    [Senate Hearing 118-250]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                            S. Hrg. 118-250

                        LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF THE
                   AMERICAN LEGION AND MULTI VSOs: JWV, TAPS,
                   NCHV, MOAA, NACVSO, NCAI, VVA, NGAUS, FRA

    =======================================================================

                                  JOINT HEARING

                                   BEFORE THE

                         COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
                            HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                    AND THE

                         COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
                              UNITED STATES SENATE

                        ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

                                 SECOND SESSION

                                   __________

                                 MARCH 13, 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
    55-120 PDF                  WASHINGTON : 2024

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     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

                                  ----------

            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

                                  ----------

                                 March 13, 2024

                                                                       Page

                                REPRESENTATIVES

    Hon. Mike Bost, Chairman, U.S. Representative from Illinois......     2
    Hon. Mark Takano, Ranking Member, U.S. Representative from
      California.....................................................     8
    Hon. Chris Pappas, U.S. Representative from New Hampshire........    15
    Hon. Elijah Crane, U.S. Representative from Arizona..............    18
    Hon. Keith Self, U.S. Representative from Texas..................    20
    Hon. Delia C. Ramirez, U.S. Representative from Illinois.........    20
    Hon. Greg Landsman, U.S. Representative from Ohio................    22
    Hon. Mike Levin, U.S. Representative from California.............    43

                                    SENATORS

    Hon. Jon Tester, Chairman, U.S. Senator from Montana.............     1
    Hon. Angus S. King, Jr., U.S. Senator from Maine.................    14
    Hon. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator from Connecticut...........    16
    Hon. Margaret Wood Hassan, U.S. Senator from New Hampshire.......    19

                       INTRODUCTION OF DANIEL J. SEEHAFER

    The Honorable Scott Fitzgerald, U.S. Representative from
      Wisconsin......................................................     4

                                   WITNESSES
                                    Panel I

    Daniel J. Seehafer, National Commander, The American Legion......     5

      accompanied by

      Chanin Nuntavong, National Executive Director

      Patricia Harris, Chairwoman, Legislative Commission

      Julia Mathis, Director, Legislative Division

      Autrey James, Chairman, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
        Commission

      Tiffany Ellett, Director, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
        Division

      John Bowen, Chairman, Veterans Employment and Education
        Commission

      Joe Sharpe, Director, Veterans Employment and Education
        Division

                                    Panel II

    COL Barry Lischinsky, USA (Ret.), National Commander, Jewish War
      Veterans of the USA............................................    23

    Rebecca Harrison Mullaney, Surviving Spouse of Army Captain Ian
      Morrison, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.............    25

    Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer, National Coalition for
      Homeless Veterans..............................................    27

    CDR Rene Campos, USN (Ret.), Senior Director of Government
      Relations for Veterans Wounded Warrior Care, Military Officers
      Association of America.........................................    29

                                Panel II (cont.)

    Michael McLaughlin, Legislative Director, National Association of
      County Veterans Service Officers...............................    30

    Melvin Sheldon, Jr., Alternate Vice President-Northwest Region,
      National Congress of American Indians..........................    32

    Jack McManus, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America....    34

    Maj. Gen. Frank McGinn (Ret.), President, National Guard
      Association of the United States...............................    36

    John S. Handzuk, National President, Fleet Reserve Association...    38

                                    APPENDIX
                              Prepared Statements

    Daniel J. Seehafer, National Commander, The American Legion......    51

    COL Barry Lischinsky, USA (Ret.), National Commander, Jewish War
      Veterans of the USA............................................    81

      Attachment A--Letter dated November 3, 2023....................    96
      Attachment B--``Special Focus on Antisemitism'' Summary........    98

    Rebecca Harrison Mullaney, Surviving Spouse of Army Captain Ian
      Morrison, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.............   100

    Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer, National Coalition for
      Homeless Veterans..............................................   135

    CDR Rene Campos, USN (Ret.), Senior Director of Government
      Relations for Veterans Wounded Warrior Care, Military Officers
      Association of America.........................................   148

    Michael McLaughlin, Legislative Director, National Association of
      County Veterans Service Officers...............................   173

      Attachment--NACVSO Priorities for the 118th Congress...........   178

    Melvin Sheldon, Jr., Alternate Vice President-Northwest Region,
      National Congress of American Indians..........................   180

    Jack McManus, National President, Vietnam Veterans of America....   186

    Maj. Gen. Frank McGinn (Ret.), President, National Guard
      Association of the United States...............................   197

    John S. Handzuk, National President, Fleet Reserve Association...   203

                           Statements for the Record

    Hon. Delia C. Ramirez, U.S. Representative from Illinois.........   223

    American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society, Jan
      Thompson, President............................................   225

    Black Veterans Empowerment Council, Inc., Shawn Deadwiler,
      President and Chairman of the Board............................   229

    D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at
      Syracuse University............................................   238

    Gold Star Wives of America, Inc..................................   247

    Jose D. Acevedo, U.S. Navy Veteran, Juris Doctor.................   251

    Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A., Ralph
      ``Carder'' Ferguson, National Commander........................   263

    Minority Veterans of America, Lindsay Church, Executive Director
      and Co-Founder; Peter Perkowski, Legal and Policy Director.....   276

    Modern Military Association of America, Rachel Branaman,
      Executive Director.............................................   294

    Quality of Life Foundation.......................................   304

    Reserve Organization of America, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips,
      U.S. Army (Ret.)...............................................   311

    Veterans Education Success.......................................   333

     LEGISLATIVE PRESENTATION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION AND MULTI VSOS: JWV,
                TAPS, NCHV, MOAA, NACVSO, NCAI, VVA, NGAUS, FRA

                                  ----------

                           WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024

             U.S. House of Representatives, and
                                           U.S. Senate,
                                Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
                                                        Washington, DC.

        The Joint Committees met, pursuant to notice, at 10:11
    a.m., in Room 390, Cannon House Office Building, Hon. Mike
    Bost, Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, presiding.

        Present:

        Representatives Bost, Crane, Self, Takano, Levin, Pappas,
    Ramirez, Deluzio, McGarvey, and Landsman.

        Senators Tester, Brown, Blumenthal, Hassan, and King.

            OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JON TESTER, CHAIRMAN,
                       U.S. SENATOR FROM MONTANA

        Chairman Tester [presiding]. We will call this hearing to
    order. Chairman Bost will be here shortly, but I think we
    should get going here.
        Commander Seehafer, thank you for being here. We appreciate
    the wisdom you are going to pass on to us here shortly, and we
    welcome the entire American Legion this morning.
        I want to thank the Legion for inviting me to be a speaker
    at their convention a few weeks ago. Hearing from your members
    is vital to shaping our policy and overseeing the actions of
    the VA.
        Commander Seehafer, thank you for being here. Thank you for
    the Legion's continued advocacy on behalf of our Nation's
    veterans. The American Legion has been a key partner in passing
    critical legislation for veterans and their families over the
    past few Congresses, including the Deborah Sampson Act, the
    Hannon Act, and most recently, the PACT Act.
        The PACT Act was a heavy lift, and I am here to say we
    couldn't have done it without you and the entire VSO community,
    so give yourselves a hand. Thank you very much.
        [Applause.]
        But the fact is our work here is far from being done. There
    are a number of issues requiring legislative action, from
    veteran suicide to homelessness to education benefits. We need
    the Legion's input and we need your support to get these
    priorities across the finish line.
        The suicide rates across the country, and particularly in
    the veterans community, continue to be at unacceptable levels,
    and we need to work together to help address the persistent
    issues causing veterans to feel like they have been left
    behind. That is why I introduced S. 928, the Not Just a Number
    Act, to identify nonhealthcare factors and to help prevent
    suicide.
        No veteran should have to worry about finding a safe place
    to sleep at night. My CHARGE Act seeks to give the VA the tools
    it needs to tackle veterans' homelessness.
        Members of the National Guard and Reserve should be earning
    the same educational benefits as their active duty
    counterparts. I was proud to join my colleagues up here in
    introducing the GI Bill Parity Act, giving reserve component
    servicemembers credit for their time in uniform.
        But these legislative priorities and increased benefits
    need to be safeguarded from those that are looking to prey on
    our veterans. Veterans should not have to pay for assistance
    when seeking VA benefits. I hope to hear from you today about
    how we can work together to go after predatory claims
    consultants looking to get rich on the earned benefits of our
    veterans, like the folks in this room.
        For the veterans here today, thank you for your service and
    thank you for your work on behalf of fellow veterans.
        With that, Chairman Bost, good to see you here, man.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MIKE BOST, CHAIRMAN,
                   U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ILLINOIS

        Chairman Bost [presiding]. You know, for some reason I have
    to figure out where the buttons are in here. For some reason,
    they like want us to vote. I don't understand.
        Chairman Tester. Constitutional duty, too?
        Chairman Bost. Yes, it is all that.
        Chairman Tester. Okay.
        Chairman Bost. Hey, good morning, everyone. And I want to
    thank you for being here. And I would like to welcome Senator
    Chairman Tester and thank him for going ahead and kicking this
    off, and Ranking Member Moran, who I am sure will be here
    shortly. I want to thank you all for joining us.
        And a good morning to all of my fellow Legionnaires. And,
    you know, as you can tell, I am a proud member of the
    Murphysboro, Illinois, Paul Stout American Legion Post 127.
    [Applause.] Now, let me tell you a little bit about our post.
    It has been around quite some time. And Paul Stout was a
    private who fought in Belleau Wood, fought in Belleau, and then
    fell in the next battle up the road. And we have been around
    for quite a few years under the name Paul Stout. So much so
    that when we celebrated the hundredth anniversary, we actually
    had a Paul Stout beer made. So, at any rate, so, and I need to
    let you know I am paid up on my dues, just so you know.
    [Laughter.] Okay.
        I would like to welcome all the American Legion national
    and all the members and our national commander, Daniel
    Seehafer, and his wife, Stacey, for being here today. I would
    also like to give a shout-out to all the American Legion
    auxiliary president, Lisa Williamson, and the national
    commander of the Sons, Donald Lee Hall, or Junior as he is
    known, for being here today as well. And a special welcome to
    everyone from Illinois. If you can raise and say, hey, we are
    here, just so you--there we go. All right.
        [Applause.]
        So, as most of you know, being the Chairman is not a
    responsibility I take lightly. It is very, very personal to me,
    and I know it is personal to you. To explain to you if you
    don't know, I am a Marine. My grandfather on my mother's side,
    Marine, Korean War. My dad and his brothers were all Army,
    Korean War. My uncle was Vietnam, Marine. He was the victim of
    the ultimate oxymoron, friendly fire. He did not pass. He has
    had a very successful life, but he does have a 100 percent
    rating, and the VA has been very good to him over his life
    after his time of service. My son is a lieutenant colonel in
    the Marine Corps right now, Reservist, but was active for many
    years. And my grandson is an F-18 mechanic, a corporal in
    Miramar, California. So it is very, very personal to me as it
    is to you.
        I know the sacrifices you have made. I know the sacrifices
    that your family has made. And I know at the end of the day,
    you just want access to healthcare and benefits and services
    you have earned without a big headache. Our Veterans Service
    Organizations community play a vitally important role in making
    all of that happen.
        You know where VA is falling short because you hear it from
    the boots on the ground that you talk to every day and all
    around this country, you know what the problems are. And you
    also know that the statement is, if you have seen one VA, you
    have seen one VA, because they all have unique issues and
    problems. Some are wonderful, some we got to work on.
        But make no mistake, your advocacy here in DC and across
    the country really makes a difference. And I am proud of all
    that we have accomplished together over the last few years,
    including the President signing the bipartisan PACT Act and
    putting that into law.
        Now, this is the largest expansion of healthcare and
    benefits for veterans and their families in recent history, and
    we are going to make sure VA gets it right. Because sometimes,
    I don't know, if you know this, we pass laws, then we have to
    do a follow-up and make sure they are actually doing what we
    said to do. So as Chairman, it is my top priority of mine to
    hold the VA accountable for you, the men and women who serve,
    no matter what. So please call or visit our website to report
    waste, fraud, or abuse. We need your help to make the VA what
    you deserve.
        Looking ahead, I am going to be focusing on improvements
    where we can to modernizing the delivery of care and services
    from the VA. We have made great progress in identifying
    improvements that could be made for the veterans' community
    care program through our oversight efforts. We are also working
    on legislation to increase accessibility and accountability in
    the VA healthcare system. As Chairman and as a fellow veteran,
    I will keep pushing the VA to be more transparent with veterans
    when they are deciding their best option for care, whether in
    the VA or in the community.
        Now, right now we are in a bipartisan negotiation to get a
    package of veterans bills to the President's desk. This
    comprehensive package includes many of American Legion's
    priorities, like expansion of the VA's long-term care service
    to put veterans in control of where they want to live out the
    rest of their days, strengthening the community care program,
    expansion of VET TEC education program, and there is so much
    more we are going to be working on. We will get the package
    done this year, but our work is nowhere near being finished. We
    know we have got still a lot to do.
        My door will always continue to be open to each of you
    because veterans are still fighting a VA bureaucracy to access
    the healthcare they want when and where they need it; facing
    challenges receiving timely healthcare and services in rural
    and remote areas; dealing with underperforming VA employees who
    don't always have the veteran's best interest in mind; and
    dealing with the effects of a 20-year war and accessing
    quality, timely, comprehensive mental healthcare and support.
        Now, these might seem like small things, but it comes down
    to this. They impact veterans' lives every single day. I
    promise to keep up the fight that we are all in together. And
    now it is not the time to take our foot off the accelerator.
    And I will ensure that VA gets the budget it needs to complete
    the goal.
        I look forward to meeting the mission alongside of every
    one of you. Thank you again for being here today.
        Chairman Bost. And with that, I was going to yield to
    Chairman Tester, but obviously he has already finished his
    opening remarks. I was going to say something and allow Mr.
    Takano and then yield to Senator Moran. Obviously, I am the one
    here.
        So, what I would like to do at this time is say welcome and
    yield to our gentleman from Wisconsin, Representative
    Fitzgerald, to introduce the American Legion's commander.

               INTRODUCTION BY THE HON. SCOTT FITZGERALD

        Mr. Fitzgerald. Thank you, Chairman Bost. It is great to be
    with you here today. Especially great to be sitting here
    alongside American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer,
    who I am very proud to be introducing today. I have always
    revered the American Legion for their work, from my days as a
    recruit at Fort Jackson all throughout my career to finishing
    up as a battalion commander with the U.S. Army Reserves.
        It is leaders like Commander Seehafer who keep the mission
    alive. Mr. Seehafer was elected national commander of the
    American Legion last August in Charlotte, North Carolina,
    during the 104th National Convention. For any of you familiar
    with him, you know, he likes to say it is personal when talking
    about the American Legion's mission of serving veterans and
    their families.
        Though he serves all veterans, Mr. Seehafer is a
    Wisconsinite through and through. He was born and raised in
    Merrill, Wisconsin, and lives in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, today
    with his children and, as mentioned earlier by the Chairman,
    his wife Stacey, who is a member of the American Legion
    Auxiliary Unit 157. So obviously it is kind of a family effort.
        Mr. Seehafer is an ordained minister from Wisconsin, where
    he also earned his American Legion eligibility through service
    in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve. He even served as a military
    chaplain. Commander Seehafer was installed as assistant pastor
    of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Horicon in 1997 and
    continues to serve as administrative pastor of the church and
    its school.
        A member of American Legion Post 157 in Horicon, Commander
    Seehafer served in a number of American Legion offices at every
    level, including national chaplain and commander of the
    Department of Wisconsin.
        As if this wasn't impressive enough, Mr. Seehafer earned an
    Outstanding Heroism Award for administering the Heimlich
    maneuver to a choking victim at an American Legion dinner. Like
    I said, his dedication to service knows no bounds.
        I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to also
    recognize Mr. Seehafer and the American Legion for the
    important advocacy work that they do here in Congress on behalf
    of veterans and their families. The PACT Act immediately comes
    to mind. I was certainly proud, like other Members of Congress,
    to support this bipartisan legislation. And thanks to the help
    of folks like Mr. Seehafer, Commander Seehafer, we got the
    legislation across the finish line to enact the most
    significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic-
    exposed veterans.
        His qualifications and record truly say it all. The
    American Legion is lucky to have Commander Seehafer as a
    leader. And we as members of the American Legion are fortunate
    enough to be able to not only hear his testimony today, but
    look forward to his actions in the future.
        With that, it is my great privilege and honor to welcome a
    fellow Wisconsinite to this hearing on behalf of the American
    Legion.
        I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. And, Commander, you are
    recognized for 10 minutes for your opening statement.

                                PANEL I

                                  ----------

       STATEMENT OF DANIEL J. SEEHAFER, NATIONAL COMMANDER, THE
       AMERICAN LEGION ACCOMPANIED BY CHANIN NUNTAVONG, NATIONAL
     EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; PATRICIA HARRIS, CHAIRWOMAN, LEGISLATIVE
       COMMISSION; JULIA MATHIS, DIRECTOR, LEGISLATIVE DIVISION;
      AUTREY JAMES, CHAIRMAN, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REHABILITATION
       COMMISSION; TIFFANY ELLET, DIRECTOR, VETERANS AFFAIRS AND
        REHABILITATION DIVISION; JOHN BOWEN, CHAIRMAN, VETERANS
    EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION COMMISSION; AND JOE SHARPE, DIRECTOR,
               VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION DIVISION

        Mr. Seehafer. First of all, thank you, Representative
    Fitzgerald, for being here. I appreciate that, taking time out
    of your schedule.
        Mr. Chairman, with your permission, I would like to begin
    by introducing the individuals who are sitting on this panel
    with me: our legislative chair, Patricia Harris, and director,
    Julia Mathis; our Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation director,
    Tiffany Ellet; our Veterans Employment and Education chair, Jay
    Bowen, and director, Joe Sharpe; and our executive director,
    Chanin Nuntavong.
        Now, I want the representatives of our nearly 3 million
    American Legion family members to please stand and be
    recognized. First of all, our national officers serving with me
    this year [applause]. Next, our past national commanders
    [applause]; our national president of the American Legion
    Auxiliary, Lisa Williamson [applause]; our national commander
    of the Sons of the American Legion, Donald Lee J. R. Hall, Jr.
    [applause.] And finally, it is of extreme importance for me to
    recognize my wife once again, Stacey, who is my biggest
    supporter and ally, who I deeply love.
        [Applause.]
        Now that you met our leaders, let's get to the purpose and
    the relevance of this testimony. Chairman Bost and Ranking
    Member Takano, Chairman Tester and Ranking Member Moran, it is
    my honor and privilege to share with you and your Committees
    the American Legion's top priorities for the second session of
    the 118th Congress.
        In my opening statement, however, I will address something
    that is more than a priority to us. In fact, I heard it
    described as a marketing campaign and cool slogan to a catchy
    phrase and even a worthwhile initiative. However, none of these
    words appropriately reflect what ``Be the One'' is to the
    American Legion family. Rather, it is a mission, our mission,
    to change lives and save lives. And yes, Chairman, it is
    personal.
        There is no single deed that the American Legion family can
    accomplish that outweighs the prevention of a veteran from
    taking their own life. Nothing. We know firsthand that we have
    saved lives. Legionnaires like Jeff Freeman from Post 190 in
    Rippen, California, continues to live life now with purpose and
    relevance. Last year, at one of our Be the One events, he told
    us that the Legion saved my life. You see, it was 10 years
    after he attempted suicide. He is not a victim, but a suicide
    survivor. That is what Be the One is. It is our mission to be
    the one to save one.
        We do this then by destigmatizing the issue of mental
    health. Veterans value courage and it takes courage to ask for
    help. However, the American Legion doesn't sit back and just
    wait. Instead, we take a proactive approach and ask veterans if
    they are okay. That is what we call the buddy check. We thank
    Congress and Members of this critical Committee for passing
    legislation directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to
    conduct its own National Buddy Check Week, and they did thanks
    to you. Thanks to you. Just like you did with the PACT Act.
    Again, thank you for that.
        [Applause.]
        Now, when we look at the buddy check, without a doubt, it
    made an impact. Personal contact changes lives and personal
    contact saves lives, period. A major purpose of the American
    Legion's Be the One mission is to raise awareness. We have lost
    more than 135,000 veterans to suicide since 9/11. This is well
    more than all the American deaths incurred during the entire
    Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and the Global War on
    Terrorism combined. A veteran is 50 percent more likely to take
    their own life than a person who has never served in the
    military. This must stop!
        [Applause.]
        So, what can Congress do? Well, I am so, so glad you asked.
    Congress can be the one to enhance the military experience by
    supporting quality of life legislation. Be the one then to
    expand access to affordable childcare, increase funding for
    barracks and family housing, and ensure timely access to mental
    healthcare.
        Congress can also be the one to improve oversight of
    military sexual trauma and ensure that both the departments of
    Veterans Affairs and Defense provide timely, meaningful, and
    sensitive treatment for those who have experienced it.
        And Congress can be the one to expand research and access
    to alternative treatments and therapies. The National Survey on
    Drug Use and Health shows that in 2021, approximately 2.8
    million veterans experienced an illicit drug or alcohol use
    disorder, and 92.4 percent did not receive treatment. We urge
    you to consider legislation that would effectively address TBI
    and PTSD.
        We also know that if services are offered, services will be
    used. In 2023, the first year that VA enacted a new policy
    offering free emergency suicide prevention care in and outside
    the VA system, 49,714 veterans accessed this benefit, saving a
    projected $64 million in healthcare costs.
        When I was first elected last year in August, one of my
    very first visits not only impacted me personally, but really
    solidified the importance of our mission, a mission, again, of
    purpose and relevance; again, changing lives and saving lives.
    After my remarks in Tennessee, a veteran came up to me and
    said, ``Commander, what you talked about, that was me. That was
    me.'' You see, he was wounded by an IED and was not only
    struggling with PTSD, but TBI as well. As he left the military
    and transitioned into the civilian life, the pressures of life
    itself, family expenses and needs, did not stop just because he
    was injured. He didn't think his family would stick around. And
    honestly, he was starting to question if he should stay around,
    too.
        In fact, this wheelchair-bound veteran wheeled himself into
    another organization and requested assistance, not just with
    hands out, asking for money, but direction. However, the
    members never looked up from their card game. But one voice
    penetrated his soul, saying, I fought my war. I can't fight
    yours.
        With feelings of hopelessness, desperation, and rejection,
    he decided to end his life. So he put a revolver in his mouth
    and pulled the trigger not once, but twice. Both times,
    however, it did not fire. I personally believe that God gave
    many reasons why it did not go off.
        First of all, not only placing American Legion Post 172 in
    Georgia in his path, but empowering, empowering their
    leadership to take him in that caring embrace that they gave
    and connecting him with the right people at the right time,
    which not only saved his home and family, but him, also. So
    that this young veteran would realize his purpose and relevance
    in life as he now leads his post as their commander. Talk about
    changing a life and saving a life.
        And finally, it is for us. It is for us even today, because
    we, too, can be the one to change a life and even save a life
    in what we do for our veterans and their families. This, this,
    ladies and gentlemen, is why we have Be the One.
        [Applause.]
        In addition to our Be the One mission, the American Legion
    has other priorities, which we submit as part of our written
    testimony here today. Criminally punishing companies that prey
    on veterans and their families is extremely important. And we
    see a constant barrage of advertisements from unaccredited
    actors who charge excessive fees for services on claims that
    should be provided at no cost, requiring all separating
    servicemembers to participate in a robust transition assistance
    program which would cover employment and business
    opportunities, educational resources, housing options, health
    benefits, and other quality of life topics that can improve
    mental wellness and reduce suicide.
        Ensuring that every, yes, every branch of our military is
    paid in the event of a government shutdown. The last long
    shutdown caused a pay interruption for the U.S. Coast Guard.
    This should never, ever happen again.
        Pundits and self-proclaimed experts tell us not to be--or
    that is not to expect, rather, major legislation from a divided
    Congress during a Presidential election year. Well, Chair and
    everyone, I do reject that analysis. Veterans issues have
    traditionally unified Congress because in your hearts we know
    you love this country, we know, and truly wish to serve
    veterans. We know you do that just as veterans have served
    America. A major step in this direction would be the passage
    then of a budget, a complete budget, not another CR.
        Today, Russia is on the march, illegal crossings at our
    southern border remain high, and veterans continue to fight
    that plague of suicide. My friends, any member of the military
    will tell you that you cannot move forward without a plan. Yes,
    you may win a firefight here and there, but you will not
    achieve your overall mission without a plan. For the sake of
    veterans, their families, and for all Americans, I implore you,
    I implore you to put partisan politics aside and give us your
    plan.
        Chairman Bost, Chairman Tester, right, and Members of the
    Committees on Veterans' Affairs, on behalf of the American
    Legion, I thank you for giving the Nation's largest Veterans
    Service Organization the opportunity to share our priorities. I
    welcome any questions you have for me, our commission chairs,
    and, of course, our national staff.
        And I end by asking you to join the American Legion. No, I
    take that back. To join the American Legion family in changing
    lives and saving lives today and now. Thank you.
        [Standing ovation.]

        [The prepared statement of Mr. Seehafer appears on page 51
    of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. First off, thank you for that opening. And
    before we go to questions, we are joined by Ranking Member
    Takano. It is kind of busy this morning and things are jumping
    around, but he has an opening statement and he is recognized
    for that.

                 OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARK TAKANO,
          RANKING MEMBER, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA

        Mr. Takano. Well, thank you, Chairman Bost.
        And I would like to start by extending a welcome to our
    Senate colleagues on the House side this morning. It is a
    pleasure to be here today, and it is really great to see all
    the VSO members and veteran advocates in our annual discussion
    of priorities.
        I am very pleased to see National Commander Daniel
    Seehafer. Thank you for your opening statement, and other
    representatives of the American Legion, and to learn about your
    legislative priorities for the second session of the 118th
    Congress.
        And I know that the Legion held its fly-in a couple of
    weeks ago, but if there are any Californians here today, I
    extend a hardy welcome. So, Californians, let me know if you
    are here. Great.
        [Applause.]
        I also welcome Korean-American Vietnam veterans from New
    York and Washington and the Washington area, Korean-American
    veterans. Thank you.
        [Applause.]
        I look forward to hearing from the VSOs represented on our
    second panel. And during the previous two Congresses, I made it
    my mission to diversify the voices that are represented at
    these hearings. We were successfully able to include several
    organizations whose demographic groups had never been
    represented in these critical conversations, and I am grateful
    to see that Tribal veterans continue to be represented. But I
    am disappointed that none of this year's invitees specifically
    represent the voices of veterans of color, LGBTQ+, and other
    minority veterans. Creating a VA that is welcome to all
    veterans is one of my priorities, and getting there starts with
    ensuring those veterans are represented in conversations about
    veterans issues and priorities.
        These hearings are our opportunity to hear from
    organizations like yours about what issues are impacting
    veterans and what Congress needs to do to help. I read in the
    testimony that one of Vietnam Veterans of America's priorities
    is honoring past VVA National President Thomas Corey. For
    almost 40 years, Mr. Corey was a tireless advocate for Vietnam
    veterans and veterans of every generation. His passing a couple
    of months ago was deeply felt in the veteran community. I know
    that Congressman Mast has introduced a bill to name the VA
    Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Thomas H. Corey
    Healthcare System of West Palm Beach.
        I also want to thank the Vietnam veteran community for its
    support of the Korean American Valor Act. It became law in no
    small part because of the advocacy of this community and the
    support of this community, and we look forward to working with
    you all to ensure its timely implementation.
        I also want to take a moment to wholeheartedly support the
    effort and commit to working with Chairman Bost to getting it
    brought to the floor quickly. What I am referring to is the
    Mast legislation to rename the West Palm Beach Medical Center.
        I look forward to discussing other priorities of the
    American Legion and the organizations on our second panel this
    morning. It was during these very hearings a couple of years
    ago that the VSO spoke in a unified voice and gave us our
    marching orders to finally get my PACT Act passed. The Honoring
    our PACT Act has been called the single biggest expansion of
    veterans' healthcare and benefits in generations. The Biden
    administration believes so strongly in the importance of this
    legislation that it accelerated the PACT Act's timeline to make
    all veterans who were potentially exposed to toxins eligible to
    enroll in VA healthcare years ahead of schedule.
        We will continue to evaluate places where the PACT Act can
    and should be expanded. For example, there is new evidence
    supporting toxic exposure claims at K-2, and there are Blue
    Water Navy veterans who served outside of the demarcation line,
    but are experiencing the same disabilities and diseases as
    sailors who served a mere few miles away.
        The PACT Act was never meant to be a one and done. We will
    keep working to make it as comprehensive as possible. We knew
    that when we passed the PACT Act, and we still know, that
    addressing the effects of toxic exposure was going to be
    expensive. But that was the cost of war. That is the cost of
    war. And when we asked servicemembers to put their lives on a
    line, we didn't ask about the cost. And we shouldn't nickel and
    dime veterans now that they are home. We must ensure that the
    funds needed for healthcare and benefits for toxic-exposed
    veterans are always available.
        We must not go back to making veterans compete with other
    veterans or with other discretionary spending programs that
    serve all Americans. I give you my word that I will continue to
    fight to prevent that from happening.
        [Applause.]
        I also remain focused on ending veteran homelessness. And
    over the last couple of years, VA has made great progress in
    getting veterans housed. There are policy tools that reduce
    homelessness among veterans that we know work, and we have
    allowed VA's authority to use those tools to expire. We owe it
    to our veterans to ensure that they have a roof over their
    heads and a place to live, so we must get the Home Act passed.
        [Applause.]
        Now, veteran suicide has also been a priority for me. Well,
    let's say ending veteran suicide has been a priority for me and
    my colleagues on this Committee. We must ensure that VA has the
    tools and resources it needs to reach all veterans who are
    struggling. And I will continue to fight to ensure that VA is
    best positioned to address veteran suicide.
        And, Commander, your remarks were just so extremely
    poignant on this point, and, you know, I share that commitment
    with you all. And thanks to the implementation of the COMPACT
    Act, over the past year, over 50,000 veterans have called 988
    and have received emergency mental healthcare. So I am very
    grateful that we have seen that happen, and that happened on a
    bipartisan basis as well.
        We will continue to work with organizations like yours to
    ensure that no veteran slips through the cracks. The grassroots
    nature of your organization makes it much easier for us to
    ensure that we have eyes on as many veterans as possible. I
    know we can work together to make progress on reducing veteran
    suicide.
        I look forward to working with my colleagues to gain
    momentum on veterans legislation before this Congress ends. And
    I really hope that we can set aside issues that do not directly
    benefit veterans and instead focus on what we are here to do.
    We are here to ensure that the brave men and women who have
    given so much to this country receive the high-quality
    healthcare and benefits they have earned.
        So I thank you all for being here, and I look forward to
    hearing from you all.
        Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Ranking Member.
        And we are going to go to questions, and I will recognize
    myself for 3 minutes. I had to check with staff to see what was
    going on.
        Commander, you know, I was pleased that we were able to get
    my bill to protect veterans' Second Amendment rights signed
    into law through the VA appropriation bill, and I am grateful
    for the American Legion's support. In addition to protecting
    veterans' constitutional rights, how is it important to
    veterans' confidence level in the VA that that passed?
        Mr. Seehafer. Chairman, thank you for the question. And
    again, I am proud to say that since 1919, and again, when we
    raised our hand, we definitely made that commitment, didn't we,
    to uphold and defend that Constitution. And we will continue.
        Chairman Bost. And I thank you for that. I believe that
    with the passage of that, many of you that live in flyover
    country, that is what we refer to the middle part of this
    United States, where I live, many of our veterans chose not to
    use the VA because of the fear of the way they had implemented
    that and been doing that for 30 years.
        But I am also going to ask, so, last year, the American
    Legion testified before our Committee in support of H.R. 4278,
    the Restore VA Accountability Act. Now, why does the VA need
    these authorities to hold its small percentage of bad employees
    in check?
        Mr. Seehafer. Chairman, again, thank you for that and,
    again, your passion for serving veterans and their families. I
    am going to ask my director, Tiffany Ellet, for further
    comment.
        Ms. Ellet. Thank you, Commander. Thank you for the
    question, Mr. Chairman. It is good to see you.
        Chairman Bost. Good to see you.
        Ms. Ellet. It is really important that VA is full of staff
    that is going to take care of our veterans, one on the side of
    VA staff to be protected, but the other on the side of having
    that staff that is going to be there to protect our veterans.
    We do support your bill and thank you for introducing it. It is
    a really important thing to put out there.
        I did sit in on the AFGE-CIO meetings last--a couple of
    weeks ago, and there was an issue that was raised that we would
    like to talk to your office about with this piece of
    legislation that some of the staff are worried about leadership
    or other personnel using this legislation to get rid of people
    on a vendetta basis.
        Chairman Bost. I understand.
        Ms. Ellet. So they are concerned about that and we are
    concerned about that as we do want our VA employees to be there
    because we want retention. Right? So we would like to talk to
    your office and work with you in getting this piece of
    legislation, so it is protecting both the veteran and the VA.
        Chairman Bost. Wonderful. We look forward to working with
    you with that.
        Commander, we have got a very short time here, but what are
    some ways to increase accountability at DoD to make sure we are
    taking care of every servicemember's needs during their
    transition? Because I tell people that, you know, we had a TAP
    program whenever I got out in 1982, and the colonel tapped me
    on the shoulder and said, see you later [laughter]. The TAP
    program, if you want to expand where we want to----
        Mr. Seehafer. Right. Again, Chairman, thank you for that.
        You know, the TAP program is essential. And I think the
    whole concept of this is that we have the resources, but we are
    not implementing and giving the time. The time. When we are
    talking about our officers, and I even talked to Chairman
    Tester on this as well, you know, when I have the officers two
    years or whatever, that amount of time, and they are looking to
    the future already. What can I do to--you know, where am I
    going to live? How can I get this job? All these things. But
    the enlisted don't have that time. So, you know, we can't just
    throw the program away, obviously, because I know, I heard
    rumblings about something like that, or it is no good or it is
    a waste of time I even read. It is not. The resources are
    there. Let's use them. Implementation. Give our enlisted the
    time.
        [Applause.]
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. With that, Chairman Tester, you
    are recognized for 3 minutes.
        Chairman Tester. Thank you, Chairman.
        Commander, you are absolutely right. And I think that you
    know what many of us have found out over the last few years and
    that transition time and the mental health issues that we are
    seeing amongst our veterans are very closely connected. So we
    appreciate everything the American Legion is doing.
        I want to talk about toxic exposure for just a moment. More
    than 694,000 toxic-exposed veterans and survivors are receiving
    PACT Act benefits long overdue. I wasn't here for your
    testimony, I apologize. But I know your testimony rightly
    highlighted that some veterans are still waiting to have their
    toxic exposure properly recognized. And that is why we included
    science-driven framework for establishing new presumptive
    conditions.
        But my question is to you, Commander. Has the VA included
    your input, your input, when determining what exposures to put
    through the new presumptive process, such as the new report on
    Camp Lejeune?
        Mr. Seehafer. Again, first and foremost, I do want to say
    thank you again for making me feel comfortable, put it that
    way. Not only at your office, but the phone call, and even here
    today.
        Chairman Tester. You bet.
        Mr. Seehafer. Since I have been traveling a lot, just to
    answer that question, I am going to ask our director, Tiffany
    Ellet, because she is boots on the ground on this one.
        Chairman Tester. All right. Tiffany.
        Mr. Seehafer. Tiffany?
        Ms. Ellet. Thank you, Commander. It is good to see you, Mr.
    Chairman. Thank you for the question.
        We work with the VA very closely. They do ask us to be a
    part of working groups, roundtables, open sessions, closed
    sessions. So I have a very good working relationship with VBA
    and VHA, so they do ask us for input, and it feels like they
    are really receiving it. So as far as I know, we are working
    pretty well together.
        Chairman Tester. That is good news, because they are
    working for you, so they should be listening to you.
        [Laughter.]
        Look, a common theme at VSO hearings is the need to crack
    down on predatory claim consultants. This question is for you,
    Commander, whoever you want to relay it to. Does the American
    Legion support our efforts to reinstate criminal penalties for
    violating existing law through S. 740, which is also called the
    GUARD Act?
        Mr. Seehafer. Chairman, again, thank you for that question
    and, again, your passion on this.
        Without a doubt, we support that legislation. And again, it
    pains me to know that there are predators out there. In fact, I
    am going to give you a real live situation, because some people
    don't think this exists.
        I had a Legionnaire that was severely injured, and a
    predator sought him out, gave him his card, and he says, no, I
    am okay. He wanted to push his services on him, and he says, I
    am okay. I have the American Legion. Do you know what his
    response was? Oh, you are going that way.
        Chairman Tester. Yes.
        Mr. Seehafer. That is sick to me. That is sick, because
    what we do is we have our service officers. That is the true
    ally, the true friend, that I want standing not only by the
    veteran, but also supporting the family. That is who we are.
        And you know something? What we charge? That is right. I
    always like to say it is F-r-double E, period.
        Chairman Tester. Thank you, Commander. I appreciate you. I
    appreciate the American Legion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Ranking Member Takano, you are
    recognized.
        Mr. Takano. So you all say, don't free the sharks. You know
    that phrase?
        Chairman Bost. Yes, we know that phrase. Yes.
        Mr. Takano. Don't free the sharks. Don't feed the sharks.
        So, Commander Seehafer, in reading the sections of your
    testimony on the Transition Assistance Program, I definitely
    agree that these services need to be held accountable for
    getting services to TAP on time. So I proposed moving primary
    jurisdiction in Congress for TAP from the Armed Services
    Committees to the Veterans' Affairs Committee so that we can
    better hold the services accountable. What would you think
    about that? Would you all think about supporting that move to
    ensure greater oversight over the TAP program?
        Mr. Seehafer. Congressman Takano, again, thank you for your
    dedication to veterans as well as the family. I do want to ask
    our executive director to respond.
        Mr. Nuntavong. Thank you. Thank you, Commander.
        Ranking Member Takano, we love this Committee. We trust
    this Committee. We would support that effort.
        [Applause.]
        Mr. Takano. Well, thank you. I have been talking to the
    Chairman about that, and, you know, I think trying to get the
    two Committees together has been a problem and a challenge. But
    I think, you know, I don't want to ding our folks over on the
    Armed Services side, but I just think we pay more attention,
    and it is a matter of attention. And so I thank you for the
    Legion's response to that.
        Continuing on our talk about transition, I agree that a
    more customized experience tailored to the individual
    servicemember is needed. And I have been working on a bill with
    Representative McClellan to require a specific TAP track for
    National Guard and Reserve servicemembers. And I see that the
    transition between duty statuses for Guard and Reservists as
    being different than the transition from active duty to
    civilian life. Is that in line with what you would like to see
    improved in TAP?
        Mr. Seehafer. Congressman, again, without a doubt, that is
    what we would like to see and definitely support it. We have a
    team here that would like to talk to you, whether it is you
    personally or your staff, so we can hammer this out.
        Mr. Takano. I would welcome that opportunity. And can you
    also speak for your support of, the Legion's support for Mr.
    Levin's recently introduced Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity
    Act?
        Mr. Seehafer. Absolutely, Congressman.
        With the parity, I mean, this is near and dear also to our
    hearts. When we are looking at the Guard and Reservists
    compared to the active duty, they are serving. They did this.
    In fact, through the research that we were doing, when 9/11
    happened in New York, who were the first ones there? We know.
    It is Guard and Reservists. And so out of all the benefits as
    well, we have this gap in the education aspect.
        And talking about what I said before with saving lives and
    changing lives, we talk about prevention. Education. I don't
    understand why that isn't a part of it as well. And when we say
    that this leads to gainful employment, education; not being
    dependent, but rather independence. That is what we want. That
    is what we want for our veterans.
        Mr. Takano. Well, thank you, Commander. I couldn't agree
    more.
        And I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Senator King, you are recognized for 3
    minutes.

                        HON. ANGUS S. KING, JR.
                        U.S. SENATOR FROM MAINE

        Senator King. Thank you very much.
        Commander, you are causing me to break a lifetime rule,
    which is never follow a preacher to the podium. [Laughter.]
    Your opening statement was fantastic, and I want to thank you
    for that.
        I bring greetings from my wife, who is from Wisconsin. In
    my home in Maine, there is a big cheese head in the closet I
    just left there.
        [Applause.]
        Mr. Seehafer. All right.
        Senator King. In listening to your testimony, I think we
    can summarize a lot of what we are trying to do here is by
    making two phrases obsolete. When people hear them years from
    now, they are going to say, what are you talking about? Those
    two phrases are ``veteran suicide'' and ``veterans
    homelessness''. That ought to be stricken.
        [Applause.]
        Now, one of the issues in Maine with veteran suicide, 60
    percent of our veteran suicide are with firearms. It occurs to
    me that American Legion posts are safe spaces for veterans.
    Would you consider working with our posts across the country to
    provide storage, safe storage for firearms for veterans in our
    communities?
        Mr. Seehafer. Senator King, again, thank you also for
    taking time out of your schedule, not only being here, but
    embracing me when I came to visit you and we talked about this
    very issue. And we want to, we would love to be able to partner
    with anyone, especially you, on this.
        And we do think--I mean, a lot of people don't realize how
    many posts we have in our Nation.
        Senator King. Every community.
        Mr. Seehafer. Twelve thousand and basically, like you said,
    every community. And, in fact, I want to give you a real live
    example of this. This will work. And I don't want to demonize
    any others because I brought this same concept up. But I need
    to be honest with you, I had eyebrows go kind of like this. It
    is like we are a resource.
        Senator King. Of course. A trusted resource.
        Mr. Seehafer. Yes, absolutely. And what happened in this
    situation, it was two Legionnaires. One Legionnaire was not
    safe. And here is the example of it. He did call somebody who
    he trusted, another Legionnaire, and asked, is it okay? Take my
    weapons. This is exactly what we are talking about.
        Senator King. I want to also reference the ranking member's
    comment about the jurisdiction between Armed Services and
    Veterans' Affairs. I am also on Armed Services. You have an
    agent on the Armed Services Committee, I can tell you that
    right now. I will be there for you in that Committee. And in
    fact, one of my first hearings on Armed Services 10 or 12 years
    ago, the point I made was, as I was listening to transition and
    recruiting and everything, we should spend, the Pentagon should
    spend as much time, money, and effort on transition out as they
    do on recruiting in.
        [Applause.]
        I am out of time. I appreciate it, Commander, for your
    incredibly effective advocacy. The final point is, let us know
    where we can help. We can't fix problems we don't know about.
    Be in touch, and it doesn't have to be in a big room with
    microphones. Let us know what we can do to support these brave
    men and women across this country. Thank you so much for your
    testimony.
        Mr. Seehafer. Thank you.
        Chairman Bost. Representative Pappas.

                           HON. CHRIS PAPPAS,
                 U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE

        Mr. Pappas. Thank you very much, Chairman Bost.
        Commander, thanks for your passionate testimony here today.
    And I really appreciated the way you highlighted the unity of
    purpose that we need when we approach these issues. Your agenda
    must be Congress' agenda when it comes to delivering for our
    veterans.
        And I thank all the Legionnaires and veterans who are here
    in this room. We want to continue to honor your service and
    work together to get the job done.
        Whether it is retirement pay or disability compensation,
    our veterans deserve all the benefits that they have earned,
    full stop. This is an issue I have heard about from veterans in
    my district in New Hampshire for years. I have got a
    constituent in Auburn, for instance, who joined the Army, was
    deployed to Iraq. He was shot twice during a counterinsurgency
    operation, was placed in a medically induced coma, took him
    years to fully recover. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, two
    Bronze Stars with valor for his service. And upon leaving the
    Army, he was granted DoD retirement benefits and later VA
    disability compensation.
        It is one of the reasons why I am supporting the Major
    Richard Star Act, and I think we have got to get this across
    the finish line. This legislation would finally allow combat-
    injured veterans with less than 20 years of military service to
    collect both military retired pay and disability compensation
    that they earned. They earned these benefits in full.
        So, despite overwhelming support in the Congress, this bill
    has yet to make it through and be signed into law. And I am
    wondering if you can share some of the consequences to your
    members of being unable to collect their full benefits and what
    Congress must do to get this legislation done.
        Mr. Seehafer. Congressman, again, thank you for your
    passion as well and all the work that you do for our veterans
    and their families.
        You know, basically, what can be done or what you can do to
    get this done? Pass it. That is the number one. However, with
    that, the importance of that, you know, we look at it and we
    have been classifying it around our circles as a tax, a
    veteran's tax. I mean to say that here you have a retiree
    putting 20 or 30 or whatever the years are, right. They earn
    that. And is it their fault that somehow they get disabled and
    now they are penalized? I think that is wrong. Not I think. It
    is wrong.
        And so when we talk about changing a life, passage of that
    bill, that legislation would definitely change a life.
        Mr. Pappas. Well, thank you very much for looking out for
    your members and for so many veterans that I hear from on that
    issue. And I will continue to work with you all to make sure
    Congress feels the urgency there. It is about time we have got
    it done, and it is about basic fairness. These benefits have
    been earned. They have been paid for through veteran service,
    and we have got to reflect that in law. So appreciate your
    testimony.
        I yield back. Mr. Chair.
        Chairman Bost. Senator Blumenthal, you are recognized for 3
    minutes.

                        HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,
                     U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT

        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
        I would like to thank all of you for being here today as a
    proud member of the American Legion from Connecticut. I am sure
    we have some folks from Connecticut here today [applause].
    Thank you for making the trip.
        I am really very, very proud of your advocacy, which has
    been so important on veterans causes, most especially on the
    PACT Act, which I was helpful in leading, and the Camp Lejeune
    Justice Act. Millions of Americans now are eligible, especially
    under the expanded coverage for everyone, regardless of where
    they served and what time, whether it was in the United States
    or abroad, whether it was in training or elsewhere, toxic
    exposures, people need to be aware and informed. And your
    outreach is going to be so important, not only in passing the
    act, but now in creating awareness about it so people can get
    screened and take advantage of it. So thank you for what you
    have done and what you will do.
        And as you know, the initial claims process can be done
    free of charge. And many of our fellow members of the American
    Legion have filed claims. The help that you provide, obviously
    is done without any expectation of compensation or reward. A
    number of individuals who do provide that kind of access are
    accredited by the VA. And VSOs, like the Legion, have a
    congressional charter to carry out their work. But,
    unfortunately, there are also others who are trying to take
    advantage of veterans in this claims process, and there are
    claim sharks, as they are called, who take enormous commissions
    from veterans for their service that should be entirely free
    and is free when it is provided by you.
        So I introduced the GUARD VA Benefits Act in this Congress
    with Senator Boozman, Chairman Tester, Senator Graham. It is
    bipartisan. Essentially it cracks down on these scam artists
    and it is designed to ensure that penalties can be levied
    against them. The VFW, the DAV, and dozens of other veterans
    organizations support the GUARD Act, 44 attorneys general from
    across the country have expressed their support for a bill in a
    letter to Congress this year. And I respectfully ask that the
    American Legion support it as well. I think you have in past
    years. I am not sure whether you do now, but if you could
    consider supporting it, I think it would be most beneficial to
    veterans.
        And I want to join in thanking you for all the work you
    have done on veteran suicide, on homelessness. There is no
    excuse for a veteran to be homeless. There is no excuse for
    suicide to be an issue in the United States of America. And I
    hope that you will support the GUARD Act to enable veterans to
    have access to these benefits without having to pay commissions
    to unaccredited claim sharks. Thank you.
        Mr. Seehafer. Senator, just real quick, I am going to tell
    you right now, absolutely, we support it. Right family?
        [Applause.]
        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you very much, sir. Really
    appreciate it.
        Mr. Seehafer. No problem.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you.
        Chairman Bost. Representative Crane.

                           HON. ELIJAH CRANE,
                    U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ARIZONA

        Mr. Crane. Thank you, Chairman. I appreciate the
    opportunity to be here.
        I appreciate all you guys showing up today. I feel a little
    naked without one of those cool hats. I am a veteran myself. I
    am a Navy guy. Joined the Navy the week after 9/11, served in
    the SEAL teams for a little bit. So when I look out there, I
    see a lot of my brothers and sisters.
        [Applause.]
        I am not--there is obviously, guys, a lot of partisanship
    up here in Capitol Hill. You guys know that. One of the cool
    things, though, about being up here is there is not a lot of
    partisanship when it comes to us veterans. This is something
    that Democrats and Republicans get on board to support, and I
    am proud of that and I hope it continues. But I do want to talk
    to my brothers and sisters out there about something really
    important that keeps me up at night.
        Guys, you guys know where we are at with our national debt,
    $34 trillion-plus and counting. I want to talk to you guys
    seriously, because you guys don't get--there is not a lot of
    people that have serious conversations with you guys. What do
    you guys think the magic number is where this house of cards
    finally collapses? Do you think it is 35 trillion? Do you think
    it is 40 trillion? Do you think it is 50 trillion?
        Do you think it is when the BRICS countries, Brazil,
    Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, et cetera,
    finally form their alternative currency? Why do I say that,
    guys? When this house of cards collapses financially, and that
    is the trajectory that we are on, no country in the history of
    the world has been able to do what we are doing, what do you
    think are our benefits? Because I get them, too. What do you
    think our benefits are going to look like then?
        And the reason I bring that up, guys, is because there is
    not many people up here that talk about it, think about it.
    They don't talk to you about it. And I want us collectively to
    start thinking about that, because we are servicemen and women.
    We love this country. We fought for it. And that fight isn't
    over. There is an economic fight going on right now up here to
    try and sustain not only our economic prowess, but also the
    benefits that we have.
        So I wanted to bring that up to you guys, and I hope that
    you go back and you start talking about it in your communities
    and with your representatives. Because, guys, this trajectory
    is not sustainable. I hate to be the guy that dampens the mood
    in here, but we need to have some serious conversations,
    because every meeting that I walk into or every meeting that I
    host in my office, it is another group usually, that represents
    a good cause, and guess what they need. More resources, more
    money. And what we are doing is not sustainable.
        So I hope you guys take that back. God bless you all. Thank
    you for your service, and I appreciate the opportunity to come
    here and address you. Thank you.
        [Applause.]
        Chairman Bost. Senator Hassan.

                       HON. MARGARET WOOD HASSAN,
                    U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE

        Senator Hassan. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
        And Commander Seehafer, thank you so much for testifying
    here today as well as for your military service. I want to
    acknowledge former state commander and now current National
    Vice Commander Bill Roy from New Hampshire. Thank you for being
    here, sir. Thank you for your service [applause]. We are very
    proud of all of our Granite State veterans.
        And I will just say that as I listened to your testimony, I
    was thinking my father, who was a World War II veteran, who
    survived the Bulge and often said to me, we don't always like
    each other as Americans, but we do have to love each other as
    Americans, and that is what you learn in this service. And so I
    thank you for reminding us of that unity of purpose that is so
    important.
        Commander, I want to start with a question. It is really
    about the PACT Act. I know you have mentioned it. I know people
    here know about it. But last week, the VA announced new PACT
    Act healthcare eligibility for millions of veterans ahead of
    schedule. Now veterans who were exposed to toxins can go to the
    VA and enroll in healthcare, and they don't need to apply for
    VA benefits first. So I was really proud to help develop and
    pass the PACT Act with Members of this wonderful Committee on
    both sides of the Capitol. And I want to make sure that our
    veterans know about the care they are able to get under it.
        So I am speaking out to New Hampshire veterans in
    particular today. I want to encourage any veteran who may have
    been exposed to toxins to contact the VA to see if you are now
    eligible to enroll in healthcare.
        Commander, can you just discuss how important it is that
    eligible veterans go to the VA, enroll, and get the care and
    support that they have earned and they deserve?
        Mr. Seehafer. Thank you, Senator, for that question. And
    again, your passion and your tireless effort on this act. And
    also, Bill is a pretty good guy.
        Senator Hassan. Yes.
        Mr. Seehafer. But seriously on that, dealing with the VA,
    it is a great resource for us. This is the center of care, not
    just adequate care, but the best. And I just want to tell the
    brothers and sisters up here and really the whole family or
    whoever is listening, so far, I have went to 28 States in four
    countries, literally went around the world already. And I have
    been to VAs, veterans homes everywhere. But every time people
    have come to me, these are your constituents, they have said
    the care is top notch. I know there is little issues, and
    again, we will address them, but the care is top notch.
        And you have such an ally right here. I mean, we are a
    nearly 3 million, 3 million family members here. That is a
    great resource. And we will continue to get the word out, this
    is the place to go.
        Senator Hassan. Thank you. And thank you, Mr. Chair, for
    letting me take this turn.
        And also just thanks to the Legion for your work on the
    Buddy Check Week, and we are going to continue to work with you
    on that. Thank you.
        Mr. Seehafer. Thank you.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Senator.
        And now Representative Self.

                            HON. KEITH SELF,
                     U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM TEXAS

        Mr. Self. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        It is good to see so many fellow veterans in the audience
    today. Thank you for your service, both during uniform and
    after. It is always an honor to sit next to my Navy SEAL
    brothers here. I am a Army Beret, and something has concerned
    me. If you have been following our markups in this Committee,
    you know that I am concerned about the only offset that this
    Committee has to use. We need your help on this because we have
    an offset that relies on extending the VA home loan fee that
    veterans pay. So, in effect, our offset is charging our
    veterans more for every program that we add. Every spending
    bill that we add, it charges our veterans. So veterans are
    paying for new veterans programs. It technically generates
    revenue that is supposedly offset, but it is not an offset. We
    don't cut a less noble program for the noble programs we have.
        So, once again, I say veterans are paying for every new
    spending bill that this Committee authorizes and gets
    appropriated. How does, and, Commander, for you, how does the
    American Legion reconcile its support for this so-called offset
    with its mission to advocate for the well-being of all veterans
    to include those that are paying the additional home loan fee?
        Mr. Seehafer. Congressman, thank you for that thoughtful
    question. To answer that specifically, I want to call on our
    executive director.
        Mr. Nuntavong. Thank you, Commander. And thank you for that
    question, Congressman.
        We have a resolution. We are a resolution-based
    organization that we don't support any offsets. But what we
    would like to do is work with the Committee and staff and find
    out other ways and other means of finding funding for all these
    programs and services. We got to work together to figure this
    out because our veterans are in need. And the only way to do
    that is to provide adequate funding there.
        Mr. Self. So, did you listen to my colleague here, Mr.
    Crane? Okay. So you are not in support of any alternative
    offsets whatsoever? And it doesn't have to be in the VA. So
    don't think that a VA offset must come from VA. I would like to
    work with you to find offsets anywhere in the budget because I
    am not saying we need to have VA offsets, but I think we need
    to work together, to use your term, to find a better way to
    offset, because veterans' care is important to the entire
    Nation. So, I am not suggesting it must come out of the VA
    budget. Don't misunderstand me. But I think we need to start to
    find a way so that our veterans don't pay for every new
    veterans spending bill.
        Thank you. And I yield back, Chairman.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Representative Ramirez?

                         HON. DELIA C. RAMIREZ,
                   U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM ILLINOIS

        Mrs. Ramirez. Thank you, Chairman.
        I also want to start today by acknowledging the tremendous
    work and the significant contributions that Veterans Service
    Organizations have made and continue to make every single day.
    I don't think you hear it enough. I want to say thank you.
        I also want to give a special thank you to the veterans
    that are representing Illinois and the American Legion. So a
    big round of applause for the Illinois folks here [applause].
    Thank you for your service. I know the Chairman agrees with me,
    and for your commitment to the betterment and the lives of
    every single veteran here.
        Folks, I want to shed a light on an issue that we don't
    really talk about here, but that is very close to my heart,
    particularly as we are talking about our veterans and the
    challenges as they are transitioning back into civilian life.
    My heart has been really struggling and thinking about the
    challenges to legal pathways to veterans who are threatened to
    be deported. I mean, think about it. After serving their
    country, giving their--willing to risk their life, to me it is
    unimaginable that they are still at risk of deportation, that
    they are still at risk of being separated from their own family
    as a veteran. So, Commander, I want to make sure I got it
    right, Seehafer?
        Mr. Seehafer. That is correct.
        Mrs. Ramirez. Yes, yes. I want to ask you, what do you
    think is a solution to prevent veterans who have served our
    country from possible deportation?
        Mr. Seehafer. Congresswoman, again, thank you for all the
    advocacy that you do, and again, the passion. It troubles a lot
    of us as well, those that have served our country. Just for,
    again, a little more boots on the ground dealing with this, I
    am going to ask my executive director to respond. Okay?
        Mrs. Ramirez. Thank you.
        Mr. Nuntavong. Thank you, Commander. Thank you,
    Congresswoman.
        We see this all the time. Veterans aren't educated about
    their citizen benefits when they join. They are not aware that
    they can apply for expedited citizenship. I think we need to
    take every opportunity to educate servicemembers about their
    responsibility to apply for the paperwork that needs to be done
    to help expedite, provide education, and make it part of the
    culture of joining, enlisting, being part of an organization to
    serve and honor the United States of America. We have to do a
    better job of helping those. Most of them don't know that that
    opportunity is there.
        Mrs. Ramirez. Yes. And I hear from some of my constituents
    and wives who say, my husband is now in Mexico. He was a green
    card holder. His life is the United States. He feels American,
    and the challenges of even getting those benefits. So I would
    like to talk to you offline a little bit about the procedural
    process there and the challenges to that pathway. So thank you.
        I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. Representative Landsman.

                          HON. GREG LANDSMAN,
                     U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM OHIO

        Mr. Landsman. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you all for
    being here and for your incredible service to the country.
        To my friends from Ohio, anyone out there? [Applause.]
    There we go. Thank you. Welcome and thank you for your service.
        I want to talk about employment and jobs and the work that
    you all and the VA and others, your partners do. Part of this
    just has to do with making sure that every single veteran has
    access to, you know, good jobs. But another piece of this is
    the benefit that our VA and VA partners provide in terms of
    employment services and how that helps to get folks into the VA
    world and network.
        Commander, you talked a little bit about this in your
    testimony, and we have a piece of legislation that you all have
    supported. This is Employing Veterans to Feed America Act,
    which would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to create a
    pilot program on hiring veterans into positions related to
    agriculture, conservation, and nutrition. I think we will get
    it marked up and passed. My hope is that it will help to, you
    know, create another pathway for veterans in terms of good
    paying jobs. I was hoping that you all may talk about that and
    the bill, but also just a larger issue.
        Mr. Seehafer. Again, thank you, Congressman, for that.
        You know, veterans' education and employment is very
    important and I would be remiss if I wouldn't ask my chairman,
    Jay Bowen, to direct that since he is patiently waiting here to
    speak. This is very important to us as well. This is where we
    talk about, you know, even prevention of what I was talking
    about.
        Mr. Landsman. Yes, right.
        Mr. Seehafer. But Jay.
        Mr. Bowen. Thank you, Commander. And thank you,
    Congressman, for the question.
        Absolutely, we believe in this. You know, veterans,
    especially when they are on active duty, a lot of them are
    outdoorsmen and some of that is what drove them to go into the
    military.
        Mr. Landsman. Right.
        Mr. Bowen. So it is just a natural progression, a migration
    for them once they get out to seek those types of careers. So
    we certainly support that and would advocate for that.
        Mr. Landsman. Thank you. I appreciate it.
        And just in general, other employment programs that you all
    would lift up, to me because it is so important in terms of
    just helping veterans and their families, but it is also a way
    to get them in and it does prevent all kinds of other things.
    Just the role of employment and education in general, just the
    programs that you all are working on.
        Oh, my time is up. I am sorry. I will circle back, but I
    thank you all for your service.
        Chair, I yield back.
        Chairman Bost. And I want to say, if I can, thank you to
    the American Legion. Commander, thank you for giving us your
    views and the Legion's views here today.
        And I also want to say thank you to the audience that
    obviously has come from every corner of this great Nation to be
    here today to be part of this. Thank you for your testimony and
    thank you for what you do every day because we know your
    service organization, as large as it is, is reaching out and is
    the boots on the ground.
        So we are going to excuse the first panel, but I need to
    explain something to you because you are a big group. Okay. If
    you would use that door so that we put up our second panel, we
    can come in this and it causes a smooth transition. Okay.
        So thank you again. And we are going to have a brief recess
    while we switch. Thank you.
        Mr. Seehafer. Thank you, Chairman.
        [Applause.]

        [Recess.]

        Chairman Bost. Well, we want to welcome our second panel,
    and we want to thank you for being here today. I know we have a
    lot of important organizations to hear from in this panel, so
    let's get right to it.
        Today we are joined by Colonel Barry Lischinsky of the
    Jewish War Veterans, Ms. Rebecca Harrison Mullaney of the
    Tragedy Assisted Program for Survivors, Ms. Kathryn Monet of
    National Coalition of Homeless Veterans, Commander Rene Campos
    of the Military Officers Association of America, Mr. Michael
    McLaughlin of the National Association of County Veterans
    Service Officers, Mr. Melvin Sheldon, Jr. of the National
    Congress of American Indians, Mr. Jack McManus of the Vietnam
    Veterans of America, Major General Frank McGinn of the National
    Guard Association of the United States, and Mr. John Handzuk of
    the Fleet Reserve Association.
        And again, welcome to all of you and all of your members in
    the audience as well. We want to thank you for what you do
    every day in support of our veterans and their families.
        Colonel Lischinsky, you are now recognized for 5 minutes
    for your opening statement.

                                PANEL II

                                  ----------

             STATEMENT OF COL BARRY LISCHINSKY, USA (RET.),
           NATIONAL COMMANDER, JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF THE USA

        Mr. Lischinsky. Thank you, Mr. Chairman Tester, Chairman
    Bost, Ranking Members of Moran and Takano, Members of the
    House, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and fellow
    veterans and friends and guests. I'm Colonel Barry Lischinsky.
    I'm the 92nd National Commander for Jewish War Veterans of the
    United States and I'm honored to be here today. My credentials
    are as follows.
        I'm a career military member, started as an enlisted medic,
    combat medic, and cultivated as a brigade commander. My
    military service spans for over 34 years, with continued
    military service supporting operations and conflicts from the
    Vietnam War all the way to the Global War on Terrorism. I
    retired from the military and served as a senior Army
    instructor at two high schools in a JROTC program. In 2017, I
    was appointed by the Governor to be the superintendent of
    Chelsea Soldiers Home. The largest soldier's home and one of
    the first in our Nation.
        And I tell you all this because those are my credentials.
    But my real credentials are the members of JWV, our auxiliary,
    Museum of National American Jewish Military History, and they
    are the credentials of JWV and I am honored to be part of that
    organization. In two days, we will have 128th anniversary
    serving as the oldest chartered active veteran service
    organization in the United States.
        As veterans, we all fought to protect our freedom of right,
    freedom of religion. As the only Jewish service organization,
    JWV opposes in all forms of hatred, discrimination, and
    bigotry, but is especially outspoken on antisemitism. JWV
    condemns the Hamas territory attack against Israel and
    emphasizes the terrorist actions anywhere, whenever it happens.
        Just as all veteran service organizations, our members are
    all volunteers and we serve the call proudly to serve with all
    military veterans, their families, and their survivors. This is
    a great honor for us to serve. As a veteran, once again, we
    fought to protect our rights and--excuse me. JWV stands with
    Israel, its military, its citizens, and call on all Americans
    to join us in the condemning anti-terrorism. The remaining
    hostages must be immediately released and reconstituted with
    their family. JWV is the leading effort and demonstrates
    solidarity unity from the larger veteran's community of the
    United States.
        We secured the signature of 26 veteran service
    organizations and military service organizations that represent
    millions of current and former uniform service members and
    their families to stand with us against anti-terrorism. On
    November 3rd, the letter was sent to many of our members for
    their statements and JWV asked all Americans to be vigilant, to
    learn, educate, and follow JWV, and we ask our veteran services
    committee to join us as well. We feel that education is the key
    to reduce antisemitism actions and incidents in America and
    around the world. Whether it be professional development
    classes, ethics classes, compliance classes in the workplace,
    or just a fireside chat, JWV will assist any organization
    anywhere in that conflict.
        We'd like to talk quickly about medical records. Last year
    I was privileged to stand before this group and I heard one of
    the members say that we're looking for a basic database that is
    a good data base to use. I would ask that you use the MEPS,
    Military Entrance Processing Station, the first entrance
    processing station for any of us joining the military to use
    their physical as the baseline for what you need for your
    medical records. I have not talked to the MEPS commander, but
    that MEPS physical is a professional done physical. It beats
    any physical in any civilian world. I would also say that if
    you really want to do some work with this, any individual being
    released from active duty, that they take a similar physical.
    It makes a lot of sense to do the physical on the way in and
    the physical on the way out from the same grouping, and you'll
    get a standardization for that. So we highly recommend that to
    happen.
        In a conclusion of this--and I look to see that the clock
    is ticking. I want to leave you with one quick thought. Where
    can we be, that individuals on this panel can come before a
    distinguished group, as your Committee, talk freely, talk
    honestly, make recommendations, have you listen, have you
    observe, have you ask us questions? Only in the United States
    this can happen. And we're very, very proud to come before you
    to do this. And we're very proud that you're sitting there
    representing all the veterans, all their families, all their
    caretakers, and all their survivors. And as part of JWV, we're
    honored to be here and we're here to assist all our veterans
    and this Committee with anything they do. Thank you very much
    for your time.

        [The prepared statement of Mr. Lischinsky appears on page
    81 of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you, and we are very proud to
    represent you [applause]. We really are. I think that goes this
    way for what all you do and everybody that is on this panel. So
    we would like to also recognize Ms. Rebecca Harrison Mullaney
    for 5 minutes.

      STATEMENT OF REBECCA HARRISON MULLANEY, SURVIVING SPOUSE OF
       ARMY CAPTAIN IAN MORRISON, TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR
                               SURVIVORS

        Ms. Harrison Mullaney. Thank you, Chairman Tester, Bost,
    Ranking Members Moran and Takano, and distinguished Committee
    members. I am grateful to be here today representing the
    Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and for the
    opportunity to share my story.
        Twelve years ago, at the age of 24, my heart was full of
    ambition and hope for the future. I'd married an incredible
    man, Ian Morrison, an Apache pilot in the U.S. Army. His call
    sign, Captain America, spoke to his character. He served
    honorably and always did the right thing. He was kind and
    caring, artistic, and sarcastic. He was smart, majoring in
    systems engineering at West Point. He was a man of faith, and
    he loved me. We were happy and building a life that truly felt
    like a gift.
        At 24, I was teaching on post at Fort Hood and pursuing a
    graduate degree in clinical counseling. Ian had come back to me
    safely after 10 months in Iraq but he couldn't sleep. We tried
    everything. He sought help six separate times through the
    proper military channels. The only assistance he received was a
    prescription for Ambien, a black box morning sleep aid. The
    morning of March 21, 2012, after his third night on Ambien, was
    a seemingly normal one. He came to my classroom, where he read
    to my students, something he did often. We had lunch together,
    and I gave him a big hug, never knowing it would be our last.
        Ian died that night. I found him in our bedroom, clothed in
    his Army fatigues, having taken his own beautiful life. He'd
    died by suicide at the age of 26 and taken all our plans for
    the future with him. I will never recover from what I saw that
    night. My husband, Captain Ian Samuel Morrison, did not want to
    die. He wanted to live. Like so many of his brothers and
    sisters in arms, he came home from Iraq in need of help that he
    did not receive. He died at home from the mental wounds of war
    and not in a war zone. Therefore, I was not recognized as a
    Gold Star Spouse.
        I am in strong support of the TAPS recommendation to
    legally create a broad and inclusive definition of what
    constitutes a Gold Star family. Specifically, that definition
    needs to be died while serving or from a service-connected
    injury or illness. My own clinical work with surviving families
    over the past 10 years tells me that only good can come from
    equally honoring and recognizing the families of all veterans
    and service members who died as a result of their service,
    regardless of how they died or the geographical location.
        I grieved Ian intensely. The man I'd lost and the future
    with him that would never be. I eventually found healing and
    advocating for service members, veterans, and their families,
    and following through with my goal to become a mental health
    care provider. I chose to become what Ian needed before his
    death and what I so desperately needed after his death.
        Years later along this path, I met Brennan, an Army veteran
    himself. We shared a passion for supporting the military and
    veteran community. Being with Brennan brought light back into
    my life. Through my stories, he got to know Ian, and for the
    first time since my loss, I let myself feel vulnerable and find
    love again. After experiencing the sanctity and joy of marriage
    with Ian, I knew that this was something I didn't want to live
    the rest of my life without. Which is why Brennan and I chose
    to legally marry. In choosing to remarry, I surrendered all
    that I had left of Ian on paper and the benefits he had earned.
    Sixteen hundred per month in dependency and indemnity
    compensation, a portion of his retirement, health insurance,
    education benefits, military spouse hiring preference, the
    ability to use the VA home loan, and base access. I am grateful
    that base access and commissary and exchange privileges have
    since been restored.
        The irony is that the only thing that I didn't lose is that
    I am and will forever be Ian's widow. Remarrying did not change
    that. If Brennan and I had waited until I was 55 to marry, as
    the law currently states to retain benefits, I would still be
    Ian's widow. But I would have delayed the life I have now. A
    beautiful second chance at happiness with a man who respected
    Ian and my loss so much that he sat at Ian's grave and asked
    his permission to marry me before proposing. Brennan and I have
    a young son, Harrison Samuel, named in honor of our hero, Ian
    Samuel. He will always be a part of our lives. No passage of
    time and no magical age of 55 could change that. People are not
    replaceable.
        I personally want to thank Ranking Member Moran for
    introducing the Love Lives On Act, and I ask that Congress pass
    this critical legislation to keep our Nation's solemn promise
    to care for our Gold Star Spouses. Taking away a surviving
    spouse's benefits upon remarriage will never change the fact
    that they will always be the widow or widower of someone who
    honorably served our country and died due to that service.
        In closing, we ask for your support strengthening DIC by
    passing the Caring for Survivors Act and ensuring CHAMPVA
    healthcare for young adult survivors until age 26.
        The moral of my story is that the heart has many chambers.
    In one of mine, I hold my love for Ian, and in another, my love
    for Brennan. I believe you will find this to be true for every
    survivor. Thank you for letting me share my boys with you
    today. I welcome your questions.
        [Applause.]

        [The prepared statement of Ms. Harrison Mullaney appears on
    page 100 of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Now we would now like to
    recognize Ms. Kathryn Monet for 5 minutes for your opening
    statement.

     STATEMENT OF KATHRYN MONET, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL
                    COALITION FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

        Ms. Monet. Chairman Tester and Bost, Ranking Members Moran
    and Takano, and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, thank you
    for the opportunity to join you today. NCHV appreciates your
    bipartisan leadership and continuing efforts to focus on the
    needs of veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
        There are many proposals that we support to enhance our
    ability to address veteran homelessness, but I will focus on
    NCHV's top priorities today. Priority number one is restoration
    of the pandemic era safety net. HUD recently released Point-in-
    Time Count data from January 2023, finding an increase of 7.4
    percent in homeless veterans on any night. We all knew VA's
    emergency programs nationwide, emergency rent assistance
    programs, and eviction and foreclosure moratorium, would
    sunset. We learned these resources were critical to
    homelessness prevention and housing more veterans than in
    previous years. Yet a continually worsening housing
    affordability crisis offset recent accelerations in housing
    placements as and after these programs' sunset.
        For several years, legislation that could have addressed
    the statutes limiting these VA authorities and offered
    additional resources to veterans facing housing instability has
    stalled unnecessarily before Congress. The best time to act
    upon legislation would have been before the public health
    emergency expired on May 11, 2023, but we're here today. So the
    second best time to act upon this legislation is now.
        Delayed action here has resulted in veterans losing access
    to communication, transportation, safety, and survival
    necessities. The loss of hotel and motel rapid rehousing
    capacity, that gave providers time to place a veteran in more
    permanent housing without delays associated with locating them.
    And a 60 percent reduction in the per diem rate that providers
    can request from VA, leading some providers to seize serving
    veterans and other challenges. A handful of bills, including
    the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and
    Benefits Improvement Act, would all provide VA and
    organizations nationwide with the funding and flexibility to
    provide adequate services to unhoused veterans. We urge you to
    enact this bill with the level of urgency that you would expect
    if you were unsheltered tonight looking for assistance.
        Priority two is VA Medical Center staffing. NCHV is
    concerned about reports of unfilled positions related to
    homelessness at VA Medical Centers at a time when veteran
    homelessness is on the rise and communities are increasing
    efforts to criminalize homelessness. While Secretary McDonough
    has stated that recent hiring prioritization efforts should not
    be cause for concern, we have heard for over a month now, that
    VACO's prioritization initiatives continue to result in VAMC
    director's choosing to leave critical vacancies related to
    homeless operations unfilled, even those funded via special
    purpose dollars.
        We've heard from providers across the country that veterans
    are unable to access HUD-VASH in a timely way, if at all. From
    month long waits for intakes, to hiring pauses that delay
    program enrollment, to the need for other community providers
    to support veterans in HUD-VASH when their local VA Medical
    Center is unstaffed. That's not acceptable. We urge Congress to
    continue its oversight of these programs and VA staffing
    initiatives to ensure that specific guidance exempting special
    purpose staffing from hiring pauses can be issued expeditiously
    to VA Medical Centers.
        Priority three is to increase HUD-VASH utilization. NCHV
    continues to support efforts to maximize the use of HUD-VASH
    vouchers, including by project basing, issuing grants, and/or
    contracts for case management, and appropriating sufficient
    funding for navigation services and incentives for landlords
    and PHAs. We support legislation that would address eligibility
    discrepancies, including the regulatory definition of income
    used by HUD and Treasury. This definition includes disability
    compensation, meaning that some homeless veterans with the most
    acute service-connected disability ratings are ineligible for
    HUD-VASH and/or to reside in affordable housing developed with
    LIHTC funds. We urge you to make mandatory tribal HUD-VASH
    appropriations on behalf of our collective commitment to
    targeted universalism across our system, and we also support
    efforts to provide much needed upstream homelessness prevention
    tools, as requested in the most recent Presidential budget
    request.
        Our fourth priority is aging veterans. A growing population
    of aging veterans experiencing homelessness has challenged us
    to improve services and access. We recommend authorizing HUD-
    VASH with grant-making capacity to simplify our ability to
    offer enhanced and coordinated services and supports to elderly
    veterans utilizing vouchers. Their needs are much more complex
    than the average veteran and allowing grant-making capacity
    would enhance communities' ability to provide those services.
    We also urge congressional support for an enactment of
    legislation promoting the development of new subsidized housing
    specifically for low and no-income aging and disabled veterans,
    as well as prioritizing the adaptation of existing spaces
    across the housing continuum.
        Lastly, we recommend that Congress allocate funding for
    staff liaison positions to coordinate efforts to serve aging
    veterans across all HPO programs. Our written testimony has a
    full list of authorizing and appropriations priorities that I'm
    happy to discuss further with you and/or your staff. Thank you
    for the opportunity to partner with you on our shared priority
    of ending veteran homelessness.

        [The prepared statement of Ms. Monet appears on page 135 of
    the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you. I would now like to recognize
    Commander Campos for 5 minutes for your opening statement.

     STATEMENT OF CDR RENE CAMPOS, USN (RET.), SENIOR DIRECTOR OF
        GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOR VETERANS WOUNDED WARRIOR CARE,
                MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

        Ms. Campos. Chairman Bost and Ranking Member Takano, allow
    me to start by asking our MOAA representatives in the audience
    to rise so we can thank you for this opportunity to share our
    legislative priorities for veterans.
        [Applause.]
        So what's the one common theme that brings us together?
    We're all committed to preserving and protecting service earned
    health care and benefits for those that we serve. MOAA
    appreciates the Committees working collectively with VSOs and
    MSOs to improve the lives of our veterans. Our top priority is
    getting the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans
    Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act package signed into
    law, which has many of our priorities, like caregiving.
        VA has made progress in advancing caregiving services, but
    today's demand outpaces availability and it's still difficult
    for veterans and caregivers to access these services, including
    respite care. For example, a Vietnam veteran caregiver in VA's
    Caregiver Support Program told us, I was contacted by VA for an
    initial phone consult for respite care. I gave some dates for
    scheduling, but I received no further communication from VA. As
    a former medical administrator, this is frustrating and
    deflating personally and to caregivers generally.
        MOAA and the Quality of Life Foundation have hosted
    roundtables to help Congress, VA, and decision-makers improve
    caregiving programs. Last fall, we held a roundtable on Federal
    and community respite care options and published a list of
    recommendations. We urge Congress to pass the Home and
    Community Based Services, Long Term Care, Caregiver Support
    Program, bills in our written statement, including the
    Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act and the Veteran Caregiver Re-
    education, Re-employment, and Retirement Act, and to hold
    hearings to consider our respite care roundtable
    recommendations.
        As a 30-year Navy veteran, I want to personally thank VA
    for my health care. My initial experiences with the VA in and
    out of service is not always great, but I gave VA another
    chance and I hope other women do the same. VA is not perfect,
    but I see progress and I know the staff supports me and they
    love their job. As such, MOAA continues to advocate to
    eliminate healthcare disparities and advance research programs
    for women, minority, and underserved veterans. We urge Congress
    to establish a joint HVAC and SVAC task force to represent the
    interests of women, minority, underserved, and vulnerable
    veteran populations and pass the Servicemembers and Veterans
    Empowerment and Support Act to help MST survivors.
        Today, VHA is a health system in transition undergoing more
    than two decades of persistent change and mission expansion.
    Health systems like VHA were vital during the pandemic and they
    continue to evolve since the crisis. But VA needs predictable
    funding to preserve its foundational mission. So we urge
    Congress to appropriate funding to stabilize and modernize
    VHA's workforce and human and physical infrastructure. We know
    the PACT Act has made monumental strides for ill veterans, so
    implementation is imperative if we're going to see radical
    change.
        MOAA and DAV collaborated on a report called ``Ending the
    Wait for Toxic-Exposed Veterans,'' which provides an overview
    of the challenges in the presumptive process and presents
    recommendations for improvement. We found on average, toxic
    exposures do not receive presumptive condition status for over
    30 years. That's because they were not conceded while in
    service. MOAA and DAV urge congressional members and staff to
    attend our report briefing in May, invitation is forthcoming,
    and implement our report recommendations.
        Finally, MOAA recommends Congress establish GI Bill Parity
    for Reserve members to ensure every day in uniform counts for
    service. We also support the House and the Senate compromised
    version. The bill will incentivize active duty members to
    continue their service and the reserves.
        Thank you for considering our priorities. Let's work
    together to get the veterans package and on the DoD side, the
    Star Act signed into law. Together, let's send a strong
    message, our country cares, and supports our all volunteer
    force in and out of uniform, which is one of the most important
    ways we can sustain a strong national defense. I look forward
    to your questions.
        [Applause.]

        [The prepared statement of Ms. Campos appears on page 148
    of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Mr. McLaughlin, you are
    recognized for 5 minutes.

    STATEMENT OF MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN, LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL
            ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS

        Mr. McLaughlin. Chairman Bost, Chairman Tester, Ranking
    Member Takano, and Ranking Member Moran, and distinguished
    Members of the Committees, on behalf of the National
    Association of County Veteran Service Officers, commonly
    referred to as NACVSO, I extend our gratitude for the
    opportunity to address this joint session. My name is Michael
    McLaughlin and I serve as a legislative director for NACVSO.
        Our organization is a unique one in that all of our
    appointed leaders or elected leaders, as well as the majority
    of our membership, currently serve as VA accredited
    representatives working in the field, assisting veterans and
    their dependents, daily. It is my honor to share with you the
    issues that are important to our organization. Issues such as
    Federal support for coordination with local government VSOs.
        Last year, I testified before this joint session on this
    critical issue of Federal support and coordination with
    Governmental Veteran Service Officers, or GVSOs. Since that
    testimony, little action has changed or been put into play
    supporting frontline GVSOs working at the State, county,
    tribal, and municipal levels. Unfortunately, there has been
    just about as much discussion on expanding paid services for
    veterans, as there has been neglecting the essential
    partnerships between GVSOs, traditional veteran service
    organizations, and the Federal Government. Just as we would
    never expect our active duty military members to have to
    purchase their own ammunition to wage their fight, veterans
    should never be expected to purchase their own access to their
    own earned VA benefits.
        GVSOs serve as frontline advocates in their communities,
    offering support that extends beyond disability claims. While
    we handle a significant workload of disability claims, our
    duties encompass a wide range of services.
        Despite the invaluable role that GVSOs play supporting
    veterans and their families, there appears to remain
    misunderstandings regarding the scope of our responsibilities.
    Disability claims are just one aspect of the work we do. We
    also provide essential services to veterans that veterans need
    to thrive beyond their military service. We help coordinate
    their VA healthcare, whether that's at the VA or in the
    community. When they get a billing issue that arises from that
    care, we help them resolve it. When a veteran needs to access
    emergency care services in their community, they call their
    GVSO to ensure that VA is notified in a timely manner. When a
    veteran is placed in hospice in a local healthcare facility,
    the social workers call their local GVSO to help with
    enrollment at their bedside. When a veteran needs a two hour
    ride to a medical appointment, they call our offices. When a
    homeless veteran is identified after hours by local law
    enforcement or sheriff deputies, it is our offices they call to
    help secure a hotel when no shelters exist in rural United
    States. We are the ones whom the veterans attend school,
    church, and see at the grocery store. It is the GVSOs that get
    the call on their personal cell to be notified of yet another
    veteran in their community who lost their struggle with PTSD.
        Disability claims are what we do, and we are good at them,
    but it doesn't stop there. GVSOs are not incentivized by
    profiting from a veteran's disability claim or their injury in
    military service. Instead, we are incentivized by improving the
    lives of those we live with and those that we serve in our
    local communities.
        In recent years, historic legislation has expanded benefits
    and care for veterans with little consideration being given to
    the resources needed to provide access to those benefits.
    Initiatives such as the Veterans Appeals Modernization Act, the
    MISSION Act, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, and the
    PACT Act have placed additional demands on GVSOs and VSOs
    without adequate local support. The COVID-19 pandemic also
    further highlighted the need for robust local assistance. We
    encourage and we commend the efforts by this Congress to
    support and collaborate with GVSOs. Efforts like Representative
    Levin's Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, which
    aims to make Federal grants available to GVSOs for the first
    time ever and would funnel resources to areas of the country
    with critical shortages of GVSOs, high rates of veteran
    suicide, and high rates of veterans crisis line referrals.
        We further applaud efforts like Representative Luttrell's
    Veteran Benefits Improvement Act, which aims to strengthen
    upstream communication and review support between VA and GVSOs.
    Similarly, Representative Van Orden's TAP Promotion Act
    represents positive steps toward enhancing upstream cooperation
    between the Federal Government and GVSOs and VSOs during
    military transitions.
        Governmental Veteran Service Officers are a force
    multiplier. We should be creating a system where we empower
    them to generate efficiency within that system.
        To use a metaphor, a forward operating base, or FOB, in a
    combat theater should seek to strengthen and support the
    fighting positions of the troops holding the line. This
    requires communication, sharing of intelligence, and resources
    to the local front. If the FOB fails to support the fighting
    positions, then the mission fails. Then we fail.
        Chairman, Ranking Members, Members of this Committee, on
    behalf of NACVSO, thank you for your attention to these
    important issues. And I urge this Committee to consider the
    critical role GVSOs play in supporting veterans and their
    families. By investing in local assistance and fostering
    collaboration between the Federal Government and our local
    agencies, we can ensure that no veteran is left behind. Thank
    you.
        [Applause.]

        [The prepared statement of Mr. McLaughlin appears on page
    173 of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. McLaughlin. Mr. Sheldon, you
    are recognized for 5 minutes for your opening statement.

      STATEMENT OF MELVIN SHELDON, JR., ALTERNATE VICE PRESIDENT-
        NORTHWEST REGION, NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS

        Mr. Sheldon. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman Bost and to
    Ranking Member Takano, thank you for the opportunity to share
    with you today, and to all the Members of the House and Senate
    Veterans' Committee, thank you. Thank you.
        My name is Mel Sheldon. I am a Vietnam veteran. Also, I am
    an Agent Orange prostate cancer survivor. So far, so good.
    Thank you for the VA for helping me. Also, I've served on
    tribal council at Tulalip Tribes, a small little reservation
    north of Seattle, about 35 minutes. Just in case you're in the
    area, we have a small bed and breakfast there if you wanted to
    stay with us. Also, regionally, I serve as ATNI first vice
    president. We represent 57 tribes in the Northwest. Currently,
    also, I am the alternate delegate vice president for National
    Congress of American Indians. So I'm serving at three different
    levels and very honored to serve as veterans committee chairman
    for our regional committee there. National Congress of American
    Indians, as you may be aware, was founded 80 years ago and is
    the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indians
    and Alaska Natives. And we're so proud of all of those that we
    represent, men and women.
        Native people have served at a higher rate in the armed
    forces than any other group of Americans, and they have served
    in all the Nation's wars since the Revolutionary War. Despite
    this impressive record of service, oftentimes the lack of
    programs, services, and assistance that Native veterans receive
    upon returning home from serving is underwhelming and we are
    asking you all to help change that. Getting the information out
    there, helping them step up to the plate, to take advantage of
    what the VA offers.
        Today, while my written testimony touches on a number of
    subjects, I want to concentrate today on the quality of life
    for Native Americans in housing and suicide prevention. While
    housing is often thought of as an infrastructure problem
    challenge, the reality is it is being underhoused or homeless
    is really a health disparity. Despite the service they provide
    to our country, homelessness and housing insecurity remains a
    major concern for our Native veterans. At least one study found
    that Native veterans made up 19 percent of all the homeless
    veterans, in that study sample, making Native veterans homeless
    rate almost 10 times their representation in the general
    public. Another study indicated that Native American veterans
    living in poverty were twice as likely to be homeless, more
    than any other non-veteran Native American.
        In the area of housing, the most important action that can
    be taken for Native American veterans is to reauthorize and
    make permanent the Native American Housing Assistance and Self
    Determination Act. Many of us know that by NAHASDA. NAHASDA has
    done a great job for us and has been successfully used by the
    tribes across the country, which then helps us focus on housing
    needs in our own communities. At Tulalip, we're almost 300
    houses behind, so the need is there not only for our members,
    but our veterans as well.
        But however, NAHASDA expired 10 years ago. Reauthorizing
    NAHASDA will help Native American veterans struggling with
    homelessness by improving the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive
    Housing. HUD, that's V-A-S-H Program. Recognizing this critical
    need, earlier this year, the Senate, with strong bipartisan
    support, voted in favor of reauthorizing the NAHASDA. That vote
    in favor of reauthorization included support for veteran--
    support for 17 of the 19 members from the Senate Committee on
    Veterans' Affairs. So stepping up to the plate, and the House,
    I'm sure, is stepping up to the plate as well.
        Before I close, I do want to turn also to the issue of
    suicide among Native veterans. I myself, through the years have
    experienced two of my close friends that decided to leave early
    and it hurt. It was devastating. The reality is American
    veterans and Alaskan Natives experience high rates of
    depression and psychological distress, which contributes to
    Native Americans having the highest suicide rate. While the
    Department of Veteran Affairs, VA, acknowledges this as a
    national crisis that affects all Americans and publishes
    reports, it continues to offer limited data. And that may be
    the key. If we can size up how big of a challenge it is, we can
    apply the appropriate measures to help the veterans that are
    considering that alternative.
        So sitting before you and sharing, I am very grateful.
    There are more issues that we can always talk about. But
    anytime you're--when National Congress of American Indians has
    our conference, please come and see us and share. We'll share
    what we can to help all of the Indian culture. [Speaking in
    native language.] Thank you for allowing me to speak today.
        [Applause.]

        [The prepared statement of Mr. Sheldon appears on page 180
    of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you, Mr. Sheldon. Mr. McManus, you are
    recognized for 5 minutes.

    STATEMENT OF JACK MCMANUS, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, VIETNAM VETERANS
                               OF AMERICA

        Mr. McManus. Good morning. I want to thank you all
    [inaudible]. This is not the first time I will be presenting to
    the Joint Congressional Committee.
        Chairman Bost. Mr. McManus, I think your microphone needs
    to be put on.
        Mr. McManus. Oh, good. We'll start over again.
        Chairman Bost. That is so much better. There we go.
        Mr. McManus. Well, good morning and thank you all for the
    good work you do for the American people, and particularly for
    veterans and their families. This is not VVA, nor my first time
    presenting to the Joint Congressional Committee on Veterans'
    Affairs. We have been the senior vets on the Hill for a long
    time.
        More importantly, you all know what we represent and you
    know what we stand for. We stand for American citizens first
    and for all generations of American veterans, not just our era
    of veterans. Our mission is to ensure the experiences of
    Vietnam veteran generation is never again repeated by our
    Nation. Just as you know about VVA, let it be said that we know
    all about you. We know that your hard work on this Committee is
    motivated by your love of this country, your real and honest
    concern for those who have chosen to wear the uniform in
    defense of this country. You are the congressional leaders who
    will assure that the spirit learned from our experiences will
    forever guide the conscience respect, and the way current and
    future veterans are valued and treated by our country.
        We respectfully ask that you hear and pledge support for
    our current priorities in caring for our Nation's returned
    heroes.
        Since our formation, VVA's top and most solemn priority has
    always been the accounting and recovery of the POW service
    members. And while I know this is outside the Committee, this
    has always been a driving force behind VVA. Today, the families
    of 1,577 Americans still listed as MIA from Southeast Asia wait
    patiently for answers regarding their unaccounted for loved
    ones. Timely and consistent funding of DPAA is an effective way
    for Congress to ensure that those families receive the fate
    clarifying information and closure that they deserve.
        We urge you to honor the following return heroes from
    Vietnam by passing two pieces of legislation now on the floor.
    The first one is the naming of the VA Medical Center in West
    Palm Beach, Florida, in honor of Thomas H. Corey Act, that's
    bill H.R. 7333--maybe there's too many threes? Three threes.
    And the Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act, which is
    H.R. 3592. Some of you know that Tom Corey for many years on
    the Hill as he was our VVA national president. During the Tet
    Offensive, an enemy round in the neck left him paralyzed and a
    paraplegic. He was 100 percent disabled veteran and a Bronze
    Star recipient, and dedicated his entire life to his country
    and other veterans.
        He was not only one who went above and beyond, there were
    others. There are 627 Donut Dollies that volunteered for the
    Red Cross during the Vietnam War to serve in the perilous
    frontline positions. Their service has long been ignored or
    belittled because they are women. They deserve the recognition
    of the Congressional Gold Medal.
        I can personally say that I experienced exposure to Donut
    Dollies in Vietnam, and I can tell you that it was motivating
    and moving to me that these civilian women would come over
    there and risk everything just to bring us a little bit of
    morale boosting, donuts and cookies, and warm lemonade. It was
    great.
        Several of our priorities this year are going to focus on
    the toxic wounds. High on that will be to compel the VA to
    execute the Fort McClellan epidemiological study required by
    the PACT Act to allow people in that area and around the
    country with 650,000 women veterans that served at Fort
    McClellan the right to participate and receive health care. We
    want to call for a pre-Gulf War burn pit use study and make
    sure that the generations that were affected by burn pits prior
    to the Gulf War are also recognized and eligible for veteran
    benefits.
        We also come back for the second year asking to amend the
    Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 to extend that 12-
    nautical-mile limitation. The intent of Congress in that act
    was to open the availability of care and benefits to the Navy
    Veterans that served offshore. I think the intent of Congress
    was noble, and I think it was right on target. From our
    perspective, what happened was when it got into the regulatory
    process and it conflicted with some previous public laws or
    Federal laws or statutes or whatever you want to call them, and
    that, in fact, muddied the water. And when it came out, it was
    actually worse than when we went in with it. Okay, so there was
    an arbitrary 12-mile, nautical-mile limitation. And if you look
    at the map, it is all over the place. And the intent was, let
    us cover that is 330,000 Navy Veterans that served in Tonkin
    Gulf and the South China Sea.
        We want to maintain close congressional oversight on the
    implementation of the PACT Act, including a transparent review
    of the TEF dollars, how are they being and will be spent in the
    future. So, we are not holding a position on that until we hear
    what you come up with and your recommendations are.
        We want to hold, and still want to hold a hearing on the
    oversight hearing on the Toxic Exposure Research Act, which
    called for an intergenerational research to investigate birth
    defects in descendants of veterans and to investigate that why
    that law has not been followed. We are still on that. I am
    going to be running out of time here quickly.
        We also want to address the persistent challenge to access
    providers of healthcare in Puerto Rico by amending the Puerto
    Rican tax code to draw more healthcare workers into Puerto Rico
    to join in the VA healthcare system. As you know, if I were to
    go to work in a private hospital in San Juan and earning the
    same money as somebody in the VA system, my take home pay could
    be as much as 30 percent different because of the requirements
    on the civil service employees versus the requirements that are
    on the territorial employees. So, we need to get that addressed
    to up that as a priority.
        We also would like the VA to reinstate the use of physician
    assistance in mental health providers at the VA hospitals and
    clinics to address the historic difficulties with access to
    mental health care for veterans. Permitting PAs to practice in
    this space will allow for the dramatic expansion of access to
    mental health services for our Nation's veterans and begin to
    address the suicide crisis we are now facing. The enactment of
    the 48-hour VSO review period for disability claims, which is a
    regulatory process, but we might need help from Congress to get
    that reinstated.
        Chairman Bost. Mr. McManus, we need to--we are about five--
    --
        Mr. McManus. Okay.
        Chairman Bost.--six minutes over on time.
        Mr. McManus. Okay. All right. We provided written testimony
    that covers the rest of our priorities. With that, I will end
    up and just thank you for your time and your attention, and----
        Chairman Bost. Thank you.
        Mr. McManus [continuing]. Your continued support. Thank
    you.
        [Applause.]

        [The prepared statement of Mr. McManus appears on page 186
    of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you for your testimony. General
    McGinn, you are recognized for 5 minutes.

    STATEMENT OF MAJ. GEN. FRANK MCGINN (RET.), PRESIDENT, NATIONAL
                 GUARD ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES

        Mr. McGinn. Thank you. Chairman Tester, Ranking Member
    Moran, Chairman Bost, Ranking Member Takano, other
    distinguished Members of the Senate and House Committees. On
    behalf of the National Guard Association of the United States,
    we thank you for this opportunity to come before you. Your
    Committees have dedicated significant time and effort toward
    policies which protect and defend those who protect and defend
    our Nation. Serving the military naturally comes with a level
    of hardship, but the system itself should never add to that
    challenge. We look forward to continuing our work with each of
    you to improve the quality of life for both those currently
    serving and retired.
        Our main goal at NGAUS is parity. Parity in the structure
    of our force, parity in the acquisition and modernization of
    our equipment, and parity in the benefits our members receive.
    The operational use of the National Guard has grown
    exponentially since 9/11. We now make up 39 percent of the
    total Army and 30 percent of the total Air Force.
        The weight of the National Guard polls in our national
    security plan is extraordinary, yet many Americans fail to
    understand the depth of our role as the primary combat reserve
    of our defense of the Nation. It is imperative that we change
    that narrative.
        In my testimony, I will focus on three specific areas key
    to recruiting and retaining a National Guard force that remains
    prepared to protect our Nation. Increase parity for education
    benefits, improve transition assistance, and consistent access
    to medical coverage. Regarding education benefit parity. When
    an individual joins the military, they invest in our national
    security. In return, as a token of our gratitude, we invest in
    their future through educational benefits. We are incredibly
    grateful for the work done by your Committees and staff to help
    elevate the need for parity and how reserve component accrues
    GI Bill benefits. While the Forever GI Bill and the FY18 NDAA
    made positive advancements to close that gap, there is still
    work to be done. Unlike the active component, guardsmen serve
    in a variety of statuses that do not accrue GI Bill benefits. A
    day in uniform is a day in service to this country. And it is
    past time this disparity is corrected.
        We are very pleased to see your two Committees introduce
    the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024. This would
    count all statuses, including weekend drills, annual training,
    and specific state active duty missions. This is an incredible
    step forward, and I know much work has been done and has gone
    into the Committee staff level. And NGAUS is extremely grateful
    and appreciative.
        Our second area concerns the reserve component track for
    transition assistance. Retiring from the military is a
    significant life event. Transition Assistance Program was
    established to help prepare service members for the next
    chapter of life once they come off orders. However, guardsmen
    come on and off active duty orders multiple times, and each
    time, we are required to complete TAP as if we are ending our
    military career rather than returning to our regularly
    scheduled lives. Not only is this a waste of resources and
    time, but it creates a level of fatigue. By the time a
    guardsman actually needs TAP, many individuals have gone
    through the program four times or more. TAP is mandated to have
    three tracks. NGAUS asks that one of those tracks be
    rededicated and tailored to the reserve component. The National
    Guard and Reserve has unique needs when coming off active duty
    orders, and specific attention should be paid to the accrual
    and transition of benefits. It is my understanding these
    committees are considering language to address this issue and
    we ask for your full support.
        Our third area of focus is Zero-Cost TRICARE and Dental.
    Readiness is our top priority. We must be always ready to
    protect, defend, and respond at a moment's notice. Guardsmen
    must maintain a constant level of readiness and proficiency.
    For the most part, the Department of Defense provides the tools
    to promote preparedness. Although we do not ask a soldier to
    purchase a Humvee or for an airman to purchase an F-16, yet for
    healthcare, the service member is required to purchase their
    own out of pocket. As a result, there are currently 130,000
    reserve component members without healthcare, and we have units
    far below the 75 percent medical deployability goal set by DoD.
    In these current times, we cannot afford any percentage of our
    team to sit on the bench when it comes to a potential fight
    with China, Russia, or Iran. We will absolutely need every
    player out in the field. We respectfully ask you to fully
    support the Healthcare for Our Troops Act and the Dental Care
    for Our Troops Act, providing zero-cost TRICARE and dental
    coverage. This will dramatically increase readiness,
    recruiting, and retention.
        However, the benefits extend far beyond the current force.
    A healthy guardsman is a healthy veteran. Preventative care
    through the service member's career reduces medical
    expenditures after retirement. Consistent coverage would allow
    those within our ranks to establish healthy habits for routine
    upkeep, develop care plans for long-term health issues, and
    address mental health concerns as they arise. There is no
    better way to truly put our service members first. Again, I ask
    each of you for your support on Healthcare and Dental Care for
    Our Troops Acts.
        In conclusion, thank you for inviting NGAUS to testify.
    Your efforts are critical to the well-being of the National
    Guard. I look forward to continuing our work together and
    appreciate the leadership from the members and the staff of
    this Committee and I welcome your questions. Thank you.
        [Applause.]

        [The prepared statement of Mr. McGinn appears on page 197
    of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you, General. Mr. Handzuk, you have
    been recognized for 5 minutes.
        Mr. Handzuk. Chairman Tester, Ranking----
        Chairman Bost. Microphone. Thank you.
        Mr. Handzuk. Sorry.

    STATEMENT OF JOHN S. HANDZUK, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, FLEET RESERVE
                              ASSOCIATION

        Mr. Handzuk. Chairmans Tester and Bost, Ranking Members
    Moran and Takano, and other Members of the Committee. Good
    morning. I am John Handzuk, a retired Navy Command Master
    Chief, and I currently am the National President of the Fleet
    Reserve Association.
        I am here today to express the concerns of our members of
    the oldest sea service association that has been around for
    nearly 100 years, and proud to tell you that on Veterans Day,
    November 11 of this year, we celebrate our centennial. As one
    of the leading supporters of the PACT Act that was enacted in
    the last session of Congress, FRA is grateful for its passage.
    It was a top priority of the association and that it be
    implemented effectively. Military service for our Nation
    requires service members to go places that may expose them to
    toxins and cause illness and diseases that may not be diagnosed
    for years or even decades after their service. The act was
    signed into law in August of 22, and we recognize the fact.
    Recently, VA proposed a rule to expand the locations and
    timeframes for which VA presumes exposure to Agent Orange and
    other herbicides. The FRA members welcome the recent VA
    proposed regulation that will implement a new presumption of
    exposure to locations where herbicides were tested, used, or
    stored outside of Vietnam.
        My membership is shocked to hear that nearly a quarter
    million veterans may be at risk of being prescribed medicine
    they are allergic to or would interact poorly with their
    existing medications because of issues with the new VA
    electronic health record system. We are thankful to the VA
    Inspector General's efforts with the House Veterans' Affairs
    Committee, Technology Modernization Subcommittee, oversight to
    ID this problem, and we hope that it will be corrected soon.
        The FRA supports legislation authorizing immediate payment
    of concurrent receipt of full military retired pay and veterans
    disability compensation for all those eligible. I heard earlier
    this morning, the Legion Commander state, that it was like a
    tax. If I am questioned, I will get into that further.
        The membership of the association strongly believes
    reducing a retiree's retired pay because they are disabled is,
    in fact, an injustice. Therefore, we strongly support the Major
    Richard Star Act, sponsored by Chairman Tester and
    Representative Bilirakis, that expands concurrent receipt to
    include combat-related special compensation veterans who are
    medically retired with less than 20 years of service. And you
    may be aware, over two thirds of Congress co-sponsor this
    concurrent receipt legislation. We need to pass this bill.
        Speaking of which, I have been in the FRA 41 years. It has
    been one of our priorities for as long as I have been a member
    of the FRA. And we still wait.
        Aging veterans represent a segment of vulnerable
    individuals increasingly being targeted by bad actors preying
    upon their benefits that they have earned. This is why the FRA
    supports the GUARD VA Benefits Act that would reinstate
    penalties for charging veterans and survivors unauthorized fees
    related to claims for VA benefits. The National Association of
    Attorneys General dispatched a letter to congressional leaders
    last year on behalf of a bipartisan group of 44 state attorneys
    general urging passing of the GUARD Act.
        Speaking about veteran suicide, and I get uncomfortable
    with this, but one suicide is one too many. The FRA is grateful
    to the VA for allowing any veteran experiencing suicidal crisis
    to get emergency care at no cost from either a VA or non-VA
    healthcare facility. And we are also appreciative that
    enrollment in a VA system is not required. Specifically, more
    than 32,000 veterans in acute suicidal crisis have received
    free emergency health care under the new lifesaving policy. But
    unfortunately, veterans still remain at an elevated risk.
        We are pleased to know that veterans experiencing
    homelessness have declined by 11 percent since January 2020. In
    total, the estimated number of veterans experiencing
    homelessness in America has declined by 55 percent since 2010.
        The majority of FRA members were opposed to burial
    restrictions--I am sorry I didn't pause enough there, for the
    in-ground burials at Arlington National Cemetery. More than 73
    percent of FRA members surveyed last January support creating a
    second national cemetery, perhaps on the west coast, in lieu of
    additional restrictions on burials at Arlington National, and
    still be able to obtain the full military honors they
    rightfully earned. We support Expanding America's National
    Cemetery Act. It would authorize the DoD and the VA to
    transform an existing VA cemetery to maintain internment with
    full honors as Arlington National reaches capacity. We should
    not be forced to change their well-earned plans because of
    unnecessary administrative rules.
        I appreciate this opportunity to testify on behalf of the
    Fleet Reserve Association, and I stand ready to answer your
    questions. Thank you.
        [Applause.]

        [The prepared statement of Mr. Handzuk appears on page 203
    of the Appendix.]

        Chairman Bost. Thank you. We are going to go to questions.
    I am going to recognize myself for 3 minutes. Mr. Lischinsky,
    the JWV wrote a letter to the Secretary condemning a VA
    Attorney's appalling and public antisemitism remarks about
    Israel hostages in November. Are you satisfied with the VA's
    response and how this incident had been handled?
        Mr. Lischinsky. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Chairman
    Bost. In response to that, on the 29 January, we had a meeting
    with Secretary McDonough, and it was based on questions that
    was coming to the JWV membership. Some of our members were
    concerned, and they asked the question that how do I know that
    that employee did not handle my case, did not evaluate my case,
    didn't touch my case. And we brought that to the attention of
    Secretary McDonough, and he has assured us that there was no
    bias and no prejudice in her work.
        I go back to what I said earlier, that education is the
    important factor. And I hear this throughout this panel, that
    education, no matter what the topic is, is very important. So
    JWV stands behind that. We will be glad to work with anybody
    that wants to deal with antisemitism, bigotry, and hate. And
    although I said earlier that we fought for freedom of speech,
    and we understand freedom of speech, and we value freedom of
    speech, but when freedom of speech is brought into the
    workforce and it has a connotation of antisemitism, bigotry,
    and hate, and your employees are affected by it, and our
    customers are affected by it, and our stakeholders affected by
    it, it is no longer freedom of speech. Thank you, sir, for
    asking that.
        Chairman Bost. Commander Campos, I appreciate your support
    and helping us get Senator Elizabeth Dole veterans package over
    the line. What would the consequences of not passing this
    important legislation be?
        Ms. Campos. The consequences, sir, these are--of not
    providing resources to those that are actually taking care of
    veterans. This is a bipartisan package. There is absolutely no
    reason why it shouldn't move forward. Understand that there is
    no issues with funding and so on, but a lot of caregivers and
    veterans are counting on it. And each day and the services that
    these caregivers provide, there is no amount of money this
    country could pay for the services that they provide in the way
    that they provided. So, a lot of veterans, a lot of our
    members, a lot of the military coalition members, a lot of our
    colleagues here are waiting for this package to get across the
    line.
        Chairman Bost. Thank you. Ranking Member Takano, you are
    recognized.
        Mr. Takano. Mr. Chairman, I may go over slightly, sir, is
    that okay with you? Great. Ms. Monet, it is great to see you
    again. HUD-VASH Voucher utilization has long been an issue we,
    VA and HUD, have tried to address. What are some actions
    Congress can take to increase voucher utilization and get
    veterans in need into housing?
        Ms. Monet. So, I think the most immediate action you can
    take is to really push VA to address this issue that they are
    having with their hiring caps and setting aside special purpose
    funding, but not actually filling those positions. I think that
    is very much low-hanging fruit. The funding is there. They gain
    nothing by leaving special purpose funding on the table, and
    veterans are harmed. I think there are other things that you
    can do to increase housing stock, to incentivize PHAs and
    landlords to take these vouchers. But I think the easiest thing
    to start with is to really work with your friends at 810
    Vermont.
        Mr. Takano. What about, are there other eligibility issues
    Congress needs to address to ensure that all veterans who need
    homeless services can access them?
        Ms. Monet. Absolutely. I think that there are many
    restrictions based on discharge statuses that need to be
    addressed across all programs, particularly for HUD-VASH and
    the HPACT program. But with regard specifically to HUD-VASH,
    there are these issues around the counting of disability
    compensation as income that do actually leave the most
    vulnerable veterans out from accessing vouchers, and project-
    based vouchers in particular. And that is a really hard pill to
    swallow, because project-based settings are generally most
    optimized for the most vulnerable and most disabled veterans.
    So, it is just really hard to see them left out.
        Mr. Takano. What about the issue about the benefits making
    some veterans ineligible for housing, is that also an issue we
    need to fix as well?
        Ms. Monet. Absolutely.
        Mr. Takano. That is a serious issue that the Mayor of Los
    Angeles is trying to deal with in terms of the eligibility
    cliff. Ironically, the housing we build for veterans, we can't
    put veterans in there because their disability benefits make
    them ineligible. So that seems to be contradictory. We are
    quickly approaching a year since the flexible authorities the
    VA utilized during the pandemic to address homelessness
    expired. How is the failure to get the Home Act signed into law
    affecting VA and community providers' ability to get veterans
    housed?
        Ms. Monet. Well, there are some instances where the damage
    just has been done, right, where grantees have left programs
    and just are no longer operating services in their community.
    But there are other areas that could really make a difference,
    right. When you think about extending the Section 4201
    assistance, I think back to the end of the public health
    emergency, and I think within the first six weeks of the end of
    the emergency, we were hearing that VA canceled something like
    38,000 prescheduled transportation rides for veterans. And
    there were 10,000, I think over 10,000, they said, missed
    medical and mental health appointments across the country just
    because veterans couldn't access what they needed to. I think
    there was even one veteran they mentioned that passed away
    because they couldn't get to dialysis appointments. And, I
    mean, that is very basic and simple, and it sounds
    counterintuitive, but resources like that really do make a
    difference for veterans who are struggling and have next to
    nothing.
        Mr. Takano. So the expired authorities really have had
    tremendous dramatic impact?
        Ms. Monet. Absolutely.
        Mr. Takano. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Mr.
    Sheldon, I am glad to see that the National Congress of
    American Indians is here this morning, and that Tribal and
    Native voices are recognized in this hearing before our
    Committee. And welcome. I want to thank you for your detailed
    testimony regarding the barriers Native veterans faced when
    accessing VA services. A piece of your testimony that really
    struck me were the issues related to housing on Native lands.
    And I agree with you that being underhoused or homeless is a
    health disparity, and this is an issue we should address with
    urgency. So, underutilization of the VA Native American Direct
    Loan program seems to be a direct cause of housing insecurity
    that some Native Americans face--Native veterans face. How can
    VA improve this program to better reach and serve Native
    veterans in obtaining stable housing?
        Mr. Sheldon. Thank you very much. I appreciate that
    question. As I was prepping for this testimony, I came upon the
    NADL program and what it does in housing and such, and so what
    it was is a new program. So how can we educate Indian country
    on the programs that are being offered? And to me, that is the
    cusp of the question. Working with NCAI, we can use that arm to
    let all of our Tribes across the Nation know programs, working
    better with our veterans.
        Mr. Takano. So, you are saying better outreach. But have
    you seen any improvements to VA's outreach on Tribal lands
    regarding the NADL program, or could they do better?
        Mr. Sheldon. Yes. Yes, absolutely. I think we had Veterans'
    Secretary out at New Orleans, Louisiana. And that type of
    outreach in person means a lot to us in Indian country, and we
    are able to better get the data and share it with other Tribes
    and veterans in Indian country.
        Mr. Sheldon. Great. Well, thank you. My last line of
    questioning is to Mr. McManus. You spoke, Mr. McManus, about
    the importance of the PACT Act for veterans that you represent.
    But in your testimony, you also presented to us some cohorts
    that were left out of the PACT Act. In light of that, can you
    tell us the importance, you know, can you tell us what concerns
    you have about capping or sunsetting the spending that we do on
    toxic exposure, on care and benefits for the toxic-exposed
    veterans? Given that we have maybe more cohorts to consider,
    including into the PACT Act.
        Mr. McManus. Let me start by saying that we believe that
    the PACT Act overall has been a tremendous success and one of
    the greatest pieces of veterans' legislation that has come out
    in the last half a century. So, like any piece of legislation,
    it is subject to debate even after it is enacted and signed
    into law. But it is also subject to regulatory interpretation
    and frequently intent of legislation, when it gets to
    regulatory interpretation, becomes different.
        We think that one of the great things, basis and
    foundations of the PACT Act was the fact that we weren't going
    to have to go through a political quagmire every time we wanted
    to get into a new toxin or a new location where toxins were or
    whatever, and that the funding was there for the benefit of the
    veterans and whatever. We understand that that is up for
    discussion, and that hadn't been universal; and we will wait
    until we hear what your recommendations are before we weigh in
    on that. But we think that really, the strength of that Toxic
    Exposure Fund Foundation is the foundation of that law, because
    it makes it carry on from one generation to another generation
    to another generation.
        Mr. Takano. Well, specifically, the burden of proof has
    been moved away from the veteran, and the benefit of the doubt
    has been expanded to the veteran. But we also, in order to do
    that, we had to have a funding mechanism, and some are
    suggesting we should cap or diminish that funding. And I just
    want to make sure that you all had a chance to talk about the
    importance of the funding part of this.
        Mr. McManus. We hear pro and con on that, and we haven't
    heard anybody come up with any rational program that will
    continue to address the legislation of changing it. So, we are
    not in favor of changing it unless it is something that is
    reasonable.
        Mr. Takano. I hear you. Well, thank you, Mr. McManus.
        Mr. McManus. Thank you.
        Mr. Takano. I yield back, Mr. Chairman.
        Chairman Bost. Mr. Levin, you are recognized for 3 minutes.

                            HON. MIKE LEVIN,
                  U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM CALIFORNIA

        Mr. Levin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Monet, great to see
    you again. You mentioned that you have been working for three
    years to extend the flexibilities and GPD increases provided in
    Isakson and Roe. Homeless veterans have now been without needed
    resources for 10 months since the expiration of these
    authorities, and unfortunately, they are being held hostage in
    exchange for other policy concessions. My question is, is there
    any reason we shouldn't pass the provisions we agree on now
    rather than waiting until we have agreement on everything?
        Ms. Monet. From my perspective, no. There are over 35,000
    veterans homeless on any night, all waiting for you to act, and
    there are countless other provisions in the bill that a lot of
    the folks on this panel have discussed, and I do think that
    urgency is the utmost priority from my perspective.
        Mr. Levin. Well, not surprisingly, I agree with you. I
    think we should pass what we agree on. And around here, we are
    not going to agree on everything, but we need to pass what we
    agree on right away. Ms. Mullaney, thank you for your support
    of the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act, which I
    reintroduced last week. Obviously, there will be a cost
    associated with it, and it will be competing for limited
    offsets with other proposals. But as our Committees work
    through the legislative process, can you tell us TAP's view on
    what Congress should address first when it comes to things like
    GI Bill parity, Chapter 35 sunset and full MHA for online
    classes?
        Ms. Harrison Mullaney. Yes, thank you for the question.
    Guard and Reserve Parity and Chapter 35 sunset is TAP's top
    educational priority. We really believe that we should focus on
    getting everyone benefits before we start whittling through who
    should get increased. Those that currently have nothing have no
    opportunity to go to school. Congress, we encourage Congress to
    prioritize those before moving forward with the online MHA.
        Mr. Levin. Thank you. Commander Campos and Major General
    McGinn, I appreciate your organizations' support for parity as
    well. Commander Campos, perhaps we will start with you. Can you
    speak about the importance of the legislation to your members
    and the urgency with which you think Congress should act on the
    proposal?
        Ms. Campos. Thank you for that question and for the support
    on this important bill. GI, you know, as I mentioned in my
    remarks, the Guard and Reserve Parity is an opportunity to
    encourage those that are leaving active duty to join the
    reserves. The GI Bill is a recruiting and retention tool, and
    so we can't afford as a country, when we have recruiting
    challenges in the active duty component as well as the reserve
    component, to have that talent lost. And so, we see that this
    is a National Defense issue, and we recognize, and should
    recognize it, as a country, that these are important
    contributions that these service members give and this benefit
    and what we need to modernize the all-volunteer force.
        Mr. Levin. Thank you. And, Mr. Chairman, if I could just
    have another minute or so. General McGinn, if you have anything
    you would like to add.
        Mr. McGinn. Yes, thank you, sir, for the question. I would
    echo my colleagues' comments about recruiting and retention at
    a time when our country is really struggling with recruiting
    and retention. I think the GI Parity Act is one good way to
    entice and attract talent into our services, specifically our
    reserve force, and also to retain them. And to retain them. And
    so, as you know, the cost of growing a soldier or an airmen is
    expensive. The more we can increase our retention rates, then
    that is going to assist us. So that is a cost savings there
    just by retaining some of our soldiers and our airmen.
        And secondly, as far as the parity piece, service and Title
    32 status should not be treated any differently than service
    and Title 10 status. As I mentioned, a day of service is a day
    of service. So that the status of which you are in, I think, is
    certainly something that needs to be corrected.
        But to back up onto my recruiting and retention, I think
    that is the key issue to our members, and I think that is
    something that we all see as a struggle these days.
        Mr. Levin. Mr. Chairman, am I okay for one more minute?
    Colonel Lischinsky, in your testimony, you called for gender-
    specific care at all VA facilities and more providers with
    expertise in women's health. I was proud to support the Deborah
    Sampson Act, which included several provisions to improve care
    for women veterans at VA. That bill included a provision that
    authorized $1 million annually through fiscal year '25 and
    additional funding for the Women Veterans Health Mini-Residency
    program.
        Since its implementation in 2008, around 10,000 VA
    providers have participated in this program, which trains
    nurses and physicians working in primary care and emergency
    medicine on core women's health topics, including trauma-
    informed care, intimate partner violence, and menopause. I am
    currently working with my colleague and friend, Representative
    Buddy Carter of Georgia, on legislation to reauthorize this
    crucial funding and ensure the Women Veterans Health Mini-
    Residency program can continue to train VA providers. Colonel
    Lischinsky, why is it so important that we train VA providers
    to provide gender-specific care?
        Mr. Lischinsky. Thank you, Mr. Levin.
        Mr. Levin. There you are.
        Mr. Lischinsky. Thank you, Mr. Levin. You know, having
    served as a combat service support brigade commander, women
    were a big part of that organization. We have come a long way
    since the days before. I don't want to say old, but the days
    before, that we handed a female pilot a uniform, a male
    uniform, and we said to them, make it fit, it will work. Some
    of our healthcare systems are a little bit antiquated, and we
    are expecting that our female soldiers, airmen, marines
    throughout the whole service to make them fit in the world that
    I served in, we need to continue to have the Mini-Residency
    program. We thank you for the funding of that. And we also say
    that we should be taking best practices that are out in the
    civilian world for our female service members. We should be
    adapting them as well so they could have fit. They are entitled
    to the exact same health care system as a male is. So, I do
    want to say on behalf of the Jewish War Veterans of the United
    States and for all veteran organizations, thank you for
    supporting that, and thank you for continuing to support that.
        Mr. Levin. Thank you, sir. Thanks, everybody, for your
    testimony, and I will yield back.
        Chairman Bost. And I want to say thank you to everyone that
    was here. And I want to say I apologize for the lack of amount
    of members being here. It was a scheduling issue that occurred
    both in the Senate and in the House. Know that this Committee,
    both our Committee on the House side, and I am sure the Senate
    Committee, if Tester was here, he would say that as well. We
    are here to serve you. We thank you for the partnership that
    you provide with us to make sure that our veterans are being
    provided for. We know that there is other areas we have to
    expand on and work on. We also know that we are required to
    make sure that whatever we are doing, that the funding is
    coming from somewhere. It is a very big challenge. But I have
    told you in my opening, and I do mean that we are going to work
    every way possible to make sure that as many needs as we can
    are being provided for. And just making a promise to you and
    moving a bill that is not going to move on both sides of the
    aisle and not going to get signed by the President is just
    that. It is a nice show, but I am not here for a show. I am
    here to try to help our veterans. I told you off the beginning
    that it was personal to me, like it is to you. And I thank you
    all for being here, and I thank everyone for your testimony and
    everything you do every day. With that, we are going to adjourn
    this. And this concludes the joint hearing.
        [Whereupon, at 12:55 p.m., the Joint Committees were
    adjourned.]

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