. You know, this is an
important bill, and at the end of the day it is what veterans,
I believe, want. And we know that the health outcomes are far
better with veterans being taken care of in their homes versus
in institutionalized care. So I really, really do appreciate
your advocacy around this.
I have very little time left, but I just wanted to address
the issues around the challenges, really, that all veterans are
experiencing in terms of accessing survivor benefits. And VFW
talked about where Congress should be practicing better
oversight around this issue.
I just wanted to say that after we had a hearing in the
House I followed up with Under Secretary Jacob and his team
regarding this issue, and the DIC application and the fact that
it is 20 pages long, very onerous. I looked at it. I mean, I
cannot do my taxes by myself. God forbid that I could fill out
this form by myself.
So I think there are a lot of changes that need to be made,
and again, I am running out of time but appreciate your
advocacy around this and really working and engaging with VBA
to make sure that they follow suit on this. The Under Secretary
has promised me that they are looking at regulatory or
statutory changes in this area.
So thank you.
Chairman Bost. Senator Blumenthal, you are recognized.
HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you all
for being here.
As a law enforcement commander, as a law enforcement
officer for many years, I appreciated your very direct comments
on the need for effective enforcement. And let me talk about
the PACT Act in that regard. Too often there is exploitation of
our veterans. I have introduced a measure called the GUARD VA
Benefits Act. It is bipartisan, with Senator Graham and Senator
Tester. I wonder if I could ask for the VFW's support for that
measure, to make sure that individuals accredited by the VA and
supported by VSOs are not exploited by individuals promising
them that they will get them benefits when all they need to do
is apply for those benefits directly.
Mr. Sarmiento. Sir, we stand behind you about a billion
percent. As a matter of fact, we would love to give you one of
our claim shark pins if you would like to wear it, that says
``Don't Feed the Sharks.'' We are behind that 1000 percent.
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. I was speaking earlier about we have always
got hustlers and grifters, always. That is why we are against
this. We provide free--not just us but all the VSOs--provide
free. Those people sit there and they will tell you they have a
magic wand, ``I will guarantee you benefits. You are going to
get X amount of dollars.'' But when the magic don't happen, pay
me. That is what they want. ``Pay me. We have got a contract.''
Senator Blumenthal. I would be happy to wear the pin, and I
also want to thank the VFW and other VSOs for their support for
the Afghan Adjustment Act. I have been helping to lead that
effort. Two of my sons, one a Marine and the other a Navy SEAL,
know firsthand how our at-risk Afghan allies remain in
jeopardy, and our veterans have been at the tip of the spear in
championing measures that will enable us to give those Afghan
at-risk allies a path forward in this country. I am going to
give you a chance to comment in the time that I have left.
Mr. Sarmiento. You know, we have been supporting this for
several years, since it was brought to the forefront. Earlier
on, when the OIF and OEF vets brought it up, there plenty of
Afghanistan veterans in this room. They know. They worked
alongside our allies. Of course we want to support them the
best way we can. You know, right or wrong how we left, we ain't
here to debate that. But they were our allies, and we are
behind this.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. I want to thank the VFW for
all of its service, very often underappreciated by our
veterans, but just absolutely vital. And to everyone in this
room and to the many who are not here today, thank you for your
continuing service. After you wear the uniform you continue to
make this country the greatest in the world. Thank you to all
of you. And I do not know if we have anyone from Connecticut
here, but thank you all.
[Applause.]
Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Bost. Representative Pappas.
HON. CHRIS PAPPAS,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE
Mr. Pappas. Thank you very much, Chairman Bost. I just want
to recognize all the veterans from the ``Live Free or Die''
State of New Hampshire who are joining us here today. I met
with them last night in my office. I am really appreciative of
the priorities that you bring to me each and every time. Also I
am also appreciative of the Claim Shark pin that you gave me
last night. So thanks very much for all of your work. I wear it
proudly.
And Commander, I do not want to beat a dead shark here, but
I do want to continue to highlight the need for the GUARD VA
Benefits Act. And no one could say it better than you did in
your opening testimony, and I just applaud VFW for your
continued work here in going after these unaccredited
representatives that are engaging in predatory practices and
are taking advantage of our veterans.
It is really important, especially as we sit in this big
room, with so many folks that have served our country in a
variety of different ways, to understand that we work for you,
that VA works for you, and that it is so critical that we have
protections and teeth to the law to make sure that no one is
ripping off our veterans. We have got to make sure that we
strengthen the accreditation process and ensure that everyone
is going through it who is assisting veterans with their
claims.
I have talked to a number of constituents that have been
caught up in this. They have reported that they have been
paying an arm and a leg to these claim sharks companies for
things and services that are offered for free by VSOs,
including VFW.
It is one of the reasons why I am continuing to push, in a
bipartisan, bicameral fashion, for this GUARD VA Benefits Act.
As you said, Commander, this would just reinstate the criminal
penalties, which were taken away somehow a few years back, and
would make sure that anyone who is assisting veterans with
claims has to go through this accreditation process and abide
by the law.
And it is really important that there is some enforcement
capability here, because right now when a claim shark company
is charging veterans whatever they want, there is no recourse.
This can be reported and flagged for VA, but there is no way
that the government can go after these bad actors. So that is
what this is all about.
Commander, maybe I could get at this from a different way.
There is a competing proposal that is on the table, a bill
called the PLUS Act, and it has support from a lot of these
claim shark companies and lobbyists who have been having a
flurry of meetings here on the Hill. Could you talk a little
bit about concern that the VFW has for that legislation?
Because I see this as legitimizing predatory practices and
opening the tent to those who are currently violating the law.
But maybe I could get your take on that bill.
Mr. Sarmiento. So the PLUS Act that you mentioned, you
know, the major competing companies that are the sharks wrote
the bill, and what is pretty offending, at least not from a
veteran, not for you but that read this, is they wrote it in a
way that, yes, we will make it illegal for the other people but
it is okay for us, but if anybody comes behind us, we are good.
And they put in a law for those that have not jumped on board
yet, and you get grandfathered in, that it is illegal for them,
and yes, put them in jail, or whatever you do to them.
Everybody here knows. I am preaching to the choir.
Everybody has got their pins on and we love it. We know how
important this is. We know the money they are throwing at this.
Look, we are veterans. We do not have no money to do that. We
are thankful you allow us to come here and speak and give us
our feeling and give us what our beliefs are. You allow us to
come into your offices and talk to you and your staff
personally. That is what we do. But we do not have money to
throw at this like they have got.
And I want to thank you for holding the line. Thank you so
much for that.
[Applause.]
Mr. Pappas. Well, thank you. I appreciate your advocacy on
the state level, but we cannot let Congress off the hook. We
need to pass this at the Federal level.
I yield back, Mr. Chair.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. Senator Hirono, you are recognized.
HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO,
U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII
Senator Hirono. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Aloha to all of
you who are here, all the veteran organizations. Thank you very
much for all that you do for our country and what you have
done.
I particularly, of course, want to give a big shoutout to
the veterans who have come all the way from Hawaii. They
probably came before this, from Hawaii. Where are you guys? All
right. A big shoutout to you.
And I know that we cover a lot of issues for the veterans,
but I have to say that I sit on five committees in the Senate,
and the Veterans Committee is one that really is characterized
by bipartisanship. And that is why we are able to get a lot
done that reflects our support for the veterans. And especially
as we see more women who are serving now and more female
veterans, and the particular, I think, needs of the women
veterans are being met by all of you. And I know that all of
you--by the way, where are the women who are going to be
testifying? A big shoutout to you folks--that there is support
all around to make sure that we are meeting the particular
health care and other needs of the women veterans.
So thank you very much for all of you being here, and thank
you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Bost. Thank you. Representative Deluzio.
HON. CHRISTOPHER DELUZIO,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM PENNSYLVANIA
Mr. Deluzio. Mr. Chairman, thank you. Well, I am excited to
see some fellow VFW members in the crowd. I suspect I have got
some Pennsylvanians in the House. Anybody here? Okay. There we
go.
We can beat the dead shark. I am game with that. Commander,
I am surprised you are able to keep from swearing, talking
about these guys. I heard ``hustlers'' and ``grifters.''
I will ask an easy question, and I know the answer because
I used a VSO when I did my claims with the VA. What do you
charge?
[Applause.]
Mr. Sarmiento. Sir, free.
Mr. Deluzio. Exactly right. And look, I think that is an
important message that my fellow veterans maybe do not know.
There are folks that will help you do this for free. It is not
just the VFW. There are plenty of VSOs who will serve veterans
and will help them navigate benefits they have earned. That is
what we are talking about. That is part of the obligation this
country has to everyone who wears the uniform, peace, war,
whatever. You have earned those benefits. It comes from your
service. No one should hesitate coming to the VA to get it.
So that is all I wanted to say. I am with you in this
fight. We have got to take on these sharks. We have got
bipartisan buy-in, and I hope to get this done, and we are with
you as long as it takes.
Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. Senator Tillis.
HON. THOM TILLIS,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NORTH CAROLINA
Senator Tillis. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks to
everybody here. I have to do the obligatory. If you live in or
have spent some time in North Carolina, can you raise your
hand? Thank you.
Thank you all for being here. Just very brief. Commander,
in your opening statement, I was here for that, we were talking
about veteran suicide, and I think you are right. You were
saying if you could reduce one out of five, that is four a day,
two out of five is 10 a day. It is a big number over time.
The concern that I have is that the majority of them are
not connected to the VA. More than half of them are not
connected to the VA today. And one of the things that I have
been trying to preach, and hopefully, I think that you all have
reviewed it and you are okay with it, the Veterans Bill of
Rights, which is for these people who are going out there and
convincing them, these attorneys basically taking exorbitant
fees to actually represent them for Camp Lejeune Toxics Act.
I want them to read a statement to them, or give them a
statement that says do you realize that you do not have to pay
a dime to apply for this? Do you realize that there are VSOs
out there that will do it for free? Do you realize that you
have congressional offices that are also tasked with doing this
every day? Until you have exhausted all these possibilities,
which will not cost you a dime and net you more benefits, do
you really want to sign this agreement with an attorney?
I am going to try to do my best to get that done quickly. I
want to do it to protect the veteran and not to have these
people rip off qualified veterans. But I also want to do it
because I believe, in my heart of hearts, with all of this
advertising--these damn ads are driving me crazy--but with all
this advertising that is going on right now, maybe it is a way
to actually get some of those people who are not connected to
the VA connected. If they see that they have these rights, if
they see that they can call a congressional office, what do you
think about a Veterans Bill of Rights, and what do you all
think we should do just to get it done?
Mr. Sarmiento. Sir, I am going to pass this off to Pat
Murray, our Legislative Director.
Mr. Murray. Senator, we support this proposal fully. I
think what we can it done, bring it down to the floor, hotline
it, I don't know, after lunch. But what we want to do is
continue banging that drum, that it is not just ``the'' free
option. There is an entire network out there.
Senator Tillis. A hundred percent.
Mr. Murray. It is VSOs. It is county, state, it is
everybody.
Senator Tillis. Well, that is why--and a Bill of Rights,
that is what I am saying. You know, we can work on the wording,
but here are all the resources you have as a veteran, that you
should exhaust before you sign a retainer for a law firm that
is more interested in what they get at the end of the day than
doing right by the veterans.
Mr. Murray. Sir, you are absolutely right. There is an
abundance of choice already out there, and we want veterans to
go to that first.
Senator Tillis. Well, we would like you all's feedback on
maybe some of the details of the Bill of Rights, but I think it
helps us, I think it puts these folks in their place, and I
think it gets more veterans connected, which gets to a key
problem that I want, is fewer men and women taking their lives
every day. We need to help them. Thank you all.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. Representative McGarvey.
HON. MORGAN MCGARVEY,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM KENTUCKY
Mr. McGarvey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If we have any
veterans here who were ever stationed in or live in Kentucky,
we are glad to have you all here, so thank you for being here.
Commander Sarmiento, thank you so much. People sometimes
tell me they have a hard time understanding what is going on in
Washington. I hope they listen to your testimony because there
is no doubt. We appreciate both your thoughtfulness and your
candor in that regard.
I am truly inspired listening to so many of these stories,
observing the strength and the passion with which you all
advocate for our nation's veterans, the men and women who are
willing to put on a uniform and sacrifice everything to keep
this country safe. Your expertise empowers us and the Committee
members to work together and to do all we can to ensure access
to the benefits and the services that veterans and their
families have earned. So again, I thank you guys for being
here.
You mentioned in your testimony today several quality-of-
life issues which I like to call social determinants of health,
that affect veterans and their families. It is issues like
transitioning out of the military, food security, housing,
employment, transportation, childcare--the list goes on and on
and on. I believe this Committee and the VA can and must do
better to address social determinants, which we know are
significantly tied to health outcomes. These issues do not
exist in silos. They all affect veterans' health. So I think we
have got to start treating them that way.
Commander Sarmiento, I am getting to my question here. The
existing benefits and approaches are often disparate and
require veterans or spouses to navigate several separate and
unconnected programs, which can be confusing and overwhelming.
It seems our current system does not approach health from a
holistic perspective. Do you think it would improve veteran
health if the VA treated resources like transportation,
childcare, employment, and stable access to food and housing as
part of a holistic approach to veterans' health?
Mr. Sarmiento. Yes. Sir, the simple answer is absolutely
yes. And we talked about the TAP Promotion Act. When you do the
transition, once that Act is in, now you are exiting the
military. It starts there. Then it transfers off to a handoff
to the VA. And if we can get everybody talking and on the same
page, it is a win-win. Sometimes you are right and government
gets siloed. The VA is here, the DoD is here, other people are
here, and I do not work for you, you do not work for me. If we
can just get people talking and ease the transition of
everything you said, it is simple. It sounds simple, I know,
though you know better than me. It sounds simpler than it is,
but we are willing to work on this, and we believe starting
with the TAP Promotion Act, when you are exiting the military,
to do the handoff to the VA.
Mr. McGarvey. Thank you, sir. I appreciate all your all's
service, and Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
Chairman Bost. Thank you. Representative Rosendale, you are
recognized for 3 minutes.
HON. MATTHEW ROSENDALE,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM MONTANA
Mr. Rosendale. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank
you, everyone, for coming in and attending today, Commander
Sarmiento and the rest of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the
United States for coming to Washington, DC, to testify today. I
look forward to having representatives from the Montana chapter
of the VFW in my office later today, and I always appreciate
your perspectives and insight on all the veterans' issues.
In your written testimony today you stated, ``Adapting a
value-based health care model would allow for a patient-
centered system that aligns with the VA's whole health care
approach.'' I am helping lead the charge on a bill that I would
establish a pilot program to allow veterans to receive a health
savings account and use the money to obtain medical services
through a direct primary care arrangement. The legislation
would make it easier for veterans to see their doctor and spend
money on preventative measures to improve their health before
getting sick.
I was the insurance commissioner in Montana from 2016 until
2020, and I am proud to say that I was able to get authorized
direct primary care agreements between private individuals and
doctors, physicians, for a very low cost. And not only have we
received incredible response from the patients themselves but
from the doctors that are delivering that care. They have a
much more close and intimate relationship with the physicians.
So it has been working out extremely well for everyone involved
and has been able to address some of these issues that are
chronic conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes, so
that we make sure that we have a good maintenance program in
place.
What I would like to ask, Commander Sarmiento, is what
ideas do you have to make the care at the VA more patient-
centric?
Mr. Sarmiento. Our Executive Director is definitely a
little better at this than I am. I am going to pass it off to
Ryan so I do not sit here with an answer and try to dance
around you. Obviously, you want your question answered.
Mr. Rosendale. Perfect.
Mr. Gallucci. Well, thank you, commander in chief, and
thank you, Mr. Rosendale, for the question. The VFW has had a
lot of discussion on this very issue. Now first, to be
perfectly frank, when Phoenix happened almost a decade ago we
were out there saying, look, community care is part of VA care,
and that is very important.
What we have seen over the last 10 years is we have had the
CHOICE Program, and now you have the MISSION Act, you have had
other programs here or there.
Here is what I am concerned about. The Secretary talks
about how much VA is spending on community care, but you look
at how much of that is emergency room care. That is the most
expensive and most fractured care that a veteran can receive.
Some of the things that we have talked about with Dr. Elnahal
and VHA and even the Secretary is you need to lean on your
third-party administrators. You need to lean on your third-
party administrators heavily so that you are integrating this
community care into VA care when a veteran has chosen VA as
their care provider.
We are pushing that very hard because the last thing we
need is veterans showing up at emergency room receiving that
fractured care. We think there are ways to do this, and would
be eager to work with you and the Committees to address that.
Mr. Rosendale. Thank you very much, and again, I think we
can establish this relationship. We have a maintenance program
that we can avoid crisis situations for our veterans in the
future.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I yield back.
Chairman Bost. Senator King.
HON. ANGUS S. KING, JR.
U.S. SENATOR FROM MAINE
Senator King. Commander, I wish you would quit beating
around the bush, man.
[Laughter.]
Senator King. We have gotten less bullshit from you today
than any witnesses I have ever heard.
[Applause.]
Senator King. And, man, we see a lot of that.
Anyway, it seems to me one of the themes here is common
sense. Richard Star Act. You earn two separate benefits, you
should get them, period. Richard Star, common sense.
[Applause.]
Senator King. Here is the other one. I am on Armed Services
and Veterans' Affairs, so I see this from both sides. One of
the first hearings I was in in Armed Services 10 years ago, I
made the statement, I said, ``Why don't we spend as much money
on transition as we do on recruiting? '' In other words, let's
take care of those veterans when they are coming out.
And, of course, the third common sense is the GUARD Act.
Why are we allowing people to take money out of the pockets of
veterans when you guys can do it more effectively for free?
So let me talk about transition for a minute. Transition is
statistically one of the most dangerous moments for veterans.
That is where there is a high level of suicide, a high level of
homelessness. It is a real problem. So a couple of bills. The
Welcome Home Veterans Act. One of the problems is when you sign
all that paperwork at the TAP there is one little box about
opting in to notify the state veteran agency. I want to change
that to an opt out, because right now only 13 percent of
veterans are known to their state agency. My vision is let's
get the names to the state agency, they get the names to the
VA. I want a couple of you guys or women meeting the veteran at
the airport when they arrive home.
[Applause.]
Senator King. So do you support the Welcome Home Veterans
Act?
Mr. Sarmiento. Yes, we do, sir. That is a common sense
approach to a problem that probably got incurred by just, not
oversight, but overlooked. It was just overlooked. To opt out.
That is a no-brainer.
Senator King. And then we will get people's names so they
can be met and get the services they need right away.
The second one is the TAP Promotion Act. You have already
mentioned that. Make VA-accredited representatives like
yourself at the TAP Day before people leave. You are for that,
I take it.
Mr. Sarmiento. We are all in on the TAP Promotion Act.
Senator King. That is good. All right. The third one is the
Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act, so a combat veteran can
enroll in the VA health care before they leave their service,
so they could get the care they need from the VA on day one.
Are you in on that one?
Mr. Sarmiento. Yes, sir, we are in on that one, as well.
Senator King. Well, you have got it, man. Let's get this
done. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. I want to thank Senator King for saying what
we all feel. Of course, there is a statement in deep southern
Illinois. We appreciate you putting the cabbage down where the
hogs can eat it.
[Laughter.]
Mr. Sarmiento. What does that make us, Mr. Chairman?
Chairman Bost. Well, I thought Chairman Tester demoted you
by calling you Member of Congress.
But we do want to say thank you to the VFW for sharing this
2024 legislative priorities, and to all the veterans and
families and caregivers and survivors that are in attendance
here today.
Now we are going to switch over to our next panel, which
will be Elizabeth Dole, and Senator Dole is going to address
us. But we are going to take a 15-minute break, and then we
will reconvene.
[Recess.]
Chairman Bost. Well, we would like to welcome everybody
back, and before we begin the second panel I would like to take
a moment, if we can, to recognize a very special guest, and
allow her to give a few remarks. Senator Elizabeth Dole,
welcome. Thank you.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. We want to thank you for being with us
today, for your tireless work to provide veterans and their
caregivers the support they deserve. And the floor is yours.
REMARKS BY THE HON. ELIZABETH DOLE
Ms. Dole. Chairman Tester, Chairman Bost, Ranking Member
Moran, Ranking Member Takano, Congressman Brownley, thank you
for that wonderful, warm welcome, and thank you for inviting me
to speak in support of legislation that I believe to be a
lifeline for America's veterans and their caregivers.
I am grateful to our many partners here today showing their
support for this important legislation, particularly my good
friend, General Mike Linnington. Mike, I know this is your last
hearing as CEO of the Wounded Warrior Project. Thank you for
being a transformative leader and advocate, a true partner, and
for the immeasurable difference you have made in the lives of
so many veterans and caregivers.
[Applause.]
Ms. Dole. Serving as a United States Senator was one of the
greatest honors of my life, and my beloved husband Bob served
in these chambers for 35 years. While we never thought
Washington should attempt to fix all the nation's problems, we
firmly believed that some of America's greatest challenges
could only be solved with the leadership, power, and resources
entrusted to you, our elected representatives.
I am truly honored that the omnibus of veterans bills and
the Act for Veteran Caregivers are named for me, though I
certainly do not feel worthy. I am even more grateful for the
promises they hold for those who protect our freedom and our
security and their caregivers. The resources, reforms, and
improvements contained in this legislation are precisely the
types of advancements that only this body can provide. And I do
not see how we can be a nation that truly cares for our
military and veteran communities if we wait another day to get
this legislation passed.
[Applause.]
Ms. Dole. The Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, in particular,
is bipartisan legislation that will make it possible for
severely injured veterans to spend more time recovering at home
with their families, rather than at an institutional setting.
I think of Americans like Lara and Tom Garey, and their
son, Trey, from Texas. Tom was an Air Force veteran who
tragically passed away last year due to his service-connected
ALS. Like so many veterans, Tom wanted to be home with his
family for as long as possible. As his condition deteriorated,
Lara had to fight to get the appropriate support in their home
so Tom could continue to enjoy family movie nights and even
attend his son, Trey's, makeshift high school graduation in
their living room. He would have missed all of this if he had
been housed in the closest medical facility, which was 2 hours
away.
By easing access to necessary programs and services, this
legislation will make the very difficult path of the Gareys and
so many others much easier. It will allow veterans and
caregivers to focus on the things that really matter.
You know, Bob and I always said that the most meaningful
change happens when our leaders work across the aisle. At a
time when compromise and consensus are hard to come by, you,
your colleagues, and your staff have done it. You have come
together to create a significant package of legislation that
will impact thousands of veterans' and caregivers' lives for
the better.
Now I urge you to remain united, to continue to put
veterans and caregivers first, and to pass these bills. This
community has earned it, and they desperately need your
bipartisan leadership to accomplish it.
Thank you all for your consideration, and a special thanks
to the MSO and VSO leaders we work with every day to support
our nation's veterans, their caregivers, and their military
children.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator Dole.
Now on our second panel we have multiple veteran service
and advocacy organizations that are represented and assist in a
diverse cross-section of veterans from around the country.
First, we will start with Robert Thomas, the National
President of Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Up next we have General Mike Linnington, Chief Executive
Officer of Wounded Warrior Project, and as was mentioned, I
hear he will be retiring at the end of this month, so we want
to take a minute to say thank you for his hard work.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. General, you have been working greatly on
advocacy on behalf of the nation's wounded warriors, and for
all your work you should be celebrated, and the Committee
really does appreciate what you have done.
Next we have Dennis Wimer, President of the National
Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs.
Next up is Jim Whaley, Chief Executive officer for Mission
Roll Call.
Next up is Kathy Roth-Douquet, Chief Executive Officer of
Blue Star Families.
Next up, Allison Jaslow, Chief Executive Officer for Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
Next also we have Paul Mimms, National President for the
Blinded Veterans Association.
And next, Colonel Lorry Fenner, Director of Government
Relations for the Service Women's Action Network.
We also have on the panel Jared Lyon, National President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Student Veterans of America.
And last but definitely not least we have William ``Bill''
Clark, National Commander of AMVETS.
Thank you for being here.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. Mr. Thomas, you are recognized for your
opening statement.
PANEL II
----------
STATEMENT OF ROBERT THOMAS, NATIONAL PRESIDENT,
PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
Mr. Thomas. Chairman Tester, Chairman Bost, and members of
the Committees, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you
today on behalf of the tens of thousands of veterans with
spinal cord injuries and disorders who heavily rely on the
benefits and health care available through the VA.
The VA is the best health care provider for veterans with
catastrophic disabilities. The Department's system of care
provides a coordinated, lifelong continuum of services. There
is no comparable private system of care in the community. Thus,
preserving and strengthening VA's specialty care system remains
the highest priority for PVA, and it should be for you.
Despite the Veterans Health Administration's hiring
successes last fiscal year and the flexibility gained by
workforce provisions approved by previous Congress, staffing
levels within the SCI/D system of care are not improving. We
continue to see the same staffing deficiencies at the SCI/D
centers year after year, which affects everything from the
quality of care received to employee safety and well-being at
these facilities. We are extremely concerned with the VHA's
decision to severely limit hiring in 2024. I urge you to
monitor the hiring practices closely so veterans are not
adversely affected.
Another pressing need for PVA's members is increased access
to VA's home and community-based services. As eloquently
discussed by Senator Elizabeth Dole, passing her namesake
legislation, the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, would make
critically needed improvements to VA's home and community-based
services, such as lifting the Department's cap on the amount
they can pay for home care, increasing access to the Veteran-
Directed Care Program, and improving support to caregivers and
veterans.
The story of Andrew, an Air Force veteran who has ALS, and
his wife Lisa, illustrates why this legislation must pass now.
Andrew is currently bedbound, paralyzed, vent-dependent, and
non-verbal. Lisa has had to work hard to secure the equipment
and services needed to keep her husband alive and comfortable
at home. Recently, they had to give up the Veteran-Directed
Care in lieu of the Family Caregiver Program because expenses
related to Andrew's care were projected to exceed the cap later
this year. This unnecessary disruption in the continuity of his
care highlights the urgent need to eliminate the cap.
I understand the provisions of the Elizabeth Dole Home Care
Act are included in a larger package of legislation that is
currently being considered by Congress. I cannot stress enough
how important it is to get these provisions enacted into law
now. Andrew and his family cannot wait longer for the care he
needs.
Other veterans with SCI/D need to receive care at a
specialized, long-term care facility. Despite the grave need,
the Department's capacity to provide such care is extremely
limited. There are currently only six VA SCI/D long-term care
facilities. Thus, veterans continue to remain in acute settings
for months or years, at a significantly greater cost because
other placements, including the community, are simply not
available.
We call on Congress to mitigate the shortage of long-term
care beds by funding the six construction projects identified
in my written statement and ensure existing facilities are
fully staffed.
Finally, neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction are
common conditions among veterans with SCI/D, and they can lead
to complications, rehospitalizations, and even death.
Therefore, managing them requires ongoing specialized
attention. The VA could train and reimburse designated
caregivers to provide this critical care. The Department's
current Bowel and Bladder Program is fraught with problems like
reimbursement delays, it lacks due process for the veteran, and
unlike virtually all other VA payments it imposes tax burdens
on family caregivers.
Harry Robinson, caregiver for his wife, PVA National Vice
President Ann Robinson, pays about $3,500 a year in self-
employment taxes out of his reimbursement for providing her
with life-sustaining care. Allowing family members to provide
bowel and bladder care leads to better outcomes for the
veterans and saves the VA money. But Congress must reduce the
burden of providing care for veterans' caregivers. Codifying
the Bowel and Bladder Program will allow Congress to address
the tax burden and make other needed improvements.
In closing, I would like to note that these are just a few
of the many issues affecting catastrophically disabled
veterans. Others include the need for improved travel support
to help veterans receive needed medical care, increasing HISA
grant rates to provide critical housing modifications, and
better access to inpatient mental health care and substance use
disorder treatment for veterans with SCI/D. Information about
these and other issues of importance to paralyzed veterans are
included in my written statement.
Thank you again for this opportunity to share our views and
your commitment to paralyzed veterans and their caregivers. I
will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Thomas appears on page 92 of
the Appendix.]
Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Thomas.
General Linnington, you are recognized for 5 minutes.
STATEMENT OF LT. GEN. MICHAEL S. LINNINGTON, USA (RET.), CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
Mr. Linnington. Good morning, Chairmen Tester and Bost,
Ranking Members Moran and Takano, distinguished Committee
members. Thank you for today's hearing.
Let me thank Senator Dole for her gracious remarks. She
remains a friend, a mentor, a role model, and really the
epitome of a selfless servant leader, so thank you, Senator
Dole, for your remarks.
I would like to begin by thanking many of you and your
staffs for meeting with our Wounded Warrior Project alumni this
week to discuss our highest legislative priorities. These men
and women, in the black polos behind me, are the best
messengers for insight about how we can assist Post-9/11
veterans in your states and districts.
Wounded Warrior Project has been serving wounded warriors
across the country for more than 20 years, interacting with
thousands of warriors daily and helping them lead healthy,
fulfilled, and empowered lives in the communities you
represent. They are the voice of Post-9/11 veterans on Capitol
Hill, and we are humbled to bring them to Washington, DC, with
us this week.
My remarks today will be short, capturing the highlights of
our written testimony submitted last week and in support of our
2024 lege priorities. Our priorities are informed by our
unwavering commitment to honor and empower wounded warriors,
commitment that led us to provide over 66,000 hours of mental
health treatment in our last fiscal year alone. That drove us
to deliver more than 240,000 hours of in-home and local care
for the most severely wounded warriors, increasing their
independence, and what inspired us to run over 7,800 events
across the country, connecting warriors and their families to
each other and the resources they need to thrive in the
communities where they live and work.
And while we empower millions, we also recognize far too
many Post-9/11 veterans are continuing to struggle with mental
health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD
related to their service. For some, Wounded Warrior Project has
been a critical stop on their journey of healing and recovery,
and importantly, a critical link to VA resources designed to
help those with the greatest mental and brain health needs.
It is why our first call to action is improving access to
VA's Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment
Programs, or RRTP. As we shared at previous oversight hearings,
VA's MISSION Act-derived access standards do not extend to
these critical inpatient programs. Instead, veterans and their
advocates are left to interpret a VHA directive that, in our
judgment, provides little predictability about the course of
their treatment and their options for care along the way.
Unless Congress or VA acts to address this policy gap many of
our veterans will continue to face obstacles in connecting to
the care they need, placing them at heightened risk for
negative outcomes the longer they wait for treatment.
We appreciate the Committees' oversight on this issue and
the introduction of legislation including the Making Community
Care Work for Veterans Act, the Veterans' Health Act, and the
Veteran Care Improvement Act, that would address this issue.
Ensuring that a single solution is included in the forthcoming
Elizabeth Dole Omnibus Act is indeed our highest priority.
Our second legislative priority pertains to helping women
veterans with access to care and employment. Continued
oversight of the Deborah Sampson Act implementation is still
critical, particularly on matters relating to women's health
staffing and childcare that make VA a more attractive option
for care. Exploring new opportunities, like extended clinic
hours and cultural competency training for all VA staff will
also help. In that vein, we encourage support for H.R. 5785,
the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Improvement Act, which
would expand education opportunities for all veterans but be
particularly impactful for women veterans.
Sadly, the unemployment rate for Wounded Warrior Project
women warriors is four times higher than the U.S. veteran
population, and nearly half reported living paycheck to
paycheck. We can do more, surely, to help these women find
good-paying jobs in the growing STEM fields, and supporting
H.R. 5785 would help make an underutilized VA program more
accessible to women.
Similarly, we are prioritizing warriors' financial well-
being, and join many of our VSO colleagues and Members of
Congress by offering our strongest support for the Major
Richard Star Act, which would end the oft-cited military
retirement pay against VA disability compensation for veterans
who were medically retired for combat-related injuries before
they reached 20 years of service. This is one of the most well-
known bills in Congress and in the veteran community, and I
appreciate Chairman Tester's press conference yesterday with
several of the VSO/MSO partners in support of this legislation.
And certainly Tonya Star's presence was also notable.
I would also like to highlight, however, a few less-known
bills that would help place more veterans into Federal jobs
that value their military experience. The GROW for our Veterans
Act, the Employing Veterans to Feed America Act, and the
Veterans Border Patrol Training Act would create new and
creative opportunities for veterans at the Departments of
Interior, Ag, Homeland Security, and they all have our full
support.
Finally, as I close I would like to share that working with
Congress and your Committee has made our work of honoring and
empowering wounded warriors even more impactful. Looking back
on our collaboration on legislation like the MISSION Act, which
expanded the caregiver program to all generations, the John
Scott Hannon Act, which expanded VA's investment in community
organizations that help prevent veteran suicide, and the PACT
Act, which represents the largest expansion of health care and
benefits for toxic-exposed veterans all give me hope, hope that
anything is possible when we work together in honoring those
who have served and sacrificed on our behalf.
And I, too, look forward to your questions.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Linnington appears on page
112 of the Appendix.]
Chairman Bost. Thank you, General.
Mr. Wimer, you are recognized for 5 minutes.
STATEMENT OF DENNIS WIMER, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
STATE DIRECTORS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Mr. Wimer. Thank you, Chairman Tester, Chairman Bost,
Ranking Members Moran and Takano, and distinguished members of
the Committees on Veterans' Affairs. And I would like to thank
Representative Mrvan from Indiana for being on this Committee
and being here today. Thank you, sir.
My name is Dennis Wimer, and I am the President of the
National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs. I
also have the honor to serve as the Director of the Indiana
Department of Veterans Affairs.
NASDVA was founded 78 years ago to bring together the VA
state directors, commissioners, and secretaries from all 50
states, 5 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia, with
the mission to foster effective representation for those
claiming entitlements due to their honorable service, to
provide a medium for the exchange of ideas and information, and
facilitate discussion, and to successfully advocate for our
nation's veterans, their families, survivors, and caregivers.
State Departments of Veterans Affairs are comprehensive
service providers. We serve our respective veterans as the
primary intersection on veterans' issues between the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs and our respective state
and territory governments, as well as with veteran service
organizations, community partners, and nonprofit entities. In
doing so, we closely partner with Federal VA to deliver both
Federal and State services while conducting aggressive outreach
and advocacy for our nation's 18-plus-million veterans.
The collaborative relationship between the VA and NASDVA
was just recently reinforced with the renewal of the Memorandum
of Understanding signed last week with Secretary Denis
McDonough at our Mid-Winter Training Conference here in DC.
Secretary McDonough told us, VA and our veterans have no better
partner than NASDVA. It is our privilege to be partners with
all of you.
As an association we applaud Congress' concerted efforts to
improve VA funding for health care benefits, claims and appeals
processing, and homeless veterans programs. We specifically ask
that you support the cohort of 50,000-plus combat-injured
veterans who are medically retired prior to 20 years of
service, to receive their earned retired pay without offset of
VA disability compensation.
Your passage of the PACT Act was a monumental piece of
legislation. NASDVA supports current emphasis on the
implementation and the hiring of adequate VA staff to address
the resulting increases in medical examinations and services
and disability claims processing. States perform a vital role
interfacing with the veterans to inform and help with their
individual needs and claims. It will take time to address the
resulting backlog.
NASDVA applauds Congress' renewed attention on VA's aging
infrastructure, on caregiver support, and on women veterans
issues. Also, we applaud VA increasing its digital connection
with veterans, particularly for health appointments,
prescriptions, and claim status. We also agree with your
efforts to hold VA fully accountable for development and
evolutionary upgrades to the VA's electronic health record
modernization. It is essential for future health care
transformation.
We also recommend continued emphasis by the VA to ensure
veterans are provided timely community care referrals and
appointments. Reimbursements to providers for community care
services should also be prompt.
In promoting our state and territories' collective veteran
suicide efforts, NASDVA recommends additional resources be
provided through the Governor's and Mayor's Challenge on
Veteran Suicide Prevention.
For our state veteran homes, both NASDVA and the National
Association of State Veterans Homes recommend increased funding
for the VA State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program and
an increase in per diem to enhance care in view of the national
shortages of health care professionals. The Build America, Buy
America Act is presenting some challenges in the acquiring of
certain materials for the construction of homes, where they are
not available or more costly. For those state veteran home
projects granted prior to enactment of the law, we are seeking
waivers from VA under provisions stated in the law, where items
are unavailable or too costly.
Additionally, VA's current Veterans Cemetery Grants Program
budget does not allow the NCA to adequately cover both the
establishment of new state or tribal cemeteries, while giving
priority to the expansion and improvement of existing
cemeteries. Both state veteran nursing homes and state veteran
cemeteries provide essential health care and memorial services
to honor those who have served in the defense of our nation.
To serve eligible American and Alaska Native veterans,
NASDVA applauds the MOU between the VA and Indian Health
Service and supports the rule by VA to waive the copayments
incurred by these veterans. The recent passage of legislation
for the National Association of Indian Veterans as a charter
VSO gives proper recognition for these deserving warriors.
NASDVA commends VA's emphasis on ending homelessness among
veterans, especially women veterans with children. NASDVA
recommends continued funding for specialized homeless programs
and commends VA and HUD for increasing the number and value of
HUD VASH vouchers.
It is a significant challenge, as we have heard, for
transitioning servicemembers to connect with earned state
services, benefits, and support. NASDVA applauds the Veterans
Benefit Administration allowing accredited VSOs and states to
have a 45-minute inclusion in the DoD Transition Assistance
Program. It is also important that we be allowed to receive
information and connect with servicemembers retiring and
separating who are coming to our respective states.
It is extremely important that we recognize and honor the
service of our Guardsmen and Reservists, particularly with the
increased and vital role they perform, not only at the State
level but in the overall defense of our nation.
Finally, it is important to highlight that NASDVA's
membership are government-to-government partners with Federal
VA, and that we are second only to Federal VA in delivery of
earned benefits and services.
Distinguished Committee members, we sincerely respect and
appreciate your work to improve the well-being of our nation's
veterans. With your help and your continued support we can
ensure that our veterans remain a national priority. Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Wimer appears on page 151 of
the Appendix.]
Chairman Bost. Mr. Wimer, thank you.
Mr. Whaley, you are now recognized for 5 minutes.
STATEMENT OF JIM WHALEY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
MISSION ROLL CALL
Mr. Whaley. Chairmen Tester and Bost, Ranking Members Moran
and Takano, and distinguished members of the House and Senate
Veterans' Affairs Committees, on behalf of Mission Roll Call, a
national nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) and roughly the 1.4 million
veterans we support, thank you for the opportunity to testify
today.
My name is Jim Whaley. I recently came on board as Mission
Roll Call's Chief Executive Officer. I am a retired U.S. Army
officer, married to an Army veteran, and a father of three
daughters, two of which are currently serving overseas on
active duty, and the other serving active-duty soldiers and
their families at a nonprofit. My family and I are committed to
the cause of serving those who served, which is why I was drawn
to the vision of Mission Roll Call.
Mission Roll Call brings a unique and dynamic process to
veteran advocacy. We seek to give veterans an unfiltered voice
and give policymakers an unbiased view of how veteran community
feels about issues under consideration by this body.
Mission Roll Call is a new organization that uses the power
of technology to represent and advocate for our veterans and
their families. We are a movement providing veterans with a
powerful, unified voice that is heard by our nation's leaders
and communities. We are apolitical and represent the concerns
that our veterans have across the nation. We believe that every
veteran has a voice that needs to be heard.
Almost half of all 18 million veterans within this country
are not associated with any veteran service organization or the
VA, which means when our leaders are talking about veteran
issues half of our voices are not being heard.
On a regular basis, we ask relevant and timely questions
through polls and then share that with elected officials,
policymakers, and the media. We believe using the opinions of
veterans and their families is a powerful tool to bring to the
attention of the American people and demand action by decision-
makers in government.
We have had over 260,000 veterans and their families
respond to our polls, and we expect to double that number this
year. Our polls address the subjects that are of interest to
our members, the veterans and their families. Our recent polls
range from addressing the level of support from the Veterans
Administration, suicide prevention, mental health issues, food
insecurity concerns, and the continuing struggle for a
successful transition to civilian life, as well as the upcoming
Presidential election. We will share the direct impact of the
polls and petitions with all of you.
We also want the country to know our veterans and what is
important to them. So we are traveling the country in person
and virtually, to speak with veterans and share their stories.
Our strength is in our numbers and our voice being amplified
over many social media platforms.
Through our Service-to-Service Initiative we will provide
our veteran community access through podcasts, videos, and
articles to address the challenges and concerns they are
experiencing and give them access to success stories, programs,
and insightful discussion from other veteran support
organizations, business leaders, and veteran entrepreneurs.
Ensuring successful transitions, providing necessary
healthcare and benefits, and stopping suicide are all more than
just moral imperatives. Success or failure in these areas has a
direct effect on national security.
In one of our recent surveys we asked the American people
if they would recommend military service to a young friend or
family member. Only 35 percent of those adults without a
military connection responded positively. Among those who would
not recommend it, nearly 40 percent cited transition issues, 60
percent cited insufficient veteran benefits and concerns about
VA healthcare.
Fewer than 1 percent of Americans serve on active duty in
any given year, and of the estimated 18 million veterans in the
U.S., 80 percent report having an immediate family member who
has served. Taken together, this means military service has
become a family business being shouldered by a shrinking
minority of American families.
We need to understand that the quality of life of those on
active duty, where 24 percent suffer from food security
challenges according to the DoD, coupled with the lack of
confidence in VA support, is a national security threat in an
ever-dangerous world.
Congress and the VA play an important part to make sure
veterans have the support, and the VSOs in this room play a
major part in ensuring they have the community. We must work
collaboratively across party lines and in conjunction with a
coalition of veteran support groups to ensure success. Together
we can help veterans continue their service after the military,
in their communities, states, and in their country. Mission
Roll Call is proud to be a part of this effort and we look
forward to working with you in the future.
Thank you for the opportunity, and I am open to any
questions.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Whaley appears on page 169
of the Appendix.]
Chairman Bost. Thank you. Ms. Roth-Douquet.
STATEMENT OF KATHY ROTH-DOUQUET,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BLUE STAR FAMILIES
Ms. Roth-Douquet. Thank you, Chairmen Tester and Bost,
Ranking Members Moran and Takano, members of the Committee.
Thank you for the opportunity, our first opportunity at Blue
Star Families, to present our priorities.
We are the nation's largest and fastest-growing military
and veteran family support organization. Many of you have loved
ones who serve or have served in the military, so you are a
Blue Star family, and we are delighted to see you. We are
growing to 15 chapters across the states, 275,000 members. Our
programs touch 1.5 million individuals each year.
Our annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey, which is
developed with Syracuse University's IVMF, is the largest and
most comprehensive of its time for active Guard and Reserve
veterans and their families. Today I want to share with you
some of our main topics of concern relevant to the Committee--
suicide prevention, toxic exposure, education, and transition.
In terms of suicide prevention, there is a clear need for
support, mental health support, for veterans, and given the
barriers to accessing mental health resources and the tendency
of veteran families to turn to informal sources, it is very
important that we elevate the less-formal mental health
supports such as wellness centers, chaplains, and especially
friends and families, because this is how people live. These
supports do not replace mental health care but they can support
and extend if families and friends are educated and resourced
about how to talk to someone about their mental health.
So we were very pleased that in 2022, Blue Star Families
was awarded the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant.
While most suicide prevention programs for the VA focus only on
the veteran and are eligible only to the veteran, this is
really a revolutionary program because it is a national program
that focuses on the family members as key points of
intervention, and it is working.
This matters because the family member is often the one who
sees the crisis. Often the veteran is not willing to raise
their hand for help. Excluding anyone but the veteran is a
mistake. So with our grant we provide a community-based
outreach prevention program--it is called Support Circles--we
empower the friends and families, loved ones of veterans, to
recognize and intervene before the struggle becomes a crisis.
It is an upstream solution.
This program offers facilitated, non-clinical, closed-group
cohorts for supporters of veterans. Over 8 weeks the
participants engage in both virtual and in-person sessions,
which foster peer-based connections. They receive evidence-
based training, resources and referral. Every participant also
develops a crisis plan in the event their loved one becomes
suicidal. A comprehensive evaluation by the University of
Alabama concluded that the first year went very well.
Participants are very satisfied with the program and reported
that they would recommend it. It offers a safe space for
families to share experiences and insights.
And the program works. The evaluation clearly shows that
the participants feel better equipped to make a difference in
suicide prevention. This essential shift creates a proactive
and supportive community that breaks down barriers, reduces
stigma, and achieve upstream prevention of suicide.
Blue Star Families recommends the VA facilitate grantee
networking opportunities to enable the sharing of best
practices, instead of the existing one-way updates from the VA.
We encourage oversight of the Fox Grant-funded programs to
assess the effectiveness of those grantees, and we recommend
reauthorizing the most effective solutions.
And finally, we recommend authorization of this program or
a similar one at DoD, to provide currently serving families the
same approach to suicide prevention. Every one of those
servicemembers becomes a veteran. If we can get upstream that
prevents a lot.
Then on the PACT Act. The PACT Act marked a huge victory
for our community. The impact is staggering, and it is personal
for me. My Chief of Staff, Jenny Aiken, tragically lost her 35-
year-old Army husband, Captain Cooper Aiken, who had
transitioned to veteran status when he got ill. They were sure
he would beat his cancer, but they did not. The family would
have been in financial crisis, literally bankruptcy, if the
PACT Act had not passed.
While VA outreach on the PACT Act is commendable, we
encourage DoD to ensure that all transitioning servicemembers
are informed of this new benefit and why they should enroll in
the VA, even if they are not suffering symptoms. We call on you
to strengthen the PACT Act, provide new VA authorities when
needs arise, and stand against any attempt to weaken the law.
In terms of education, thank you for your work on the GI
Bill and closing the 90/10 loophole. Please oppose all efforts
to undo the hard-fought gains for our community to protect
these generous benefits.
And lastly, with transition, our 2023 survey showed that
half of veterans described their transition as difficult or
very difficult, and it is all about time. For those who had
less than 6 months, they had a difficult transition. Those with
1 to 2 years had a successful transition. Early engagement with
TAP is critical.
Thank you so much for having me.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Roth-Douquet appears on page
175 of the Appendix.]
Chairman Bost. Ms. Jaslow, you are recognized for 5
minutes.
STATEMENT OF ALLISON JASLOW, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, IRAQ AND
AFGHANISTAN VETERANS OF AMERICA
Ms. Jaslow. Chairman Tester, Chairman Bost, Ranking Members
Moran and Takano, and members of the Committee, on behalf of
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and our over 425,000
members and supporters, thank you for the opportunity to
represent the nation's Post-9/11 generation veterans here with
you today.
Now you and your staff are well briefed on our priorities
for the remainder of this Congress, which are also included in
my written testimony, so I wanted to use this time to level-set
on behalf of my generation of veterans and on behalf of America
at large.
War changes you. Heck, even the act of making your will at
22 does, as I had to do on my way to Iraq almost 20 years ago.
It can change you in some really terrible ways. For instance,
one of my Basic course buddies served with the Army Special
Forces after we graduated. He was then asked to deploy over and
over again, as our nation's leaders chose to overly rely on our
special operators Post-9/11. And now, after repeatedly
experiencing the horrors of battle, he has to sleep in a
separate bedroom from his wife. Why? Because his night terrors
are too much for her to handle.
War can also change you in expected ways. Not everyone
joins the military just to serve their country like I did.
Serve their country they will, but maybe they just wanted to
fast-track out of the less-than-ideal circumstances they were
born into. Maybe they just wanted something as simple as a
reliable meal three times a day, and perhaps they were willing
to put on a uniform to do it.
And they get orders to deploy, to fulfill your commitment
to support and defend the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Whether you are the
most patriotic citizen when you signed up or not, when you are
asked to put it all on the line for what we have for America
that changes you too.
Many of us who served Post-9/11 are now out of uniform. We
are trying to live life in a country we risked our lives for,
and enjoy the way of life we fought for just the same. But many
of us are struggling with what we see before us in our country
today.
In a recent member survey of IAVA veterans, 74 percent told
us they were dissatisfied with the way democracy is working in
this country, while only 12 percent said they were satisfied.
IAVA veterans, on the whole, are therefore even less satisfied
in the American people at large, whose satisfaction, Gallup
recently reported, had sunk to 28 percent, as this debate
continues to dominate our national discourse. To me that has
less to do with a system that has passed stress tests time and
time again, but our leadership.
When I was in the Army, our Army values, as some other vets
who are in attendance here today can validate, spelled out
leadership--loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor,
integrity, and personal courage. I may have left the Army 15
years ago, but I still carry those Army values with me today,
and wake up every day trying to live by them.
And what I want to encourage each and every one of you,
more than anything, to do today, and in this most important
year in our nation's history, is to follow our example. Instead
of pandering to our community, instead of promising to meet our
every demand, how about you show us you are willing to also put
it all on the line for what we have here in America. How about
you demonstrate selfless service, honor, and personal courage?
Because that is what we really need from you more than anything
else, more than any benefit we may have earned and deserve.
Like many other combat vets, I will never be the same after
going to war. My perspective on life has been reshaped forever,
and my perspective on what we have here in the United States
has also changed. I am also fortunate enough to have made it
home to a newfound appreciation for our country. But like many
vets, I have buddies who were not as lucky. They gave their
lives and their families lost a loved one for what we have
here. And you need to show up for them as much as you show up
for us.
When a fellow platoon leader lost is life during my first
deployment in Iraq, executing the very moves that I would have
made if I had been assigned the mission he got on that fateful
day, I made a promise to myself, that I would live a life
worthy of his sacrifice.
And so again, in closing, I will encourage all of you who
serve in this body, that regularly disappoint the American
people, that cannot figure out a way to fulfill its most basic
responsibility of funding the government, to not just profess
that you will do right by our veterans, our troops, and their
families, to not just promise to help us achieve our
legislative priorities, but to show us that you share a
commitment to this country and are willing to work across lines
of difference to protect and defend what we are so lucky to
have here, and, by God, that you are willing to live a life
that is worthy of the fallen sacrifice.
Thank you for your time.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Ms. Jaslow appears on page 187
of the Appendix.]
Chairman Bost. Thank you, Ms. Jaslow.
Mr. Mimms, you are recognized for 5 minutes.
STATEMENT OF PAUL L. MIMMS, NATIONAL PRESIDENT,
BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION
Mr. Mimms. Thank you, Chairman Tester, Chairman Bost,
Ranking Member Takano, Ranking Member Moran, and distinguished
members of the Veterans' Affairs Committee for Congress. The
Blinded Veterans Association is honored and thanks you for the
opportunity to present our legislative agenda for the coming
year.
The Blinded Veterans Association was formed in 1946, and so
I want to point you to March 28, which is the anniversary of
the formation of the Blinded Veterans Association in 1945, by
some blinded veterans at Old Farms Hospital in Connecticut.
This is our 79th year of operation.
As for our legislative priorities, I want to list most of
them, and give you reasons for some of them.
One of our priorities is the establishment of a Federal
Advisory Committee on Equal Access. I will just tell you now, a
lot of our priorities hang on this committee coming into
fruition.
We also support, as many others, the formation and the
continuing development and furtherment of services for
America's women veterans. They are, by most knowledge, the
largest sector of growth in the veteran population, and they
need the help.
I want to ask for the enhancement and the continued support
for adequate protection for guide and service dog handlers on
VA property. I know personally of incidents where veterans have
gone to VA with their service dogs, and they have been attacked
by dogs that are not service dogs, and they have been taken out
of service, those dogs. We are talking about a $50,000-plus
investment in that dog and the cessation of that veteran's
access.
I want to ask for continuation of the funding for VA blind
rehab services. Right now, recently, the population of veterans
that were served by VA blind rehab services more than doubled,
from around 40,000 to over 81,000. And now, in the wings, we
have 1.2 million low-vision veterans, veterans whose visual
acuity is no better than 20/70, as opposed to those that are
legally blind, with a visual acuity no better than 20/200. And
so as that population and the demands on that service continue
to grow, we definitely need increased funding in order for them
to continue and provide adequate service to America's blind and
low-vision veterans.
I want to ask for better mental health care, as many others
have too. Suicide is on the rise, and it is not lessening, by
any means, among the population of veterans who have lost what
is considered to be the most important sensory system that we
have, our eyesight. And so I want to comment that blinded
veterans, we served like every other veteran, and yet when we
come back, where we are now, we cannot even see the country for
which we fought.
And so I ask for the preservation of ocular health service.
We are not in favor of optometrists who are not qualified to do
so to perform internal eye surgery, invasive eye surgery. They
are not qualified, and it threatens the health and safety of
our blinded veterans. And I ask that you work with us to see
that that does not happen.
I want to ask for increased, if you will, support for
honoring our veterans that were disabled on active duty. So we
support the act that would make sure they do not have to take
an offset in their disability pay because they take retirement
pay. They served honorably, and they deserve to be compensated
honorably after their service.
I will say here that the Federal Advisory Committee that I
mentioned, on that hangs almost all of our priorities for us.
With that committee, hopefully we have a seat at the table, of
course, and we can have the opportunity to present what are,
for us, unique shortcomings in VA service. To us it is a shame
that the organization, the administration, that is supposed to
represent and present us blind veterans with sensitive, caring,
informed medical care falls short. And so there is not a reason
for us to fall short.
But the VA, like so much of the rest of the world, is a
very visual environment, and we are asking that you help us in
pursuing erasure, and if not that then at least diminishment of
the visual barriers and obstacles that exist in the VA system.
And we are not talking about billion dollars to do this. A lot
of, we are already talking about common sense approaches to the
problems, and some of the solutions do not cost any more than a
few thousand dollars.
The VA took the unit out of their new employee orientation.
That would simply take 5 to 15 minutes to show new employees
how to guide a blind patient to and from a clinical visit or
around the medical center. They do not deem that to be
important. Well, I have been bouncing off door frames, run into
doors. I have had people that grab my dog's harness or leash,
or my cane, or simply just pull on my sleeve to lead me through
a clinic. And if you would like to take that behavior and apply
it to yourself.
I think you understand my contention that for many of us
blind veterans it is very difficult for us to leave a visit at
the VA medical center and get home with our self-respect and
dignity and the respect that VA has for us intact.
So I am asking that, Chairman Takano--I am sorry--Chairman
Tester, Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano, Ranking Member
Moran, and the distinguished members of the Committee, support
us in the pursuit of our legislative priorities for the coming
year. And with that I thank you for this opportunity to
present, and I welcome your questions.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Mr. Mimms appears on page 198 of
the Appendix.]
Chairman Bost. Mr. Mimms, thank you.
Colonel Fenner, you are recognized for 5 minutes.
STATEMENT OF LORRY M. FENNER, PHD, COLONEL, USAF (RET.),
DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, SERVICE WOMEN'S ACTION
NETWORK
Ms. Fenner. Good afternoon, Chairmen, Ranking Members,
other distinguished members of the Committee. I am proud to
represent Service Women's Action Network here today. We are a
national nonprofit of almost 10,000 members who advocate and
support currently serving women and women veterans.
First, we thank Congress for recent legislation, from PACT
to Deborah Sampson, MAMMO, Protecting Moms Who Served, and
more. As we continue to work with you on your oversight and new
legislation we really appreciate when your staffs help share
the reports that you require so that we can help you some more.
We also thank the VA for quickly implementing the PACT Act and
for its expansion, and some other new policies.
The VA has steadily improved benefits processing and care.
We are still processing the new VA Equity Action Plan and other
recently released reports, but we know the devil is in the
details of the implementation of that, and your oversight will
be critical.
We also thank the other VSOs here. We partner with them.
They make constructive recommendations. They improve many
lives. If we had more time I would echo all of these concerns.
Instead, I will focus on very few of the women's complex and
intersecting challenges that we hear from our members and
partners every day, and you have our longer testimony.
We feel invisible or worse. Women face a lack of respect
often because they did not receive recognition for their
contributions. This underpins almost every other issue. More
creative outreach is required to those of us who have been
insulted, neglected, ignored, especially our elderly, or those
who are afraid of, or angry at, the VA.
We do thank the VA for passing the very old and outdated
new motto. We ask now that you pass the Jax Act Plus to
recognize all the lioness, female engagement, and cultural
support teams.
[Applause.]
Ms. Fenner. Sexual assault and harassment at the VA must be
eliminated. It is devastating that we have to add VST to MST.
The now more than three reporting systems have to be
rationalized and made consistent nationally to start to get at
this problem.
MST claims processing and care must be less traumatizing.
Congress must pass the SAVES Act. The VA and DoD should
collaborate even more in the TAPs program that includes
portions for MST survivors from their transition from service
to veteran status, and the VA must continue to improve its
processing of upgrading characters of discharge. ``Bad paper''
discharges are related to a host of collateral issues that come
with MST and other challenges.
Women's health care must be continually assessed and
improved. With the increasing number of women veterans, the
range of care they need and the issues that keep them away from
the VA must be addressed. This includes reproductive health
care, fully implement the final IVR, eliminate copays for FDA-
approved contraception, expand eligibility for ART including
IVF beyond the newly promised policy, expand targeted research
rather than just classifying women and minorities as ``lesser
included cases,'' and also abide by Section 1557 of the ACA.
Now the new DAV report that you will hear about tomorrow,
and maybe some of you already have, shows that the increase in
suicides among women veterans is horrific. We applaud the DAV
for their research and VA's research and task force efforts,
and we welcome, as well, the commitment to work closely with
the Women Veterans VSO Working Group. VA must specifically name
this as a number one priority, allowing Congress to fence
funding for the program.
The bottom line is culture change. Further and significant
culture change at the VA is required in order to make
meaningful progress. We appreciate congressional actions and VA
initiatives, but these efforts must be constant and continual
because these problems have persisted forever. Adding new laws
and policies and making operational change do help on the
margins, but they will not meet the promise of the nation to
all veterans. Thank you.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Ms. Fenner appears on page 213
of the Appendix.]
Chairman Bost. Thank you, Colonel.
Mr. Lyon, you are recognized for 5 minutes.
STATEMENT OF JARED LYON, NATIONAL PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER, STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA
Mr. Lyon. Chairmen Tester and Bost, Ranking Members Moran
and Takano, members of the Committee, thank you for allowing
Student Veterans of America to present on our annual
legislative priorities for 2024.
SVA recently finalized a new strategic plan, reinforcing
our commitment to equity for student veterans. Despite being
exceptionally successful in higher education, veterans face
unique challenges post military service. Our aim is to
collaborate with these Committees to alleviate these barriers,
ensuring a prosperous transition to civilian life.
SVA chapters are the breathing heart of our mission. Higher
education research shows that what leads to ultimate success
for students is a sense of belonging on campus. This is no less
true for student veterans, and our chapters provide that sense
of belonging through the shared experience, peer support that
veterans need after separation from military service.
With that being said, if you are here today with Student
Veterans of America, would you please stand or raise your hand
to be recognized?
[Applause.]
Mr. Lyon. Thanks, you all. In the current academic year,
SVA chapter leaders are leading active and engaged chapters on
a network that now spans 1,647 chapters throughout the globe.
They are working with student organizations across the world.
They are hosting networking and career events. Our chapter
leaders are leading programs to improve mental health or train
suicide prevention. They are volunteering in their local off-
campus communities, they are sponsoring new sports teams, and
they are doing all this while advocating for their members on
national, state, and local levels.
SVA chapters help one another and those in their community
during challenging times, and as a result they are creating a
sense of belonging for veterans making the difficult transition
into higher education.
Before proceeding, SVA would like to thank the members for
their work on the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Health
Care and Benefits Improvement Act, as we continue to support
making VET TEC permanent and expanding VSOC, Veteran Success on
Campus. And as a personal note, I would just like to thank
Senator Dole. Her and her late husband, Senator Bob Dole, have
served as inspirations and mentors to me, and I had the
opportunity to serve as an usher at Senator Bob Dole's funeral.
Senator Elizabeth Dole, I could not think of a better namesake
for your lasting legacy in our community. Thank you, ma'am.
[Applause.]
Mr. Lyon. Further, we would also like to express our
gratitude for yesterday's introduction of the Guard and Reserve
GI Bill Parity Act of 2024. As a long-standing policy priority
for SVA, we are encouraged to see progress here.
In the time that remains I will briefly outline three of
our highest policy priorities and the voices of our community,
today's student veterans, military-connected students, students
who are family members, caregivers, and survivors, all of whom
are earning their degrees to better their lives and the
potential for themselves and their families.
First, SVA is committed to being an ally of the VA while
driving accountability measures for VA's efforts to modernize
its systems and improve customer support in the overall
experience for users of the GI Bill. The GI Bill is the gateway
to the VA, and a seamless GI Bill process is key to
establishing trust and confidence in the agency with every
veteran served by VA. We urge the Committees and VA to assess
how these changes can affect GI Bill users. Delays in benefits
could hinder veterans' education and their mental and emotional
health.
Second, SVA is currently investigating the significant
potential for veterans to experience disparities in their
economic outlook when compared to their civilian peers.
Disparities exist, even amongst those veterans with higher
education degrees, despite earning more annually, and highlight
the unique challenges faced by veterans in achieving economic
stability and prosperity. The causes can be attributed to
variance in employment opportunities, delays in getting wealth
value from the job market due to military service, and
obstacles stemming from the military transition experience.
The prospect of economic disparities for veterans may serve
as a disincentive for military service and our all-volunteer
force. Understanding the complex dimensions of these inequities
is crucial for informing policies and interventions that are
aimed at fostering economic opportunity and the transition for
veterans.
Third, SVA calls for comprehensive review and update to
monthly housing allowance calculations and gaps in disparities
such as those related to VR&E, break pay, overseas
institutions, and online instruction. It is worth noting that
the DoD has implemented emergency BAH rate corrections for the
last 2 years to address the financial burden of rising housing
costs facing servicemembers. Student veterans are facing these
same financial burdens and rising housing costs in the United
States, and data shows that despite the generous GI Bill,
student veterans are taking on student loan debt just to cover
living expenses. Whether it be the lower subsistence rates for
VR&E compared to Post-9/11 MHA, the lack of payment periods
between academic terms, the flat rate for overseas learnings,
or the inequities in MHA for distance learners, student
veterans and their families feel the disconnect.
Thank you for your time, your attention, and devotion to
the cause of veterans and higher education. At SVA, we know
that investing in veterans is not only the right thing to do,
but it also means investing in the future of American
leadership.
Thank you, and I look forward to your questions.
[Applause.]
[The prepared statement of Mr. Lyon appears on page 229 of
the Appendix.]
Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Lyon.
Mr. Clark, you are recognized for 5 minutes.
STATEMENT OF WILLIAM ``BILL'' CLARK,
NATIONAL COMMANDER, AMERICAN VETERANS
Mr. Clark. Chairmen and Ranking Members, distinguished
members of the House and Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
I am honored to speak to you on behalf of AMVETS and present
our legislative priorities for this year.
First, we thank you and your staff for your time, efforts,
and attention throughout the 118th Congress. Having caring
staff, many of them veterans, working with us to solve complex
challenges facing our community makes a significant difference.
AMVETS has consistently presented veteran suicide as our
top priority for 6 years, yet rates continue to rise as
evidenced by VA data. Repeated declarations that ``enough is
enough'' is enough. It falls short of prompting real change.
Our veterans, their families, and communities suffer as a
result of this inaction and lack of urgency. We implore
Congress to truly embrace innovative solutions to significantly
reduce these numbers.
The $16 billion currently funneled into existing programs
has proven ineffective in combatting veteran suicide. Echoing
the Journal of the American Medical Association's
recommendation from 8 years ago, AMVETS believes that exploring
new and novel approaches is imperative. We commend the recent
funding of innovative nonprofits through grants, and urge the
VA to closely examine these programs' successes for potential
scaling.
However, investment in these innovative efforts remains
insufficient. In sectors like pharmaceuticals and
biotechnology, R&D investment is often 10 to 15 percent of
revenue. However, the VA funding for innovative alternate
approaches represents about 1 percent of VA mental health
budget. AMVETS proposes that the VA allocate 10 percent of its
mental health budget to establish a new program aimed at
enhancing the mental wellness of transitioning servicemembers.
This program should focus on preemptive measures to maintain
physical and mental readiness and add and adopt positive
strategies for trauma management to lower the risk of future
suicides.
Additionally, we recommend increasing the funding for
nonprofit grants to 5 percent of the VA's mental health budget.
This increase would bolster the VA's capacity to identify and
expand upon inventive interventions, potentially reducing
suicide rates significantly.
We recognize the shared concern for veterans' welfare among
the Members of Congress and appreciate your past support. Yet
we urge you to channel your empathy into actions that
transcends bureaucratic interests and prioritizes veterans'
well-being. Without a shift toward a more proactive and
innovative approach we risk having another 36,000 veterans
commit suicide. AMVETS calls for renewed urgent commitment in
saving lives and ensuring veterans lead fulfilling lives.
AMVETS has many other priorities for this Congress,
including passing the Major Richard Star Act and increasing the
dependency and indemnity compensation for our military
survivors.
Our survivors should not be punished for choosing to
remarry, and we encourage all of you to support the Love Lives
On Act.
AMVETS and others are advocating for legislation to allow
all congressionally chartered veteran nonprofits to receive
tax-deductible donations. Currently, if organizations like
AMVETS allows honorably discharged, non-wartime-era veterans to
become members we can no longer receive tax deductible gifts,
which I am sure you all agree makes no sense at all. The VSO
Equal Tax Treatment Act rectifies this issue. We are grateful
to Congressmen Wenstrup and Panetta for their advocacy in
getting the legislation passed out of the Ways and Means
Committee.
We also ask Congress to oversee and support the successful
completion of the electronic health care record at VA
facilities so our veterans receive the modernized care they
deserve. We need all hands on deck here. Failure is not an
option, and the days of being a political football need to end.
Despite significantly increasing funds for ineffective
mental health models at the VA, urgent attention is needed also
for optometry, the third most-used specialty. Optometrists
delivering over 70 percent of VA's eye care face low pay and
potential political challenges to their scope of practice. Poor
conditions deter recruitment and retention, driving
optometrists away, and making the VA an employer of last
resort. Consequently, the VA risks incurring higher costs
through community care, against veterans' preferences.
By working together we can ensure that our veterans receive
the care, recognition, and opportunities they deserve, laying a
strong foundation for a more resilient and supportive society
for all who have served.
Thank you, and I look forward to any questions.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Clark appears on page 266 of
the Appendix.]
Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Clark.
[Applause.]
Chairman Bost. I would like to now recognize myself for 3
minutes for some questions.
Mr. Clark, in your testimony you mentioned promoting
readiness and recruiting efforts for the next generation of
veterans. Do you think improving the TAP program could help
with retention and recruiting of future generations of
servicemembers?
Mr. Clark. I absolutely do. I think it is the way of the
future, and I think also there are other initiatives we could
follow that are out there and that would help increase the
recruitment of new members, new servicemembers, sir.
Chairman Bost. Thank you. Ms. Roth-Douquet, in your
testimony you mentioned the GI Bill benefit and that it is a
great retention tool for veterans and their families. What are
some ways we can continue to improve the GI Bill, from what the
families talk about?
Ms. Roth-Douquet. Well, continuing to allow for the
transferability of the GI Bill to loved ones is very key. We
see, in our survey, that the majority of currently serving
veterans plan to transfer their GI Bill to their child or their
spouse, and we find a tremendous amount of pride that that
servicemember has in being able to provide that education for
their children. So maintaining that and also continuing to work
against the for-profit schools that erode the benefit.
Chairman Bost. Well, I am going to tell you, my son is very
happy to hand his off to his son. He is doing that right now,
and I think the school that he is qualified for is really
fantastic, and his parents are just so happy that it is going
to be taken care of that way.
Also then, Mr. Mimms, what can you do to ensure that your
members have equal access to employment after-service?
Mr. Mimms. I do not know that that is going to happen in
our lifetime. But the thing that we have to do is constantly
work on the obstacles and barriers between people with
disabilities and employment. That has been in place for years,
and it still has not risen much for the 30 percent rate of
unemployment.
So technology, for me, as a blind person, has erased a lot
of the barriers and obstacles, and I actually had a successful
career with the VA after I went back to college and got my
degree. Technology helped me get the degree, technology helped
me get the job that I got, and it helped me do what I think is
a very good job while I had it.
So we need to invest in what will erase these obstacles.
You know, if it costs a billion dollars, what do we get back?
We get back billions of dollars in effort from qualified people
who are giving the best of what they have and what they can do.
You cannot put a price on it and say it is comparative and so
it is not worth it because it costs too much.
Chairman Bost. I appreciate that. My time is almost expired
so Representative Levin, you are recognized.
HON. MIKE LEVIN,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA
Mr. Levin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank
everybody here for their service, and a particular shoutout to
everybody from California, if you are out there. All right. You
are out there. It really is an honor to be part of this
Committee and to represent our great Marines and Sailors at
Camp Pendleton.
I wanted to just go through a few pieces of legislation,
and Mr. Lyon, I will begin with you. SVA has long supported
efforts to create GI Bill Parity for Guard and Reserve
Servicemembers, and we are so grateful for your advocacy on
this issue which helped us pass the Guard and Reserve GI Bill
Parity Act in the House last Congress.
Can you speak just briefly on the importance of this change
and the need for our communities to get the bill enacted into
law this Congress?
Mr. Lyon. Yes, sir, and thank you for your ardent support
of just making sure that every day in uniform counts. And, you
know, when we look at the evolving needs of our country, there
should be no difference in the way one serves from active duty,
Guard, or Reserve. So by being able to create this parity we
are making sure that there is true equity in those that choose
to serve during the all-volunteer force.
Mr. Levin. Thank you so much for that.
General Linnington, I will turn to you. I am proud to have
the Wounded Warrior Project's support for H.R. 1786, the Get
Rewarding Outdoor Work for Our Veterans, or GROW, Act. This
bill seeks to ensure that veterans, especially those who have
recently returned to civilian life, can obtain rewarding
careers in conservation, resource management, and environmental
protection at the Department of Interior.
Can you please describe the impact that working in the
great outdoors on conservation projects can have on veterans'
overall well-being?
Mr. Linnington. Congressman, thank you for that
legislation. I think it is really important. I think we all
know the importance of mind-body connection. Veterans, as you
know, are very comfortable in the outdoors. They have been
trained. They are very, very comfortable, especially in
conservation and working with the Department of the Interior.
In our surveys we know that financial strain is always a
concern for veterans, unemployment and financial strain. And
your legislation that you proposed not only alleviates the
financial strain but it gets our veterans that are in isolation
into the outdoors where not only are they comfortable but they
value that camaraderie that comes with serving.
So we really support the legislation. Of course, it was in
my opening statement, and we speak more about it in our written
testimony. But thank you for sponsoring that legislation.
Mr. Levin. Thank you, and I have got to go quick because I
only have 3 minutes.
Colonel Fenner, in your testimony you called for VA to
expand eligibility for assisted reproductive technology,
including IVF, to help our veterans serve families when they
face infertility challenges. I was deeply disappointed by the
Alabama Supreme Court's recent decision against women's
personal health decisions to help create families. We must
enshrine the right to access IVF into law so that everyone who
wants to start a family can do so.
[Applause.]
Mr. Levin. Thank you. And I am out of time, but I will just
say this is very important for our military and veteran
families as well, and I urge my colleagues to pass the Veteran
Families Health Services Act, which will enshrine this coverage
into law.
And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
Chairman Bost. Thank you. General Bergman, you are
recognized for 3 minutes.
HON. JACK BERGMAN,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM MICHIGAN
Mr. Bergman. Thank you, Chairman, and I would like to thank
all of you. By the way, any Michiganders in the crowd? All
right. At least there are a couple of us everywhere. I would
like to thank everybody for your testimony today and for all
the work that your organizations have done on behalf of our
nation's veterans, because we would not be a nation without our
veterans.
I also greatly appreciate all your advocacy and the support
that has helped us advance some extremely important veterans
bills in the House. For example--and I know Senator Dole is
sitting here--the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act and Gerald's Law
that you championed and became reality, we could not have done
it without you, so thank you.
You know, when you only have 3 minutes you do not waste
time, but as a Marine I do not waste time anyway, so let's get
right to the heart of one thing. You know, Mr. Thomas, I
greatly appreciate being able to hear PVA's perspective on the
issues facing paralyzed veterans. I would also like to thank
you for PVA's work with my office and your endorsement of H.R.
6373, the Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices, or
Veterans STAND Act, which I recently introduced along with
Chairman Bost, Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Brownley, and
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell from Michigan.
We introduced this bill to make it easier for veterans with
spinal cord injuries and disorders to be evaluated and receive
assistive technology that they are already clinically eligible
for.
Could you just speak, Mr. Thomas, just a little bit about
what that means to be assisted with new technologies?
Mr. Thomas. Thank you for that question. So any time that
we can get any new assistive technology that can help us either
ambulate, wheel around, function in our homes, it is a great
thing to have. We know that technology is changing on a daily
basis, and having new equipment is great.
Also in your bill we see that it also goes in to talk about
individuals having annual exams. We feel as though all members
with SCI/D should have an annual exam yearly.
Mr. Bergman. You know, and time is short, but you ended
with a perfect point. Just because we are doing something one
way today, that does not mean two things could occur. That
veteran could have issues, plus or minus, depending on how it
is going, but also the introduction of new and appropriate
technologies to advance, to continue to advance the personal
capabilities, especially when it comes to spinal cord injuries.
So I am honored to be with all of you today. Thank you all
for being here. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I will yield back
5 seconds.
Chairman Bost. Thank you, General. Representative Landsman.
HON. GREG LANDSMAN,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM OHIO
Mr. Landsman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you all for
being here and your incredibly important, helpful testimony. I
have one question, well, two if I can get to it. But I would
love to hear, obviously from you, Mr. Lyon, first, but anyone
else who wants to jump in, we have a really wonderful VA in
Cincinnati, and one of the things that we are struggling with
is how we get young people, younger veterans--and many of you
spoke to how important time is as it relates to any of these
efforts.
And so I am curious. What is the one thing you would say to
a young person that we need to be communicating more to get
them in? What is the most compelling selling point to get
somebody engaged in learning about what they are eligible for?
And then as it relates to engaging young people and getting
veterans in earlier, what is the one thing that we should be
doing that we are not?
Mr. Lyon. Thank you very much for the question. I will do
my best to answer it succinctly. When we look at the
transitioning force, the vast majority of those individuals
will have served in the military for 6 years or less. The vast
majority of that population will be of the prior rank, like
myself, E-5 or below. Those individuals, at over 70 percent
rate, their likely transition strategy includes education and
training. What I would say to them is they do not realize that
it is that high, and you belong in higher education, and it is
for you.
Second, what we could be doing that we are not is
understanding that the GI Bill and all VA education benefits
serve as the front door for the VA. Chronically, the VA
struggles to reach out to veterans under the age of 45, and the
transitioning force is under the age of 30. If we use those VA
education benefits to reach out to the population and both let
them know what they are eligible for by making it easy but also
let them know that the Federal Government is an employment
opportunity, we can fill gaps in two unique ways. Thank you for
the question.
Mr. Landsman. Thank you, education and jobs. And on our end
a piece of advice. I mean, one of the things that seems simple
enough is we have talked about getting the VA on the website
and then to spend some money on digital to make sure that it is
popping up in front of folks. Just a simple, very quick
benefits, like here is who I am, what am I eligible for. And it
does not say you are 100 percent eligible for these things, but
by and large you are probably eligible for these things, click
here to learn more.
Mr. Lyon. In Cincinnati, specifically, you could literally
support the VetSuccess on Campus, so that is VSOC, or then also
the VA VITAL Program to ensure full access to all that VBA and
VHA has, but also conduct outreach from that local Cincinnati
location to every educational institution around you. The
likelihood that you will find veterans there is better than
almost anywhere else.
Mr. Landsman. Thank you. I yield back. Thank you.
Chairman Bost. Thank you. And we want to thank everyone for
being here today.
Let me say this, as Chairmen. As members, all of us, and
especially as Chairmen and Ranking Members, understand that we
are going to work to try to move as many of our priorities as
we can, and even in this environment we are going to try to
move them. But our job is not only to move legislation and do
that, but our job is also to make sure we do the oversight that
we have to, to make sure the VA is delivering on those things
that we pass, and realize that they are law, not suggestion.
Sometimes that is some problems we have when you are dealing
with the second-largest bureaucracy in the world.
And let me say this. From my position as Chairman I will
fight for you every day. As I said at the start, it is very
personal to me. But I want to thank you for sharing your
priorities, and it is clear we have a lot of work to do.
And we are going to deviate from adjourning and Mr. Mrvan,
you are recognized for 5 minutes, or 3 minutes.
HON. FRANK MRVAN,
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM INDIANA
Mr. Mrvan. Chairman Bost, 3 minutes, yes. I will be
concise. Thank you, Chairman Bost, Chairman Tester, Ranking
Member Takano, and Ranking Member Moran, for holding this
hearing today. I would also like to thank the VSO presence here
today to tell us about their respective organizations and
legislative priorities for 2024.
I want to first recognize one of the witnesses on this
panel who is a leader in veterans' advocacy from my home State
of Indiana, President and National Association of State
Directors of Veterans Affairs, Dennis Wimer. The National
Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs is an
essential voice for veterans at both the state and Federal
level. They are responsible for facilitating cooperation
amongst the VA directors in each state to provide uniform,
equal, efficient, and effective services to veterans and their
family members.
As further testament to Mr. Wimer's commitment to Indiana
veterans, on top of his duties as President of the National
Association of States Directors of Veterans Affairs, Mr. Wimer
also serves as the Director of Indiana Department of Veteran
Affairs.
On Monday, I was privileged to spend the entire day with
Director Wimer and the Dole vets, Assistant Secretary James
Rodriguez, meeting with the service providers and businesses
that assist veterans with career exploration, training, and job
placement, as well as supportive services for veterans
experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Together we saw the
WorkOne facility in Hammond, the Homeless Veterans
Reintegration Program in Gary, Indiana, and the Indiana/
Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters' Joint
Apprenticeship Training Center in Merrillville, and Operation
Charlie Bravo in Crown Point.
I thank you for taking the time to come to my district to
see the incredible programs we have assisted veterans in
northwest Indiana. Thank you for your service and your
commitment to helping veterans in Indiana and across our
country, and thank you for being here to testify today.
With that I would also like to ask a question. I would like
to take this time to ask Mr. Lyon about the education-related
benefits available to veterans' survivors and dependents. Today
I introduced the Gold Star Family Education Parity Act, which
would sunset Chapter 35 and enroll survivors and dependents
into Chapter 33, ensuring they have the access to the superior
education benefits provided under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Mr. Lyon, do you believe Chapter 35 is an adequate benefit,
or is it time to modernize for Gold Star families?
Mr. Lyon. When we look at the issues--sir, thank you,
first, for the question and the nuanced understanding of our
population and community it is greatly appreciated. When we
look at the needs for Gold Star family members, those survivors
are often forgotten. We umbrella-term the population and
suggest that military connected is enough to define folks that
have lost their connection to the military, often in very
tragic circumstances.
By looking at comprehensive reform, we have the ability to
ensure that not only is no one left behind goes for those in
the uniform but also for the family members that they do leave
behind. And I would assume that everybody on this panel would
agree that we hold it as a sacred obligation to support them
deeply. Reform is desperately needed. Thank you, sir.
Mr. Mrvan. Mr. Lyon, thank you for your opinion.
[Applause.]
Mr. Mrvan. And with that I yield back, Chairman Bost.
Chairman Bost. Thank you. So obviously it is clear that we
have a lot of work to still do in the year ahead, and we will
continue to look to each of you to kind of be the guiding
lights to help us do those things that we need to do and make
sure that we provide for those who have given their service to
this country.
We will keep the record open now for a week, for any future
input that you would want to make. And with that we are
adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 1:13 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
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